Conversations with God

Reveals the Spiritual Side of Homelessness

By Jill V. Mangino

Last Fall I joined 500 people at a special screening of Conversations with God in New York City, not knowing that the movie I was about to see would forever change how I view the homeless. Conversations with God depicts the true life story of New York Times Best-Selling author Neale Donald Walsch. The film portrays Neale’s soulful and emotional journey into his “Dark Night of the Soul” as a homeless man and reveals the illuminating moment that called him to become a modern-day spiritual messenger.

Neale found himself homeless, at 49 years old, after surviving a car accident in which he broke his neck. He was separated and divorced from his wife and supporting his children as best he could. Out of work and forced to wear a Philadelphia collar neck brace he was unemployable.

What little benefits the government gives a single man ran out very quickly and before he knew it, he found himself homeless living in a tent in a makeshift campground . He lived outside for the better part of a year panhandling for quarters and dimes on the street and living under the stars.

Neale’s plight, as depicted so poignantly in the film, uncovers the stark reality of the homeless situation in this country. It sheds light on the circumstances that lead many of society’s outcasts to find themselves without shelter and often without hope. I’m sure Neale never envisioned eating out of a garbage bin – one of the more uncomfortable and compelling scenes in the film. However, it can unknowingly
happen to any of us.

According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, as many as 3.5 million people experience homelessness in a given year (1% of the entire US population or 10% of its poor), and about 842,000 people in any given week.

While there is on-going legislation and initiates to address the homeless situation, many critics of social policy assert that a failure to live responsibly and lack of determination are what keep people homeless. However, such thinking is largely accredited with fueling a stigmatization of homelessness.

It is not uncommon for Americans to think of the homeless as lazy, apathetic, irresponsible or worthless. Such people typically believe it is by choice that people are homeless. Many Americans complain about the presence of homeless people and feel that their requests for “hand outs” are unjustified. Likewise, many homeless feel they are ignored, despised or even hated.
During a recent Spiritual Cinema Circle tele-class, Neale recounted a story about how one person refused to tell him the time, when he was homeless, and how incredibly painful and humiliating that experience was for him… to be literally not “worth the time of day”.

It is often thought that such experiences can actually encourage substance abuse or exacerbate mental health issues, which in turn increase the difficulty of functioning within mainstream society. Some believe these social views and lack of concern provide an obstacle to the elimination of poverty.

Neale had one “angel” in the film – a woman named Sunny – who helped him get “cleaned up” for a job interview. If she had not seen his potential or had a biased view towards his homeless situation, he may have never been able to have picked himself up. Just one person made such a huge difference and changed the course of his life forever.

Eventually, after finally finding work, another streak of bad luck compelled Neale to finally cry out in desperation, frustration and anger to God…and surprisingly… God answered. From his darkest hours he found the greatest light; God revealed himself in that moment and offered answers, not only for Neale personally, but with a profound message which has become an exceptional and gripping spiritual dialogue (with over 7 million books sold and translated into 34 languages).

While Conversations with God immerses you in the reality of homelessness, Neale’s story offers hope for those who find themselves down-and-out literally and spiritually. As Neale’s life unfolded on the big screen, it revealed a courageous man who rose like the phoenix from the ashes to touch all of our lives. And one thing is certain: this movie will forever change the way you view the homeless.

It’s encouraging when movies can not only address social causes in an entertaining way but inspire us to take action or behave more positively with compassion, ultimately trickling down and hopefully creating a paradigm shift.

Neale’s personal triumph reminds us all that God is listening and is our true home, our one true shelter.

Conversations with God is now available on DVD by Fox Home Entertainment. For more information about the film please visit: www.cwgthemovie.com.

Jill V. Mangino is a freelance publicist and writer based in New Jersey. For more information e-mail jill@circle3media.com.