Published on December 11, 2023, 12:57 am

Renowned actor and director Rob Reiner recently announced his upcoming project titled “God & Country.” This production is aimed at drawing attention to what he sees as a potentially devastating shift in culture and politics – the rise of Christian Nationalism (CN). The question here is – what exactly does Christian Nationalism entail? No universally accepted definition exists for this ideology, however, an arguable interpretation suggests it advocates for a world composed of nation-states whose legal systems and governments are fundamentally inspired by principles of the Holy Bible.

Different aspects of CN philosophy exist depending on how one decides to interpret it. A widely held view among proponents suggests that this belief system frames a return to predominant cultural values from 1950s America. This does not necessarily imply recreating the 50s verbatim, but envisages societal norms that resonate with more traditional values such as emphasizing the conventional family unit, reducing explicit content in movies and television, and preserving free market economies.

In stark contrast to those who deem these changes favorable are individuals like Reiner who hold apprehensions about a socio-cultural order infused with Christian beliefs compulsory for all citizens. In a recent social media post, Reiner voiced his concerns stating that not only does Christian Nationalism pose dangers to our country, but also poses threats to Christianity itself.

What may be considered perplexing is that several practicing Christians are actively partaking in creating this film alongside Reiner– they seem to put aside religious disputes amongst each other and support someone who denies God’s existence entirely. It can be conjectured that Reiner’s motivation behind creating this film is less influenced by concern towards Christianity’s future but more driven by capitalizing on an opportunity to criticize his adversaries collectively.

Amongst others sharing thoughts related to this documentary were Kyle Mann from The Babylon Bee who hinted at the seemingly comedic undertone of the movie while Kristan Hawkins, President for Students For Life drew attention towards Scott Smith being showcased considering him one of the “villains.” Smith was the father who got arrested in Virgini for protesting against a school board meeting following their failure to address his daughter’s sexual assault concerns.

Rob Reiner’s project has elicited a myriad of responses from the public with some, such as Joel Berry remarking on the irony of leftists being fearful of conservatives practicing their Christian faith outside church walls. Meanwhile, Sean Davis from The Federalist heavily critiqued notable personalities such as David French and Russell Moore for voluntarily participating in this documentary.

Reiner’s endeavor appears to hinge on causing simulated uproar about an issue that lacks potential to affect our nation at large. This narrative primarily aims to make Christians and conservatives appear misguided. Despite this portrayal, they continue playing into his hands facilitating an exaggerated representation of their beliefs.

To get updated and trusted news through a Christian worldview lens, it’s essential to regularly check real news outlets and discern the information you consume critically.