"God's Christian Warriors" Battle Against Gay Rights

Tonight CNN airs the third part of their three-part documentary series God’s Warriors which examines the impact of religious fundamentalists around the world. Parts one and two focused on Muslim and Jewish fundamentalists while this evening’s concluding segment examines Christian fundamentalists in America.

At the very end of the broadcast, Christiane Amanpour, CNN’s chief international correspondent and the show’s host, explains the rationale for the documentary when she says, “There are millions of people around the world who feel their faith has been ignored, pushed aside, and who are certain they know how to make the world right. We cannot and should not ignore them. And with this report we have tried to explain them.”

The special is not a forum where these issues are debated, but rather gives the fundamentalists a chance to explain themselves. But can fundamentalism – of whatever religion – ever truly be explained to non-believers or even those who are religious but still believe in the separation of Church and State? Religious faith, after all, is the belief in something inspired by “God,” something that cannot be proven.

God’s Christian Warriors has a noble goal, as understanding is key to settling any conflict without rancor, and the show does explain how Christian fundamentalists are motivated by anger over unchecked sex and violence in the media, a culture they view as increasingly materialistic, and a society that has granted increasing freedom to minorities, especially women and gays.

It would be hard to imagine a documentary examining the impact of Christian fundamentalists on American culture that didn’t include a look at the part played by gay issues. Fortunately, God’s Christian Warriors doesn’t disappoint and the result is a fascinating and often frightening look at the religious right that any progressive – but especially any gay progressive – would be well advised to watch.

The opening segment provides a brief road map of how the Christian Right managed their rise to prominence, but it also serves as a chilling reminder that not only is the Right not about to give up their fight despite their setback in last year’s Congressional midterm elections, they are twice as determined to win.

The opening is followed by a brief history of how Jerry Falwell rose to prominence as the “Godfather” of the Christian Right in the 1980’s and helped to drive the Republican takeover of Congress in 1994. That makes Falwell a logical place for Amanpour to start an examination of where the Right is today.