Film Review: The God Who Wasn't There

The film documentary/religious critique The God Who Wasn't There directed by Brian Flemming is, without a doubt, profound. Some might say profane. Not I.

The film investigates how the early founders of Christianity seemed wholly unaware of the idea of a human Jesus. It explores how the Jesus of the Gospels bears a striking resemblance to other ancient heroes and the figureheads of pagan savior cults. It wonders how contemporary Christians can be largely ignorant of the origins of their religion.

Does the name Jesus Christ refer to a real person who existed in the flesh? What evidence is there to support the idea that Jesus Christ was the son of a god who was crucified and then rose from the dead? What evidence exists to support the idea that Jesus Christ is nothing more than a myth turned sacred cow?

These are important questions. Yet too few ask them. In fact, many people seem strongly against even considering them. Many seem to find these questions outright taboo. But why?

The answers. The answers to these questions explored in the film may prove unsettling if not outright frightening to many. The answers may be unexpected. The answers to these questions, in fact, may go against everything ever assumed about the world and what we know about it.

Also, some questions, it has been taught, are never to be asked. Some questions, it has been taught, are evil. It is often implied that those who ask these questions are not to be trusted. Those asking these questions, it has been taught, are unworthy of consideration. But why?

Faith. To question often leads to doubt. To doubt often leads to a loss of faith. This is unacceptable to those who lead and minister to the faithful. To these 'believing' men and women, the most important thing is faith. To have faith is to put away doubt, to put away questions, to put away seeking answers. But why?

Tradition, ritual, escapism, community, the status quo, hierarchies, sentimentality, magical thinking, supremacist ideologies, power - these are some of the uses of faith. Anything which weakens the power of faith is anathema to the men and women who use it. So it is men and women of faith who have instilled in many and at an early age that to ask questions about the beliefs upon which faith is based is dangerous, unacceptable and evil. This film will no doubt be unmentionable to men and women of faith.

But is this possible? Is it possible that long held beliefs are based upon nonsensical, non-evidenced, irrational, incorrect, supernatural, magical thinking ideas, stories and text? Given the Boogey Man, Zeus, Santa Claus, poisonous tomatoes, the flat world, the earth-centric revolving sun, Big Foot, mermaids, The Loch Ness Monster, Joseph Smith, Jim Jones, John Edward of Crossing Over, Pat Robertson, David Karesh and others - we know it is very easily possible.

Therefore, I deeply recommend The God Who Wasn't There. It asks important questions and tries to answer them. You be the judge of the strength of those answers. I for one find them credible and even obvious. Unfortunately too many people refuse to even consider investigating for themselves matters upon which they've often based their whole lives, matters this film documentary explores. For them the world will always be flat, only a couple thousand years old and the center of the universe. Sigh....

For more information and to watch a trailer from the film, go to www.thegodmovie.com.