Atheists sue BT over ad rejection

A Bloomington Transit rejection of a prospective advertisement from a local atheist group has led to legal action, raising questions about the bus company’s advertising policies.

The atheist group, calling itself Indiana Atheist Bus Campaign, attempted to purchase space on the back of local buses with an ad that would read, “You can be good without God.” Bloomington Transit declined the proposition, pointing the group toward its advertising policy, which states, “Statements of position in support of or in opposition to controversial public issues shall not be accepted.”

In turn, the atheist group has decided to sue Bloomington Transit for what it believes is a “vague” and “overboard” advertising policy that is in violation of the First Amendment .

As much as we support the protection of rights provided by the U.S. Constitution , this case raises a few questions that make the lawsuit seem superfluous.

We’re not in a position to determine the legalities behind its “vague” and “not reasonable” policies of Bloomington Transit, but the company is a municipal entity with the right to decline advertising space to groups and issues that could stir up unwarranted controversy in the community, as long as it does not discriminate or overstep its bounds – and it is hard to believe this would be an example of any unfair treatment.

Furthermore, this was only a request for advertisement space by the atheist group. It’s not as if Bloomington Transit’s ad staff cashed a check from the group and then changed their minds. The group inquired about ad space, and BT declined respectfully and according to company policy.

We respect Bloomington Transit’s decision not to become some sort of weapon in a culture war between religious factions. It is important that diverse opinions and information reaches the community, but perhaps forcing it into their eyes while sitting
behind the bus on Third Street is not the best approach. Additionally, the lawsuit brings into question the motives of the Indiana Atheist Bus Campaign group.

The lawsuit notes that the Bloomington campaign is based on similar ones around the
world, but we find it hard to believe that a modest bus ad will change the minds of any devoutly religious person around town, even in a progressive community like Bloomington. That is not to suggest the group should discontinue its crusade to get out the “Word,” but surely there are more reasonable and even more effective methods of doing so.

This approach feels like a weak way to fan the flames of controversy and really do nothing more.