A STUDYGUIDE by Marguerite O’Hara

www.metromagazine.com.au

www.theeducationshop.com.au Andrew Denton talking to the mascot from ‘Bananas’ Christian television program

‘If God be for us, who can be against us?’ Romans 8:31 Introduction Andrew Denton, best known in for his award-winning ABC Television interview program Enough Rope, went with a film crew to the 63rd National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Dallas, Texas in 2006. Over four days they filmed some of the proceedings and Denton interviewed a number of the 6000 delegates.

n God on my Side (Anita Jacoby, about their beliefs and experiences. Denton focuses on the foot soldiers 2006) Denton questions some of of Christianity, the everyday believ- Ithe mainly evangelical, fundamen- Seventy million Americans are born ers running booths on the exhibition talist Christians, about the origins of again Christians. A highly organized, floor or workshops in the surrounding their personal faith and how this faith politicized and motivated bloc, they rooms. He takes people as he finds affects their view of the world, their provide more than forty per cent of them, allowing his interviewees room country and their President, George President Bush’s vote. As Moral Major- to express themselves freely, to have W. Bush. ity founder Jerry Falwell put it, ‘The their ideas and views heard. Republican Party does not have the The film is about faith and the places head count to elect a president without What he found was a multiplicity of it can take people. More than 6000 the support of religious conservatives.’ views. No single person could be said Christian communicators gathered The NRB (National Religious Broadcast- to represent all the opinions expressed at the Gaylord Convention Centre to ers) provide key access to this con- during the convention. But there were discuss how best to spread the word stituency. With 350 television and 750 themes and ideas that pushed them- of God in this new century, and how to radio stations among its members, and selves forward, particularly around the take advantage of opportunities pre- an estimated audience of 141 million issues of Jesus’ imminent return to sented by the explosion of new media Americans, the NRB knows it has a earth and the relationship between this technologies and audiences. powerful voice in the United States. event and the future of Israel.

This feature-length documentary Its members not only speak to the God On My Side is Andrew Denton’s records what Denton found. By turns heartland of President Bush’s America, first feature-length documentary. If the serious and comic and sometimes a they are the heartland of President world really is dividing into a clash of SCREEN EDUCATION little disturbing, it examines the cutting Bush’s America. Denton looks at this civilizations, then the film raises ques- edge of evangelical technology, the heartland up close, at who these peo- tions about absolutism in any guise, business of God, the America of the ple are and the journeys that brought about the danger in man’s ability to religious right, and what the inescap- them to their faith. He asks them put his hand on a , any book, and able truths of the Bible mean for US about what sort of America they would say, ‘This is the truth, the only truth’. foreign policy and the Middle East. like to see and what their faith tells Denton asks a range of Christians them about the future of mankind. 2 Pastor Doug Batchelor Brian Godawa, of the Amazing Facts scriptwriter of To Ministry End All Wars

all photos this page taken at the 2006 National Religious Broadcasters’ Convention in Texas

Coleman McDuff of Jennifer O’Neill, the Texan McDuff an actress and Brothers Ministry author

Curriculum Relevance

This documentary will be of interest to senior and tertiary students and teachers of:

• Politics and Society 2. The ways in which people are view of the issues it raises, and • Religious Studies able to market ideas and beliefs what this might mean. • Civics and Citizenship through the mass media, particu- • SOSE (HSIE) larly television and film. The student activities become in- • English 3. How the language used to discuss creasingly demanding from Activity 1 • Media Studies religious issues can be used in through to Activity 5. Depending on in-

• International Relations both positive and negative ways. terest level and ability Activities 1 and SCREEN EDUCATION • Marketing Studies 4. The similar and different ways in 2 may be enough for some groups. which religion and politics may be Others may like to explore some of the This guide encourages students to connected in Australian society. more complex questions raised later in look at: 5. Whether a documentary film about the guide. 1. How Denton presents the people he political and religious issues can or talks to at the American convention. should present a fair and balanced 3 The McDuff Brothers of the Texan McDuff Brothers Ministry at the 2006 National Religious Broadcasters’ Convention in Texas

