ARKANSAS: Atheists Win Bus Suit (Bus company wanted 3 million dollars insurance policy)

[WillParkinson]

An atheist group seeking to place its message on city buses has won its lawsuit against an Arkansas public transit agency. The agency had demanded payment on a $3M insurance policy in case rampaging Christians decided to vandalize its vehicles in response to the ads.

Judge Susan Webber Wright ruled that the Central Arkansas Transit Authority and its advertising agency should not have denied the group the right to place the ads on 18 publicly-funded city buses during Memorial Day weekend. Washington-based United Coalition of Reason filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Arkansas group in June after the transit authority and its advertising agency rejected an ad that would have read, "Are you good without God? Millions are." "This was a victory for all of us whether you believe in God or not, because it's a victory of free speech," United Coalition of Reason's attorney J.G. Schultz told Reuters. The transit authority and its advertising agency, On The Move Advertising, had required payment of a $36,000 deposit to run the ad. The group then changed that to a $3 million insurance policy in case of bus vandalism by angry Christians.

http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2011/08/arkansas-atheists-win-bus-suit.html

[bluestateguy]

1. Susan Webber Wright , there is a name from the past

1998 called. Can we have that economy back too?

[DURHAM D]

3. Wow - that is a blast from the past.

This ruling is a surprise given that she is a Republican and the bitch who put Susan McDougal in jail.

[DCKit]

2. As much as I like the ruling, the group is antagonistic.

Why?

[DearAbby]

4. Antagonistic?

"Are you good without God? Millions are." What is antagonistic with that statement?

[DCKit]

10. C'mon Abby, I know you get it.

It's just rude to religious people.

[immoderate]

13. Only those who believe "you must believe in god to be good."

To tell people who are are snubbed or persecuted, that they are really OK, would offend the people who hate them.

How could this offend a true Christian? :shrug:

--imm

[DCKit]

14. Even if that's true, what's the point?

"True Christians"? Just how many of those do you think are running around?

We're all insecure, in whatever way. I just don't see the need.

[immoderate]

6. To cause Christians to rampage of course. Appears it doesn't take much.

If this bus drove by where you stood, would you be "antagonized?" ("Slowly I turn, step by step...")

I don't have the pleasure of knowing the group. You have me at a disadvantage there.


--imm

[DCKit]

9. No, I wouldn't feel antagonized, but it's antagonistic toward religious people.

It's offensive and antagonistic.

We really don't need to go there - Freedom of, and from, religion. It's just ugly and mean.

[immoderate]

12. Some people are offended by a bow tie.

:shrug:

--imm

[DCKit]

15. OK, I'll give you that.

But we're not discussing fashion sense. This is serious shit.

Can you imagine the blowback if some fundie decided to bomb one of those buses because of the signboard on the side? We just don't need that shit on top of all the other shit we're dealing with.

At the very least, it would become a recruiting tool for the most radical Xtian sects out there. Do any of us want that?

Geez y'all, think it through. It's just not worth it.

[immoderate]

16. The people supported by this sign don't have churches (with goverment subsidies)...

that offer tax-exempt services to their members, and post bulletin boards that insult atheists in front.

--imm

[DCKit]

17. And you'remodderate.

Holy shit.

[immoderate]

18. No, I'm immoderate. Opposite of moderate LOL.

There's also a MrModerate or such.

Moderate is good for weather and spice.

The sign. It's not about them! They want to control things that don't concern them. They have been taught to hate atheists. Maybe not all. Just the ones who are offended.

I just can't see a reason for atheists to have to hide their beliefs. Remember it's part of the self-righteousness of theists that no one can evince doubt in their presence.

If it makes you feel any better, I missed out on getting laid once because I said I didn't believe in astrology and the girl got really insulted. Lesson learned.

Atheists must hide? :shrug:

--imm

[mrmpa]

19. okay, I get it......................we're supposed to keep our

mouths shut so that people who are already over the edge, don't slip any further. We keep complaining about the President keeping his mouth shut, and trying to compromise. Where has that gotten him? No one has the right to make me be afraid of what their response might be.

[darkstar3]

20. You must REALLY hate Pride festivals then.

If you think THIS message, which is really one of the most passive ways for a group to say "hey atheist, you're not alone," is antagonistic, then how do you feel about a bunch of gay people getting together to just be gay and not give a fuck about the majority of society's hangup with the issue?

It really astounds me that there are so many people in this world who believe tolerance doesn't involve reading things you disagree with.

[ellenfl]

5. rampaging christians?!?!? holy cow. eom

[RC]

7. I wonder what the 'Real' Christians have to say about the prospective rampaging Christians

Not that they aren't one and the same.

[underpants]

8. Very clever of them to buy insurance

they put skin in the game and that is the legal system, at least contract law.

[zbdent]

11. funny ... you would constantly hear the fRight Wingers pointing out

how THEY NEVER EVER EVER! destroy property ...

Someone should point out to that bus company all the ringing endorsements of NOT BEING VIOLENT by the fRight Wing party ...

[Politicalboi]

21. All you non believers

Better not get the "christians" mad. They might get violent. Those don't sound like the christians. They sound more like a terrorist group everyday. Although that is how I think of them already. Keep pushing those buttons. Maybe some day in the near future, saying you're christian and Republican will be embarrassing, or worth a call to the Homeland Security.