There is nothing revelatory about this film, but the Christian sales pitch mixed in with some pretty innocuous quotes from religious zealots and activists known primarily for their extremely divisive rhetoric undermines any credibility. To spend so much time glorifying Rick Warren and stating over and over how much money he supposedly doesn't have without mentioning that he raised millions of dollars to destroy the marriages of gay people in California - dividing their homes, and shunning them as unworthy and beneath the contempt of the state - without mentioning how many of the 400 AIDS orphans in Africa also shown might have been saved by that kind of investment is to miss one of the greatest arguments against organized religion and the fundamentalist hate campaigns.
There are not-so-subtle musical interludes encouraging everyone to love "in spite of what you do" with a clear message that these pious Christians are the better-thans who are to be admired if they overcome their true inclination to spit in the face of some lowly sinner. The film-maker is shown "confessing" the sins of the church at a gay pride rally, but he is not the least bit apologetic about the legislation the fundamentalists pass to destroy the lives of those who aren't on his team. His use of that important and symbolic gathering as a recruiting ground for an admitted "love the sinner, hate the sin" brand of Christianity was disrespectful.
Non-Christians aren't trying to enforce legislation to force others to adhere to someone else's lifestyle choice. Non-Christians are minding their own business. This isn't a case of "we have both been wrong." There is nothing wrong with live and let live. I am a Christian, and I am glad for the work some Christians (and I) do to ease suffering and be inclusive and respectful. These deeds are important to show on film, but presenting them without showing the work done by charitable people who do not have a religious affiliation is suggesting you cannot be charitable unless you are a Christian.
There are not-so-subtle musical interludes encouraging everyone to love "in spite of what you do" with a clear message that these pious Christians are the better-thans who are to be admired if they overcome their true inclination to spit in the face of some lowly sinner. The film-maker is shown "confessing" the sins of the church at a gay pride rally, but he is not the least bit apologetic about the legislation the fundamentalists pass to destroy the lives of those who aren't on his team. His use of that important and symbolic gathering as a recruiting ground for an admitted "love the sinner, hate the sin" brand of Christianity was disrespectful.
Non-Christians aren't trying to enforce legislation to force others to adhere to someone else's lifestyle choice. Non-Christians are minding their own business. This isn't a case of "we have both been wrong." There is nothing wrong with live and let live. I am a Christian, and I am glad for the work some Christians (and I) do to ease suffering and be inclusive and respectful. These deeds are important to show on film, but presenting them without showing the work done by charitable people who do not have a religious affiliation is suggesting you cannot be charitable unless you are a Christian.