Theos has, today, donated £50 to the atheist bus campaign that the Guardian newspaper has been publicising throughout 2008.

Despite being launched nearly six months ago, the campaign to put a pro-atheism advert on London bendy busses has nearly folded on a number of occasions through lack of interest. It has only now been rescued by the millionaire Richard Dawkins who has offered to match donations up to a maximum of £5,500.

The campaign is clearly intended to be anti-religious, but its message ('There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life') will, claims Theos, encourage people to think, like the Alpha posters it seeks to attack.

Paul Woolley, Director of Theos, said:

"We've donated the money because we think the campaign is a brilliant way to get people thinking about God.

"The poster is very weak - where does 'probably' come from? Richard Dawkins doesn't 'probably' believe there is no God! - and telling people to 'Stop worrying' is hardly going to comfort for those who are concerned about losing jobs or homes in the recession, but the posters will still prompt people to think about life's big questions.

"Campaigns like this demonstrate how active atheists are often great adverts for Christianity."

Click here to read Nick Spencer's comment piece.