The God Who Wasn't There

[webmdave]

<strong>Beyond Belief Media declares war on Christmas</strong>

 

Last week Beyond Belief Media issued a <a href="http://www.thegodmovie.com/press/releases/waronchristmas.html">press release declaring war on Christmas</a>. Here are the first four paragraphs of this historic document:

 

Beyond Belief Media has formally declared war on Christmas, the December 25 holiday in which Christians celebrate the birth of the mythical figure Jesus Christ, the company announced today.

 

"Christian conservatives complain nonstop about the 'War on Christmas,' but there really isn't any such war," said Beyond Belief Media president Brian Flemming, a former fundamentalist Christian who is now an atheist activist. "So we have decided to wage one, to demonstrate what it would look like if Jesus' birthday were truly attacked."

 

As its opening salvo, Beyond Belief Media has purchased advertisements this week in the New York Times, USA Today and the New Yorker magazine. The company's 300-member volunteer "street team" is also descending on Christmas-themed public events with random "guerilla giveaways" of <em>Beyond Belief's</em> acclaimed DVD <a href="http://www.thegodmovie.com"><strong><em>THE GOD WHO WASN'T THERE</em></strong>.</a> <a href="http://exchristian.net/exchristian/2005/12/god-who-wasnt-there.php"><em>See the trailer by clicking here.</em></a>

 

"No Christmas pageant or Nativity display is safe from our troops," said Flemming. "Wherever the mythical figure Jesus is celebrated as if he were real, we will be there with an information barrage. We will undercut the idea that there is any point at all to celebrating the 'birth' of a character in a fairy tale."

 

The reaction? Christian conservatives immediately went nuts (we love it when they're predictable). And bloggers started buzzing. Here's a link to some of the blog entries:

 

<a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/www.thegodmovie.com?sort=authority">http://www.technorati.com/search/www.thegodmovie.com?sort=authority</a>

 

Brian Flemming appeared on arch-conservative Jesse Lee Peterson's radio show to defend his war on Christmas. You can read Brian's comments and hear the show on Brian's weblog:

 

<a href="http://www.slumdance.com/blogs/brian_flemming/archives/001860.html">http://www.slumdance.com/blogs/brian_flemming/archives/001860.html</a>

 

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<strong>FREE DOWNLOADS: Four new clips from "The God Who Wasn't There"</strong>

 

Filled with the War on Christmas spirit, four new clips from "The God Who Wasn't There" are available for free viewing. Check them out at:<a href="http://www.thegodmovie.com/clips.php">http://www.thegodmovie.com/clips.php</a>

 

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<strong>GODLESS PEOPLE: We've got links</strong>

 

If you have seen "The God Who Wasn't There," chances are you found Richard Carrier, Sam Harris and Robert M. Price to be compelling speakers on the subject of religion. Well, they each have websites of their own, and here they are:

 

RICHARD CARRIER

<a href="http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/richard_carrier/">http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/richard_carrier/</a>

 

SAM HARRIS

<a href="http://www.samharris.org/">http://www.samharris.org/</a>

 

ROBERT M. PRICE

<a href="http://www.robertmprice.mindvendor.com/">http://www.robertmprice.mindvendor.com/</a>

 

Plus: Robert M. Price fields your questions live every week on "The Bible Geek" radio show, hosted by The Infidel Guy: <a href="http://www.freethoughtmedia.com/bible_geek/">http://www.freethoughtmedia.com/bible_geek/</a>

 

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MERCHANDISE: Special prices, free shipping on DVDs, CDs, posters

 

It's the War on Christmas season, so no doubt you're looking for that special gift for those you love. Enlighten them with "The God Who Wasn't There" DVDs, CDs and posters. Check out the special prices and free, same-day shipping across the board at:

 

<a href="http://www.thegodmovie.com/directsales.php">http://www.thegodmovie.com/directsales.php</a>

[Guest JPD]

I've seen the documemtary, and while I agree with the filmmaker's perspective, he is hardly served by his smarminess and arrogance. I have a similar critique of the whale-like Michael Moore. Can't we find some representatives of rational thought who don't have an obvious chip on their shoulder? I have a chip on mine, but I'll also admit that i'm not the guy to lead the charge.

