Christians Aren't The Only Ones Watching "The Chosen," It's Captured the Attention of Atheists
Atheists who love “The Chosen“?
Apparently, the joy of binge-watching “The Chosen” isn’t relegated to Christian viewers alone.
The streaming phenomenon created by Dallas Jenkins is a Bible-based hit series promoted as “bingeable TV” based on the life of Jesus and His disciples.
According to Christian Headlines, Jenkins reported that “The show is starting to spread outside of Christian circles, which is really cool.”
The news shouldn’t come as a surprise because this series has been unique in every way, including the way it was funded.
As Texas Monthly reported earlier this year “few have achieved the kind of widespread attention or intense devotion afforded to ‘The Chosen,’ which last year surpassed ‘Mystery Science Theater 3000’ to become the most successful crowdfunded project ever.
I mean…in my head, it coulda happened…😎😁🤷🏻♂️
I may not be wearing shades on-screen this season, but there will be scenes that are so 🔥🔥🔥, UR gonna need a pair…& tissues. Lots & lots of tissues. 😭♥️🙏🏽#JesusMeanBidness #AreUEvenReady#TheChosenS3Premiere #OnlyInTheaters pic.twitter.com/dB8h9Cv7VL— Jonathan (@JonathanRoumie) October 8, 2022
“When the show’s first season, which debuted in 2019, became available to watch for free in early 2020, it was backed by 16,000 donors who’d chipped in just north of $10 million. To date, ‘The Chosen’ has raised more than $40 million, enough to cover production costs through at least the third of its seven planned seasons.”
With that kind of passion and enthusiasm in Christians, it’s no surprise that atheist family, friends, coworkers, or neighbors might get curious and be tempted to peek at the wildly popular show.
Jenkins shared this comment during the Sunday night livestream.
“A friend of mine who was an atheist started watching ‘The Chosen’ yesterday. He’s one of those hardcore atheists that likes to troll. … He said to me that he is now binging through the show and watched all of Season 1 yesterday. He told me it’s the best Christian media that has ever been produced.
He’s always been interested in religion in more of an intellectual way and likes to make a lot of jokes about religion. So I’m not sure what will happen, but you never know. It could plant a seed.”
Jenkins and the writers of “The Chosen” have stated that they are just trying to write great stories based on biblical events that entertain.
In a Christianity Today interview with writers Ryan Swanson and Tyler Thompson, Thompson says, “Right, it’s not preaching. You can extract meaning. People can sense when they’re being manipulated or told to believe a certain thing. ‘The Chosen,’ it’s just entertainment. It’s about character and plot and story.”
— Jonathan (@JonathanRoumie) October 1, 2022
One atheist shared her opinion on the show’s Reddit account.
“I’m an atheist and I absolutely love the show! My husband makes fun of me for enjoying the show since we are a family of atheist but if a show is good, the show is good. I love anything that can captivate my attention. I think the show is created to be pretty relatable to modern people.”
The launch of the first two episodes of Season 3 over the weekend, placed at No. 3 with a gross of $8.7 million. Seasons 1 and 2 are available, for free, on “The Chosen” app.
Faith reinforced, revisited, or ignited. It’s all good.
