Popular Christian actor/screenwriter and producer David A.R. White spoke with BreatheCast about his upcoming film "God's Not Dead." White shared about the film, its heart piercing themes, and how a friendship with Jesus can cure the hurt of any atheist.

The movie "God's Not Dead" is about a freshman college student named Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper), who enrolled in a philosophy class taught by a notorious and domineering professor. Prof. Radisson (Kevin Sorbo) demanded all of his students sign a declaration that "God is dead" in order to get a passing grade in his class. Wheaton refused and defended his belief in God.

White said he never personally encountered Christian persecution during his college years because he went to Mooney Bible institute, a Christian establishment, but the actor has heard of several accounts in which these things take place.

White, he is not only an actor in the film, he is an instrumental part of the company that produced the film, Pure Flix Entertainment. They made sure to include a list of similar cases to the movie at the end of the film. "We show about 50 different court cases in which that has happened where the discrimination against the person's faith has led them into the route," White explained.

He went on to offer advice to those who may come across that type of coercive persuasion. "I think if the Lord puts it on your heart to take a stand you should do so. Obliviously don't back down on what you believe," he said.

White's said the film will "at the very core, put the viewer center stage and ask them 'is there a God,' the most important question in life." He also said it will force them to think, "'what is it that you believe?" Adding, that the "answer colors every facet on how you move forward. If there is a God what does He require from us?"

The actor believes it can be a great "starting point in a lot of peoples live."

During the interview, White, shared a story about his plane ride into New York in which he encountered a "loud" stewardess that asked him and his wife (actress Logan White) why they were visiting New York. White then told the stewardess it was for his new film "God's Not Dead" she then mockingly and very loudly replied "'oh my gosh he's not? He's not dead?!'" and then disappeared. Twenty minutes later she returned and poured her heart out to the couple. She recently broke up with her boyfriend, and confessed to having a "really hard time" in her life.

"I feel like you somehow said something to encourage me that I didn't even think about," the stewardess said. White's wife then replied, "Well He's not dead, and He cares for you" and the woman became moved by the experience and began to cry.

White was amazed at how just from saying the name of the movie this stranger was touched.

"That's the hope and the goal for these films, is that that the Holy Spirit uses them," he said. "The coolest thing about being in the Christian film industry is all the letters and all the emails or people coming up to me saying somehow one of these movies changed their lives."

In the film, Harper's character tells a classmate Jesus is his friend. When questioned on what the phrase meant to the father of three, he said, "I became a Christian when I was four years old. God is many things in my life, my Lord and Savior first and foremost, but He is also my best friend." Maintaining, "He never leaves me, never forsakes me, and I can always talk to Him no matter what, I can always be encouraged by Him and ultimately He is always with me."

"I don't even know how someone can not be a believer and make it through life," the successful screenwriter continued. "There is so much pain in life, in all different ways. The world is a hurting place and Jesus loves you, Jesus is there for you, Jesus wants to be your friend."

White encouraged those hurting, and said, "I think it's interesting that behind a lot of atheism is hurt, hurt towards God. You can be angry and go away from God but that doesn't help your anger. Once you block out Gods existence in your life you don't become less angry, life doesn't get any better."

Adding, "Its like that old saying 'bitterness will kill you,' it's not killing the person you're bitter towards."

White who grew up in a strict Christian home has since then realized there is nothing people can do to earn God's love; He gives it with no strings attached. "Jesus says in John 10:10, I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly, and yes there's hardships along the way; in this world you will have pain and sorrow but Jesus says I overcome the world," White said, quoting from the Bible. "The same thing that my dad preached for 40 years is...come to Jesus, Jesus is the only way, He's the answer, He's the healer."

White said the film has already been receiving backlash from atheists based off of the film's trailer but the actor said all you can do is love those people that are "filled with so much hate." He also advised them to go see the film, "we pray the Lord will use it, when they go see the film."

"God's Not Dead" was directed by Harold Cronk, and stars Sorbo, Harper, White, and Dean Cain. It will be released in over 700 theaters throughout the United States, hitting the big screen Friday March 21 by Pure Flix Entertainment.

View the trailer below: