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‘God’s not dead’ encourages audience to stand up for beliefs

Gods+not+dead+encourages+audience+to+stand+up+for+beliefs
by Victoria Richardson

Torie Richardson

Imagine sitting in your first day of your required college Philosophy class. If you were asked to sign your name under the words “God is dead” would you?

 

God’s not Dead is a movie following college freshman Josh Wheaton (Good Luck Charlie’s Shane Harper) who refuses to deny his faith, and instead opts to “prove that God exists” over three class periods.

 

First off, along with most of the cast, Harper’s performance is superb. You wouldn’t suspect that he’s a Disney Channel actor (no offense, Selena). Amazing performance makes up for the movie’s other shortcomings, such as a busy plot.

 

Though Amy’s (Trisha LaFache) devastation when she finds out she has cancer brought me near tears, side-plots like hers took away time from the most interesting, and important, part of the movie: a college freshman attempting to prove to his philosophy class that God exists.

 

These plots were not uninteresting, but anyone who comes to the movie actually seeking proof that “God’s not dead” might only feel half-satisfied.

 

The attention the lectures do have, however, are interesting and thought-provoking. The movie doesn’t set up weak arguments and easily disprove them as I feared they would. In fact, Wheaton is challenged after his first lecture to disprove the argument of a modern scientist. Though Wheaton admits he doesn’t know the answer, he researches and finds a solution that actually makes sense.

 

Many critics say that this movie is unrealistic. While I understand this argument, I appreciate what the movie is attempting to do. When the credits roll at the end of “God’s not Dead,” about 40 cases are listed that include college cases where Christian students were denied freedom of speech. Critics can say these cases are small, and prove that nothing as drastic as being forced to sign your name under “God is dead,” but that’s exactly the point.

 

Each time you face the decision to represent God or cower, you’re either proclaiming “God is dead” or “God’s not dead.” There is no in between. This movie about a boy who was the only person to stand for what he believes in has a deeper meaning than the small details that critics say should have been better.

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