Constantine's Sword : How Christianity Turns Violent
June 26, 2007 3:09 PM   Subscribe

Constantine's Sword : a new documentary now premiering at the LA Film Festival : During his search to "uncover the roots of religiously inspired violence and war", James Carroll discovers "a growing scandal involving religious infiltration of the U.S. military and the terrible consequences of religion’s influence on America’s foreign policy.... Carroll focuses on Christian antisemitism as the model for all religious hatred, exposing the cross as a symbol of a long history of violence against Jews (and, most recently, Muslims). The film brings the history of religious intolerance to life, tracing it as a source of the fanaticism that threatens the world today."
posted by m39 (17 comments total)

This post was deleted for the following reason: this is not really a good post to somethign on the web. this is a post to a movie's website and a lot of commentary. This makes it not really a good post for metafilter. -- jessamyn



 
James Carroll has a good track record for journalistic integrity, and his exploration lends credence to what some have, for years, been warning of ; if US armed forces members come to hold values that are different from those common in civilian society, what might that mean ? And, what if those values, held by those charged with defending America, take on a cast of yearning for apocalyptic war because that is expected to trigger the "Rapture" of "Godly" Christians bodily into heaven ? Could there possibly be a much more dysfunctional and dangerous belief system for American armed forces members to hold ? But what can be done ? There are basic issues of religious liberty at stake, and a witch hunt or inquisition, to root out such religious views, would very likely backfire, and very badly.

So here we are.
posted by m39 at 3:18 PM on June 26, 2007


This FPP is severely lacking in content. Anyone can link to a film's website and cut and paste the synopsis.

How about a NY Times review of the book the film is based on?

Or an online excerpt...

Gezz, but some work into it... come on...
posted by wfrgms at 3:18 PM on June 26, 2007


but = put gah...
posted by wfrgms at 3:19 PM on June 26, 2007


As we all know, virtually all religiously-motivated violence in the world today is committed by radical Christians.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 3:25 PM on June 26, 2007


Why does the website remind me of the old Monty Python episode, "The Bishop"?

Seriously, looks interesting but I'd like to know more...
posted by Mcable at 3:27 PM on June 26, 2007


If only this FPP where a little meatier! wfrgms's made it a bit more substantial, so I'll add to the effort as well.

American Theocracy!
posted by EatTheWeek at 3:36 PM on June 26, 2007


Oh, yes... lots of soldiers love The Jeez-- I can see how a bloody coup is mere months away!
posted by thehmsbeagle at 3:37 PM on June 26, 2007


As we all know, virtually all religiously-motivated violence in the world today is committed by radical Christians.

We know it's not. But I bet most of religiously-motivated violence in the United States has been by radical Christians.
posted by quin at 3:47 PM on June 26, 2007 [1 favorite]


Reductive Theories of Human Behaviour Considered Tenuous.
posted by Firas at 3:57 PM on June 26, 2007 [2 favorites]


thirteenkiller: "Constantine's Sword" ;) IYKWIMAITYD.
posted by public at 4:02 PM on June 26, 2007


As we all know, virtually all religiously-motivated violence in the world today is committed by radical Christians.

You mean besides Iraq?
posted by signal at 4:08 PM on June 26, 2007


From back in May, but relevant (may have been posted previously, I've committed the sin of not searching): Former US Air Force JAG and Reagan White House Counsel Michael J. Weinstein on Dominionist Christians in the US military.

SCDB: Yawn.
posted by zoogleplex at 4:12 PM on June 26, 2007


As we all know, virtually all religiously-motivated violence in the world today is committed by radical Christians.


we certainly don't have a monopoly but consider: poor muslim with a rock vs christian soldier with nuclear powered sub

stakes are higher.
posted by nihlton at 4:36 PM on June 26, 2007


Live interview with Weinstein, and another on April 22 .
posted by hortense at 4:44 PM on June 26, 2007


> If only this FPP where a little meatier!

You've convinced me. I've decided to punt on Jesus and become a Quetzalcoatl-worshipper . My chacmool wants your heart.
posted by jfuller at 4:46 PM on June 26, 2007


As we all know, virtually all religiously-motivated violence in the world today is committed by radical Christians.

most derails as well.
posted by srboisvert at 5:12 PM on June 26, 2007 [4 favorites]


David Brin has been blogging about the Bush Administration's war against professionalism in the US officer corps.
posted by Marky at 6:18 PM on June 26, 2007


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