Ed Vitagliano
AFA Journal news editor
September 2014 – American Family Studios has released two powerful new documentaries on the growing threats to religious liberty in the U.S., highlighting case studies and analyzing trends that may change America forever.
“There is perhaps no issue that is more pressing than the matter of religious freedom in this nation,” said AFA president Tim Wildmon. “The forces of secularism seem determined to completely scrub away our Judeo-Christian heritage from the public square.”
The films, A Time to Speak and One Generation Away, are actually one documentary cut to different lengths. One Generation Away is longer at 90 minutes. It contains additional case studies and opposing voices, such as those from Freedom From Religion Foundation and Military Religious Freedom Foundation. A Time to Speak is shorter at 60 minutes and is equally informative and provocative.
Directed by filmmaker Ken Carpenter, the documentaries are creative, fast-paced and filled with beautifully shot footage from director of photography Austin Brooks.
“Both of these documentaries are mesmerizing,” Wildmon said. “They will stimulate discussion and, we hope, inspire action. Christians must be active in American culture and politics, or this noble experiment launched 225 years ago by our forefathers will perish.”
The documentaries examine case studies of incidents in which the religious liberty of Christians has been attacked. One especially timely case study was the heroic battle by Hobby Lobby against government demands – made through ObamaCare – that the company provide abortifacients for employees.
Other areas of conflict include the plight of wedding service providers who refused to participate in same sex marriages; the struggle of Christian students on high school and college campuses; and the secularist war being fought against Christian chaplains in the military.
Dozens of interviews feature well-known defenders of religious freedom, among them Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, Alveda King, Alan Sears, Harry Jackson, Jesse Romero, Tony Perkins and Robert Jeffress. Numerous academics and spiritual leaders from many denominations were also interviewed, providing insights from a historical, cultural and theological perspective.
Initially, EchoLight Studios will distribute both films and will be releasing them to be “world premiered” by the church. Congregations can sign up for free to be an EchoLight Cinema. Each EchoLight Cinema will have the opportunity to host either A Time to Speak or One Generation Away in their church beginning September 1, 2014. Each full movie can be viewed once a church has been registered as an EchoLight Cinema. Congregations will be able to show either version of the documentary until October 1.
One Generation Away and A Time to Speak will be available together in a DVD “Patriot Pack” that includes one copy of the longer film and five of the one-hour version. Patriot Packs will be available in September at all churches serving as EchoLight Cinemas. AFA’s intent is that people who want to draw attention to the battle to save religious liberty in America will give copies of the film to friends and family to spread awareness and start conversations.
More information – including a trailer for each film – can be found at atimetospeak.com. When the films are released, bonus materials at the website will include sermon outlines and a small group study guide.
The site will also be the “call to action” site for AFA, with numerous avenues for Christian involvement in politics and culture in America. (See below.)
“Both One Generation Away and A Time to Speak present a clear picture of today’s epic struggle for religious freedom, and each film issues a clarion call urging Christians to pray, speak out and vote,” said producer John Howard. “The church must break its silence and preserve this freedom for the coming generations.” 
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
AFA’s release of its documentaries on the growing threats to religious liberty is meant to encourage clergy and their congregations to get involved in American culture and politics. When that activist itch has been scratched, AFA has a one-stop place to visit.
The website has trailers for each film, One Generation Away and A Time to Speak, plus a wealth of other helps, including:
Legal insight – “Is it legal?” many members of the clergy ask. They are nervous about the subject of politics, fearful of running afoul of the IRS. However, in a short video interview with constitutional attorney Kelly Shackelford, president of Liberty Institute, the legal truth is laid out simply and clearly.
Voter guide – The most comprehensive voter guide anywhere has been created by AFA, and you can find it right here. It contains a full evaluation of candidates, including endorsements, campaign financing and more.
Congressional scorecards – Want to know how your senators and representative voted on issues critical to you, issues such as life, marriage and family, religious liberty, etc.? This is where you want to go.
Voter registration – Know you’re not registered to vote but wish you were? This tool allows you to find out if there’s still time to get registered and how to do it.
Voter “lookup” feature – Maybe you don’t know if you’re registered. That information is part of the public record, and you can find out here.
“Christians Need Not Apply” spot – While just a couple of minutes long, this brief film spotlights the increasing pressure Christians are facing in the corporate world. AFA is encouraging folks to view it and tell their story if they have faced similar discrimination.
Sermon helps – For the pastor who wants some examples of how to approach the subject of Christian involvement in the political process, the website will include video sermons preached by well-known ministers including David Jeremiah, pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California; Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas; and Jim Garlow, pastor of Skyline Church in La Mesa, California.
Small group study guide – Are Christians supposed to be involved in culture and politics? This short study will lay the theological and philosophical groundwork for a robust Christian approach to living in an increasingly postmodern and pluralistic America.
Partnership with “One Cry” – AFA understands only too well that the ultimate solution to our nation’s moral sickness is a spiritual revival unlike anything America has ever seen. That’s why AFA is partnering with OneCry to call Christians to prayer, repentance and the Great Commission.
