Apocalyptic Christian Nationalism at Its Scariest

Posted by ZP Heller, Brave New Films at 9:20 AM on May 15, 2008.

These are excerpts from "Silhouette City," a new documentary by Michael Wilson that investigates apocalyptic Christian nationalism. The film tracks the rise of this religious fervor over the last three decades, from fringe Christian survivalist groups of the 1970's to today's mainstream movement. As you can see from this clip, the current leaders of apocalyptic Christian nationalism include Rev. Rod Parsley and Rev. John Hagee, whose endorsement John McCain has actively sought.

According to Wilson:
"I began making "Silhouette City" because, in late 2001, I began to hear echoes of the Christian extremism from my childhood in Arkansas. In order to quiet the ringing in my ears, I immersed myself in the contemporary Christian right – the media, music, ministries, books, personalities and organizational apparatuses.... As the economy continues to slide, the energy crisis becomes palpable and the occupation of Iraq appears indefinite, the potential grows for a major disruption of daily life. A significant percentage of the population sees these looming crises through a specific lens: a belief that humanity is waging the opening skirmishes of a cosmic war between Good and Evil that will usher in the Kingdom of God. Such belief enables an ever-escalating sense of urgency – very real threats to the middle and lower classes (outsourcing, rising fuel and food costs, etc) combine with perceived threats (secularism, homosexuality, ethnic/religious others) to become overwhelming evidence of the tribulations that signal apocalypse."

"Silhouette City" focuses on the motivations behind this growing need to adopt an apocalyptic worldview.

Tagged as: religion, silhouette city

ZP Heller is the editorial director of Brave New Films. He has written for The American Prospect, AlterNet, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and The Huffington Post, covering everything from politics to pop culture.