R&E Political Discussion

R&E Political Discussion - Spring 2026
[ R&E Political Discussion - Spring 2026 ]

Christian Nationalists made a movie about “anti-Christian bias” by the government

Posted by Christopher Blackwell on May 29, 2026, 11:42 am

https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/christian-nationalists-made-a-movie

Christian Nationalists made a movie about “anti-Christian bias” by the government
“By Dawn’s Early Light” turns minor inconveniences into a full-blown fantasy of anti-Christian oppression

About a month ago, when the White House’s ridiculously named “Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias” released its final report summarizing all the ways Christians are persecuted in America, I wrote about how the whole thing was a joke because there were no serious examples of persecution in it.

But in case you didn’t read that article, don’t worry! Christian Nationalists are already releasing a documentary based on the report’s findings.

It’s called “By Dawn’s Early Light” and it’s yet another attempt to link the founding of the country to the fictional attacks on Christianity today.

Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias, presenting its work as a modern effort to confront perceived threats to religious liberty. Through interviews, historical context, and investigative storytelling, the film explores both the challenges identified and the measures proposed to strengthen protections—framing the effort as part of an ongoing pursuit to ensure that the freedoms fought for in earlier generations endure into the future.

The trailer alone looks like a grotesque distortion of “God’s Not Dead,” which was already a grotesque distortion of reality. (I’m not even joking. In this version, Kevin Sorbo’s wife makes an appearance.)

That movie was famous for exaggerating something that never happens in a classroom: A professor openly mocking a Christian student for his beliefs until eventually (spoiler!) the professor embraces Jesus. This film takes snippets from the Task Force’s final report and blows them out of proportion the same way.

Here’s how the right-wing ACLJ describes one of those incidents:

One of the featured stories in the film centers on the ACLJ’s landmark federal lawsuit against the Smithsonian Institution after Catholic students attending the March for Life were told they could not enter the National Air and Space Museum while wearing “Rosary PRO-LIFE” hats. Security officers mocked the students, spewed profanity at minors, and informed them that the First Amendment “does not apply here.”

The ACLJ took the case to federal court.

The result was one of the largest publicly reported settlements against the federal government in a First Amendment case.

Let’s suppose all of that is true. That means, at worst, this example of outrageous persecution involved some security guards who didn’t understand that people are allowed to wear clothing that features religious or political speech. When the Smithsonian settled the case, they specifically admitted no fault and said their goal was “avoiding the expenses and risks of further litigation.”

That’s apparently the sort of “anti-Christian bias” that’s strong enough to make it in the film. It’s no different than if Jeff Bezos whined about “anti-billionaire” discrimination because people made fun of his dumb yacht.

If there were serious examples of government bias against Christians, they might have had a compelling movie. But because that’s not a real problem in our society, they don’t. It’s the same reason Christian “victories” in the Supreme Court tend to involve situations like a baker having to sell a cake for a same-sex wedding or a public high school coach demanding a special right to pray in the middle of a football field where everyone can see him because it won’t count if he prays silently or privately.

Imagine watching a documentary about how tough it is to be a white male in America, and you probably have a sense of what this move will be.

There are people who are systemically, repeatedly, and currently persecuted by the government. They’re not the white guys and they’re not Christians. But some Catholic students were told by a couple of misguided cops not to wear their anti-abortion hats at a federal museum this one time... so it’s the same thing, really.

And because Trump’s Cabinet doesn’t have real work to do, nearly all of them sit down for interviews in this piece of propaganda:

The film was screened at the Kennedy Center earlier this month, but it’ll be released online on May 31. And then, because there’s no actual story worth listening to here, it’ll be quickly forgotten by the following week.

Christians in America aren’t going to jail because of their beliefs. They aren’t banned from seeking public office. They dominate Congress, the Supreme Court, state legislatures, local governments, and virtually every major institution of political power. Christians have it so damn good that Trump literally created a federal task force devoted exclusively to protecting the Christian majority from the tyranny of not getting every single thing they ever want (something no genuinely oppressed group would ever receive from the most powerful government on Earth).