Glossary of terms and battle for one's faith. Fundamental- • Billy Graham – leader of an Evan- organizations ists make up only one part of any gelistic Association. Both Graham religion's followers, who usually fall and now his son Franklin travel the Several words and terms used in both along a wide spectrum of different world, conducting mass religious the documentary and in this guide are interpretations, values and beliefs. rallies where they invite people to subject to a range of definitions. De- There are fundamentalists in most come forward and commit to a scribing and defining religious beliefs major religious organizations, new life in Christ. Graham brought and approaches is often contentious. including Christianity, Islam and his crusades to Australia on sev- Judaism. eral occasions in the 1950s and • Evangelism: http://www.gsanetwork.org/ 1960s and son Franklin preached 1. Zealous preaching and advo- justiceforall/definitions.htm in in 2005. cacy of religious beliefs. *More information about Ameri- 2. Converting others to your can Christian fundamentalism is • Revelations – final book of the New cause or belief. provided later in this guide Testament in The Bible, describing 3. ‘A set of intentional activities visions shown to the apostle John which is governed by the goal • Proselytizing – to attempt to about the end of the world. Many of initiating people into the convert another person to your fundamentalist Christians believe Kingdom of God for the first particular set of beliefs it foretells the imminent end of the time’. (Dr. William Abraham, world. British theologian who has • Televangelists – ministers of reli- written about evangelism, his gion, usually protestant Christians, • Armageddon – a climactic battle ideas can be further explored who devote their time to televi- between good and evil signifying at http://www.evangelism. sion broadcasting to reach mass the end of the world; described in gfmuiuc.org/definition/) audiences. Their image has been Revelations. As the third of these definitions tarnished by numerous sexual and implies, some people believe that financial scandals. Better known • NRB – acronym for the National all religious belief is by nature televangelists include Jim and Religious Broadcasters’ Associa- ‘evangelical’ as it offers good news Tammy Bakker, Jimmy Swaggart tion. An association of Christian it wants to share with others. and John Hagee. communities that foster electronic

media access for the gospel. SCREEN EDUCATION • Fundamentalism*: • Moral Majority – a conservative The belief in absolute religious Christian political action group, • National Convention of the NRB authority and the demand that prominent in the 1980s in America. – ‘an active marketplace for those this religious authority be legally Jerry Falwell, a televangelist, was seeking tools and services to ex- enforced. Often, fundamental- its public face. pand their ministries.’ http://www. ism involves the willingness to do nrb.org 4 Andrew Denton at the 2006 National Religious Broadcasters’ Convention in Texas

The filmmakers Andrew Denton – Executive producer, presenter and writer of God On My Side. Denton has worked as a writer, actor, radio presenter and television presenter and producer since 1988 when he first came to public attention with Blah, Blah, Blah. Since then he has written, presented and produced numerous comedy shows and documentaries including a program about teenagers dealing with cancer – The Topic of Cancer. He is probably best known for his award-winning interview program, Enough Rope. Denton was also Executive Producer of the satirical television series CNNNN and David Tench Tonight. SCREEN EDUCATION Anita Jacoby – Executive producer, location producer and director. Jacoby is the executive producer of Enough Rope and David Tench Tonight. She has worked on 60 Minutes, Sunday and many other programs and documentaries. Jon Casimir – Writer and producer. Has worked as a reporter, critic and editor for The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 Jennifer O’Neill, an actress and author signing copies of her book Surviving Myself

