Dan Partland's documentary on the
growing influence of Christian Nationalism is bookended by footage from the
January 6th, 2021 insurrection, a choice that is both fitting and significant.
This movement played a key role in organizing the events of that day,
highlighted by a trespasser carrying a Christian flag into the Senate chamber.
"God & Country,"
produced in part by Rob Reiner, serves as a stark introduction to this
political movement, likely to unsettle the majority of American adults who do
not align with its beliefs.
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| 'God & Country' |
The film meticulously demonstrates that Christian Nationalism is primarily a political movement rather than a religious one. It asserts that the United States is fundamentally a Christian nation as intended by its founders. The movement aims to reverse the progress of feminism, LGBTQ rights, and abortion, advocating for the introduction of Christianity into public schools or the substitution of public schools with private Christian schools funded by vouchers.
The fact that a significant
majority of the population opposes these views does not deter proponents of
Christian Nationalism. Instead, it motivates them to suppress voting rights.
The documentary includes footage of Paul Weyrich, co-founder of the Heritage
Foundation, stating in a 1980 speech, "I
don't want everybody to vote... Our leverage in the elections quite candidly
goes up as the voting populace goes down." This candid statement
reveals a concerning perspective on democracy.
One of the strengths of "God & Country," based on Katherine Stewart's book "The Power Worshippers," is its interviews with individuals who are both devout Christians and politically conservative. Many of these interviewees are troubled by the movement's manipulation of religion and its revisionist approach to history. A constitutional scholar featured in the documentary explains that the founding fathers intended the separation of church and state to ensure religious freedom for all faiths, emphasizing that the United States was not established on Judeo-Christian principles.
Contrary to popular belief, the
Christian Nationalist movement was not sparked by the Roe v. Wade decision but
rather by the Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, which
declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. This decision
energized the movement, although it took longer for the government to address
segregation in private schools. For instance, Bob Jones University, an
evangelical institution, did not admit Black students until 1971, only
complying after facing the threat of losing its tax-exempt status.
In 2016, Donald Trump aggressively courted the evangelical vote, despite his controversial background. Many evangelical voters overlooked Trump's flaws, such as his history of dishonesty, tax issues, and marital infidelity, particularly when he released his list of potential Supreme Court nominees. Rob Schenck, a pastor and former pro-life activist, recounted a conversation with a fellow evangelical who stated, "This is our guy. This is the guy who's going to get it done. He was ordained by God." Trump ultimately secured 81% of the white evangelical vote. Author Reza Aslan, an expert on world religions, wryly remarks, "You can't forget the 'white' part."
The MAGA movement, closely
intertwined with Christian Nationalism, can be perplexing to those outside its
sphere. Conservative New York Times columnist David French offers some insight,
suggesting that if one were immersed in their environment, they might also don
the red hat. The influence of Christian media, which predominantly aligns with
a conservative Republican agenda, further exacerbates divisions.
The emergence of violent extremism, exemplified by the events in Charlottesville, is a consequence of Christian Nationalism. It is noted that the Book of Revelations is often used to justify violence, adding to the complexity of the movement.
The parallels between the Christian
Nationalist movement and the rise of Nazi Germany are unsettling. In a
particularly chilling moment in the film, Schenck recalls how during his
religious training, he was advised to consult a reference book authored by
Gerhard Kittel, a German theologian who was openly supportive of the Nazi
regime and held anti-Semitic views, portraying Jewish people as enemies of
Germany. Schenck's realization of Kittel's background was a stark awakening.
The documentary concludes with a poignant scene, returning to footage from the January 6 insurrection, where rioters proudly display crosses, brandish signs with bible verses, and carry images of Jesus. However, while the film adeptly illustrates the problem, it falls short of offering a compelling solution to prevent the country from transitioning from democracy to theocracy.
Full credits
Production: Oscilloscope Laboratories, Anonymous Content,
Critical Thinking Media, Doc Shop Inc.
Distributor: Oscilloscope
Laboratories
Director: Dan Partland
Producers: Dan Partland, Rob
Reinder, Michele Reiner, Jeff Okin, Steve Okin
Director of photography: Stefanos
Kafatos
Editors: Aaron Mathes, Tucker Capps
Composers: Tree Adams, Nico Borromeo
Rated PG-13, 1 hour 30 minutes
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