Jul 13, 2007

Series embraces atheists' underground roots

By Bernadette Harris / Daily News Staff Writer

Within the first 10 minutes of the BBC series "A Brief History of Disbelief," host Sir Jonathan Miller visits Ground Zero in New York City, making the World Trade Center disaster site an interesting choice for the opening of a three-part series about the history of atheism.

In this groundbreaking effort, Miller recalls Sept. 11, 2001 and the events in its wake as a "forceful reminder of the potentially destructive power of the three great monotheistic religions." These events brought Miller face to face with his belief, or lack thereof, in the divine.

Miller, a renowned British intellectual, as well as an author, lecturer, and director of opera, theater and film, is among the ranks of disbelievers whose "long, respectable history" he endeavors to illustrate.

During the program, Miller and several "keen" colleagues, including the likes of great American playwright Arthur Miller and American philosopher Daniel Dennett, discuss atheism, with the words of historical figures who were known doubters, interspersed throughout.

From the first installment, titled "Shadows of Doubt," Miller considers the first philosophers to discuss disbelief in ancient Greece, through "The Final Hour," the last program in the series, in which Thomas Paine and Darwin's works make appearances.

Miller eschews actors dressed as historical figures and flashy images in favor of thoughtful and rational dialogue. Miller conducts interviews in easy settings, inside homes or on patios.

"There are more disbelievers than people imagine," Miller said during a phone interview from his home in North London.

Besides shedding light on the underground nature of atheism, Miller also details his own journey through disbelief.

"I've never believed in God," Miller said matter-of-factly. He grew up in a Jewish family and attended a Christian boys school. In the first part of the series, Miller visits a place of worship while he discusses his own father's guilt over surviving the Holocaust, which led Miller to have to attend religious services out of guilt. Held in a language he didn't understand, the services never held his interest, and he only stayed long enough to appease his father. Thoughts of a god never crossed his mind.

It wasn't until recently that Miller hesitantly began to refer to himself as an atheist. He said he never required a name for his disbelief in a god, as it was the same to him as having a name for "not believing in witches."

Besides his own beliefs, Miller also addresses atheism on an international level, in particular the association between faith and patriotism in America, and how few American politicians declare themselves disbelievers. He commented that a short time ago he watched Wolf Blitzer on CNN probe Democratic candidates about faith issues.

In matters of politics, "No one in England would question faith," Miller said.

"A Brief History of Disbelief," which debuted in 2005 on the BBC, airs on KQED beginning Monday at 11 p.m. Check local listings for more show times.