And yet these people still want audiences to believe Christians need to huddle together as part of some underground resistance movement because some museum guard made rude comments one day.

There’s a reason movies like this keep getting made. It’s not because Christians are persecuted, but rather because Christian Nationalism requires a permanent sense of victimhood. If you can convince ignorant people they’re always under attack, that makes it much easier to dominate public life. Taking over school boards isn’t an act of aggression; it’s necessary defense against Christian persecution! Posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms isn’t about pushing faith on others; it’s reminding the country about our religious origins! They’re going to keep pretending Christians are victims of persecution until they’ve erased church-state separation entirely.

But if you examine any of this below surface level—something the conservative Christian crowd never does—you realize how thin the premise is.

The people who claim to be persecuted by the government held the film’s premiere at the Kennedy Center, which the government, staffed almost entirely by conservative Christians, took over. That alone should prove they have no basis for the film.

It’s no surprise they’re doing this, though. More Americans are rejecting the idea that Christianity deserves special treatment from the government, and when you think religious neutrality amounts to oppression, you’ll do anything to pretend you’re victims.

You've been scared of the wrongs ones all along Chris.

Posted by Spector on May 30, 2026, 2:31 am, in reply to " Christian Nationalists made a movie about “anti-Christian bias” by the government"

Christians out of concern have said people need to repent for their sins for their own good so they can escape the coming judgment.

It's not the Christians who throw gays off the roofs; it's the Muslims. Christians, out of concern, have said people need to repent for their sins and seek Christ because Christ loves them.

I feel for you; you're so blinded, and yes, there have been attacks by our government against Christians. By both Obama and Biden. When the Antichrist rules, will you help him kill Christians? Because things will get that bad right here in the good ol U.S.A.

Freedom of Religion also means Freedom FROM religion

Posted by Trish on May 30, 2026, 5:05 am, in reply to "You've been scared of the wrongs ones all along Chris. "

I do not want a country controlled by Christian Nationalists who would (and are) chipping away at women's rights, among other things.

The Anti-Christ IMO already rules

Re: Freedom of Religion also means Freedom FROM religion

Posted by Spector on May 30, 2026, 8:29 pm, in reply to "Freedom of Religion also means Freedom FROM religion"

I agree that women should have equal rights.

BUT >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

What the heck is a “Christian Nationalist?”

Posted by Arwen on May 29, 2026, 12:07 pm, in reply to " Christian Nationalists made a movie about “anti-Christian bias” by the government"

Are there Atheist Nationalists? Muslim Nationalists?

Buddhist Nationalists?

What are they?

Seems to be something gays hate

Posted by TG on May 29, 2026, 2:22 pm, in reply to "What the heck is a “Christian Nationalist?”"

Scary stuff right there mean old Christian gonna them

Nationalists that are Christians…

Posted by Otto Kleinberg on May 29, 2026, 12:51 pm, in reply to "What the heck is a “Christian Nationalist?”"

….Duh

And what is a nationalist?

Posted by Arwen on May 29, 2026, 12:57 pm, in reply to "Nationalists that are Christians…"

Are there Christian Nationalists in Mexico?

To discuss any subject intelligently, it helps to agree upon basic definitions.

Yes, absolutely

Posted by Otto Kleinberg on May 29, 2026, 12:58 pm, in reply to "And what is a nationalist?"

Are you a Christian Nationalists?

Posted by Arwen on May 29, 2026, 12:59 pm, in reply to "Yes, absolutely"

Just curious.

I am a Christian Nationalist not Nationalists

Posted by Otto Kleinberg on May 29, 2026, 1:01 pm, in reply to "Are you a Christian Nationalists?"

So you require a permanent sense of victimhood?

Posted by Arwen on May 29, 2026, 1:07 pm, in reply to "I am a Christian Nationalist not Nationalists"

The article says that Christian Nationalism requires a permanent sense of victimhood.

Is this true?

FYI

Posted by Otto Kleinberg on May 29, 2026, 1:15 pm, in reply to "So you require a permanent sense of victimhood?"

