‘Hug an Atheist’ film tries to put a human face on unbelief

[cbayer]

http://www.religionnews.com/2013/09/13/hug-atheist-film-tries-put-human-face-unbelief/

Kimberly Winston | Sep 13, 2013

SAN FRANCISCO (RNS) Few outside the atheist community — and even many inside it — would argue that atheism has an image problem.

Every challenge to the First Amendment seems to bring to the airwaves some version of an angry atheist versus a sputtering religious pundit. Cooler, calmer heads seldom make an appearance.

Now, a new feature-length documentary from a first-time filmmaker hopes to put a more human, middle-of-the-road face on American atheism. Called “Hug an Atheist,” the film will make its debut Saturday (Sept. 14) at the fifth annual San Francisco Atheist Film Festival before seeking wider distribution at other film festivals and on television.

The 90-minute film is the project of Sylvia Broeckx, a 35-year-old Belgian who lives in England and has been an atheist and humanist since her teens. She became interested in America’s perception of nonbelievers when some American friends and fellow atheists shared their own stories of feeling marginalized.

more at link

[AtheistCrusader]

1. Don't touch me.

*crosses arms*

[House of Roberts]

2. I'd be more than willing to hug a 35 year old Belgian lady.

Atheist or not!

[cbayer]

3. Watch out!

[rurallib]

4. OK I am not a memeber of this group, but lurk often

The only image problem that atheists have is the smear that has done to them by the Christians, Republicans, media and hate groups. Not much different than GLBT, race, gender or origin.

Not sure why there should be an attempt to kiss the asses of the haters. They are the ones who are isolating themselves from reality.

Nor should anyone try to paint atheism as another form of religion. It isn't. Just like not drinking is not another form of drinking.

[cbayer]

5. Discrimination and bigotry often stem from ignorance and lack of exposure.

I don't see where this filmmaker is kissing anyone's ass. It's about putting a face on people who are often not seen, the same approach that has been effective in the advancement of other civil rights.

And nowhere do I see where the filmmaker is painting atheism as another form of religion.

But maybe just being hostile towards others will be an effective tool Yeah, there's the ticket.

[rurallib]

6. well I am hardly hostile

not sure what I said to make you think I am hostile.
I simply do not understand why groups must play to those that hate them. Move on, let them eat themselves with hate.
I couldn't understand it when I was raised catholic and the haters hated me. I couldn't understand it for my friends of different races and religions.
And now that I have tussled with one of life's biggest questions and come to a conclusion I feel no need to play to the hate there either.
And with that I sign off as my family from a ways away is here.

[cbayer]

7. I saw this guy interviewed not long ago who was raised by a lesbian couple.

He started a project where he would invite a GLBT couple and a straight couple, who he knew to be prejudiced, to his house for dinner.

The aim was not to talk about GLBT issue or homophobia, but just to eat together.

His results were uniformly positive.

It's not about playing to the hate. It's about showing people that you are not different than them, only that you have come to a different place.

Enjoy your time with your family... and reconsider, if you will, what this film is all about.