Deep Dive: Bad Faith (2024)
Film Lens
Bad Faith: Christian Nationalism's Unholy War on Democracy is a 2024 documentary directed by Stephen Ujlaki and Chris Jones. The film examines the rise of Christian nationalism in the United States and its impact on democracy. It traces the historical involvement of figures like Paul Weyrich and Jerry Falwell in the conservative movement, particularly through the Moral Majority and the Council for National Policy. The film argues that these groups have opposed secular institutions and sought to use government to promote Christianity, culminating in support for Donald Trump and the events surrounding the January 6 Capitol attack.
The documentary is based on significant literature, particularly Anne Nelson's book Shadow Network (2019) and Randall Balmer's Bad Faith (2021). Ujlaki's motivation for creating the film stemmed from his reaction to Trump's 2016 election win, which prompted him to investigate the evangelical community's support for Trump. The film was shot across 25 locations in the U.S. and Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic and took years to complete. Critics have praised its educational value and its argument regarding the dangers of eroding the separation of church and state.
Why Watch
- •See how Christian nationalism shaped Trump's presidency.
- •Find out about the Council for National Policy's secretive role.
- •Meet key figures like Paul Weyrich and Jerry Falwell.
Did You Know
•The film was shot in 25 locations across the U.S. and Australia.
•Co-director Stephen Ujlaki is a professor at Loyola Marymount University.
•The title is adapted from Randall Balmer's book Bad Faith (2021).
•The film took several years to edit and complete.
Perfect For
Political activismReligious studiesAmerican history