Accidental Activist

Good movie, not great.

Good depiction of the challenges of tolerance towards those who disagree with you.

Showing that it's okay to have quite differing opinions and be able to live peacefully with those whom you disagree with.

This 58 minute film was produced by the American Family Association (AFA), an anti-gay group labeled as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. It tells the story of Ted, happily married Christian father of three. One day, he signs a petition in support of traditional marriage (that is, against gay marriage). Before long, his name appears in a gay newspaper and gay activists make threatening phone calls and start picketing outside his business. It's never made clear why the gay activist singled Ted out, of all the people who signed the petition, but it may have something to do with the fact that the gay rights group and it's leader, an evil Italian, want his business to fail so that they can move into his property. Ted didn't want to make a big deal out of this, but now he has to decide whether he will stand up for his beliefs, even as the angry, intolerant gays want to silence him. The movie ends rather abruptly and I wonder why they didn't bother making it into a real feature length film.

"Accidental Activist" is another (lesser known) movie in the genre of Christian films in which Christians in America are portrayed as persecuted for their beliefs (better known examples would be "God's Not Dead", "Last Ounce of Courage" and "Christmas with a Capital C". If you like that genre and think this sounds like a great story, give "Accidental Activist" a try. If not, don't bother.

"Accidental Activist" is a great depiction of the importance of standing up for one's beliefs and the possible consequences that could come with it. No matter your beliefs or background, you can relate to this film.

The other reviews are examples of this film's message: that Americans who dare to stand by their beliefs should be silenced, according to the people who preach tolerance but practice intolerance. It's not a great film, it's probably a 5 or 6, but that's because of the budget and acting, which were not terrible, just average. No worse than your average sitcom. Certainly not a 2 or 3, as other reviewers suggest. I liked that it didn't portray the characters as black and white: the protagonist was ambivalent, and his gay friend supported him while disagreeing with his opinions. If you think that having an opinion that differs from that of vocal social activists is hate speech, you will despise this film. But if you think that in a civilized society, people have a right to hold different beliefs and to express them, you might find it of interest.

Poor bigot is persecuted for his bigoted beliefs. This movie constantly minimizes anti-gay hate as being an attack on Christians, as opposed to what it really is - one group trying to limit the rights of another. It's gross.