As globalization brings our big, diverse world closer together, tolerance and consideration of others are recognized as important virtues to uphold. No one should have to feel dejected because of a difference in their beliefs.

An atheist bus advertisement campaign in Britain may leave devout people feeling uncomfortable, according to a Jan. 6 BBC.com article. The campaign is backed by the British Humanist Association and well-known atheist, Professor Richard Dawkins who said in the article, “across Britain we are used to being bombarded by religious interests, not just Christians but other religions as well.”

The advertisement, however, says, “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life,” and seems condescending toward other faiths. It does not make sense to seek equality and understanding of your ideas and then demean those of others.

“My immediate reaction is that it is offensive to those who think otherwise,” said Christie Rasmussen, a senior elementary education major. “Even if this were something I believe, I would still find the concept of belittling other beliefs [to be] disrespectful.”

This group of atheists is definitely not the first group to haughtily express their ideas in public. An Aug. 9, 2007 Boston Globe article reported how the signboard for the New England Baptist Church of Boston at one point read: “If we didn’t abort our children, the U.S. wouldn’t have to hire illegals.” It may be too obvious to point out how politically incorrect this sign is.

Assuming the beliefs of another, however, by comparison to your own, does not give you sufficient reasoning to convince a person of your beliefs, especially when conveyed through a public sign.

“I would argue that in this situation, it was more than a simple advertisement,” said sociology professor Christine Janis. “Most ads are intended to provide information. The campaign is much more suggestive, and with an issue like religion, there is a much finer line when it comes to what is and what is not offensive.”

The atheist advertisements and other forms of mass broadcast with the same attitude in their message are taking advantage of a common goal for a well-educated, diverse public. The fundamental problem in the atheists’ advertisement is a lack of purpose; they do not support an organization nor encourage anyone to do anything besides quit worrying about a God.

Though if their goal is to evangelize atheism — an oxymoron –, spiritual enlightenment should be reached by rumination, not through an aggressive bus advertisement.