Just something I've been wondering about... Criticism by some theists suggests that atheists are too pragmatic, serious or prosaic, interested only in dry factuality.
But I have a theory that most atheists are at least as imaginative as (and most likely moreso than) theists — as long as the "Star Wars", "Lord of the Rings", "Matrix", etc., kinds of fantasies are presented as creative entertainment instead of "truth".
I also think theists may be less likely to enjoy the fantasy film genre, for whatever reason. So who likes fantasy films more: theists or atheists?
2007-05-03 03:19:53 · 15 answers · asked by Sweetchild Danielle 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Will you accept an objective opinion from an agnostic? OK; Here goes. I would say your theory stands a good chance of being more accurate than you think. The reason I would cite in support of this analogy is this; Since Theists believe in some type of supreme being or beings, and Atheists believe in no kind of supreme being, Atheists would more readily relate to the subject matter in a fantasy (or science fiction film). This does not mean that these types of films cannot be enjoyed by everyone; I was a devout Christian who grew up watching the ORIGINAL Star Trek series which starred William Shatner. Talk about mass confusion!! Now, however; looking back, I'm glad because that old Star Trek series taught me how to apply logic and reason to everything in my life, including religion.
2007-05-03 15:39:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a non-Christian Theist and a huge fan of both fantasy and science fiction.
I especially enjoy stories that are about or inspired by theist beliefs, even when some liberties have been taken. Christian tales (old and new testament), Native American, Ancient Greek stories, Egyptian, etc.
ex: Stranger in a Strange Land, Joseph (TBS miniseries, really good!), Coyote Blue by Christopher Moore, Clash of the Titans, Spartacus, etc.
I especially do not like when a story is depicted AS the theist story and too many liberties are taken.
Noah the TV mini-series was horrible and way too fabricated.
2007-05-03 06:35:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the theist part about being less likely to enjoy fantasy film.
On the Atheist part, agnostics are most likely to be the dry and factual type because they are all logic. Atheists believe in something not provable, and I being agnostic love the fantasy film genre and even more the fantasy book genre. It's all fun.
2007-05-03 19:05:51 · answer #3 · answered by Scott and Friends 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a theist.
Fantasy is my favorite genre.
Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and especially the Matrix all have deep theological topics. Star Wars and the Matrix especially.
However, if you look for those things only, then you are going to miss the entire point of the stories - which is to entertain.
ADDED:
The final two installations of LOTR and Matrix came out while in seminary. We had ten guys in our class - six of us including one instructor got together and watched these movies because they were our favorite genre.
That of course is not an exhaustive list.
I think that the answerer who says that Christians do not find sw and lotr amusing is only partially right. But I think it is the older generation who was raised on Westerns and "down to earth" shows and movies. The newer generation of Christians are much more open minded, and have larger imaginations than the previous generation or three. My parents raised me to be a Christian, but they also raised me to think things through and encouraged my overactive imagination.
2007-05-03 03:25:05 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. Indignant 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Let's see - now was is it that every theist liked fantasy films or was it every atheist that had a crush on Frodo?
As long as my answer is presented as the "truth" and not entertainment
2007-05-03 03:30:39 · answer #5 · answered by Charles C 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can only speak for myself. I am a Christian, and am a fan of Star War/Star Trek/Babylon5/Stargate etc. Have them all on video. Have attended the conventions. Have always enjoyed Sci Fi of that type.
Also a fan of LOTR long before the movies ever appeared. First read them in the early 70's. Wrote one of my master thesis on LOTR, and have taught college classes on Tolkien and Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia). As well as used Narnia to teach Sunday School classes.
Not a fan of the Matrix series. Too much of them was nothing but one impossible fight after another. Boring.
2007-05-03 03:36:52 · answer #6 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fantasy films and books (Sci-Fi) have been intended for the more open-minded side of people, who are more able to comprehend the intricacies of a Fantastic story and who are willing to tunr on their suspension of disbelief for as long as the story goes....
Religious fanatics live in a constant state of suspension of disbelief, and so they cannot enjoy a fantasy book or film as much.
Most of those I know who didn't find TLOTR or SW amusing are Christians.
2007-05-03 03:35:16 · answer #7 · answered by Malcolm Knoxville VI 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a simple solution for me. Atheists of course, theists already HAVE their fantasy...
2007-05-03 20:29:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
well fantasy films are kind of dorky....and i when i think about most of the athiests i know...they are kinda dorky...but i know a whole bunch of doky thiests too...maybe i'm dorky...anyhoodle...i'm gonna go with the athiests being more into it because from personal experience my pals who are not down with G*d like all kinds of fantasy crap....be it movies, comics, video games, industiral music, BBS's....so on and so forth
2007-05-03 03:26:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm an atheist and i love fantasy films.
2007-05-03 03:24:12 · answer #10 · answered by photogrl262000 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