A Christian nationalist is someone who believes that a nation should be defined by Christianity, with laws, policies, and cultural norms reflecting Christian values.

Like the values that adminstered the Inquisition or the values...?

Posted by Cheap Seats Shaman *= on May 29, 2026, 1:52 pm, in reply to "FYI"

...that the Conquistadors inflicted on Meso-America?

How about the Christian values that paved the "Trail Of Tears" and the slaughter of Native Americans?

Those values?

By that definition, I am not a Christian Nationalist. Thanks.

Posted by Arwen on May 29, 2026, 1:22 pm, in reply to "FYI"

That helps.

I believe we are a creedal nation. The United States of America is rooted in the ideals and principles laid out in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. This includes liberty, equality, democracy, equal justice under the law, and the right to pursue happiness. It is not rooted in any specific religion.

As a Christian Nationalist, does the article piss you off?

Which is not working out that well lately

Posted by Otto Kleinberg on May 29, 2026, 1:48 pm, in reply to "By that definition, I am not a Christian Nationalist. Thanks."

but congratulations. That and $4,50 will get you a gallon of gas.

“Morally” America is in a downward spiral.

Yes. Evidently racism is still alive in some parts of the country.

Posted by Arwen on May 29, 2026, 1:54 pm, in reply to "Which is not working out that well lately"

Assassin culture is also alive and well.

Hatred and insults are common here and elsewhere.

Sad. But true.

Ken’s refusal to rein in posters like Mondo and Cheap Shaman

Posted by Otto Kleinberg on May 29, 2026, 2:01 pm, in reply to "Yes. Evidently racism is still alive in some parts of the country."

who continually insult other posters has turned this board into what they call a “ Flame Board.”

You better learn to play or post elsewhere where your feelings won’t be hurt and you won’t have to cry to Ken.

Mondo and Cheap Shaman are

Posted by Spector on May 30, 2026, 12:34 am, in reply to "Ken’s refusal to rein in posters like Mondo and Cheap Shaman"

Very good and informed posters, you shouldn't pick on onthem so much.

That's just another reason he wants us gone...

Posted by Cheap Seats Shaman *= on May 30, 2026, 8:34 am, in reply to "Mondo and Cheap Shaman are"

...and why I want Otto to stay.

His ignorance is pure entertainment for free.

Seems like you might indeed have a permanent sense of victimhood.

Posted by Arwen on May 29, 2026, 2:08 pm, in reply to "Ken’s refusal to rein in posters like Mondo and Cheap Shaman"

Let’s get a couple things straight, Scalise.

1. I do not and have not complained to Ken about anything. I am a big girl and can defend myself against misogyny and racism.

2. I don’t play your “flame” games. I am here for civil discussion, not exchanging childish insults like you and others.

TIA

You are an old lady

Posted by Otto Kleinbeg on May 29, 2026, 2:25 pm, in reply to "Seems like you might indeed have a permanent sense of victimhood."

with thin skin.

Civil discussion with who? Mondo and Cheap Shaman?

You never complain about them because they kiss tRUMPs ass like you do.

It’s no secret you married a drunk who physically abused you.

Yep.

Posted by Arwen on May 29, 2026, 2:38 pm, in reply to "You are an old lady "

I am an old lady who succeeded in life despite misogynists like you who thought their bigotry defined them as “real” men.

You will be banned again soon because you think insulting me and my family makes you look “tough.” In reality, it only exposes your insecurities and weak moral character.

Ha Ha Ha

Posted by Otto Kleinberg on May 29, 2026, 2:43 pm, in reply to "Yep."

You know nothing about me or who I am.

Your posts that are riddled with constant whining indicates a wimp.

Jealousy is a disease. Grow up and stop nipping at my heels like a little puppy dog.

You have shared a lot about yourself here.

Posted by Arwen on May 29, 2026, 2:52 pm, in reply to "Ha Ha Ha"

Careful.

You are very confused

Posted by Otto Kleinberg on May 29, 2026, 2:58 pm, in reply to "You have shared a lot about yourself here."

