Separation of Church and State...

[Max2147]

Originally Posted by Buddahaid

That's interesting! The space is sold for advertising revenues. Who then decides what is offensive and what isn't. Ads for say, the sex industry, or those using profanity would likely not be allowed. But ads for a service provided by a religious entity would, such as charity pleas and medical care, or Scientology.

Buddahaid

My personal view is that advertisements with a religious or political message should not be allowed on public property, and that includes publicly-owned buses. I think it's fine if a religious group buys advertising space for a non-religious message like a charity drive, but advertising religion itself (or the lack thereof) on public property implies a degree of public (i.e. government) support for that religion, which IMO is a violation of the separation of church and state.

That goes for political messages too. I'd be upset if I saw an "Obama/Biden" advert on a publicly-owned bus, even though I voted for them.

If it's a private company, then it's completely different - they can do whatever they want. But if the buses were bought and/or are operated with tax dollars, then they have to be held to different standards.