As an athiest, I believe that religion becomes a problem when you use it to become God over those around you. It is not up to you to determine another person’s humanity. These people are clearly good to their core and I am glad to know they are sharing that with others. Hate will never reward you in this life or after.

I was so glad to hear someone say that being Christian is about what you do not just what you believe. Christianity is (or should be) an active verb, not a passive noun.

I found this to be an extremely insightful and enjoyable documentary. I am an atheist but have immense respect for those of religious faith who clearly have an understanding of the historical context of the textual transmission of the biblical texts & a willingness to think about things from other people’s perspectives - if only more people in our society were so respectful & educated ❤

Amazing to me that open minded people willing to peaceably discuss controversial topics are now rare and even persecuted and looked down upon in many cases. Thank goodness for this couple willing to do public service and take on and articulate these important topics.

A Southern Baptist minister I met at a PFLAG meeting told me, "There's nobody meaner than people being mean for Jesus"

As an atheist, I will show respect for these people and their religous beliefs that I do not feel the religous right deserves. At least they are not hypocrites , preaching love and hate simultaneously. We are all humans on this rock orbiting the sun, we have this one life and we must help each other.. There is one big difference between you and an immigrant, chance.

The scene at 102:00 is incredibly powerful. The pastor doesn't lament his "downfall" or talk about how he is hurt by his revelations. Rather, he talks about how his actions caused pain to those around him and how he's incapable of doing anything to ease their pain. As an open minded atheist who recognizes that there are good things that come from religion, I feel like this is how a true Christian should react.

As an Oklahoman, this video actually gives me some hope that there are decent people in this state willing to help others at cost to themselves. This is inspiring. Now if we could just quit voting for TERRIBLE people to run our state!

When Fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross ... Sinclair Lewis

Church is supposed to be for social justice not for political influence. This documentary is very well done.

I had family ask me the exact same question: "Are you going to go to heaven when you die?" I said "Not if I stand idly by being indifferent to the suffering of Lazarus at my gate"

Beautifully done. Growing up in a toxic southern baptist community and now being an atheist, this is my dream for Christianity. Building people up instead of dictating their lives and breaking them down with shame and toxic belief systems. It gives me so much hope to see this church in Oklahoma, of all places. I so hope this spreads.

I've been on a deep UKposts dive into Christian Nationalism, scaring and depressing myself in equal measure. This documentary has renewed my faith in humanity, and I can absolutely attest the leaders of this beautiful church are doing God's work. From a random atheist on the south coast of England, Thank You!

I think the best comment was by the guy who said that our political parties are bifurcating into a race and gender party and a religion and nationalism party.

Thank you for making this documentary. I'm not religious, or even American, but it hurts me to see all the laws being passed in the States as a result of evangelical hate. We need more churches like these!

Im glad to see that there are still good, kind, loving and accepting Christians

im not religious but i grew up in a very religious community, so it breaks my heart to see and know how Christianity is being weaponized.

I was really hesitant to view this as religion has been behind so much of the evil abuse I suffered in my childhood. This has been a balm . Thank you

Having grown up in a strict evangelical household and later joining the Catholic church I realised that organised religion is indeed really terrible for women (and others). I appreciate efforts by some to change this, however they seem to be in the minority. I have since left organised religion to focus on spirituality instead and have never been happier.

Sadly the Tulsa Race Riot/massacre isn't the only time a black community was destroyed in the U.S., and most Americans haven't heard of either of the two I know about.

I remember when the Church started preaching politics in church in the late 79s and early 80s I knew it was going to be bad news ... I stopped going in early 90s because of it!

I’m not religious but this warms my heart. It’s nice to hear positives in such a crazy time.