[Mythra]

I watched Sam Harris yesterday on CSPAN2. He was supposed to be promoting his best-seller "The End of Faith", but he talked very little about the book. What he did was talk for about an hour about the dangers of religion, and the ways in which religions (primarily Islam and Christianity) violate reason.

 

It was such a good presentation. I wish I would have recorded it. This guy makes so much sense when he talks. Maybe it will come on again. I enjoyed this speech on CSPAN way more than I did the DVD "The God Who Wasn't There". (I have it, of course, and his book, and every other freakin thing I can get my hands on)

 

Sam Harris. Watch for him on CSPAN2. It's well worth your time.

[spamandham]

Can't we find some representatives of rational thought who don't have an obvious chip on their shoulder? I have a chip on mine, but I'll also admit that i'm not the guy to lead the charge.

 

Only someone with a chip on their shoulder would lead the charge. There's no other motivation unless you want to take up a collection. If it's big enough, I'll be happy to lead it. Last I checked, the freethought book section and seminar route didn't sell all that well.

[Dianka]

Only someone with a chip on their shoulder would lead the charge. There's no other motivation unless you want to take up a collection. If it's big enough, I'll be happy to lead it. Last I checked, the freethought book section and seminar route didn't sell all that well.

 

I suppose they should consider who their audience is. I think it is a good motivational tool for their war on Christmas, but if they are trying to change minds with this, people will just be turned off and think it is too biased just by the tone of it.

[Reality Amplifier]

On 06-06-06, Brian Flemming's film, The Beast is slated for release. Now that promises to be interesting.

 

I watched Sam Harris yesterday on CSPAN2. He was supposed to be promoting his best-seller "The End of Faith", but he talked very little about the book. What he did was talk for about an hour about the dangers of religion, and the ways in which religions (primarily Islam and Christianity) violate reason.

 

It was such a good presentation. I wish I would have recorded it. This guy makes so much sense when he talks. Maybe it will come on again. I enjoyed this speech on CSPAN way more than I did the DVD "The God Who Wasn't There". (I have it, of course, and his book, and every other freakin thing I can get my hands on)

 

Sam Harris. Watch for him on CSPAN2. It's well worth your time.

I read his book, and basically that's what it's about (the dangers of Islam and Christianity). He makes a lot of really good points, but began to lose my interest at the end of the book when he gets into Eastern philosophy on spiritualism.

 

My favorite quote from the End of Faith: "That which can asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence".

[Poonis]

I've seen the documemtary, and while I agree with the filmmaker's perspective, he is hardly served by his smarminess and arrogance. I have a similar critique of the whale-like Michael Moore. Can't we find some representatives of rational thought who don't have an obvious chip on their shoulder? I have a chip on mine, but I'll also admit that i'm not the guy to lead the charge.

 

I think I should lead the charge against religion because, although I have a chip on my shoulder, I don't think it is very noticeable.

[Guest MAGICIAN]

Why is it when people no longer believe in something they feel it is their obligation to shit upon others who still do? I think it is just as bad, if not equally worse, and quite frankly in poor taste to go around stirring up things during the miserable, mindless zombies only time of the year when they actually think they feel happy in their pathetic religion.

 

We should know better than that. It offers you absolutely nothing, and it is a complete waste of energy. Most of the people they were probably trying to hand this stuff out to were probably poor, uneducated and simple. If it was in New York City you can count on it. Because that is what New York City predominantly is. An over glamorized ghetto. I should know. I think once a person is free from the bondage of a thought process that no longer serves them, they should move on.

 

Trying to show people how much you don't believe now is just as bad as when some of you were trying to make people see how much you did believe, or were trying to convince others they should as well. I mean really, WHO GIVES A SHIT? These people don't pay our bills, wipe our asses, brush our teeth or blow our noses for that matter. So why in the hell would they spend ALL that money to profess their disdain for a religion they no longer believe in.

 

Do you know how much it costs to place an ad that big in NY publications? ALOT! I can think of 20 different other ways I would have spent that money. What a waste of resources and energy. Very, very stupid in my book. So you see, in a way this org was actually, and is paying homage to this religion. Not only by giving it MORE publicity, but by funding it with cash as well. The only sad thing...I bet that money they spent isn't tax deductible like the churches.

