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The Scottish Sunday - Scotland's award-winning independent newspaper

Buses in Spain Promote Atheist Slogan, Igniting Public Debate

BUSES WILL start to criss-cross the Catalan capital, Barcelona, tomorrow bearing the atheist slogan that translates into English as: "There's probably no god. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life." In two weeks, buses carrying the same slogan will wend their way around Madrid. Similar campaigns are planned for Valencia, Seville, Saragossa, and Bilbao. Religious authorities are furious, but signs are that the modest non-confrontational campaign has blown some fresh air into arguments about religion and provoked unprecedented public debate over people's beliefs.

The campaign is eagerly discussed in the press and on websites and reflects a moment of social and economic uncertainty when people want to reaffirm their values or seek new ones, experts said last week. The bus advert campaign, announced last month by the Catalan Union of Atheists and Freethinkers, is copied from one launched recently by humanists in London and has enjoyed unexpected success in Spain. Atheists have received more than 9,000 in donations, enabling the Barcelona campaign to be prolonged from two to four weeks and extended to other cities.

Making Atheism Visible

From being almost invisible, atheists have shot to prominence in a country dominated by the Catholic Church in terms of religious discourse. Albert Riba, founder of Spain's Union of Atheists and Freethinkers, stated, "We want to make atheism more visible and encourage people to think and take decisions not out of habit, but after reflection because everyone has the right to think what they like. The Church transmits its messages. Why shouldn't we?"

The Catholic hierarchy has condemned the atheists' bus-ad campaign, further enhancing its appeal to the 50% of young Spaniards who claim not to believe in God. The Vatican's cultural spokesman, Cardinal Paul Poupard, dismissed it as "stupid, superficial, and ridiculous" and invited people of faith "to continue enjoying life believing in the love of God".

A Response from Other Faiths

An evangelical pastor in the Madrid suburb of Fuenlabrada was swift to raise funds from his faithful to pay for two buses to drive round the Spanish capital for two months bearing the counter-slogan: "God does exist. Enjoy life in Christ." Madrid's ultra-conservative regional rulers have kept at arm's length, saying the mobile slogans reflect people's freedom of expression and do no harm.

Positive Reception and Advertising Opportunities

The unprecedented emergence of religious debate on the street in a so far good-humoured and non-aggressive campaign has been warmly welcomed by advertisers as an unexpected source of funds at a time when conventional clients for advertising space are flagging. "The idea of a God is marketable and so is the opposite," says Clemente Ferrer, head of the European Institute of Marketing, Communication, and Publicity. Another advertising expert, Antoni Gutierrez Rubi, reckons the formula will spread to other faiths. "We'll get used to different religious and secular opinions being expressed quite naturally."

Muslims and Freedom of Expression

Spain's Muslims welcomed the "expression of respect" for other people's opinions and reserved the right to mount their own campaigns. Negotiations are still underway with Madrid's transport advertising authorities, but as the slogan infringes no regulations, they are expected to give the green light.

Expanding the Atheist Movement

Atheists in Valencia are pressing for the route of their bus to pass by a monument commemorating Europe's last victim of the Inquisition, Cayetano Ripoll, who was hanged in 1826 for heresy.

The Debate Over Religion - A Boost for Hotels in Spain?

The ongoing public debate surrounding religion in Spain has not only sparked widespread interest but has also had an unexpected impact on the country's hospitality industry. As both atheists and religious groups take to the streets with their respective slogans, tourists and locals alike are flocking to major cities to witness this unique phenomenon.

In response to the increased influx of visitors, hotels in Barcelona, Madrid, and other cities have experienced a sudden surge in bookings. Visitors are drawn by the opportunity to witness the lively discussions and engage in thought-provoking conversations about beliefs and values. This influx of tourists has provided a much-needed boost to the hotel industry, especially during a time when traditional clientele is dwindling.

Hotel managers and owners have embraced this newfound interest in religious debate, recognizing it as a potential marketing opportunity. Some establishments are even offering themed packages and organizing special events for guests to engage in conversations with local intellectuals and experts on atheism and religion.

Overall, the ongoing debate over religion in Spain has not only stimulated public discourse but has also had an unintended positive effect on the hotel industry. As the country continues to grapple with uncertainty and questions of faith, tourists and locals alike are finding solace in the lively discussions and debates that have emerged on the streets of major cities.

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