Many years ago, a man and his wife of the Jehovah's Witness denomination came to my door to proselytize their beliefs. I invited them in, treated them with dignity, and we discussed our own ways of believing. I was still under my own spell of religion at that time. When the subject turned to the issue of abortion, the woman made it plain that she looked down on women for what she perceived was their heartless acts of aborting “babies.” When I asked her if there was a woman in her presence that suffered from a botched abortion if she would help her, she answered in a haughty manner, "I don't know!!! She chose to do that, so, I just don't know!" I then asked the question, "From your perception, what do you believe Jesus would do in that circumstance?" She stared at me, speechless. Her husband, whose head was hung as he stared at the floor finally broke the silence. With a voice that was barely audible, he said, "I believe Jesus would help the woman." It might not be a good idea to be too hasty about what your supposed savior “believes.”

I hate the way organized religions use the Bible to pick and choose passages to support their prejudices and hatreds. This documentary was an eye opener and shows some hope for a better religion.

Never in my life would I have thought: “I would like to be in Oklahoma “. Until I watched this documentary , God, I love that church!, that’s what the love of Jesus is all about!

I’m Jewish, but not religious. It’s so nice to see that good people like this exist in churches, as I’ve never had a good experience in one. Very interesting documentary!

I was one of those church of Christ "child preachers" who followed the way his dad did. Because, that is the way I was taught, and then read for myself. I'm now an Exvangelical. I can still recite everything that was drilled into my head while I was in the coC. I held my breath when he started talking about his father, the church and the theology.

I'm a Native Texan but claim no one religion. I find most of my community nauseates me ad nauseum.

a powerful documentary. Hopeful and frightening about where your country is going. As a Canadian, we can be affected by what happens in the States

When I left the LDS church (Mormons), I had so many questions about god. I went to the Portland, OR UU congregation for awhile to just find a community who I felt comfortable being myself with no judgement. I have moved on from being strictly Christian, being open to all theologies, but I cherished that feeling and am so happy to see something similar in Oklahoma. I wish this kind of church would grow more here in Utah because it's sorely needed to give voice to those who are not on the fundamentalist side of the conversation. Too many people are just focused on their own lives & think "well, they're not me. I'm a good person" and not recognize this hate in almost every Christian community which is conservative. Those who are against hate have got to recognize it in their own communities and fight against it. It will ultimately destroy those who feel hate, but it will severely harm those who try to feel love first. It hurts us all. It's time for love and acceptance.

Humanity can only pray the religious wake up to how they are manipulated, stifled & lied to. 🙏

Thank you for restoring my faith - in people! People prepared to think about things & reason for themselves.

I am watching from South Africa and as a black queer believer this is just breathtaking thank you for sharing.

Heartbreaking, inspiring, beautiful documentary. Can’t recommend it enough.

Oh. My. GAWD. This is a brilliant piece. This is going on my Favorites List because I'm definitely rewatching this one. I learned SO much and pieced together things I see in my hometown everyday, but didn't understand.

It's distressing that the evangelical right that claim to be Christian are the least Christian people you'll ever be likely to meet. Their intolerance and hatred is disgusting to see. I am not a Christian, I became an atheist at a very young age, but I respect Christians that actually live by the teachings of Christ: tolerance, compassion, charity and forgiveness. Using Christianity as a tool to beat people with seems utterly disgusting, so devoid of any of the compassion that is the very backbone of the Christian faith. I am not a hardcore atheist...I can totally understand why people choose to have a faith. But when that faith is used to denigrate others and to catapult their agenda above that of other faiths, it becomes ugly and obscene. It totally negates the reason for having a faith in the first place. All faiths are an attempt by humans to understand and validate their existence...regardless of the brand of the faith that they have. True faith means that you are comfortable with your place in the world, and do not need to propel your view on that existence on others.

The most authentically Christian thing I've seen in a while; along the lines of "The Celluloid Closet" and "Jesus Camp." I especially appreciated the historical review (Emperor Constantine, Council of Nicaea, New Testament Canon), which is so at odds with Biblical literalism. But the best part of this may be the people who are featured in the documentary; it's good to know they're out there.

This is amazingly well done. This is the kind of community I would relate to.

Confused...what's so different about Christian nationalism and sharia law? Worshiping the correct God?

