Get On The Bus

The Sydney Morning Herald reported this morning that the Atheist Foundation of Australia had been rebuffed in its attempt to launch an atheistic advertising campaign similar to those that have met with success in London and Washington. Not exactly breaking news. The Foundation issued a press release in November 2008 stating that:

The bus slogan campaign proposed by the AFA with the thought provoking sentiment, “Atheism – Celebrate reason!” has been refused for display by ‘APN Outdoors’. Various other phrases also deemed unacceptable. 

However, the Herald article did add some facts. According to the Herald, Australia’s largest outdoor advertising firm, APN Outdoors, rejected the Atheist Foundation’s request to purchase $16,000 in mobile advertising similar to that employed in London and Washington – this in spite of the fact that APN has previously accepted religious advertising on the very vehicles the group is seeking to employ. The Herald reports that APN has refused to comment on its rejection of the Foundation’s advertising purchase. APN has also refused to divulge whether or not it has religious-based clients who purchase advertising for their organizations.

The Foundation issued a press release in December stating its intention to file a complaint with the Tasmanian Anti-discrimination Commissioner following the refusal of Metro Tasmania, a State owned bus company, to display its advertisements. The foundation had intended to launch its campaign later this month.

Given APN’s refusal to speak, it’s hard to know what is motivating their refusal of the Foundation’s advertising. However, given the advertising mockup supplied by the Foundation, it’s fairly clear that their campaign is innocuous. Only the most insecure of the faithful could feel threatened by such simple statements.

Their refusal to accept the advertising is somewhat more ironic considering the company’s slogan of “Think Outside…” Clearly, they only believe in the concept of thinking if it fits certain undisclosed criteria.

If you’d like to share your thoughts about APN Outdoor’s rejection of the Foundation’s advertising campaign, you can send a message to the company using the contact information found here.