religous ron refuses to drive bus the AA grumpy column

Originally Posted by Lon

Standing up for your principles is not wrong, it's when standing up for them affects
others adversely, then it becomes a problem. In Ron's case, his standing up for his principles affected many people adversely.

Standing up for one's atheistic principles affects Christians when they want to put the 'there is no God' adverts on the bus - why is that ok?

Originally Posted by oscar

Simply because in Britain there is probably not one bus without advertising. It's a huge market for the advertising companies and every day, it seems that the adverts change. He would have been well aware that the buses carry adverts when he took the job on. The advert he was objecting to was only sone-one's opinion. So, what Ron i saying is 'OK i'll take the job on buses that are used for advertising. I don't care if a muslim is offended when the bus advertises the Christian faith, but i will object when it suits me'.

Ron didn't say the buses couldn't have the adverts, he just said he didn't want to drive one having the adverts in question thereby giving the wrong impression that he agreed with them.

[oscar]

Originally Posted by JAB

Ron didn't say the buses couldn't have the adverts, he just said he didn't want to drive one having the adverts in question thereby giving the wrong impression that he agreed with them.

True.

However, it would be chaos if every driver and passenger did not ride public transport or drive their bus when an advert did not suit. Ron must have seen many many adverts that would be offensive to others but does not seem to care for others opinion until it was an advert disagreeing with his own beliefs. Maybe what he should be protesting over, is advertising on buses as a whole and not just one advert as and when it suits him.

[Lon]

[QUTE=JAB;1111010]Standing up for one's atheistic principles affects Christians when they want to put the 'there is no God' adverts on the bus - why is that ok?[/quote]

Adversely was probably the wrong word for me to use. Christians may perhaps be affected mentally by atheistic ads, but not in any other way, whereas Ron's situation goes beyond the mental and now becomes financial, creates considerable inconvenience and disruption.

[oscar]

Originally Posted by Lon

[QUTE=JAB;1111010]Standing up for one's atheistic principles affects Christians when they want to put the 'there is no God' adverts on the bus - why is that ok?

Adversely was probably the wrong word for me to use. Christians may perhaps be affected mentally by atheistic ads, but not in any other way, whereas Ron's situation goes beyond the mental and now becomes financial, creates considerable inconvenience and disruption.[/quote]

I couldn't agree more and if we were all honest, we'd admit that we would be pretty pissed off with Ron if we needed that bus to get to an important interview or home to a sick child. Not to mention the chaos caused to the bus company. Believe me, our buses have enough trouble arriveing on time as it is with traffic congestion, let alone him helping the problem all the more. What about the beliefs and rights of his passengers who needed that bus he wouldn't drive? Do they then suddenly become responsible for the bus drivers beliefs?

[Amber Sun]

Oscar, LOL, having studied ancient religions for the better part of my life each time I see these words I have to smile...

WHEN I WAS A VIKING
MY FRIEND HE WAS THE RAVEN


Are you Scandinavian perhaps?

[oscar]

Originally Posted by Amber Sun

Oscar, LOL, having studied ancient religions for the better part of my life each time I see these words I have to smile...

WHEN I WAS A VIKING
MY FRIEND HE WAS THE RAVEN


Are you Scandinavian perhaps?

No, very British with a keen interest in Viking history.

It seems many are perplexed by my signature. It is based on The vikings using Ravens as a navigational aid at sea. A Raven would be released on board a Viking Longship. The direction the bird took would determine the route the Vikings would sail.

Originally Posted by oscar

True.

However, it would be chaos if every driver and passenger did not ride public transport or drive their bus when an advert did not suit. Ron must have seen many many adverts that would be offensive to others but does not seem to care for others opinion until it was an advert disagreeing with his own beliefs. Maybe what he should be protesting over, is advertising on buses as a whole and not just one advert as and when it suits him.

Oh c'mon now. Everything out there is offensive to someone. Is he to protest everything? And how do you know he hasn't protested something on someone else's behalf? We all pick and choose "our own battles". This one meant something to him, touched a core belief whereby he felt he could no longer sit quiet.

Originally Posted by Lon

Adversely was probably the wrong word for me to use. Christians may perhaps be affected mentally by atheistic ads, but not in any other way, whereas Ron's situation goes beyond the mental and now becomes financial, creates considerable inconvenience and disruption.

This is too broad of a statement and not supportable. And yes, I noticed the subtlety of you saying that Christians are mental...

Originally Posted by oscar

I couldn't agree more and if we were all honest, we'd admit that we would be pretty pissed off with Ron if we needed that bus to get to an important interview or home to a sick child. Not to mention the chaos caused to the bus company. Believe me, our buses have enough trouble arriveing on time as it is with traffic congestion, let alone him helping the problem all the more. What about the beliefs and rights of his passengers who needed that bus he wouldn't drive? Do they then suddenly become responsible for the bus drivers beliefs?

Have him drive a bus that doesn't have an offensive advert and your problem is solved.