I’ve sometimes found Sorkin's writing a bit sugary (the speech at the end of Crackpots makes me wince a bit for example), but I can’t ever remember feeling as though I was being “preached at”.
That's because he isn't preaching at you. Look at it this way. How would you feel if I wrote a series where the lead character took several little digs at your atheism. Add to that the fact that they wouldn't let you finish your argument. And that this argument wasn't the best presented. You didn't get the opportunity to show why this is important to you and why you believe what you believe.
Then come back next week and let's do it again.
It's like if I repeatedly crashed your LJ and lumped you in with fanatical Atheists and constant pointed out to you that your belief holds no weight with me because you have no proof and I jolly well want proof. As you can't provide it I am, therefore, obviously right and you are wrong.
You are now not allowed to reply to this comment. No matter how much you think what I've just posted is crap. Or any other comment I make about this.
That's what I watched every week and felt. And a lot of people, possibly not just of the Christian faith, will have watched it and felt the same way. There is an assumption that we all have blind faith and that we have no rational thought about this. My most common answer is "I don't know." I question God all the time. Know what? I don't think that's a bad thing. I'd be more worried if I *didn't* question him. If I didn't, that would mean he didn't exist.
These are vastly complex debates and they have to be respectful and take into account feelings and deeply held beliefs. I'm not convinced Sorkin succeeded. I think he wants to, but that there is a little part of him that so badly wants to shout at me and say: "You're a smart lady. You're educated. You work with scientists? HOW can you believe this crap? It's just stupid. You're stupid."
And if *I* feel that way - imagine how people who aren't fans of his feel.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2007-07-04 05:24 am (UTC)That's because he isn't preaching at you. Look at it this way. How would you feel if I wrote a series where the lead character took several little digs at your atheism. Add to that the fact that they wouldn't let you finish your argument. And that this argument wasn't the best presented. You didn't get the opportunity to show why this is important to you and why you believe what you believe.
Then come back next week and let's do it again.
It's like if I repeatedly crashed your LJ and lumped you in with fanatical Atheists and constant pointed out to you that your belief holds no weight with me because you have no proof and I jolly well want proof. As you can't provide it I am, therefore, obviously right and you are wrong.
You are now not allowed to reply to this comment. No matter how much you think what I've just posted is crap. Or any other comment I make about this.
That's what I watched every week and felt. And a lot of people, possibly not just of the Christian faith, will have watched it and felt the same way. There is an assumption that we all have blind faith and that we have no rational thought about this. My most common answer is "I don't know." I question God all the time. Know what? I don't think that's a bad thing. I'd be more worried if I *didn't* question him. If I didn't, that would mean he didn't exist.
These are vastly complex debates and they have to be respectful and take into account feelings and deeply held beliefs. I'm not convinced Sorkin succeeded. I think he wants to, but that there is a little part of him that so badly wants to shout at me and say: "You're a smart lady. You're educated. You work with scientists? HOW can you believe this crap? It's just stupid. You're stupid."
And if *I* feel that way - imagine how people who aren't fans of his feel.
::hands LJ back::