God In Government

A documentary that explores the complex relationship between religion & politics in the contemporary world. With the Uni... (more)

A documentary that explores the complex relationship between religion & politics in the contemporary world. With the United States as the focal point, and Iran, Israel and India as object lessons, the film asks fundamental questions: What are the consequences when religion and politics become intertwined? What are the fault lines along which tensions and conflicts occur? And what is the appropriate relationship between ‘church’ and state in a modern society?..The film begins and ends in the UNITED STATES, the only nation founded specifically on the principle of a clear separation between religion and state. Here, the debate over the implications of the First Amendment has continued for more than two hundred years. With a vocal Christian right seeking to influence domestic and foreign policy, and an increasingly diverse religious landscape, the debate about the appropriate role of religion in America’s public square has become more urgent than ever. ..To explore how the volatile mix of God in government has shaped policy and national identities abroad, the documentary crosses continents and cultures. ..In IRAN the story of the revolution that awoke the world to the revitalized power of a modern, political Islam. Here, secularization was rejected in favor of an Islamic constitution subjugating the rights of the citizens to the rule of God. ..The State of ISRAEL began with a ‘religious status quo’ agreement balancing the demands of secular Zionists with Orthodox religious requirements. Fifty years later, a changing demographic and widening gap between Orthodox and secular Israelis have led to a national identity crisis and public protests over attempts to redefine the character of the State. ..INDIA has prided itself since independence on its democratic and secular values. The constitution defines India as a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic. But growing tensions between the Hindu majority and a Muslim minority, together with deadly communal violence has raised questions as to whether India can remain secular...As Iran struggles with its theocracy, as Israelis remain divided over the role of the ultra-Orthodox in their daily life, and as India deals with decades of conflict fueled by religion, so too is America facing its own identify crisis over the relationship of church and state. (less)