New Doco Declares "War on Christmas"
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 Beyond Belief’s acclaimed documentary "The God Who Wasn't There."
“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 God Who Wasn't There" is a taboo-shattering documentary that Newsweek says “irreverently lays out the case that Jesus Christ never existed.” The film includes interviews with some of the top religion experts in the world. Directed by Flemming, the movie is also highly critical of the modern Christian right and explores the dangers that religious belief poses to society. The movie has been praised by critics but condemned by pro-theocracy groups such as James Dobson’s Focus on the Family.
“Obviously our ‘War on Christmas’ is a bit tongue-in-cheek,” said Flemming. “But the Christian myth does dominate U.S. culture, and there’s no time better than Christmas to take a fresh look at that myth and see it for what it is.”
“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 Beyond Belief’s acclaimed documentary "The God Who Wasn't There."
“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 God Who Wasn't There" is a taboo-shattering documentary that Newsweek says “irreverently lays out the case that Jesus Christ never existed.” The film includes interviews with some of the top religion experts in the world. Directed by Flemming, the movie is also highly critical of the modern Christian right and explores the dangers that religious belief poses to society. The movie has been praised by critics but condemned by pro-theocracy groups such as James Dobson’s Focus on the Family.
“Obviously our ‘War on Christmas’ is a bit tongue-in-cheek,” said Flemming. “But the Christian myth does dominate U.S. culture, and there’s no time better than Christmas to take a fresh look at that myth and see it for what it is.”
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| Celeb: | Brian Flemming |
| Movie: | God Who Wasn't There |
(1-20 of 26 posts) | Reply
on Dec 07 2005 10:30 AM This “'let's see if we can shock people by attacking their beliefs for attention” routine by so called film makers is getting stale. And surprise, surprise; Flemming is covering his ass from the religious right by calling it tongue and cheek. How unimaginative, childish, and boring! (Reply to this) |
on Dec 07 2005 12:50 PM [b]Ha![/b] This is awesome -- nothing wrong with a bit of questioning now and again. Of course, if it doesn't fall in line with the dogmatic views of the theocratic mobocracy, it's a traveshamockery. My question to the masses: If there be a God and we were created in His (Hers/Its -- don't want to piss anyone off, now) image, does that make God evil? (Reply to this) |
on Dec 07 2005 02:30 PM I agree with dracus, it is unimaginative and childish. To me it's not the God issue here, it's Flemming cashing in on the shock value of child like adults giggling and saying: "Ooooohhh, did you hear what he said about God? Let's go see it!" And I'm sure he'll find an audience that will then want him to remake "Porky's." (Reply to this) |
on Dec 07 2005 03:01 PM "Pro-theocracy groups"? Wow. I'm glad you guys chose to frame the story in such an objective manner. I'd like to actually see this documentary, because it's quite valid to contest the deity of Jesus, but to deny his actual existence... it's a fact verified by sources outside the Bible, including the Jewish historian Josephus. I wonder what Beyond Belief Media has to say in this film. (Reply to this) |
on Dec 08 2005 09:54 AM you would think flemming would get his facts straight before tackling such a grandious project like saying that jesus may not have existed. i mean isn't there documented proof that he did exist? (not just in religeous books) if he did exist, which i am certain that he did, it was just as a human being not as a messiah. let people interpret what they want about people and how they change their beliefs. *gets off soap box* but yeah this would be an interesting documentary, especially to see it get protested like every other religeous film. thomas of the living dead (Reply to this) |
on Dec 08 2005 03:20 PM [b]About Yeshu (Jesus)[/b] Well, every time I go to Jerusalem I love to believe he existed and walked the same streets than I (btw, I'm Jewish). But being a rational man concerned with science, and having read some theories about the subject, it is very (VERY) possible that the Jesus figure didn't exist (differently from Paul, that is a very real and influential figure in the development of the Christian faith). All the controversy surrounding the documents found at Qumran in the Dead Sea could point to this direction also. The figure of Jesus is (and was) very useful to develop a set of beliefs and a program of political action (against the rich living in Jerusalem at the time). That's it. Btw, Josephus is known for being a little bit prone to "novelization" (he liked to be liked), and remember that he wrote at least 70 years "after the facts" in a time where 70 years is a lot. (Reply to this) |
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on Dec 08 2005 04:38 PM [b]JC v. JC[/b] There are more documents prooving the existence of a historlcal Jesus (just his existence, not his divinity) than demonstrate that Julius Caesar walked the earth. The same is true for Alexander the Great, Plato, Homer, etc. Historian E.P. Sanders wrote in 1993 that "the sources for Jesus are better, however, than those that deal with Alexander" in regards to his existence (Judaism: Practice and Belief). Belief in Jesus as Lord is a matter of faith, one I'm sorry that Mr. Flemming has decided not only to renounce but also to attack. I imagine he considers many the "Christian Right" to be argumentative, angry, and brutish in how they conduct themselvs and it's too bad he's decided to respond in the same manner. Such is his choice. So, again, he's well within his rights to deny that Jesus is God. But if he wants to deny the existence of a historical Jesus that walked the earth at all, well, that's just bad research. (Reply to this) |