God saved me from myself. I was forced to go to church as a boy/teenager. The trauma and chaos surrounding me led me down a road of addiction and I had to completely lose myself to be found by God.I didn’t HAVE to rather I chose to, so easy to do as a man. Today, I’ve surrendered my ego, I’ve been humbled before God! I’m not perfect, I’m still trying to change habits and thoughts but the stronger I build my relationship with God the more he reveals to me. It’s been such a journey and a blessing, I can’t wait to see what the future holds. I know I experienced the darkness and made it back to share the light with others.

I grew up in Oklahoma as a Southern Baptist. I promised God that I would never again set foot on Oklahoma soil as long as I live.

We in Europe also have radical christianistic groups, but they are a very small minority hidden in obscurity. I wonder if the fact that the USA has no real history is part of the feeding ground of this Christian Nationalism. Europeans are still traumatized by what christian history did to them during the first two thousand years of its existence (till today with the child abuse incidences of the catholic church, what is the only relevant christian movement with any semblance of radicalism remaining in today's Europe), and we have learned to despise and fear anything resembling to what becomes known as Christian Nationalism in the USA - and that is not only aimed at Christianity, but at all radical versions of religion. I really can't understand how any sane person cannot see the bigotry and massive internal contradictions of the gospel Christian Nationalism offers. But we are talking USA, a country where nearly half of its adult people voted for a person like Trump to be their President - twice. Their is some kind of weird mass delusion going on there. A teacher of mine in school once lectured, that history is like a pendulum - always oscillating between extremes. Most of the times, the pendulum ist somewhere between extremes, occasionally even in perfect equilibrium, but also sometimes at the extreme positions. In the the last century, we had a period of extreme religion liberalism and freedom and now the pendulum is moving towards the other extreme, a phase of radical religiosity actually to be witnessed in many parts of the Globe and among them radical Christianism - and I think, we haven't seen all of it yet. US Americans should prepare for the next Inquisition in their country. This will cost many lifes, starting already with women now dying in the USA because of restrictive abortion laws.

Documentary like this is giving me some hope that there are people still believe in good and trying to make some change

I've never seen so many who claim to be Christian who so completely misunderstand the Bible, Jesus, God and true Christianity.

This show made my eyes watery, especially the grandmother and Lori's connection.. love the love ❤️

This has been truly uplifting ro my heathen soul. I see some much tragedy lately but ive also been given glimpses of real GOOD being done and it keeps me going

Love and Respect to these pastors and people who actually follow Jesus' teachings of love, acceptance, and forgiveness and who do the good work of caring for all God's children. We are all family.

A refreshing, inspiring, attention grabbing and amazingly informative take on the diverse and much neglected Christian landscape so crucial to understanding present day America.

“I’m a person of faith …” = “I will believe almost anything, based on no reliable evidence …” 👏🏼

This is so thrilling. This is a paradigm shift, a new way forward! True hope for our country's lost soul!

I was raised catholic within a catholic region of my country. I have learned, that the main aspect and driver of Christianity is the unconditional love of God for humanity and each individual. Than I took notice about how much hate was spread by people praising the word of God, and learned about what was done to people in the two thousand years of history of Christianity, often expressively in the name of God. How can someone who believes in God hate people just because of their gender, the color of their skin, their religious beliefs or non-beliefs, their sexual orientation, or their nationality. These are all people and God wants us to love all of them, this is the core of Christian belief as I've learned it. What takes place in the USA as reported by this film, has nothing to do with Christianity, it is actually destroying all what is regarded important by the christian doctrine.

This is one of the best, most honest and deeply touching documentary I have ever seen. Thanks and greetings from Germany.

Thank you for the revelations, so easily understood. As I weep I also pray and give many thanks.

It's such a blow of fresh air to see Christians like this still exist! ❤❤❤

I’m less than 20 minutes into this video and I could already have easily spent over an hour rebutting most everything being propagated here… In fairness I certainly will continue to listen with an open mind…

The people closest to absolute truth are near death experiencers, but even they would still say there are things they don't know. The highest truth is unconditional love.

