I am still mulling many things over but I was glad that they chose an atheist that was fairly well-spoken, intelligent and willing to engage in discussion. The Christian family was also well represented although I was more comfortable with the mother's attitude and approach than with the father's.

I'm curious. Did anyone else see this? Thoughts? Do you have pre-conceived notions of either group? Does a show like this really change anyone's opinion? I do think it can be a means of opening discussion.

Like I said, I am still mulling over a post about this but one comment by a bible study member really aggravated me. She smiled and shook Brenda (the atheist's) hand and then mumbled, "I'm sure glad I'm not you." The other disturbing, and I would imagine over-edited for TV purposes, clips were those that showed the minister in the huge and imposing 2000 member church. They continuously showed him telling the congregation to get out there and spread the word. It was a bit scary. Not a small community of like-minded people sharing a bit of spirituality but a large mob of people being prodded to go get more people in there. When Brenda mentioned that a lot of money must go into maintaining such a huge organization that could go elsewhere the husband immediately got defensive and asked her why Christians shouldn't be allowed to have nice things. Huge, money-sucking organizations like that are business as much as religion. It's just the way it works. And more people coming in are better for business.

Why? Why is it the job of these people to convert the atheist? She didn't once attack them for their beliefs. She simply answered questions about her own and asked them about theirs. She doesn't need saving. At one point she asked them, "Do you think that atheists are 'anti-christian'?" What she was getting at--in my opinion--is the idea that somehow by not believing in a supernatural deity we are threatening to those who do.

I know this is a touchy subject. I also know plenty of non-crazy people who incorporate their religious beliefs in their lives without using them as a crutch or an excuse to spew hate.

I'm glad this show stayed away from the crazies and showed the families that they did. Still, some of the peripheral people and trivia that they used were unsettling.

So, am I the only one who saw it?