MovieChat Forums > Belle's (2012) Discussion > Atheist Episode

Atheist Episode

posted 11 years ago by neft
13 replies | jump to latest

Anyone else think this was pretty bad?

I mean, it was realistic, but the show made no attempt at positive closure at all whatsoever. It literally ended on the father saying "thank God" that his daughter told the man she never wanted to see him again after begrudgingly telling her that he would approve if she truly loved him.

It just felt cold and exclusive. I am an atheist dating a Christian, and I know there are many couples like us across every faith. The immediate discrimination and judgment against atheists is a primitive knee-jerk reaction that is unfortunately the standard among the religious these days, and this episode figuratively pats on the back a culture whose prejudice against them is especially notorious.

Very backwards and disappointing. This episode could have been a watershed of black television, but instead panders to the masses.

Doblerone

[–] tmurray7491 11 years ago

I agree. I was kinda liking this show and then I saw this episode. I really wish they wrote a more positive outcome for that relationship. I'm a Christian, but I have friends who are Atheists. I feel like it shouldn't matter what religious affiliation you associate yourself with, as long as you are a good person. The guy seemed great for her, but she threw all that away b/c of a difference in relgion? I liked that moment where he asks them that if he was a criminal or did drugs but confessed his sins to God, would they accept him then? The father agrees but since he's an atheist, it's unacceptable for him to date his daughter even if he's a good guy, loves her, and treats her with respect. That really irked me.

[–] DandelionFrizz 11 years ago

"The father agrees but since he's an atheist, it's unacceptable for him to date his daughter even if he's a good guy, loves her, and treats her with respect."

And this, my dear, is the dogma that drove me away from religion.

Great point! :)

[–] DandelionFrizz 11 years ago

Yes, it was horrible.

I agree the reactions were realistic. I'm Agnostic and I understand the reactions to skeptics can be extreme. But the writers made the Atheist seem like a "schemer". Why would he have waited to meet the family before dropping the A bomb? Realistically, someone of a different faith (or lack thereof) would have had this conversation before they accompany someone to their church and let alone before FALLING IN LOVE.

You're right, this show took the Atheists are immoral and unworthy of love route. This is what disgusted me the most. It's sad that Good Times, a sitcom based in the 70s, addressed the topic of Atheism with more depth and respect than a "modern day" show. On Good Times, Florida Evans (a devoutly religious person) didn't let Carl (her love interest after James "died") Atheism break up their relationship.

I'm glad you brought up this topic. I did voice my disgust with this episode via Twitter to TvOne and Elise Neal. For what it's worth.

Thank you.

[–] bavmorda22 11 years ago

Thank you for bringing up Good Times! My southern baptist grandmother welcomed the Jehovah's Witness, the Mormon, the Jew, and the Atheist to her dinner table as equals. That is what Jesus wanted her to do. Florida's character often reminded me of her. Always mindful in faith, never forgetful of tolerance.

It is a relief to read that I'm not the only one who found this episode to be utterly deplorable. Big Bill's bigotry and Gladys' proud ignorance of non-baptist beliefs was disgusting. TvOne "Where Black Life Unfolds". NO. This is not my life. If it was I hope someone would be kind enough to slap the dumb out of me.

Despite my disappointment in this show, I must commend Keith David. His acting was (and always is) perfection.

Don't forget the Bedazzler, it's for the best.

[–] herricklane 11 years ago

I agree 100%! The show lost me with this episode. I was disgusted and angered by how this was handled. If they handle Religion this way I can only imagine how they would take on homosexuality. I don't even want to think about it. Well I will not be watching anymore. I will stick to more forward thinking and evolved entertainment.

[–] TeddieDog 11 years ago

This episode was beyond disgusting. I won't be watching this garbage ever again. Hopefully this show enjoys a quick demise.

It's sickening to see this prejudice in this day and age.

[–] gasherthegrey 11 years ago

Five posts about this episode=five posts about how it was closed-minded and hateful. You give me hope, IMDB; you give me hope. Maybe one day we can get beyond the "You don't believe in the invisible sky fairy?! Get the hell away from me!" mentality as a species.

I'd like to see what it's like to get drunk on mashed potatoes, though. I'm not even a bourbon drinker and that sounds good.

[–] lishol7-1 11 years ago

The mashed potato thing was just so weird! She gets drunk and things she's Irish?! It wasn't until reading your post that I'm thinking there's a possibility of Irish "stereotyping". That's really bizarre! The only thing left out of the "biased pic" was the fact that it didn't turn her Catholic. Oh, but wouldn't that thicken the plot!

[–] Lisaluv1 11 years ago

I agree ~ that was actually the first episode I ever saw from this show and didn't realize till now watching marathon that it's based on a religious family. I grew up baptist like the daughter but my longest relationships were with a guy who was an atheist (or claimed to be) he could have just been unsure of his beliefs and another guy who was raised Christian but into Wicca.

I really was looking for a more open ending where the father accepted the guys choice with speculations.

[–] dwacon-2 11 years ago

Maybe as a multi-episode arc it would have worked better?

Dwacon
http://dwacon.com/
http://facebook.com/DwaconEntertainment

[–] FridayOnElmStreet 10 years ago

That was awful. It made Christians look bad. The family are the *beep* here. He says he had a falling out with his parents over atheism and they get pissed off for the same reason making him feel even worse.

[–] tenshinhan_san 10 years ago

I didn't realise this was a show when I saw this scene.

I honestly thought it was a discrimination example.

[–] DeathbySnuSnu (978) 2 months ago

https://youtu.be/5THkw7lscRc?si=q5eyDap_VvJ_m6Hz

Same. Been looking for this for years. I remember it from when I was really into watching atheist channels.
Incredible to think this was written, produced and performed as an episode of a sit-com(!) and not one person at any stage had pause to think how it would come across.