Excellent story. I can now say I have respect for at least one church in America. We actually need something like what they attempted in the French Revolution, The Cult of Reason. It would provide the community and integrity development infrastructure and could make social change.

It’s confusing to me that “Christian” extremists only worships of the vengeful, jealous God of the Old Testament and completely ignores the New Testament, the new covenant between God and people brought to people by Christ. This ideology wouldn’t allow Christ into the church if He were at the door, so how on earth can they use the title of “Christian” when everything they love is against the teachings of Christ? They need a new title. One that omits “Christ” like they omit “Christ” from everything they do. Christian churches hardly even exist anymore. They’re just political gathering places that worship money and power over the vulnerable. They need to be taxed.

30:55 NaJust putting this out there hearing the pastor and her grandma sing. As a native Philadelphian, the song "Oh Dem Golden Slippers" is a staple song during the Philadelphia Mummers New Years Day parade. I have heard this song every New Year's Day for my entire life... Never knew it was a church hymn though... And yet somehow, I should've known. 🤣

I love how this video explains everything about your area and religion. Shared it already.

Live doing the best you can, be your personal best, and help others when there is an opportunity

Honestly amazing, it's so nice to see diversity and good will triumph in a toe hold in the sheer and cragged face of the US. But there's such an air of foreboding in this. These people are swimming against very strong currents, I hope they are not swept away. Maybe God will preserve them. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

I'm just glad someone who doesn't look like me, loves like me, worships like me, hasn't had the same experiences like me, gets it.

I am watching this a second time. This is very well done. I have been thinking to myself as I watch all these evangelicals.. is this what Jesus would do.. is this how Jesus would act.. I don't think so.

As a generic healthcare chaplain and a kirk elder in Scotland this gives me hope for the future over the pond and here of the kirks

This is the best video about religion/politics/human rights and love I have ever seen!

Helping that mother with the sick child, that's gods work right there. The xenophobia spread around this days is disgusting. I can never admonish someone for seeking a better life and care for their family. I hope they will be okay 🙏. I'm not from Oklahoma, but from Kansas and this is how all churches should conduct themselves: caring for others. Maybe if they followed that model so many people wouldn't be leaving the church.

Very interesting video. As an evangelical Christian, self proclaimed moderate conservative, graduate of Liberty University (MA In Executive Leadership which I earned online), and retired Navy Chief Petty Officer I can say this is a very interesting documentary. (I also hold an MBA from Southeastern Oklahoma State University) I don’t agree with everything here but I will say that many so-called Christians do a poor job of living out Matthew 25 which is to take care of the hungry, the poor, the downtrodden, the prisoners, etc. My hat is off to those who are willing to serve the needs of the people. While our theological views differ, the heart we have for people does not. Compassion should trump differences in theology, lifestyle choices, race, gender, etc. Also, I was intrigued by the appearance of Bishop Carlton Pearson in this documentary. I was introduced to his preaching and music nearly 30 years ago and knew he had a falling out with the Church of God in Christ and other Pentecostals. It’s nice to see him still serving. As I said, interesting video and I DO NOT think these ministers are heretics at all. I have less issue with them than TV preachers who fleece poor and vulnerable people out of their limited financial resources. Thanks for posting the video.

If I was Christian, for sure it will be my church, but, it will be complicated 'cause, I even don't live in U.S.A., never been to Tulsa, and Oklahoma is the last state I want to visit, after watching this. But, I twice visit your country, and is a beauty!

As a atheist I have no problem per say with believes, even those without proof. Everyone has a right to their opinions even the misguided ones. The problem is when those beliefs enter in contradictions with human rights or the constitution, especially if the individual or group is taking action based on those beliefs(i.e biggoted actions against homosexuals, other religions, atheist....etc). It also must be separated from the state, something America has failed spectacularly unfortunately. Your religious beliefs must never take precedence over human rights and the constitution. They must never be used as a political weapon. Religion is and must remain a private thing.