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on Dec 09 2005 05:19 AM [b]An adult dependency on an invisible man is irratio[/b] Merry Christmas, everyone. God (in any form and by any name whatsoever) never existed and certainly doesn't exist now, except in the fetid imaginations of those who want to close their eyes real tight and play "Let's Imagine." The best gift anyone could ever offer: Truth that sets you free. (And P.S.: The ONLY "evidence" that Jesus ever existed is found in that book of fairy tales called The Bible. Does that surprise you? Then you have been victimized by your religion, as all who "believe" are.) As for "intelligent design" (the very concept of which makes me laugh out loud), consider the "intelligent design" of creeps like James Dobson and Pat Robertson and the rest of those "pastors" who manipulate stupid, non-thinking losers into giving them money so they don't have to get real jobs. --Adrian in Dallas (Reply to this) |
on Dec 09 2005 05:32 AM [b]ANOTHER ASSHOLE[/b] O-kay... Another ASSHOLE joins the ranks of such like Dan Brown, it seems. Assholes don't die, NEW are born every single day, it seems. It's so very surprising, each time, the vanity of such assholes such as these Flemming/Brown guys and gals, easpecially when blatantly questioning such matters of God-- when it is SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN, that humans, at ALL times, use ONLY one portion of the brain, when in thinking (or other) activities. So, Scientifically concluding: that these assholes come up with all these ideas about the existence of Jesus, and God, when using HALF A BRAIN... and BIENG PROUD ABOUT IT... Woh! Truely amazing indeed. Like ants trying to figure out the existence of Men. Hey, maybe there are ASSHOLES in the ant-community/society also, who are very sure Men don't exist! Flemming and Brown, do yourselves a favor, and slap yourselves? Thanx. (Reply to this) |
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on Dec 09 2005 06:21 AM [b]Don't you wish the fundies...[/b] like, apparently, JeanPaul above (#451842), could at least get a thought expressed? His post is all the evidence you would ever need as to the idiocy of those who chose to "believe" in invisible men. Let me venture a guess about JeanPaul: Homeschooled, where proper spelling, grammar and syntax was thought to be only an ugly rumor; rural, like probably some godforsaken armpit like Kentucky, Tennessee or Oklahoma; and the product of two neanderthals who still believe that the "religion" that was good enough for their moron daddies is good enough for their spawn. (Reply to this) |
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on Dec 09 2005 07:16 AM In reply to this comment (#828573) [b]bad manners[/b] you know i'm from tennessee and i take great offense to that. i was raised church of christ and i chose to become non-dogmatic due to the same rasons you express about ministers and organized religeon. but that does not change the fact that jesus was a real person, son of god or not. in my opinion he was teaching his beliefs on how to live your life devoted to god, and it was paul who decided to research it more and write it into what we know now as the bible(which has been altered by both church and state for centuries) whether or not god exists is debatable, but it is just plain rude to judge someone on their opinion just cause they don't think like you do. thomas of the living dead (Reply to this) |
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on Dec 09 2005 07:45 AM In reply to this comment (#828574) [b]Telling the truth is never "Bad manners"[/b] Hm. Let's see here, Tennessee (as predicting, but still not capitalized), "Church of Christ" (non-capitalized), "non-dogmatic," whatever the hell that means in this context; "rasons," a typo (it is hoped) for reason; "religeon," and not religion; Jesus, Paul, the Bible, and God not capitalized (names always are); and a sensitivity that belies the historic actions of his church to vilify atheists. And while you, TOTLD, may "believe" that god's existance is "debatable" (more true than you know), it's not for me and for the millions of atheists out here. You can spend your valuable living time determining how many angels can dance on the head of a pin, but those who can think without it hurting their widdle-haids know the futility and waste that constitute such meaningless ponderings. Calling a spade a spade is an important trait; knowing the truth and speaking it. A moron is a moron is a moron. Like it or not, Thomas. (Reply to this) |
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on Dec 09 2005 09:47 AM [b]wow[/b] you know, you forgot to mention that I didn't capitalize the first letter of my sentences. WAY TO GO GENIUS. I was not attacking your beliefs, but the fact that you are calling people stupid for not accepting your version of the truth. Non-dogmatic simply means that I do not follow an organized religion, meaning I believe in a higher power without the strains and rules of religion. as far as not capitalizing, it's faster to type without pausing to hit shift. Be glad I don't over-simplify and use numbers for words and abbreviations for small sentences. Like it or not you too are from the south and even your retort had a few typos in it as well. Seeing that this article isn't about southerners and grammar, I am officially washing my hands of this. Jesus was real, and despite the fact that there are millions upon millions of christians, and only a handful of atheists, more people are going to ponder his existance as a savior/God. There is no denying that or changing that. So one guy wants to bank on the split of Christmas, we should leave the article to that, and not trying to prove otherwise. thomas of the living dead (Reply to this) |
