Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Humanists show the catholics they are not the only ones with a marketing budget!

I’ve tried to write something myself, but I can’t find words better than WOOOHOOO!!
So here is the media brief from their website

Humanists Launch Largest National Advertising Campaign Critical of Religious Scripture

Washington, D.C., November 9, 2010
A national multimedia ad campaign – the largest, most extensive ever by a godless organization - launches today and will include a spot on NBC Dateline on Friday, November 12, as well as other television ads, that directly challenge biblical morality and fundamentalist Christianity. The campaign, sponsored by the American Humanist Association, also features ads in major national and regional newspapers and magazines demonstrating that secular humanist values are consistent with mainstream America and that fundamentalist religion has no right to claim the moral high ground.
The ads juxtapose notable humanist quotes with passages from religious texts, including the Old Testament, the New Testament and the Quran.
The ads then ask the audience to "Consider Humanism."
One example is the following pairing: The Bible: “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.” I Timothy 2 (New International Version)
Humanism:The rights of men and women should be equal and sacred—marriage should be a perfect partnership.” Robert G. Ingersoll, in a letter dated April 13, 1878.




Another pairing is: The Bible:The people of Samaria must bear their guilt, because they have rebelled against their God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to the ground, their pregnant women ripped open.” God, Hosea 13:16 (New International Version)
Humanism:I cannot imagine a God who rewards and punishes the objects of his creation, whose purposes are modeled after our own—a God, in short, who is but a reflection of human frailty.” Albert Einstein, column for The New York Times, Nov. 9, 1930.

To see images and videos of the ads and find more information about the campaign please visit: http://www.considerhumanism.org



"Humanist values are mainstream American values, and this campaign will help many people realize that they are already humanists and just did not know the term," said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association.
"Humanists believe in and value love, equality, peace, freedom and reason – values that are comparable to those of moderate and liberal religious people."
In addition to the television ad on NBC, ads will also be displayed on cable channels. Print ads will appear in major newspapers, including USA Today, the Seattle Times, the Village Voice, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Independent Triangle, and the San Francisco Chronicle, and magazines, including Reason and The Progressive. Ads will also appear on Metro trains in Washington, D.C., on billboards on I-95 near Philadelphia and in Moscow, Idaho, and on buses in select cities.
"We want to reach people in every corner of the U.S., from all walks of life, to raise the flag for humanists and show others that they have more in common with us than with biblical literalists," said Speckhardt.
"It's important that people recognize that a literal reading of religious texts is completely out of touch with mainstream America," Speckhardt added. "Although religious texts can teach good lessons, they also advocate fear, intolerance, hate and ignorance. It's time for all moderate people to stand up against conservative religion's claim on a moral monopoly."
All quotes from religious texts were checked by scripture scholars to ensure accuracy, context and proper translation.
The Stiefel Freethought Foundation was the primary sponsor of the Consider Humanism campaign with a $150,000 donation. Another $50,000 was raised from supporters of the American Humanist Association for the launch of this campaign, bringing the total ad buy to $200,000 so far.
The American Humanist Association advocates for the rights and viewpoints of humanists. Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., its work is extended through over 140 local chapters and affiliates across America. Humanism is the idea that you can be good without a belief in God.

5 comments:

  1. Thanks for mentioning this--I hadn't seen it. It's unfortunate that the quote about "how women are treated" is from a guy...sigh.

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  2. That's awesome. I'm in love with it. About time too.

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  3. I love this post, but one thing....Catholics are seeming to be interchangeable with Protestant and evangelist denominations and the entire Christian Community a lot lately.
    It would have been more accurate to title the post "Humanists show Christians they are not the only ones with a marketing budget."

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  4. A good point Pirra. I always appreciate you reading and leaving your awesome notes with stuff to think about.
    The Catholic choice (perhaps a mistake, I’m willing to change for the highest bidder!) was partly tongue in cheek, and partly due to its reputation as the wealthiest religion.* This is flawed as they are no longer required to be listed, and I imagine things have changed a bit in the last 10 years (apparently scientology is catching up *snicker*).
    Also the Humanist campaign is not exclusively quoting Christian scriptures, but many different religions, so my post title is totally misleading - and a bad sign of a smart-ass! They are not targeting any one religion or culture; just the concept that we follow outdated opinions simply because they are in our religious doctrine.
    The point they are pushing; think for yourself and look at why you follow your religion, and whether it is truly still relevant.
    * Per capita of members

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  5. Dear Scuba,

    To get a grasp of Catholicism, one would have to look through certain dogmas, traditions and such within the authority of the church (not just any piece of scripture taken from the bible and given a personal interpretation to it).

    Personally, I cannot comprehend humanism at all.

    Perhaps because you don't believe in a greater being, other than yourself that leaves you free to think, do and say as you wish to be morally right.

    Humanism, is belief through reasoning and gives authority to what is idealistic to humanist beliefs.

    Catholicism is belief through reasoning with acceptance to the fact that no human has perfect reasoning, that is only God has perfect reasoning. It has been long attacked by humanist and such for a very long time and has been the one to stand firm in its teachings.

    Being in the post-Vatican II era, I would recommend that you have a look at Our Lady of Fatima.

    In short, the Catholic Church intends to save your soul..

    Deo gracias

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