tomroyal.com

The Daily Mail's coverage of the Atheist bus campaign includes this, from Christian Voice spokesperson Stephen Green:

"Bendy-buses, like atheism, are a danger to the public at large. I should be surprised if a quasi-religious advertising campaign like this did not attract graffiti. People don't like being preached at. Sometimes it does them good, but they still don't like it."

It's brilliant on so many levels. For one, he seems to be suggesting that citizens should go out and vandalize any religious or quasi-religious advertising. I'd be OK with that, although in Lewisham the process could take some time. Then there's the matter of bendy buses which, despite repeated claims by Boris Johnson et al, aren't actually any more dangerous than, for example, lorries*, which he has no problem with. And then Green's elegant scuppering of his own argument in the final sentence. He's a bona-fide genius. Or should I say a prophet.

* Boris: "there are many cyclists killed every year by them". Fact: no fatalities since introduction in 2002. More info here.

If you have half an hour to spare, I'd recommend listening to this morning's edition of Beyond Westminster - here's an iPlayer Link - which was on (the not at all contentious topic of) religion and politics.

The main body of the programme is fairly interesting - who knew that the press are excluded from the prayers that take place every morning in the House of Commons? - but the discussion at the end is more so. I was particularly interested by the views of A C Grayling - as an atheist I often find my side of any religious discussion represented in a vaguely hysterical manner that strikes me as counterproductive and rude even if well intentioned, so it was nice to hear the whole debate completed in a measured way. Have made a mental note to seek out some of his books.

(As an aside, Richard Dawkins seems to be selling atheism T-shirts. This is bizarre. Also, it appears that theists have all the good typography.)