Whether they’re supporting breast enhancement or opposing Israeli settlements on the West Bank, the adverts on the Copenhagen buses are no strangers to controversy.
READ MORE: Bare breasts to stay on Movia buses
READ MORE: Danish bus agency removes ads opposing Israeli settlements
The latest campaign with the potential to offend was launched today by the Danish atheist society Ateistisk Selskab, an organisation that works for the separation of church and state in Denmark.
The ads, which feature on Movia buses in and around the capital, pose the questions: “Why believe in a god?” and “Why does faith cost money?”
Anders Stjernholm, the head of the society’s press relations, explained this is the first time the organisation has turned to outdoor advertising.
“We haven’t tried this before. Until now our publicity has mainly consisted of my writing. I’ve been a member of the society for one and a half years and I regularly debate in Danish newspapers,” he said.
According to Stjernholm, the purpose of the advertising campaign is to encourage atheist members of the state church (Folkekirken) to cancel their membership and to make people of faith examine their beliefs.
Movia drew the line
However, Movia would not allow Ateistisk Selskab’s full message to be featured.
“We originally had a third question: ‘Did Jesus and Mohammad actually talk to a god?’” said Stjernholm.
“But Movia didn’t allow us to include this. I’ve asked for a written specific reason why, but all that they’ve told me so far is that they couldn’t allow it because it pointed to specific religions.”
