-God’s Not Dead 2: Farfetched or Reality?
by Dr. D ~ April 4th, 2016
There are a number of different reactions to the recent release of the film “God’s Not Dead 2.” Religious liberty in America is front and center in the plot of the movie. Some atheists are complaining that the scenario presented in the film is farfetched while many Christians groups are noting how the script follows real life and reflects the current decline of freedom of Religion in the USA.
… The plot of “God’s Not Dead 2? centers on fictional character Grace Wesley, a Christian high school teacher who is quiet and subdued, yet finds herself in the middle of a boisterous battle over the separation of church and state after she discusses the historical nature of Jesus Christ. …
“When Brooke, a hurting student grieving the loss of her brother, reaches out to Grace, their coffee-shop conversation leads to Grace sharing the hope she finds in Christ,” reads an official synopsis. “However, when Brooke asks an honest question about Jesus in the classroom, Grace’s reasoned response lands her in big trouble — almost before she finishes giving her answer.”
For a response from a lawyer who has defended Christians in similar religious liberty cases see Townhall:
…Erik Stanley, a lawyer for Alliance Defending Freedom, argues it’s not as farfetched as you may think.
“I think that what happened in the movie illustrates what has happened in classrooms across the country already,” Stanley told Townhall. “Students and people of faith, teachers included, are silenced simply because of their religious beliefs.” …
The subplot in God’s Not Dead 2 is also one with which Stanley is all too familiar. A religious witch-hunt ensues after local officials subpoena pastors and demand to see their sermons. An almost similar scenario unfolded in Houston a couple of years ago, when the city, led by Mayor Annise Parker, demanded to see communications belonging to local pastors.
And here is another response well worth reading Mark Ellis of PJ Media: “Art Imitates Life in God’s Not Dead 2”
Response: I have not seen the movie yet so this is not a review. Nevertheless I can speak to the plot and whether it is farfetched or not. All three of the articles above list real cases where religious liberty was or is under assault in America. In addition, there are literally over a hundred different articles that we have written on this website documenting different challenges to freedom of religion in America over the last 5 years or so.
The point is, the plot of this movie is not farfetched at all. In fact the film will be successful and have a large support base within the conservative Christian community mainly because real people of faith are actually facing discrimination daily in this country. Nearly every Christian has faced some form or another of prejudice, hostility, or ill-treatment for their faith or at least knows someone who has.
I do not believe that what is happening in America rises to the level of persecution. But we are quickly going down a road where freedom of religion is in decline as the First Amendment is being re-interpreted and actually trumped in favor of competing civil rights. It is now common place for Christians, and particularly Christians business owners, to find themselves being discriminated against ironically in the name of anti-discrimination. *Top
