Quite an interesting film to say the least. Is it a Christian film? a Christmas film? a Patriotic film? A civil rights/political film? By blending all of these elements together loosely we are treated with the Last Ounce of Confusion!
From a political standpoint this film could be seen as 'conservative propaganda' by setting up a scenario in which religious civil rights are violated over the Christmas tree being placed in the town square and later removed during the Christmas season by a menacing lawyer. In the American culture war this film really attempts to demonstrate the real fear perpetrated by the shifting of the American culture away from its Christian heritage. For that reason many traditional Americans may appreciate this film's call to arms to 'fight for our rights'. But, what are they fighting for? Cultural Christianity?
From a Christian standpoint this film is quite silly. It has more of a sense of fighting for 'rights' than to live for God. The message seems to be, if we can only fight to preserve our rights everything will be okay. There is little to no sense of scriptural teachings, scriptures, or spirituality for that matter throughout this film. Sure there is an awakening of one of the main characters, sure there is some bravado, sure there is a touching scene of a biker coming to help, but that is it. There is no sense of Christian living, but rather a push for 'it's my right' kind of attitude. Any semblance of spirituality is very thinly veiled and overshadowed by the heavy patriotic elements. This is best portrayed near the end of the film when the manger scene is overshadowed by a film of a military man talking about our freedoms and dying -- following by salutes from the crowd. The real message is patriotism not Christianity. There is no questioning of the Iraq War and its actual relation to freedom. In fact, that man in the film is dying for our freedoms somehow. No one even questions that assumption in this film. For these reasons this film is sad as it blends politics and religion together for the purpose of furthering 'cultural Christianity' like the 'good ol' days'.
Judging by the comments on this film it does not seem to be helping the culture war, only furthering the cause of alienation.
From a political standpoint this film could be seen as 'conservative propaganda' by setting up a scenario in which religious civil rights are violated over the Christmas tree being placed in the town square and later removed during the Christmas season by a menacing lawyer. In the American culture war this film really attempts to demonstrate the real fear perpetrated by the shifting of the American culture away from its Christian heritage. For that reason many traditional Americans may appreciate this film's call to arms to 'fight for our rights'. But, what are they fighting for? Cultural Christianity?
From a Christian standpoint this film is quite silly. It has more of a sense of fighting for 'rights' than to live for God. The message seems to be, if we can only fight to preserve our rights everything will be okay. There is little to no sense of scriptural teachings, scriptures, or spirituality for that matter throughout this film. Sure there is an awakening of one of the main characters, sure there is some bravado, sure there is a touching scene of a biker coming to help, but that is it. There is no sense of Christian living, but rather a push for 'it's my right' kind of attitude. Any semblance of spirituality is very thinly veiled and overshadowed by the heavy patriotic elements. This is best portrayed near the end of the film when the manger scene is overshadowed by a film of a military man talking about our freedoms and dying -- following by salutes from the crowd. The real message is patriotism not Christianity. There is no questioning of the Iraq War and its actual relation to freedom. In fact, that man in the film is dying for our freedoms somehow. No one even questions that assumption in this film. For these reasons this film is sad as it blends politics and religion together for the purpose of furthering 'cultural Christianity' like the 'good ol' days'.
Judging by the comments on this film it does not seem to be helping the culture war, only furthering the cause of alienation.