American Heretics: The Politics of the Gospel 2019

At no other time in our history has the intersection of church and state become so complicated and divisive. We are now in an era where the power of negative partisanship has placed us into distinct camps defined by race and religion. According to Dr. Robert Jones, the leader of the Public Religion Research Institute, this results in a scenario where “the two parties have exploited race and religion, two of the most visceral things you can think of in terms of the human experience, and they’ve locked them in partisan identities.”

American Heretics: The Politics of the Gospel takes viewers deep into the heart of the Bible Belt, featuring a courageous assembly of ministers, congregations, and community leaders who boldly confront entrenched fundamentalist Christian doctrines in pursuit of a Gospel of Inclusion. These individuals, oftentimes labeled as “heretics” for their progressive beliefs and actionable initiatives, steadfastly refuse to let their faith be weaponized through literal interpretations of the Bible. This is especially true for those interpretations that improperly legitimize nationalism and undermine crucial civil rights advancements for women, minorities, immigrants, and LGBTQ individuals.

This impactful narrative invites us to reconsider our perceptions of the Christian heartland by providing an intimate look into the fraught and often misinterpreted history of religion, race, and politics in the United States. The Heretics portrayed in this documentary remain committed to rescuing humanity from a far more insidious hell—one characterized by poverty, discrimination, and nationalism, which ultimately oppresses “…those who are the least among us.”