Those Christian fundamentalists, if they lived in the times of Jesus, would have had him crucified. In fact that is exactly what happened, because he spoke powerfully against fundamentalism and it's written in the Gospels that they were actively seeking a way to kill him. I don't understand how people can read the Gospels and not see that. But even this wasn't a surprise to Jesus who said: they have ears but do not hear, they have eyes but do not see.

I was genuinely proud of their church becoming a sanctuary church. We need more enlightened people in this world. Staying closed off will be the end of this country.

I'm not a Christian and will never be but I love this because these people know how to love. I now have hope in people again.

*A preacher stated in the year of 1896:* "The work of the Gospel is to make peace between men and God, and wherever a heart surrenders to God the spirit of *militarism and nationalism must go.* {November 26, 1896, PTUK 755.8}

AMAZING. SIMPLY AMAZING. I left the Baptist (All Religion) when I was 18 and almost 35 years later this has made me reconsider when you see people who embrace others the way Jesus and God would. I put no faith in the Bible or Religion, but do in Jesus and God and they encourage me on a daily basis, while most religious just judge and terrorize in the name of their perceived God.

I did so enjoy the Golden Slippers @ 30:55 ! Thank you!

In Chicago right now, December 20th, 2023, church volunteers are going door to door asking for donations feet away from the homeless. Religion can't get us out of this mess. We need to follow the example of Secular Netherlands.

Hands down the best explanation of the early church's history I have heard, so important to remember the dogma came much later

This was phenomenal. I wish more Christians could see through the propaganda and divisive tactics. I was raised in the sda religion, going back 5 or 6 generations (my grandpa just retired as pastor at 90yo... so I mean IN it).... It's the self righteous superiority, hypocrisy and lack of follow through on the more difficult teachings. Claiming martyrdom and persecution while actively supporting the oppression and discrimination of others. And being shamed and scapegoated for being different, an sa survivor and growing up knowing I had to do things their way or I would risk their love, acceptance etc. That drove me from the church. That and I couldn't blindly buy in to tye young earth creation belief.. I always asked way too many questions. I now know I was dealing with undiagnosed adhd/autism. Freedom of religion also means freedom from religion. ✌️💜

Glad to see there a some churches that are not Christian nationalist, lately all I've been hearing and seeing is the latter.

As a former Reagan Republican, I will say the mainstreaming of "Christian Nationalism" and its open adoption by today's horrific #GOP convinces me the trend towards religious non-affiliation will accelerate even more than it has.

Just had this video recommended to me today. Very well done. I was raised in the deep south of Louisiana in a Southern Baptist home and church. Fortunately, the bigotry and racism didn't take on this white person. I found it repulsive even as a child seeing it in full bloom back in the 1950s. As I grew up and became an adult, I went into a deep dive to discover the roots of Christianity and the idea of god belief. I read the Bible from cover to cover, twice in order to get a good idea of its contents. After that, I began to dig into the scholarship on the ancient people who were the "founders" of the religion, what it was in the early days. It was anything but peaceful or harmonious. I went deeper into what came before those men and before the times of the ancient Hebrews, as I studied ancient known history, it became clear that all gods are manmade and the stories around them are pure mythologies. Now you can form an ideology for yourself around any of the ancient mythologies and live your life by them, but believing any of them are actually real and true is absurd. Using any of them such as Christianity to assume some sort of superiority over others is downright evil and unacceptable in modern societies and must be opposed. We as a society must come to grips with the fact that we cannot organize a nation based on a Bronze Age mythology created by ancient ignorant men in the middle east and survive and thrive in the modern world. Our nation will fail and fall.

Thank you for all you do. May your mission and message spread to every heart in our society.

Amen I am in agreement with you fully

Every time that I searched for "Christian Documentary". The first video result I saw was this one. The first time I have watched this I was thinking what garbage this is until it was when I watched it again when it opened my eyes on how a religious person should live. Now this is my favorite religious film of all time.

This is a great video because it highlights the continued fulfillment of Jesus’ words found at Matthew 7:20-23. Which says in part, “…I will declare to them: ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!”

An extremely honest and beautiful doc. There's hope after all.

