John Christy's Film Encounter With Atheism

By Rod Anderson, CP Cartoonist Wednesday, February 19, 2014

John Christy, a devout Christian filmmaker and student of religion, and David Smalley, an atheist activist and radio host, have released a new documentary film they made together, "My Week in Atheism," about their friendship caught between the two opposing worldviews.

The film premiered over the weekend at the Crest Theater in Sacramento, Calif., showing the two traveling together to secular conventions, university campuses, and a live talk show, and how they maintain a close friendship while protecting their worldviews and activism.

"The way the world is today, people too often view others with different beliefs as their enemies. But David and I have developed a deep friendship – even though we talk, and argue about religious differences all the time," said Christy in a statement.

"As I've gotten to know David more, I appreciate his challenge to my faith. Rather than digging in my heels to defend myself, I've tried to take an honest, intellectual look at what motivates atheism and why I believe what I believe," added Christy, who has a B.S. in Religion and Theological Studies and plans to get an M.A. in Christian and Classical Studies in 2015.