Several copies of Invasion of the Body Snatchers crossed my desk at work yesterday. It was the 1978 Sutherland version. It’s okay as a goofy sci-fi picture, and a step or three above my current B movie fixation, so I’ll probably borrow a copy (it’s a library – don’t think I’m a thief). I think I’ll have to request a copy of the original 1956 version as well. It’s been a while since I watched that. It’s nothing like the remake.
The original was a loosely disguised allegory for Communism, and the film itself was based on a serialized work by a man named Jack Finney.
Look! You fools! You’re in danger! Can’t you see? They’re after you! They’re after all of us! Our wives…our children…they’re here already! You’re next!
John W. Whitehead lists that familiar quote from the character Dr. Miles Bennell who is the main character. He is, of course, talking about the pod people who take over human bodies so they’ll blend in and look normal even if they can’t act normal. It’s all part of a massive alien takeover that Must Be Stopped!
Now that I’ve recalled the fact that the show tends to call up fears of the Red Menace that was communism at the time, I wonder if that’s part of the reason why the red A is in fact red. Not to say we’re communists, but maybe the designer of the Out Campaign emblem (Dawkins?) recognized a similarity between the McCarthy era blacklisting and the harsh reaction to people who dare admit to be atheist. And we’ll wear the scarlet letter proudly, besides. No shame in that at all.
I found a larger version of this poster here but can’t you imagine a monkey throttling a religious figure here instead? The demon does have a very ape-like appearance already so it wouldn’t take much work to change it.
The belt says “Prosperity” if it isn’t clear. I suppose some appropriate faith-related name would be given to the figure instead (One Nation Under God?), but maybe it wouldn’t be necessary. Perhaps the reaction to the idea of selling the Vatican is less about faith and more about politics. Redistribution of wealth is too much of a socialist idea to fly, isn’t it.
And the flag would have to be redone as American so people could simply be appalled by the implications of that! It’s heinous to put a flag on the floor let alone dance on it, apparently. There’s a godless monkey dancing on our flag! It’s unpatriotic! Boo! Hiss! Hellfire!
Do I have a point to this? Not really. Well no, I lie – it’s this.
What really is the fear people have toward atheism? Toward atheist ideals. At the base, we tend to want a society where everyone gets educated and everyone gets the same rights. Shouldn’t everyone want that?
Promoting gay marriage will not lead to the annulment of all heterosexual ones. What two people do by themselves shouldn’t be the business of neighbours or friends or the mayor or the president. Love is love (except that incest crap and pedophilia – both are horrible disgusting perversions of sexuality).
Condemnation of churches that hide sex abuse should be done by everyone — including church members. It’s appalling to see how few pew sitters are willing to side with us on this. It’s appalling what they’ll forgive. No wonder cruelty thrives in that environment.
Separating religion out of education means people can learn their reading and writing and ‘rithmetic without ever having to pray to a deity (unless you really think it’ll help pass a test).
Taking it out of politics means everyone in the country gets a fair shake, not special treatment for some based on a favoured belief set specifically built to exclude the rest.
Living life without a god makes today matter more, I think. Atheists don’t have the luxury of filing our deeds in a “to be forgiven later” folder. What we do and say today will be judged today and I think the same rule should apply to everyone. Take responsibility, be accountable. Say you’re sorry and mean it. Promise to do better and follow through.
