Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Shake · 02-03-2003, 01:12 PM

There was an interesting thread within the last year or two that suggested that we run a campaign similar to the gay community. Being very vocal, but in a polite way, so as to minimize hostility, e.g. being a decent human being, but one who's also a non-believer. I brought up the idea of an openly atheist character on a major TV show ... but not in such a way that he/she is ridiculed for their non-belief. Have the character be a good, moral, intelligent person who is open about their lack of belief in a logical, but understanding way. There's been threads in M&PC about atheist characters on TV or in the movies, but they're usually secondary characters. But even in Signs where Mel Gibson's character has lost faith, he eventually regains it (from what I understand - haven't seen it, probably won't).

You know, like on a sitcom. I can see it, during the pilot when characters are being introduced: "Oh, there's Joe. He's the friendly neighborhood atheist. He's a good guy, real smart, and funny, too!"

admice · 02-03-2003, 02:07 PM

On thinking more about it, Buffman has a huge point. Just being a good example won't work. Firstly, too many of us (myself especially) cannot be. I am impatient, and not as tolerant as I'd like, even though that is one of my values (goals, I guess, in reality). And that's partly a popularity contest. And, there really are too few and too many with 'issues'.

I think we need to do all that was suggested above.

thanks again

debater10 · 02-03-2003, 02:20 PM

What can we do? Keep pushing. It took hundreds of years to convince poeople that the world was not flat. It took hundreds of years for the world to, for the most part, reject polytheism. Hell, it took hundreds of years to convince the world that the earth was not the center of the universe.
And those issues were not even close to being as intimate and personal as belief in God.
It will take effort, political action, and teaching, but more than anything, it will take time. (I hate how cliche that sounds, but...)

Colorado Infidel · 02-04-2003, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shake
I brought up the idea of an openly atheist character on a major TV show ... but not in such a way that he/she is ridiculed for their non-belief. Have the character be a good, moral, intelligent person who is open about their lack of belief in a logical, but understanding way. There's been threads in M&PC about atheist characters on TV or in the movies, but they're usually secondary characters.
<snip>
You know, like on a sitcom. I can see it, during the pilot when characters are being introduced: "Oh, there's Joe. He's the friendly neighborhood atheist. He's a good guy, real smart, and funny, too!"

The first decent atheist character I recall on TV was Mike Stivick, better known as "Meathead" on "All in the Family". He was portrayed as the smart one versus Archie's bigotted ways.

fando · 02-04-2003, 04:27 PM

Let people know we exist.

02-03-2003, 02:20 PM	#13
debater10 Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Lynchburg, VA, USA Posts: 106	A long road What can we do? Keep pushing. It took hundreds of years to convince poeople that the world was not flat. It took hundreds of years for the world to, for the most part, reject polytheism. Hell, it took hundreds of years to convince the world that the earth was not the center of the universe. And those issues were not even close to being as intimate and personal as belief in God. It will take effort, political action, and teaching, but more than anything, it will take time. (I hate how cliche that sounds, but...)

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02-03-2003, 01:12 PM	#11
Shake Contributor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Folding@Home in upstate NY Posts: 14,394	There was an interesting thread within the last year or two that suggested that we run a campaign similar to the gay community. Being very vocal, but in a polite way, so as to minimize hostility, e.g. being a decent human being, but one who's also a non-believer. I brought up the idea of an openly atheist character on a major TV show ... but not in such a way that he/she is ridiculed for their non-belief. Have the character be a good, moral, intelligent person who is open about their lack of belief in a logical, but understanding way. There's been threads in M&PC about atheist characters on TV or in the movies, but they're usually secondary characters. But even in Signs where Mel Gibson's character has lost faith, he eventually regains it (from what I understand - haven't seen it, probably won't). You know, like on a sitcom. I can see it, during the pilot when characters are being introduced: "Oh, there's Joe. He's the friendly neighborhood atheist. He's a good guy, real smart, and funny, too!"

02-03-2003, 02:07 PM	#12
admice Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: S Cal Posts: 327	On thinking more about it, Buffman has a huge point. Just being a good example won't work. Firstly, too many of us (myself especially) cannot be. I am impatient, and not as tolerant as I'd like, even though that is one of my values (goals, I guess, in reality). And that's partly a popularity contest. And, there really are too few and too many with 'issues'. I think we need to do all that was suggested above. thanks again

02-04-2003, 04:27 PM	#15
fando Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Los Angeles Area Posts: 1,372	Let people know we exist.

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