How is a giant billboard promoting atheism not proselytizing?

[Kuzcotopia]

Not a waste of money. Since they got their money back AND a vast amount of publicity; I'd say it was excellent value for money

Didn't see that part. That's good to know they can reinvest it.

 

[Kuzcotopia]

The atheist from rural Nebraska who doesn't know any other atheists and feels isolated and alone... who sees the billboard on a trip to town and suddenly discovers that he's not as alone as he thinks he is, and that once a month or so, he can do the hour drive to Lincoln, get some relief from the constant religious background noise for an evening, and hang out with some people who know what he's going through.

That's who cares.

Very good point. I didn't think of that.

 

[A Vestigial Mote]

As others have said, if churches are allowed to "advertise" and that's not considered proselytizing then this should not be considered as such either. That atheists are "without God" is a basic statement of fact. Nowhere does it say "Stop believing in God!"

 

[BilliardsBall]

The billboard I'm taking about can be found in the article below. I don't care so much about it being taken down or not, but rather I'm curious how such a billboard is not proselytizing?

Nebraska Atheist Billboard Promoting “The Good Life Without God” Comes Down Following Complaints

Atheists don't proselytize because they aren't religious. Oh, wait:

pros·e·lyt·ize
ˈpräs(ə)ləˌtīz/
verb

1. convert or attempt to convert (someone) from one religion, belief, or opinion to another

Of COURSE, they proselytize. They do so here! Do they get notes from admins when they post, "All religion is stupid. There is no god! Just live your life! I wish all religions were gone!" for illegal proselytizing?

 

[LuisDantas]

Majority rules. That's America. If atheists are in the majority this sign stays up and religious signs will come down. It's just the way it is.

I don't think so.

 

[LuisDantas]

I quite like that ad. It is rather subdued and very respectful. Wish we had more of those.

 

[Underhill]

The billboard I'm taking about can be found in the article below. I don't care so much about it being taken down or not, but rather I'm curious how such a billboard is not proselytizing?

Nebraska Atheist Billboard Promoting “The Good Life Without God” Comes Down Following Complaints

Read the article. It isn't about bringing new people into the fold, it's about reaching out to other atheist and giving them a sense of community.

 

[Underhill]

The atheist group I am very loosely affiliated with (they are 150 miles away but I've attended a few of their get togethers) did something similar in Syracuse a few years ago. I couldn't believe the amount of complaints the billboard company received. Fortunately they didn't care enough to take it down.

The flip side is that it doubled the size of our group in a very short time. But none of them were convinced to become an atheist by the billboard. I can't imagine billboards ever have that kind of impact. I've never seen a "Jesus Saves" billboard and thought, 'damn, I need to repent'!

 

[Kemosloby]

It's not proselytizing because they aren't trying to change your belief from believing there is a God to believing there isn't, they just want you to choose to live without God, and call that the "good life".

 

[David T]

The billboard I'm taking about can be found in the article below. I don't care so much about it being taken down or not, but rather I'm curious how such a billboard is not proselytizing?

Nebraska Atheist Billboard Promoting “The Good Life Without God” Comes Down Following Complaints

My stupid is better than their stupid is all it is.

 

[DavidFirth]

I don't think so.

Then why did the sign come down? Because the majority wanted it down.

 

[columbus]

Then why did the sign come down? Because the majority wanted it down.

I see no reason to believe that. A small, but vocal, minority of religious hypocrites seems much more likely.
Tom

 

[DavidFirth]

I see no reason to believe that. A small, but vocal, minority of religious hypocrites seems much more likely.
Tom

Opinion noted.

 

[LuisDantas]

Then why did the sign come down? Because the majority wanted it down.

I doubt that as well.

 

[Valjean]

It is proselytizing because that words means to try to convert someone. And I see nothing wrong with that.

Convert someone to what? Atheism isn't a religion or belief system one can "convert" to.
It appears to me just an ad for their club.

It looks like advertising.

Of course it's advertising. That's what billboards are for. The Sierra club advertises, the YMCA advertises, The Kiwanis club advertises, why not an atheist club?

I have no problem with the billboard, although it does seem rather telling that they had to take it down after only a week. Because they had too many complaints. But who would actually take the time to complain about that?

Very insecure people frightened by anything threatening their religious fantasies or world view. Authoritarian people annoyed by irreverence toward accepted values or disrespect for social convention.

On the other hand, was this atheist group on some kind of membership drive?

Obviously. It's an ad for their organization.

 

[DavidFirth]

I doubt that as well.

Very well. However, if the majority had wanted it up it would still be there.

If it were a religious sign promoting whatever denomination is in the majority in that community it would still be there and we would have never heard anything about it.

 

[columbus]

Opinion noted.

And dismissed I presume?
The ability of religious people to ignore reality when it interferes with their narrative is why I am pretty suspicious about many of their claims.
Tom

 

[DavidFirth]

Convert someone to what? Atheism isn't a religion or belief system one can "convert" to.

Nevertheless I encounter atheists on here that try to convert me every day. Don't tell me they don't try to convert people. Many of them hate religion.

 

[sayak83]

Convert someone to what? Atheism isn't a religion or belief system one can "convert" to.
It appears to me just an ad for their club.
Of course it's advertising. That's what billboards are for. The Sierra club advertises, the YMCA advertises, The Kiwanis club advertises, why not an atheist club?
Very insecure people frightened by anything threatening their religious fantasies or world view. Authoritarian people annoyed by irreverence toward accepted values or disrespect for social convention.
Obviously. It's an ad for their organization.

I was not objecting. Merely making the observation that it is an advertisement rather than a proselytization.

 

[DavidFirth]

And dismissed I presume?
The ability of religious people to ignore reality when it interferes with their narrative is why I am pretty suspicious about many of their claims.
Tom

Opinion also noted.