Love Rev. Laurie's prayer that how the reps vote may make the legislature a ligjt on the hill!!!

Whaf a terrific and eyeopening video....thanks SO much!!!

JUDGE NOT, LEST YOU BE JUDGED. Matthew 7:1. I'm a DEMOCRAT and a CHRISTIAN. I believe in the Trinity and God is a forgiving God.. I've studied or shall I say, meditated on God's Word and the Holy Spirit has been my Guide. I believe today certain people that claim to be Christian show no different conduct than the non Christians. The fruits of the Spirit are many. Not just what was written in Galatians 5:22. Maybe 5:22-23. Anyways, HUMILITY is a fruit of the Spirit and is a STRENGTH. It's more harder to not react than it is to automatically cuss someone out. Today, with this Christian white Nationalism happening, I believe that THAT CULT is trying take over the U.S. Their dangerous.

17:17 "We talk about family values all the time", yet pass bills making it hard for families. I'll let James Michener speak for me here. When the tradition-and-common-sense, if not outright fundie, crowds speak of "family values", they mean discipline, adherence to a rigid morality, and stifling of intellectual development among the people and especially the children. Michener said real family values include, beyond providing for a social safety net strengthening the family, having long conversations around the dinner table, with (updated to modern life) "I don't know. Let's ask Siri to bring up a map of South America and look for where Paraguay is". Something to think about if you ask me.

I'm happy to see those open and tolerant Christians. It gives me hope.

I hope you succeed in reforming Christianity; I can't because I left to become an atheist for a variety of reasons.

So happy to see and hear this episode. I consider myself Christian, following the teachings of Jesus Christ. My husband was Muslim. Never did we have disagreements regarding faith. Both believing in God as the creator and loving support for us.

Christ was not a politician. Why would we bring Jesus down to the level of party politics? Strange indeed. Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). He also was very clear we "are not of the world" and "Our citizenship is in Heaven" (John 17:14; Philippians 3:20). As a matter of fact Christians confess that we are "strangers and pilgrims on the earth" and "desire a better, that is, a heavenly country" (Hebrews 11:13-16).

I spent 39 of my 43 years as an active Jehovahs Witness (they kicked me out, finally…they got wise 🤣), so I find this pretty fascinating. ‘Social justice churches’ has always seemed like an oxymoron. Maybe I was wrong to throw all religious people under the same bus 🤷🏼‍♀️ Shame on me 🤷🏼‍♀️

an inspiring and hopeful view into usamerican christianity. I did not know about sanctuary churches, but the very first thing they make me think of is the christian congregation that risked everything to protect my jewish grandfather and his family during world war two. I’m not christian, but I believe these people are doing god’s work.

I really needed to see this. Thanks for sharing.

Not until the power of love overcomes the love of power will we know peace.

impressive documentary. The emotional intelligence i witnessed in the analysis of this vexed issue was wonderful to see. I do not believe in God as put by the scriptures because i learned by spiritual connection through my 1st nations people of Australia. There are so few left who remember their old forms of spirituality and there is now an awakening going on for our people where we are trying to reconnect. I am highly critical of how christanity move into nations and took away 1st nations people sense of belief, to replace it with a white colonialistic religion. I have seen how christanity has torn their lives apart: stolen generations, lose of language and culture, and the inner turmoil of trying to reconcile their own inner spiritual sense of being with that of this new religion that limited and objectified them as people. And yet for over 50 000 years they had their own "religion" well before christanity? The trauma is so embedded now in our culture that it runs through generations. Its not suprising that they turn to the white paternal religion because they seek answers for their pain. Where once they would have gone "walkabout" to reconnect with their own sense of "god" they now are forced to use the only spiritual prespective at hand to find healing. A religion that clearly places them below other christian followers, and in scriptures spoken, often white men, that do not reflect well upon them and this reinforcing their "inferiority" amongst the rest of white australia which is largely not so white anymore. Having said that, this documentary was wonderful. To hear critical thinking, in such an emotionally connected way, was a spiritual enlightment i would love to see more of in this world.