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on Dec 09 2005 02:41 PM In reply to this comment (#828573) [b]Adrian in Dallas Proves he is the ULTIMATE ASSHOLE[/b] Thank you. Point proven, by Adrian the ASSHOLE from Dallas, who-- when admitting that he has NO appropriate response to add in an argument, and that he clearly, is NOT even able to use his (full) capacity of HALF a BRAIN, when responding to posts-- thereby, comfortably turning to insult parent's and whatnot, of other members, who are not as dead-stinky-depressive and self-loving sarcastics, as he is. Adrian the A-hole, from Dallas: Since you clearly have parents, who did not have the basic integrity of teaching you to be above the evil-sarcastic rat that you ARE, it really does not mean, that's the same issue with others, you know? Adrian? Ooops, Looks like he's gone over to worship the devil he's more comfortable believing in. (Reply to this) |
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on Dec 10 2005 05:38 AM no jean paul athiests don't believe in the devil unless they're one of those texas athiests like he is. to real athiests, believing in the devil would be close to being part of an organized religion. but he would know that. >= P thanks for the support thomas of the living dead (Reply to this) |
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on Dec 10 2005 11:33 AM i love this news for the responses it provoked......the world needs more of this kind which seems to warrant an intelligent argument on all sides. (Reply to this) |
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on Dec 10 2005 05:16 PM In reply to this comment (#828571) (And P.S.: The ONLY "evidence" that Jesus ever existed is found in that book of fairy tales called The Bible. Does that surprise you? Then you have been victimized by your religion, as all who "believe" are.) Okay, please, no more of this. The Bible is not the only source that mentions Jesus as a living person in history. Josephus, Tacitus, Suetonious, Pliny the Younger, Lucian, Celsus, and Philo are all Jewish or secular historians who mention Jesus. Furthermore, the historical accuracy of the Epistles of the apostle Paul (who is known to have existed) have never been seriously attacked by critics, much like the historical records of the Christian Eusebius. Jesus existed. I'm not saying anything about his deity, but the consensus of historians (somebody criticized Josephus for writing about Jesus 70 years after Jesus' death- yes, that's what most historians do; they record things that have happened many years ago) of the time period is that Jesus existed and started the religion of Christianity. Please be a bit more open-minded about the subject. (Reply to this) |
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on Dec 10 2005 06:15 PM [b]Big Deal.[/b] So they don't beleive in Jesus and are going to tell everyone why. Whoa! You mean some people don't believe he ever existed?! What's that? There isn't any solid evidence to support his existence?! I never even thought about that before. No one has! I have been totally taken aback. We must tell the people, because when they learn there is no solid proof they will surely stop believing and do away with this silliness once and for all! Mmmm. Taste that sarcasm. It's citrus flavour. Next stop, Palestine. We need to alert the peoples of the middle east that Mohammed probably never was a prophet, he just had too much of the hooka. Bottom line, there is no shock value to this. It's nothing new. The people responsible will accomplish nothing more than irking some people who are trying to enjoy their holiday. (Reply to this) |
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on Dec 11 2005 09:53 AM it doesn't matter if Jesus (" as chronicled in the Bible") exists or not, the system of belief is too deeply etched into our culture, that any revelation of existence or not would simply be swept under the rugs or totally brushed off. The world couldn;t and wouldn't recieve any shock changes to something they had believed so firmly in for so long. And of course this applies to all sides. And oh by the way, get some fresh oranges in future for your blend. i actually mistook it for an banana smoothie. (Reply to this) |
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on Dec 12 2005 06:46 AM [b]I was wondering how long before "the Da Vinci Code[/b] I love how Dan Brown got dragged into this just because he wrote a fictional story that supposed that Jesus may have had a child. Not that he wasn't the Messiah, just that he might have fallen in love. Fictional. Story. I don't think I have to remind those of you who get angry at that "asshole" Brown that freedom of speech exists, and just because he writes a story that may not be what you believe is the truth, doesn't make him an asshole and certainly doesn't make him wrong. Lets all go complain about that "asshole" C.S. Lewis because Lions don't talk and the very idea of a talking lion goes against our personal belief systems (which, if you think about it, it does). Please. Everyone needs to stop being so sensitive about stupid, stupid shit. Just because you disagree does not give you the right to drag anyone through the mud, and the same goes for this "documentary". Granted, it seems that the filmmakers are going on the offensive with this and that's not particularly cool, but that doesn't mean the film shouldn't be released. They're only on the offensive it to get a rise out of people, anyway. The best thing all those of you who disagree can do is... wait for it... Not. Give. A. Shit. Who cares? Da Vinci is just a book. This is just a movie. Neither affect anyone in any real way. That's when movie's like this will stop being made. When people stop being so damn sensitive about everything. Oh, and I don't really see how that whole "half a brain" thing (which I have read articles on that disprove this "fact") factors into this argument at all, really. Maybe I'm only using a QUARTER of my brain. (Reply to this) |
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