So this morning I have a true confession to make at the very beginning. I broke one of my cardinal rules about laughter before bedtime, and I watched a true horror movie the other evening. Thankfully, a loving “sweet dreams” telephone call broke the spell and I was able to sleep soundly after all. But here are the details of my misadventure.
I had missed the opening of this documentary in theaters earlier this year, so when it was offered on streaming, I decided I had to watch it. The price of $3.99 was within my entertainment budget, so I figured out how to download it to my telly. The sin was in choosing to watch it in the evening rather in the sober light of day. But I have since watched it again, and I fully intend to get a third viewing in before it disappears. I definitely want to get my money’s worth. The title of the film says it all.
God + Country: The Rise of Christian Nationalism (and the joiner between the first two words is actually a cross like the one featured in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and other people). This look at our current situation was produced by Rob and Michelle Reiner and directed by Dan Partland. The website DEADLINE gives the following description which I will quote because it perfectly encapsulates the horror:
“Featuring numerous prominent Christian thought leaders, the question it asks is, what happens when a faith built on love, sacrifice, and forgiveness grows political tentacles, conflating power, money, and belief into hyper-nationalism.”
The second time I watched it, I tried to take notes on all the speakers as well as determine the good people from the bad (in my opinion anyway). One of the most horrifying scenes is during a church service in which the preacher is prancing across the stage and literally roars that he doesn’t want any Democrats in the congregation and he consigns any present to hell. Now that’s going to make me want to find religion, eh?
I urge everyone to see this documentary for themselves. The opening scene of bucolic America will lull you into a sense of peace; and Bishop William J. Barber, II, introduces the subject as we drive along. He appears in person as definitely a good guy and its seems that most of the people selected for actual interviews are on the side of rationality. The terrifying scenes occur when we enter the gatherings of the groups which have been working for years to turn America into a theocracy. One of the rational experts likens our situation to the one in Germany when Hitler was anointed.
If you haven’t already done so, please find a way to view this documentary and spread its message as far and wide as possible. Surely not all the churches in America can have fallen under the spell of totalitarianism?
Thanks, Katharine. we are putting this on our list and hope to watch soon,
Religion, like politics, has leaders who use their platform for authoritarian power and control, and it is far from benevolent, more malevolent. I remember and use what Elie Wiesel said to a small group of us one evening, "If you want to know what evil is, put a face on it." Classic ongoing story of the battle between good and evil,the archetypal struggle throughout history, the good guys and the bad guys. Moral and ethical versus immoral and unethical....and on we go.
Katherine, I had not been planning to watch that movie. Not to bury my head in the sand, but I'm afraid I would find it too depressing. But I'm interested that you are planning to watch it a third time. Any suggestions for how to watch it without losing hope?