With our own Richard Wade providing the inspiration, Justin Vacula is one step closer to putting up what may be the Least Offensive (But-I’m-Sure-Someone-Will-Still-Complain) Atheist Bus Ad Ever:

Just one word. And yet, someone in Scranton, Pennsylvania is bound to get all huffy about it.

“Various ads placed by atheists on billboards, buses, and elsewhere — no matter how innocuous they may be — throughout the United States have been called ‘offensive’ by theists. This led me and others to question if some theists are offended merely because atheists exist and are promoting a message (regardless of its content),” Vacula says. “Instead of theists reacting to messages from atheists with vitriol,” Vacula explains, “they should take some time to learn what atheists have to offer and what individual atheists believe. In the case of the NEPA Freethought Society, all persons have the opportunity to visit our website, read our content, listen to our podcast episodes, and even listen to a recent respectful debate I had with a Methodist minister. There’s no reason to be angry with us.”

The ad will be sponsored by individual donors, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Freethought Society (NEPA), and American Atheists.

All Justin’s waiting for is the green light from the bus company’s board of directors.

If they reject this ad, how newsworthy would that be…?