Activities

Student Activity 1 abortion and euthanasia? viduals in the film to each group as 10. What are people referring to when there are many people interviewed Before watching the film they use the term a clash of civili- and perspectives presented in this zations? film. Parts of each person’s interview 1. How are religion and politics con- 11. How do you respond to the propo- responses are intercut throughout the nected in the world? sition that in democratic societies, film. The first one has been done for 2. Should religion and politics ever both individuals and groups of like- you to provide a guide. mix? minded individuals should be able 3. Do you think there is any con- to lobby governments to affect It is only when you have a sense nection between religious beliefs political change? of what is said and by whom, that and nationalism? If so, give some you can move on to considering the examples. Student Activity 2 broader issues the film raises about 4. Do you know of any Australian the influence of groups and individu- political leaders who claim to have Watching the film als represented in the film on both the a religious belief? political process and how they reach 5. How might such beliefs affect their To make informed judgements about people in America through their media priorities and decision-making? the issues raised in Denton’s film, you activities. 6. How do any religious beliefs you will need to watch and listen carefully hold influence the way you live? to what is said in the documentary by Student Activity 3 7. Should religious or faith-based the participants in response to Den- schools teach students about ton’s questions. As you watch God Exploring the issues on the Conven- religions other than those of the On My Side make brief notes on the tion floor and beyond school? range of views presented. Use Table 8. Do you know of any Australian 1 overleaf to record your impressions 1. The opening images of the film political parties operating under a of views expressed by some of the show Muslims demonstrating and

religious banner, either today or in participants at the National Religious agitating for their cause – one side SCREEN EDUCATION the past? Broadcasters’ Convention in 2006. of the (by now familiar) represen- 9. What views do you believe are (NB. Not all participants talk about tation of the so-called ‘clash of generally held by evangelical their background) civilizations’. How do these images Christians and/or other conserva- position viewers to compare and tive Christian churches about so- It would be best to divide your class contrast the holy wars waged by cial issues such as homosexuality, into groups and allocate a few indi- Christians? 6 Individual or group Reason for attending Major angle or position How person’s Your impression of the convention background relates to individual beliefs

Using technology to insert an individual’s name in the To promote her Personal 1. Corinne Keith bible to show people how Not stated Sincere and concerned Promise bibles ‘the word of God’ speaks directly to them.

2. Tom Dooley

3. Jos from Arab Vision

4. Ian Worby and Adrian Ross from Australia

5. Jennifer O’Neill

6. Phil Cooke

7. Mumps, the puppet

8. Dr. Everette Gaddy

9. Max Greiner Jnr.

10. Raymond Bechard

11. McDuff brothers – John, Coleman and Roger

12. Pastor Doug Batchelor

13. Phil Cooke SCREEN EDUCATION

14. Moodi Sandberg 7 15. John Hagee

Table 1 Denton talking Denton talking to to ‘MUMPS’, a the mascot from Puppevangelist ‘Bananas’ Christian television program

Denton talking to Australian Ian Worby, from United Christian Broadcasting Australia Denton

2. What is your impression of the and massed choirs within the Fact File mood and feel of this convention? Christian church. What part do • National Religious Broadcasters Is it like any other sales conven- the massed choirs shown at the control 350 television stations and tion? How is the marketing of convention play in the film? 750 radio stations across America ideas and beliefs different to selling 8. At a question and answer session with an estimated audience of 141 a product such as food, clothing or about his film, Denton said that he million people. cars? hardly saw any African Americans • In Australia there are 250 plus 3. List some of the goods promoted or Hispanics on the convention Christian radio networks. and sold at the convention which floor. Is this surprising? • There are thought to be 70 million are used to promote a Christian 9. Religious and political organi- Evangelical Christians in America message. zations need to engage young who provided forty per cent of 4. Are any of the delegates unhappy people in their organizations if they Bush’s vote at the last election. about the obvious alliance be- are to have a future. While many of • It has been traditional for the tween religion and commerce at the people Denton speaks to at the NRB to invite the United States the NRB Convention? Do you think NRB convention are over fifty, what President to attend and address this connection is problematic? methods is the organization shown their annual convention. In 1994, 5. What is President George W. to be using to attract younger Democrat President Bill Clinton Bush’s contribution to supporting people to its cause? was not invited. The reason given this convention? 10. Do the ‘end of the world’ scenarios by the NRB was that ‘we cannot

