Atheists find a new venue for the godless: on film

[rug]

By Kimberly Winston| Religion News Service, Published: August 15AP

SAN FRANCISCO — There were no red carpets, no paparazzi, no celebrities and definitely no God at the recent annual Atheist Film Festival.

Instead, there were more than a dozen films, long and short, about separation of church and state, freedom of religion (and no religion), the conflict between science and religion in public schools and a couple hundred people eager to see them.

“If we don’t do this, who will? said festival organizer Dave Fitzgerald, as people picked up atheist-themed books and T-shirts at the Aug. 10-11 festival. “Atheists are not well-represented by Hollywood, and a lot of people don’t get any exposure to real atheist thought except through things like this.”

Fitzgerald, who calls himself “a freelance heretic,” started the festival four years ago. His main criteria for including a film is that it shows at least one atheist figure in a positive light.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/atheists-find-a-new-venue-for-the-godless-on-film/2012/08/15/f5f6fe56-e71b-11e1-9739-eef99c5fb285_story.html

[Karmasue]

1. The last paragraph of the linked story resonated...

“Film is a beautiful way to tell a story,” Saint said, sitting at the back of the Roxie’s smaller theater in a bright blue T-shirt that declared “Ask an Atheist” in large white letters. Turning to Johnson, who is not an atheist, she said, “When we watch these films, she can see where I am coming from and maybe understand me a little better.”


It resonated because of the last few words - so she can "see where I'm coming from and maybe understand me a little better". In my experience - and my intent is not judgement but simply what my own experience has indicated - when anyone is passionate about their faith, or belief, or non-belief, they are seldom wanting to just be "understood". They are more often urging a similar position on someone. I have found that to be true of most passionate believers (or non-believers, or even sages and philosophers as the case may be), including myself. I am seldom looking for someone to understand me better, I am wanting to point out something I am passionate about. And who can stop there?

Just an observation.

[rug]

2. It's an important observation.

A belated welcome to DU.

[Karmasue]

3. Thanks!