[Guest MAGICIAN]

Why is it when people no longer believe in something they feel it is their obligation to shit upon others who still do? I think it is just as bad, if not equally worse, and quite frankly in poor taste to go around stirring up things during the miserable, mindless zombies only time of the year when they actually think they feel happy in their pathetic religion.

 

We should know better than that. It offers you absolutely nothing, and it is a complete waste of energy. Most of the people they were probably trying to hand this stuff out to were probably poor, uneducated and simple. If it was in New York City you can count on it. Because that is what New York City predominantly is. An over glamorized ghetto. I should know. I think once a person is free from the bondage of a thought process that no longer serves them, they should move on.

 

Trying to show people how much you don't believe now is just as bad as when some of you were trying to make people see how much you did believe, or were trying to convince others they should as well. I mean really, WHO GIVES A SHIT? These people don't pay our bills, wipe our asses, brush our teeth or blow our noses for that matter. So why in the hell would they spend ALL that money to profess their disdain for a religion they no longer believe in.

 

Do you know how much it costs to place an ad that big in NY publications? ALOT! I can think of 20 different other ways I would have spent that money. What a waste of resources and energy. Very, very stupid in my book. So you see, in a way this org was actually, and is paying homage to this religion. Not only by giving it MORE publicity, but by funding it with cash as well. The only sad thing...I bet that money they spent isn't tax deductible like the churches.

 

Actually I meant exempt. I forgot, churches don't have to pay taxes. Because we all know that the Catholic Church is not a corporation. YEAH RIGHT!!!

[SweetSouthernHeretic]

...So why in the hell would they spend ALL that money to profess their disdain for a religion they no longer believe in....

Probably because "swiftboating" has come into such vogue... i.e., if you don't state your own position on a matter, someone else will state it it for you... most likely in a way that doesn't reflect your actual position on the matter.

[boink666]

I think its about time someone declared war on Christmas. If atheist's (like me) want a holiday to give gifts we should create our own. And as for the chip on brian flemmings (His movie "The God Who Wasn't There") sholder, i think he should take it off after releaseing the beast.

[AtheistMommy]

I think its about time someone declared war on Christmas. If atheist's (like me) want a holiday to give gifts we should create our own. And as for the chip on brian flemmings (His movie "The God Who Wasn't There") sholder, i think he should take it off after releaseing the beast.

 

I was under the impression we were already doing that.

 

I think a lot of us (Atheists) feel the need to defend ourselves. Not only that but also to educate some of these misconceptions that are being thrown at us day in and day out. Why can't we been thorns in others sides? Isn't it an eye for an eye? Why shouldn't we be able to shout proudly about our godlessness from a christian roof top? Other's (who believe) are not only allowed to but expected to depending on where you live.

 

I saw "The God Who Wasn't There" and I have to admit, it was nothing like I thought it would be. I learned a few things and laughed a lot. It was refreashing to see something to atheistic for a change. I thought this guy has some big balls for going into a church and questioning them. I also thought, if he were to get some backlash from the people he was interviewing, well then, if you seek it, you will find it. Am I wrong?

 

I'm looking forward to the next atheistic movie, whatever it may be.

[MrSpooky]

I saw the flick. It was horrible. A total waste of money. I liked Price, he was the most entertaining, and I'll soon buy his book on the myth of Jesus.

 

But this Flemming guy, what a moron. I can't believe this film was released--any high school student could have done a better job.

 

A crying shame, if you ask me.

 

ltrain

 

I think that's a bit extreme. Sure, it has that slightly embittered and smarmy tone to it that exists in political documentaries, but it wasn't bad.

 

I definitely dock points from it though. 3/5, maybe 3.5/5 at best, IMO.

[YDOAPS]

There was very little information in TGWWT. Some of it was actually wrong. He said Herod the Great died in 4CE when he actually died in 4BCE. I enjoyed some of the interviews, but he had an obvious agenda that tainted the whole thing.

 

There is one part where they talk about misquoting and/or taking them out of context, but the film does the same thing when it quotes jesus as telling people to bring non-believers to him to kill (it was in a parable). If he wanted to make that point, he could have just quoted Matthew 5:17-19 where it says to obey the law until heaven and earth pass away and then quote any number of passages from Wxodus and Leviticus where we are commanded to kill.

 

He didn't have a clear theme. It was just Christianity bashing. You could really tell it was motivated by his hurt as a youth. As dumb as that principal was, he was right about that.