6. Describe the style and tone of described by several delegates give a platform to a leader who so SCREEN EDUCATION some of the clips shown of films sound plausible or completely aggressively supports and puts produced by and aired on Chris- fantastic? forth policies and positions which tian television stations run by some 11. Does Denton’s questioning of del- are blatantly contrary to scriptural of the delegates. egates and their beliefs change as views.’ 7. There is a strong tradition of music the program develops? If so, how? • President Bush has attended and 8 Denton talking to ‘MUMPS’, a Puppevangelist

addressed several NRB conven- world is coming very soon. Does God On My Side tions but in 2006 sent a videotaped • Pastor John Hagee, a televange- adopt any one of these message, parts of which are list, broadcasts his message into approaches? shown in the documentary. 43 million American homes. • The bombed out shell of Jerusalem However fair we want to be, whenever Bus 19, discussed and shown in Student Activity 4 we write about something or someone the film, is now on permanent dis- or film or photograph something or play at the Shoresh holiday camp Point of View someone, we make choices. These for Jewish children in Maryland, choices generally indicate a personal USA. Most documentary films adopt one of perspective as we make selections • The biggest booth at the 2006 three approaches: and choose to say or show some convention was run by The Israeli things rather than others. Tourism Ministry. Americans are by I. ‘The fly on the wall’ where the far the largest group visiting Israel camera appears to be a neutral 1. What do you think Denton intend- and religious pilgrims provide a recorder of an event. ed to show viewers through this high percentage of the $2 billion II. ‘Impartial presenter’ where the film film? tourism industry. tries to present all sides of an issue 2. Is Denton’s view about the an- • Within twenty-four hours of the in a fair and balanced way. swers people give either explicitly 9/11 attacks on the World Trade III. ‘Active committed participant/ or implicitly shown through his

Centre, toilet rolls printed with observer’ where the filmmaker facial expression, the follow up SCREEN EDUCATION Osama Bin Laden’s face and mod- deliberately selects material and question, in the way the person els of the Towers were being sold presents it in such a way to con- is visually framed or in the way on the streets of Manhattan. vince the audience to accept one their answer seems to have been • Forty-two per cent of Americans view. edited? believe that we are living in the 3. Here are some reasons given by End Times and that the end of the Denton about his intentions in 9 making this documentary. For each ‘born again Christian’ means? What’s on screen is a compelling jour- statement, discuss how successful 10. If the delegates at this convention ney that shows the enormous scale of you think he has been in providing were to make a film recording this the business of Christianity, but more answers to these issues. 2006 event, how do you think they importantly, the very real and powerful a. It would provide a way to look would choose to present their in- motivations behind it. at George W. Bush’s America tentions and the key people in their through the lens of faith rather organization? Anita Jacoby than politics. 11. Do you think the NRB would be b. I’d heard that a major exhibit happy with the way Denton’s Is God on our side? – the at the 2005 convention was a documentary presents the views Australian scene bombed out shell of Jerusalem they represent? Bus 19, blown up by a suicide In democratic societies people will bomber in 2004. Eleven people What the filmmakers say always vote for candidates who they died and fifty were injured. I about their film believe will best represent their values wanted to find out what kind of and aspirations; however it is vital person might be attracted to Everyone I spoke to believed George that political processes are transpar- that sort of exhibit. W. Bush is ‘God’s man’. To suggest ent and that people know what their c. I thought that in an age where he’s been put there with God’s ap- elected representatives stand for. In a there is such a focus on Mus- proval is a pretty frightening concept. pluralist society like Australia there is lim fundamentalism, it might be When faith gets connected to the always going to be a range of views interesting to shine some light machinery of state, or the machinery and politicians should reflect this. on Christian fundamentalism as of hate, I find it very confronting. Problems arise when processes are well. Not to compare and con- not transparent and when minorities trast the two. Not to suggest Andrew Denton exert disproportionate influence in that they are in any way equal. Government. Just to find out what it looked …absolute faith can blind you to the like. consequences of the actions you Fundamentalist Christian groups are 4. While Denton claims to have allow. It can tell you it’s okay to drop not as influential a lobby group in been very careful not to lampoon bombs on another country or that it’s Australia as they are in America. This delegates (make them look ridicu- okay to hate a group of people such as is largely due to historical factors and lous), are there any parts of this homosexuals. the structure of our political process- documentary where you thought es. Political power in Australia is less peoples’ views were laughable in Andrew Denton clearly centralized than it is in America. their simplicity or just absurd? 5. The title of Denton’s television I was very careful to treat people There are influential Church leaders in interview program Enough Rope respectfully and neutrally. I didn’t want Australia, such as Catholic Cardinal suggests that if you give peo- to do a Michael Moore-type documen- and Anglican Archbishop ple enough rope they will hang tary where it was me standing in front Peter Jensen, but there is no organ- themselves (metaphorically). Does of the camera telling people what they ized lobby group comparable to The the approach taken in this docu- should be thinking. National Religious Broadcasters in mentary support such a theory of America. interviewing? Andrew Denton 6. Is it reasonable for an investiga- While figures suggest that participa- tive reporter to challenge and push Here is a group which undeniably has tion in mainstream Christian church people to justify their position on the ear of the President and adminis- services is in decline in Australia, an issue? Does Denton do this? tration, and it has an End Times view mega Protestant Pentecostal churches 7. Did you think any of the views of the world and of Israel. At a time such as Hillsong in New South Wales presented, such as the predictions where we are talking about a clash attract congregations of up to 20,000, about Armageddon, could have of civilizations, it’s a relevant piece of many of them young people. Massed potentially damaging consequenc- information to have on the table. It’s singing of contemporary songs is a es for society? part of the jigsaw of what’s happening major feature of these services. In

