Behind the News: Ottawa City Council allows atheist bus ads

[DeadFishFactory]

That Bob Monette knows nothing about freedom of speech.

[ProjectAwesome1]

@DeadFishFactory I have to agree with this statement fully. I have been in contact with Mr. Monette before regarding other issues, but was unaware of his ignorance concerning some of our fundamental rights. He is trying to wield a double edged sword and justify it. Someone should remind him (as Coun. Cullen has done) that you DO NOT have the right to be not offended. If that were the case, we could not do anything - for the simple fact that something WILL offend somebody somewhere.

[Scanini]

The last counciller to speak was so thick, he basically said that if you say something that offends me then you cant say it publically, then by his logic we cannot say or do anything that offends this man. The fact that saying a god exists and will burn me for not loving him i find offensive is, of course, irrelevent.

[morganseathomson]

Bob Monette is a wiener.

[iRockzz]

the atheist group doesnt really need to be made known very well...they aparently are not a "religion" so whats it matter?

[adraim69]

Because we're the only group of people who have no set of beliefs that we put of the table of rational discourse? Because we never believe something without sufficient evidence? maybe because we're more then 15% of the population, more then Jews or African Americans or Hispanics. We're a minority without proportionate representation. You ask why that's a problem, and I wonder why you even have to ask...

[absoprob]

Bob Monette could just as easily be one of the Muslim country representatives that are pushing to make compulsory the UN's prohibition of anything derogatory being said about religion. There is nothing sacrosanct about religion. It is a belief and anything that 'protects' its adherents in this manner is without exception an infringement on freedom of speech, and therefore of liberty.

[rg0057]

Actually, as an atheist, I just need to say that I'm not tolerant of the vice of religion, any more than I tolerate any other fraud. Let's be honest.

[icyangel13]

'Vice'? 'Intolerance'? You know who you would have been 500 years ago? A leader of the Spanish Inquisition. People confuse dogmatism with religion. Religion is a set of beliefs. Dogmatism is a personality type. There are dogmatic theists, just like there are dogmatic atheists.

[burtonxx22]

A victory for "Freedom of Speech" is a victory for all Canadian of all faiths and beliefs even for those that are against freedom of speech.

This is not a victory for Atheists,

it is a victory for all Canadians.

VIVA LA

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"The Enlightened One"

[MusicTheatreChemist]

Both Wilkinson and Monette cited their right to "free speech" as their reason for voting against free speech! They obviously do not understand the meaning of the term!

[darwin216]

The ideology of religion is archaic & has no place in today^s society. We still hear nonsensical comments by believers in fantasy that Canada is a christian country, so where is this amazing god and why has he never shown his face except to those who have no credibility. I think the ads should clearly state THERE IS NO GOD, and religious items such as bibles should be sold in the same manner as pornography. Perhaps believers should invest in calendars. It is not 697!

[Pebblecraft]

Although I follow the 'culture wars' quite closely in the US, I had always felt that Canadians were generally more tolerant. I have a lot to learn.

[darwin216]

There is really no debate here. It comes down to fantasy vs reality! Pres Obama, in spite of his personal religious convictions, has repealed several of the nonsensical rulings of Bush such as stem-cell research, moral (?) decision making by health professionals, etc. Wilkinson suffers from what most religious types do who are insecure and want to continue fantasy, much like a 4 year old who insists on Santas or adults who believe in ghosts. We can only tolerate & pity them!

[darwin216]

How sad to see a city council member push her personal religious dogma. Atheists/freethinkers are tolerant of those who want things that come in the supernatural format, although it is puzzling that there are still some who cannot accept reality. Eternal life is a nice idea, but to say that that the only way to get it is to love a god is nonsense, regardless of where it is written, and further, warrants no respect. Freedom of speech does permit it but it also allows for dissent. Play fair.

[adlerbr12]

well done , and very informative ,mr cullen is on the side of free speech,  , unlike counselor Wilkinson and monette who are obviously religious fanatics and really very sad kinda of people , i think wen any one needs to live there life with make believe

[adlerbr12]

and fantasy its unfortunate and sad , it comes from indoctrination from wen they where very young , one could say there still suffering from brain washing ,its a form of child abuse, and at there age they will never be able to change or become sane people , so even if i don't believe in there god , i will tolerate there right to believe in one as long as it doesn't interfere with my rights .

[delinem]

Great Video.

I loved the comments from Rev. Wilkinson and Father Monnet who both mentioned freedom of speech as their justifucation for voting against these bus ads.

[LongAsICanSee]

It's hard to believe that this kind issue can still be controversial.

[NoGodsAloud]

Interesting comments by some of the Council members in the second half of the program.