Atheist transit ads spark Calgary debate

CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- The growing movement of atheist groups purchasing ads on public transit has spread to Calgary, Alberta, and drawn fire from a Roman Catholic bishop.

The Freethought Association of Canada based in Toronto purchased ads in that city, and has now gotten approval for them on Calgary buses. The ads read: "There is probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life," the Calgary Sun reported.

Bishop Fred Henry told the newspaper he's calling on Catholics in Calgary to protest to the transit commission.

"Absolutely they should, and why not? Catholics ought to push back," he said."Calgary Transit says it will allow what doesn't offend -- well, I'm offended."

Freethought spokeswoman Katie Kish said response already made the project a success.

"Everybody's upset, and that means it's doing exactly what we want, which is creating a discussion," she told the Sun.

The move follows a similar British campaign spearheaded by journalist and comedy writer Ariane Sherine who raised $210,000 for a London transit ad blitz. The ads have also been run in Spain and some U.S. cities.