RE: Screenwriter needs Atheist insight
September 11, 2013 at 11:53 am
(This post was last modified: September 11, 2013 at 11:59 am by Simon Moon.)
(September 11, 2013 at 1:04 am)ScreenwriterWoj Wrote: Hello all,
I'm a screenwriter working on a new project that involves an atheist character. Instead of relying on stereotypes like most in my profession do, I'm looking for real insight from an atheist about what they believe/don't believe - etc.
Most importantly - The project involves Christmas time and people overly obsessed with Christmas. I have a few questions I am curious to have answered;
1) What is the general feeling towards the Holiday by you as an atheist?
2) What are your feelings towards the display of Christmas lights on houses?
3) What are your feelings about Christmas displays in stores?
4) What are your feelings about the mad dash for gifts?
5) What are your feelings about it being a federally recognized holiday?
6) What are your feelings about people telling their children that Santa is real?
7) What are your feelings towards Carolers or Christmas music on the radio?
8) What are your feelings about how non-atheists perceive atheists?
9) Do you as an atheist celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah?
10) What are your feelings towards the Christmas people who start decorating their house before Halloween?
11) If you could ask those that celebrate Christmas to change one thing (or several things) about it - what would it (they) be?
12) At what point in your life did you realize you were an atheist?
13) Did you ever have a "coming out" moment as an atheist? How was it received?
14) As an atheist, what is your goal or intention about informing others that disagree with you about your stance?
15) If you do not celebrate Christmas - do you do anything in particular on Christmas day to celebrate anything at all? Family? A nice dinner with a loved one?
I appreciate the responses in advance. Cynics need not apply. I'm looking for level headed atheists who wish to put out a positive view of their "people", so to speak.
Thank you again,
Woj
1. As others have said, too commercialized. But I actually enjoy the actual holiday for the most part. A great time to get together with family and friends and eat good food. You do know it is mostly a Pagan holiday, tight?
2. Enjoyable to look at for the most part.
3. A little too over the top. They just start too early.
4. Ridiculous.
5. No real problems. For most people it has been stripped of most of its religious connotations.
6. Children have all sorts of fantasy beliefs when they are young. They get over them. Well, most of them don't get over ALL of them
7. Not a problem. Some Christmas songs are enjoyable.
8. Most of them perceive Christmas wrong. It is a Pagan holiday that was co-opted by Christians. But I have no problem.
9. I celebrate the getting together with friends and family, eating good food, and otherwise enjoying myself, and gift exchange.
10. Ridiculous. But not a major issue.
11. Cut back (drastically) on the commercialization and the feeling that they need to buy expensive gifts for loved ones.
12. When I figured that there just wasn't demonstrable evidence or valid & sound logic to support the claim that a god or gods exist.
13. No. My extended family is pretty understanding of all views.
14. My goal is to try to educate theists. My experience is that the vast majority of theists have major misconceptions concerning atheists and atheism. These misconceptions seem to be typical in the US.
I also freely admit that I am looking to deconvert theists. It is my contention that a world where more people base their decisions on evidence, logic and reason would be a better world.
15. N/A
Your welcome.
Hopeful this is helpful.
You'd believe if you just opened your heart" is a terrible argument for religion. It's basically saying, "If you bias yourself enough, you can convince yourself that this is true." If religion were true, people wouldn't need faith to believe it -- it would be supported by good evidence.
