The God Who Wasn't There
2005
Bowling for Columbine did it to the gun culture. Super Size Me did it to fast food. Now The God Who Wasn't There does it to religion. Holding modern Christianity up to a bright spotlight, this eye-opening documentary asks the questions few dare to ask. "Did Jesus even exist?" is just the beginning for The God Who Wasn't There. Read more
| Starring | Richard Carrier, Richard Dawkins, Alan Dundes |
|---|---|
| Director | Brian Flemming |
| Genres | Documentary |
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The God Who Wasn't There
Bowling for Columbine did it to the gun culture. Super Size Me did it to fast food. Now The God Who Wasn't There does it to religion. Holding modern Christianity up to a bright spotlight, this eye-opening documentary asks the questions few dare to ask. "Did Jesus even exist?" is just the beginning for The God Who Wasn't There.
| Starring | Richard Carrier, Richard Dawkins, Alan Dundes |
|---|---|
| Director | Brian Flemming |
| Run time | DVD: 5 hrs 20 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Documentary |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 06 Jun 2007 Production year: 2005 |
| Format | DVD |
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Most helpful member's review
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33 out of 38 people found this review helpful
Unconvincing and without balance.
The buzz about this documentary is that it would do for God what Michael Moore did for Gun culture and Morgan Spurlock did for fast food. With such a lofty aim you'd expect a full on assault on belief in Jesus. Instead you get a few little ounches that never really connect. The film delivers a poor counter argument against the existence of Jesus. There are various incosistencies here, not least is what he might call his smokling gun text Luke 19:27 ('bring my enemies and kill them in front of me') He quotes it as if Jesus said this in isolation, whereas its from the words of a King in a parable told by Jesus. Other verses like Hebrews 8:4 are also out of context.
He keeps saying that Christians ought to prove their faith, but seems to forget that atheism takes faith too. It's good that these things get made, to encourage debate and discussion. Believe it or not, most Christians do actually think about their faith and come to intellectual conclusions on its truth, but are open to discuss and consider alternative views. Flemming seems to have his mind firmly made up, but his unconvincing pile of evidence does little to topple the God he sets out to expose.
The documentary itself is fairly well made, though does have an home made feel. There's a great use old video footage. There's a decent amount of extras with slideshows, commentaries. The most interesting one is the end of the slide show where he makes an advert for a belief system to stand against faith: 'Universalism' which ends up looking just like another religion which he has been trying to dismantle all this time. -
Most recent members' review
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Sorely Lacking!!Could've been so much better!
It is such a shame that the people who made this documentary didn't put more thought and effort into it and consequently get it right. The subject matter is fantastic to me. I crave documentaries that challenge the average perception of the average Joe.
This documentary was sorely lacking, as it only scratched the surface. It was more like a 'taster' of the 'real' documentary to come. Any documentary that aims to slam or challenge a specific belief or perception should also attempt to find evidence for and against the argument to make the content of the subject matter fuller, more balanced and informative. The presenter kept referring to his experience as having been brought up a Christian (I don't think anyone cares!!I certainly didn't) and how now he has come to a stage in his life when he can NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE HOLY SPIRIT, and NOT fear the wrath of God for being damned for damnation.
(he even visits his old school and botches up an interview he set up with the main honcho after setting up interview under false pretences!Sweet!) .He ends with 'I AM NOT AFRAID' showing on screen, (WHHHHOPPPPEEEE!!!) which is really frivolous: seems like he hasn't quite got over NOT being a catholic. I wanted to see less information about an ex-Christian and more informative, refreshing ideas on the subject.
You know empirical, historical, verifiable(if there is such a thing) documented information to prove that there is or there is not a God!
Ah well, I hope someone else will pick up on the idea, and create something alot better. The makers of this weak excuse of an intelligent documentary, are far from being a Michael Moore.(so there's still room at the top!!) -
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The God Who Wasn't There
Bowling for Columbine did it to the gun culture. Super Size Me did it to fast food. Now The God Who Wasn't There does it to religion. Holding modern Christianity up to a bright spotlight, this eye-opening documentary asks the questions few dare to ask. "Did Jesus even exist?" is just the beginning ...
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