From Atheism to Faith: Filmmaker’s Journey and the Resurgence of Belief in a New Generation
A growing number of young adults are exploring faith, and filmmaker Michael Ray Lewis embodies this trend.His personal journey from staunch atheism to Christian belief serves as a compelling narrative in a world grappling with existential questions. Lewis, the director of the new documentary “Universe Designed,” shares his story of intellectual skepticism transformed by a search for answers and, ultimately, a profound encounter with faith.
Lewis’s initial rejection of Christianity stemmed from unanswered questions. Common objections, such as the perceived conflict between evolution and religious doctrine, and the problem of evil in a world supposedly governed by a benevolent God, fueled his atheism. He recounts,”Questions like,’Well,evolution has disproven Christianity,’… ‘If there’s an all-loving God,then there wouldn’t be the existence of evil in the world.'” He also struggled with the concept of eternal punishment for doubt.
His worldview was further solidified by exposure to prominent atheist voices, including documentaries by Bill Maher and the film “Zeitgeist,” which presented arguments dismissing Christianity as a fabricated myth. Though, this conviction began to waver as Lewis embarked on a deeper inquiry of his initial objections.
The turning point came not through forceful persuasion, but through genuine curiosity. Lewis discovered that Christianity offered robust responses to his challenges, and even presented positive arguments for the existence of God. This intellectual shift coincided with a personal transformation: his wife’s rediscovery of faith. Initially hesitant, Lewis accompanied her to church, intending to debunk Christianity rather than embrace it.
Instead, he found himself increasingly drawn to the evidence supporting the faith. A pivotal moment arrived when a video featuring an astrophysicist appeared in his YouTube feed, demonstrating the compatibility – and even the corroboration – between scientific discovery and Christian belief.”Science actually shows that there’s evidence for there being an intelligent creator,” Lewis recalls.
Over three years, Lewis diligently researched, reading extensively and consulting with theologians. He ultimately realized his resistance wasn’t rooted in evidence, but in a reluctance to accept the truth. “I realized that my reasoning for not believing in God wasn’t based on evidence anymore,” he explained.”It was the fact that I didn’t want it to be true.” In 2016, he embraced Christianity, dedicating his life to his newfound faith.
Driven by this transformation, Lewis transitioned from creating horror films to producing content that explores the evidence for God. His documentary, “Universe designed,” is the culmination of this effort. The film synthesizes 36 hours of interview footage into a concise and compelling case for the existence of a creator. Lewis aimed to present a thoughtful exploration of the topic, avoiding overwhelming viewers with data while still delivering a powerful message.
“I knew that I wanted to present a case for the existence of God, but I wasn’t sure how I was going to structure it,” Lewis stated. “So I just started collecting as much content as I could.”
“Universe Designed” reflects a broader cultural trend: a resurgence of spiritual exploration among Gen Z and millennials. Lewis’s story, and the film itself, offer a compelling resource for those grappling with questions of faith and seeking evidence-based answers.
Primary Topic: Religious Conversion & the Resurgence of Faith
Primary Keyword: faith journey
Secondary Keywords: atheism to Christianity, evidence for God, religious documentary, Gen Z faith, Millennial faith, Michael Ray Lewis, Universe Designed, problem of evil, science and religion, spiritual awakening, deconversion, religious belief.
