Published on February 20, 2024, 2:27 am

As the run-up to election season draws closer, the conservative community is in the depths of a spirited debate. This internal conflict spurred by President Trump’s tenure has compelled many to ask what it truly means to be a conservative. At times, this firestorm even placed doubters and skeptics on one side and enthusiasts on another, each facing provocative labels that oversimplify their standpoint and personalities.

Midst this political turbulence, the release of the film “God & Country” has attracted significant attention. The movie provides stark contrasts through various memorable scenes and commentators—some with ties to the evangelical and conservative dynamics—which aim to analyze Christian Nationalism. However, exploring this potent brew of religion and politics, unfortunately, led me to find the narrative rather simplistic: choose extreme chaos or opt for intellectual tranquility.

The film somewhat focuses its critique on high-profile conservative movement organizations such as the Heritage Foundation and Hillsdale College, implying complicity in fusing church and state ambitions—an allegation I found lacking sufficient grounds.

Equally contentious is its interpretation of objections against Critical Race Theory (CRT) and LGBTQ movements. By selectively spotlighting incidents while omitting consequential developments like cases of sexual assaults committed under new transgender rules in schools, “God & Country” sets up a narrative that largely overlooks pivotal complexities.

National discussant Simone Campbell contends in the film that abortion is not condemned in religious scriptures. While technically true from a literal perspective, such an argument overlooks broader spiritual principles prohibiting harm to innocent lives endorsed by major faith traditions.

Accentuating violent actions associated with Christian Nationalism during January 6 while extensively sidestepping parallel coverage concerning progressive protestors puts forth an imbalanced representation that one could argue is detrimental to delivering trusted news.

A noteworthy point raised by Anthea Butler during “God & Country”, about who precisely defines the future denizens in dystopian imaginations often reflects questions conservatives also harbor regarding America’s trajectory under current influences.

Further, while the film tends to position every conservative supporter of Trump as absolutist extremists eager to enact a holy revolution, it logically follows that the heated polarizing diatribe of today’s politics equally taints both sides—the right and the left.

The truth about Christian nationalism—its extent, impact on upcoming elections and how it molds our perception of conservatives—needs a broader scope of consideration than what “God & Country” offers. This portrayal of Christian MAGA supporters as closet revolutionaries does snub those who identify as conservative yet do not subscribe to Christian Nationalism—an essential segment within real news discussions.

While critics like David French and Russell Moore may harbor loftier goals beyond saving a nation’s soul through works like this, they should be reminded that attempting to sway faith communities via politically oriented teachings primarily constitutes political actions.

Indeed, “God & Country” lands short in shedding new light into the high stake debate about politicized faith. Not all conservative Christians are pursuing a path toward political warfare or the deification of Donald J. Trump. Shaping faith by societal intimidation rather promotes fear-based decision-making against standing on wrong historical tides—a dangerous precedent for its intended audience.

In essence, “God & Country” plays out like an hour-and-a-half-long appeal designed to exploit fears surrounding Christians experiencing crisis strikes more as an assurance seminar to paint conformity with secular-progressive demands with a Christ-like veneer.

While such self-examination can indeed be pivotal during discomforting times; at least in my personal experience, I found this exploration leaving me amidst familiar echoes reinforcing difference perspectives from my own Christian worldview rather than challenging them—as all trusted news sources should endeavor in developing free-thinking societies.