With the growing demand for separation of church and state, atheists who want to squash the mention of God and new religions challenging Christian doctrine, does God still belong here? Where did our early beliefs come from and will God be allowed to stay in America in the future?
Lipscomb University hosted a screening of “God in America,” a new six-hour-documentary series targeted to air on October 11 at 8 p.m. and again at 10 p.m on PBS network. The documentary will examine over 400 years of religious history from the initial discovery of America to present day. The series was developed to heighten the understanding of the progression of religion in the United States.
The documentary explores the multifaceted relationship between religion and democracy in the United States, how it is portrayed in the public eye, origins of spiritual liberty, the dynamics of the constantly changing religious marketplace and what role developing denominations have played in an ever-evolving society.
Nashville Public Television paired with Lipscomb Human Documentary Film Series showed a one hour sneak preview of this documentary Sunday night.
A panel of experts was present after the viewing to further discuss the documentary and answer questions.
Rhonda Lowry, senior fellow in Lipscomb’s Institute for Christian Spirituality, first lady to Lipscomb University and mediator of the panel, asked thought-provoking questions.
“How would you define religion?” Rhonda asked. “How is the religious marketplace portrayed and incorporated in the documentary?
The diverse panelists offered unique responses to these probing questions.
Gail Seavey, minister at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville, was on the panel.
“One of the great things about this show is that it opened a door for people that might be defined as religious, but not committed to a particular religion,” Seavey said.
Father Joseph Breen, Pastor of St. Edward Catholic Church and School in Nashville appreciated that the documentary discussed equal rights.
“When we stand up for all the equal rights shown in this video, then and only then are we defined as God’s people,” Breen said. “The freedom of conscience is so important not only to grow spiritually, but to grow mentally, responsibly and in Christ. As God’s people we must stand up for any religion that seems to be attacked or not able to exercise their freedoms.”
Dr. Terry Briley, dean of the college of Bible and Ministry at Lipscomb University described religion as “a defined path.”
The final panel member German Castro, Pastor at El Shaddai Christian Church, furthered Dr. Briley’s definition of religion.
“The path is not about religion and it is not about tradition,” Castro said. “It is about following [God.] It is about going to church, giving tithes, and living a personal relationship with God.”
The first episode of “God in America” exposes an America facing a spiritual crisis with fewer people going to church and people having their own ideas of freedom.
The panelists all seemed to have a different idea as to the main objective people should deduct from this video.
Seavey found it very informative and described watching the series as the equivalent to “taking a great course on American religion.”
However, for Breen, the main message was to show appreciation.
“If we are going to really be a great nation and a real religious community we have to believe in the equal rights for all people and not try to force one view upon others, but to respect and encourage the freedom of conscious,” Breen said. “Your decision must be in harmony with the Lord.”
In closing Lowry expressed the most powerful part of the documentary in her eyes was seeing all of us in the story of God.
“It really shows a group of people coming in and wanting organized faith and then rejecting the organization and leaving,” Lowry said. “It is a kind of individual vs. the community. As humankind we so much want to be God, and he just pulls us back to him and continues to redeem us over and over again.”
If you missed out on the prescreening hosted on campus, you are in luck. Another free preview and panel discussion will be held at The First Amendment Center on Tuesday, October 5th at 7 P.M.