No fare: Atheist bus ads get booted from buses
Public transit authorities in the cities of Ottawa, Vancouver, and Halifax have decided to censor atheist bus advertisements. Justin Trottier thinks this undermines freedom of expression, and should be opposed.
Justin Trottier - February 23, 2009
While there probably is no God, without a doubt everyone has an opinion on the Canadian atheist bus campaign. Much of it reflects support for the inclusion of a non-theist perspective often left out of public discussions of ethics and public policy. It is refreshing to witness so much support, especially coming from those that do not agree with and are perhaps sometimes even offended by our worldview.
That feeling offended does not legitimize censorship is not accepted by all. Calls for censorship often begin with “I’m all for free speech...” and then deteriorate rapidly from there. Dr. Charles McVety, President of the Canada Family Action Coalition, is a prime example. McVety, head of the largest anti-gay coalition in Canada and well known for his vocal lashings against same sex marriage, declared “on the surface, I’m all for free speech” before promptly describing the atheist bus ads as bigoted “attack ads,” a slogan that shows more restraint than most of what comes out of his mouth. Practically in the same breath, he has railed against Christian marginalization in a godless country while attempting to use his influence over vast numbers of conservative Christians to silence any atheists for daring to speak up.
Most people do not share the hypocritical agenda of Charles McVety. Instead, many are simply concerned that the atheist campaign seems to denigrate their personal belief system. Some fear the possible harm it might do to their ability to raise obedient children according to their religious worldview. Still others, whether or not they support freedom of speech, believe our slogan -- "There's probably no God, now stop worrying and enjoy your life" -- shows atheists to possess a bankrupt system of morals with nothing more than hedonistic pleasures to point the way to a fulfilled life.
It is most fascinating when the charge of shallow ethics and fear of youth corruption emanate from the same individual. Atheists, agnostics and humanists generally see as a fundamental ethical right the ability for each person to be exposed to the fullest range of ideas and concepts. To deprive someone -- even and especially children -- of a novel perspective or insight is to many of us morally questionable.
Looked at in this light, atheism is not an ethical system, but its rejection of revealed wisdom and morals naturally leads the humanist to a search for new ethics through the open society. Values of individual autonomy and universal human rights follow because each individual is on his or her own important life quest and so deserves dignity and respect. That emphasis on respect for individuals -- not groups, ideas, religions or gods -- is a key humanist contribution.
Atheists are hence naturally quite uncompromising defenders of free expression. It is our hope that as champions for everyone’s right to this fundamental freedom, atheists will find common ground with other defenders of speech and expression and enter the mainstream. This includes championing free speech against city transit policies that would keep any statement that is religious or ideological in nature off transit property.
Freedom of speech was a key issue for our community long before this campaign, which itself was launched for other goals, like atheist and humanist acceptance and mobilization. The Centre for Inquiry’s Campaign for Free Expression was a response to many developments local, national and international that point to free speech as a defining issue at this time.
Here is but a sample:
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