8. How do individuals such as John in the Middle East. People should be 2004 Treasurer Peter Costello ad- SCREEN EDUCATION McDuff, Doug Batchelor and aware of it. This group is not running dressed a large group at Hillsong, tell- Jennifer O’Neill relate past experi- US foreign policy, but it would be dis- ing the congregation that ‘we need a ences in their lives (faith journeys) ingenuous to suggest they don’t have return to faith and values which made to the strength of their religious a voice at the table. our country strong’. convictions? 9. What do you think the phrase Andrew Denton Family First, a political Party based on 10 the Assemblies of God, had a Senator, cians about include achieve miracles Steve Fielding, elected to the Federal • try to convert others to their beliefs Parliament at the 2004 Federal elec- • the use of the abortion pill RU486 to become ‘born again’ in Christ tion. • stem cell research • euthanasia, Student Activity 5 At the same election two members • gay marriages, of Hillsong’s congregation won seats • ‘Intelligent Design’ theory teaching Taking it Further for the Liberal Party in the House of in schools Representatives. However it does • the proposal to appoint and fund 1. Conduct a debate on these two not follow that Hillsong is becoming Chaplains to work in all schools, contrasting responses to the views a powerful political influence in the whether government or private. of people at the NRB Convention Australian political scene. Christians a. These people should be ad- have always been represented in the On some of these issues, politicians mired for having the courage of parliament. vote on conscience rather than on their convictions and a desire strict party lines. For example, in De- to promote their ideas through Christian groups of many persuasions, cember 2006, both the Prime Minister the use of the mass media. as do many others, lobby politicians, and the leader of the Federal Opposi- Their sincerity, passion and particularly on social issues, on the tion voted against a bill to extend stem enthusiasm are impressive. war in Iraq, asylum seekers, David cell research to allow for the creation b. The delegates espouse danger- Hicks’ continuing imprisonment and of early stage embryos for use in ously simplistic responses to climate change. research. The bill which lifted the ban deal with complex social and on therapeutic cloning was passed on political issues. Their views and Kevin Rudd, recently elected Federal a conscience vote. methods are dangerous and leader of the Australian Labor Party, essentially fascist. has recently written about the con- Fundamentalist Christians 2. The title of this documentary nections between religion and politics – God On My Side – comes from in Australia in two articles published Most American fundamentalist an expression used by evangelical in magazine. They are Christians are politically and socially Christians, a reworking of a Bibli- ‘Faith in Politics’ (October 2006) and conservative. Many of their views and cal text. It presupposes certainty ‘Howard’s Brutopia’ (November 2006). beliefs are apparent in their responses about the existence of one God, Rudd argues that ‘right-wing Chris- to Denton in God On My Side. Test the mind of God and which belief tian extremism has become John whether there is evidence in the system God supports. How might Howard’s religious handmaiden in his documentary for some or all of these such certainty be dangerous, political project to reshape Australia’.1 statements. whether part of Christianity or any other belief system? Rudd describes himself as a practicing Most fundamentalist Christians in 3. Which parts of this film gave you Christian, but is wary of any religious America: a new or different perspective on group’s attempts to hijack what they religious beliefs and behaviours? see as the high moral ground for • vote Republican i.e. support the Did the film confirm any prejudices political purposes. In criticizing the policies of George W. Bush you may hold or did it inform and government’s current political agenda, • are opposed to abortion, homo- change your views about the con- particularly in relation to the Work- sexuality and euthanasia nections between political action place Relations laws he has said, • believe we are living in End Times, and religious beliefs? using the words of Sir William Deane, when a war between Iran and 4. How do you think the current ‘Christianity must always take the side Israel will cause a massive con- global instability, both in political of the marginalized, the vulnerable and flagration resulting in Christians terms (the so-called War on Terror the oppressed.’ This is a very different joining God in heaven and others and the war in Iraq in particular) view of Christianity to the one we see (non-believers) being destroyed and the feared consequences in Andrew Denton’s film. • believe the Bible is the word of of global warming might affect God and interpret it literally, using people’s religious beliefs? Are such A transcript of an interview conducted texts to support their beliefs on anxiety provoking world events with Kevin Rudd in May 2005 detail- social and political issues more or less likely to encourage SCREEN EDUCATION ing his views about religion can be • believe that God created the world people to actively support religious downloaded from http://www.abc.net. and everything in it groups and join churches? au/compass/s1362997.htm • support the teaching of ‘Intelligent 5. Read the article ‘Soldiers of Christ’ Design’ theories in schools about by journalist Chris Hedges about Some of the issues Christian groups in the origins of life the 2005 NRB Convention at: Australia have recently lobbied politi- • believe in the power of prayer to 11 http://www.harpers.org/Feeling Articles Hedges from Harper’s Magazine TheHate.html and compare and about the 2005 NRB Conven- contrast his views with the images Amanda Lohrey, ‘Voting for Jesus tion. Unlike Denton’s film, this is presented by Denton in his film – Christianity and Politics in Australia’, an overtly critical account of the God On My Side. 22, Black Inc (trading convention. Accessed 9 December 6. If you held a strong belief, whether as Schwartz ), June 2006. 2006 based on religious beliefs or not, http://www.findarticles.com/p/ how would you attempt to per- Explores influence of evangelical articles/mi_m2479/is_n7-8_v22/ suade other people to support Christianity in Australia by talking to ai_17195108 your view and join a lobby group many young people, and looks at how A history of the rise of the NRB to agitate for social and/or politi- religion is used in party politics. and how it operates as an organi- cal change? How important would zation. Accessed 10 December it be to enlist the support of the Kevin Rudd, Howard’s Brutopia, The 2006 media in your campaign and how Monthly, November 2006. http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/ could you do this? article.aspx?aeid=2011 Rudd argues that God is not a wholly Transcript of Rudd’s speech at the Other reference owned subsidiary of any political launch of Frank Brennan’s book party. He also suggests that right- Acting on Conscience in October material dealing with wing Christian extremism has become 2006. Accessed 8 December 2006 this subject Howard’s handmaiden in pursuing a http://www.acctv.com.au/featuredetail. conservative political agenda. asp?id=4782 Film Review and comments about the Useful Websites film from the Australian Christian With God on our Side (Calvin Skaggs channel website. Accessed 9 De- & David Van Taylor, 2004) is a docu- http://www.nrb.org cember 2006 mentary that explores the connec- Official website of the National tion between the rise of evangelical Religious Broadcasters’ Associa- Marguerite O’Hara is a freelance writer Christianity and the rise of George tion Accessed 12 December 2006 from Melbourne. • W. Bush. Information about this film http://www.harpers.org/Feeling can be accessed at http://www.frif. TheHate.html Endnotes com/new2004/with.html Transcript of an article by Chris 1 The Monthly, November 2006, p.46.

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