At our next meeting, US filmaker Chris Johnson will be showing and talking about his film, A Better Life: An Exploration of Joy & Meaning in a World Without God.
Please note we aim to start this meeting at 7.15 pm, earlier than our normal time of 7.30, in order to allow adequate time for discussion. The meeting is at the usual venue, University Centre Shrewsbury, Guildhall, Shrewsbury SY3 8HQ. Free parking after 6pm at the adjacent Frankwell car park.
The film is based on Chris’s book A Better Life: 100 Atheists Speak Out on Joy & Meaning in a World Without God. The film version of A Better Life features a selection of those from the book — atheists from around the world from many different backgrounds and professions. They include best-selling authors, award winning artists and scientists, and many well-known public personalities and figures including:
A.C. Grayling, Philosopher, author and Master of the New College of the Humanities.
Adam Pascal, Musician/Actor, created the role of “Roger” in the musical RENT.
AJ Johnson, Vice president and co-founder, Be Secular.
Alex Honnold, Rock climber, featured on 60 Minutes & the cover of National Geographic Magazine.
Andrew Copson, Chief Executive, British Humanist Association.
Cara Santa Maria, Co-host and Producer, TakePart Live on Pivot TV.
Dan Barker, Co-president, Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Daniel Dennett, Philosopher, author, and cognitive scientist, Tufts University.
Donald C. Johanson, Paleoanthropologist, Arizona State University. Discovered the fossil of the hominid australopithecine known as “Lucy.”
Helena Guzik, Online Publications Assistant, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Julia Sweeney, Actress, comedian & author.
Matt Dillahunty, Speaker/co-cost; The Atheist Experience.
Nahla Mahmoud, Environmentalist/Human Rights Activist.
Patricia S. Churchland, Neurophilosopher, University of California San Diego.
Robert Llewellyn, Writer, TV presenter, speaker, actor (Red Dwarf), electric vehicle evangelist.
Sean Carroll, Theoretical Physicist, California Institute of Technology.
Tracie Harris, Speaker/co-cost; The Atheist Experience.
Chris Johnson is a New York-based photographer and filmmaker. He received his undergraduate degree in film production (along with a minor in religious studies) from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec. His photography has been seen in various outlets, including The New York Times. He is the author of the coffee table photography book, “A Better Life: 100 Atheists Speak Out on Joy & Meaning in a World Without God” as well as the documentary film version, “A Better Life: An Exploration of Joy & Meaning in a World Without God.” He has travelled the world on a screening/lecture tour about A Better Life, speaking and screening the film in over 60 cities on four continents — from Reykjavik to Shanghai.
For the book and film of A Better Life, he interviewed many prominent atheist figures such as Richard Dawkins, Steven Pinker, Dan Dennett, Derren Brown, Pat Churchland, Julia Sweeney, Penn & Teller, and many more. He has given talks on atheism and his work at conferences, universities, non-profit organizations, and community groups. In addition, he has also been a guest on numerous podcasts, radio and TV shows around the globe.
Apart from his own film and photographic work, he has also collaborated with artists and directors in various roles and capacities for theatre, film, and print. Chris is the recipient of the Kodak Award for Excellence in Filmmaking as well as the B.F. Lorenzetti Scholarship for Excellence in Filmmaking. Additionally, Chris sits on the Secular Board of Advisors, as well as the board of Openly Secular.
Shropshire Humanists 