There has been a bit of a fuss recently about a British Humanist Association advertising campaign. The slogan “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life,” is appearing on buses throughout the land. Am I alone in finding the idea of using public transport to hold a religious debate rather strange? After all, when standing all alone, in the rain on a street corner it’s hard to believe that such a thing as a bus even exists.

The Humanist advertisements are in response to a Christian campaign, which was linked to a website claiming that non-believers would spend an eternity in Hell. Irked by this, the Humanist Association set out to raise £5,500 to fund some adverts of their own. To date donations have exceeded £36,000, enough to pay for advertising banners on eight hundred buses in major cities throughout England, Scotland and Wales. The campaign has been extended to London Underground and other groups have picked it up and run with it in Europe and America.

The British Humanist adverts have upset one or two religious organisations. I’d have thought a supreme, omnipotent being could look after himself and is unlikely to be bothered by what he saw on the side of a bus. But lo, the Christian Voice has taken up its pen and written to the British Advertising Standards Authority. Their argument is that advertisers must hold evidence to back up their claims and therefore, according to the Advertising Standards code, the Humanist Association must be able to prove that God probably doesn’t exist. An interesting technical point and I wish them well in pursuing it. It does seem a little unfair, however, given that the British Humanist Association is a comparative newcomer to the field; religion has been advertising its viewpoint for over two thousand years, although probably not always on the side of a bus.

I hope we see the ads locally. Bus advertising in Cumbria is rather dull and usually restricted to Sellafield Visitor Centre or Hollywood movies that went straight to DVD. Challenging, epistemological debates would liven up many a dreary hour at the bus stop. To encourage this, why not extend the advertising to all fields of religious and philosophical inquiry? Here are a few suggestions, offered without any thought of reward either on earth or in heaven:

“If you missed it, don’t worry - this bus will come around again.” (Buddhists)

“Worshippers of Mammon - have correct change ready.”

“The devil all the best routes.” (Satanists)

“Don’t catch a bus, WALK!” (The Amish)

“It’s quicker by comet.” (Heaven’s Gate)

“Plenty of room for extra wives on top.” (Mormons)

“We’ll bring the bus round to your house and pop back for it later.” (Jehovah’s Witnesses)

“Start worrying now, we’re all being ruled by a giant lizard creature conspiracy!” (followers of David Icke)

“Until you are on it, this bus is a figment of your imagination.” (Existentialists)

“This bus will take you nowhere.” (Nihilists)

And for the deeply philosophical among you: “Returning to depot.” (Stagecoach)