You know nothing about me.

You wish.

Posted by Arwen on May 29, 2026, 3:03 pm, in reply to "You are very confused"

Careful.

postscrip

Posted by Otto Kleinberg on May 29, 2026, 1:19 pm, in reply to "FYI"

It includes support for policies such as displaying Christian symbols in public spaces, promoting prayer in schools, restricting abortion, opposing same-sex marriage, and limiting non-Christian immigration that are opposed to Christianity.

You are a very sick person

Posted by Otto Kleinberg on May 29, 2026, 1:09 pm, in reply to "So you require a permanent sense of victimhood?"

Get help.

It doesn’t take much intelligence to hurl childish insults.

Posted by Arwen on May 29, 2026, 1:15 pm, in reply to "You are a very sick person"

You said you are a Christian Nationalist. I have to take your word for it.

The article alleges that Christian Nationalism requires a permanent sense of victimhood.

I am trying to understand what a Christian Nationalist is and it would help to know if you require a permanent sense of victimhood.

Yes or no?

Then stop doing it

Posted by Otto Kleinberg on May 29, 2026, 1:20 pm, in reply to "It doesn’t take much intelligence to hurl childish insults."

in your sneaky way.

Are you insulted by logic and reason?

Posted by Arwen on May 29, 2026, 1:24 pm, in reply to "Then stop doing it"

Maybe the article is right.

As a Christian Nationalist, you do require a permanent sense of victimhood.

I answered you question, What the heck is a “ Christian Nationalist”

Posted by Otto Kleinberg on May 29, 2026, 1:41 pm, in reply to "Are you insulted by logic and reason?"

I was not referring to an article which I never read.

Yes, and thank you for that.

Posted by Arwen on May 29, 2026, 1:50 pm, in reply to "I answered you question, What the heck is a “ Christian Nationalist”"

It is probably good that you didn’t read the article.

You would have been insulted by it.

It claimed that you Christian Nationalists have a permanent sense of victimhood.

The definition of either term is ambiguous...

Posted by Cheap Seats Shaman *= on May 29, 2026, 12:54 pm, in reply to "Nationalists that are Christians…"

...in case you were confused.

Yes, in your pea brain

Posted by Otto Kleinberg on May 29, 2026, 12:55 pm, in reply to "The definition of either term is ambiguous..."

Triggered you again, eh?

Posted by Cheap Seats Shaman *= on May 29, 2026, 1:02 pm, in reply to "Yes, in your pea brain"

You're too easy, Billy.

Triggered ???

Posted by Otto Kleinberg on May 29, 2026, 1:04 pm, in reply to "Triggered you again, eh?"

Sure sparky.

Use whatever term you wish...

Posted by Cheap Seats Shaman *= on May 29, 2026, 1:07 pm, in reply to "Triggered ???"

...but you're still too easy.

Carry On, Carrion...

I think you would be better off

Posted by Tg on May 29, 2026, 2:25 pm, in reply to "Use whatever term you wish..."

Fairing the Muslims there the one killing the gays .UNLESS YOU'RE STUPID OR SOMETHING

Tags are cheap and plentiful...

Posted by Cheap Seats Shaman *= on May 29, 2026, 12:41 pm, in reply to "What the heck is a “Christian Nationalist?”"

...and assigned indiscriminately.

I've had plenty of them hung on me through my many years, none of which accurate or descriptively true.

The most recent tag I've acquired is that of being a MAGA because I voted against the ProgComm Cadre behind Harris and the DNC.

"Nationalists" is a word the left uses when

Posted by Spector on May 29, 2026, 12:39 pm, in reply to "What the heck is a “Christian Nationalist?”"

"Nationalists" is just one of many words the left uses when they're pouting.

And they cling to polling numbers as though they were a life preserver...

Posted by Cheap Seats Shaman *= on May 29, 2026, 12:44 pm, in reply to ""Nationalists" is a word the left uses when"

Quite amusing in their simplicity.

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[ R&E Political Discussion - Spring 2026 ]