https://youtu.be/hSP0Soy8ACk

When I lived in England, the UK media portrayed America as a freak show. A land of morons (Bush is a cowboy!), religious zealots (Mormons with multiple wives!) and gun nuts (AR-armed militia men on the border!). I reckon they’d love the forthcoming Disney movie The Armor of Light. Yup, I said Disney. Not a Disney Pictures release. A “faith-based” documentary by Roy Disney’s grandniece Abigail, promoted as “a courageous look at our fractured political culture, and an assertion that it is, indeed, possible for people to come together across deep party lines to find common ground.” Yes, yes. Is The Armor of Light pro- or anti-gun rights? Well . . .

We can’t really be sure until we see the picture; the trailer plays its cards close to its chest. deadline.com reports . . .

Plans are underway right now to be able to make the movie free to card-carrying members of the NRA in 10 of its playdates for its entire opening weekend. The film is being released via Disney’s Fork Films and has made its own deals directly with various theaters in areas where faith-based films have performed well.

They have commitments to open in 25 theaters in 20 markets in big mutli-plexes that have, in the past, embraced Christian-themed films. That includes AMC theaters and Regal Cinemas and others in such cities as Denver, Colorado Springs, Orlando, Phoenix, and Charlotte. In some areas, they are playing in locales that are unconventional theaters for documentaries to play in. For example, in Denver, the film is playing at the AMC Highlands Ranch 24 instead of the art-house Landmark.

It’s a trap! Or not. TTAG review to follow.

[h/t DH]

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

91 COMMENTS

  1. It either means nra members would love it and they want the free publicity or they would absolutely hate it and they’re deliberately trolling us.

  2. I agree, the trailer isnt showing it hand…Which tells me they are taking the Amway approach to this subject.. You don’t get the * real * message unless you buy into the messenger first….I’m highly skeptical of this type of salesmanship..

      • Be nice, here, this is not THAT Disney, which is not responsible for this drivel, other than making a dimbulb richer than she would ever have been on her own.

        • Does it matter? Walt was her great uncle. And that company started their social justice warrioring and swamp draining while he was still around.

    • For one I do not need biblical justification for lawful self defense. A robber, rapist, assaulter, murder must make a calculated risk, is the victim armed and mentally able to stop my threat? It’s doubtful he prays for a successful criminal act nor should I, lawfully defending life.

      • Agreed. I brought this up because there is a common misconception is that Jesus is akin to passivism and being a Christian means passivism is modus operandi.

        • Jesus kicks ass! Twice in the temple He breaks bad with a whip and riotous righteous anger cleansing the temple from thieving ‘religious’ types. There is a time and a place and a reason for violence or force and that time is now in this world. Once we meet Him in person, there will be no need for weapons of war (note the army of Christians that comes with Him in Revelation doesn’t actually fight)

  5. Looks good so far, and a project that I would gladly have supported. There are parts of the Evangelical Free Christian church that are highly pro-gun. My home church helps train a security team of CCW holders, retired cops, and current cops who protect the church during Sunday services. The money drops and children’s areas are pre-schools are also protected.

    If TTAG reveals that this movie isn’t as pro-gun as it seems, I’ll happily save my money.

    • Save your money.

      The Hollywood Reporter review (Link second from top comment) looks like anti to me…

      “Veteran documentary producer Abigail Disney (The Invisible War, Citizen Koch) makes an impressive directorial debut with her film centering on Reverend Rob Schenck, a minister and longtime anti-abortion activist who has dared to take on his fellow conservatives and evangelicals with his impassioned advocacy of gun control.”

      • Wikipedia “Abigail E. Disney is an American documentary filmmaker, scholar, philanthropist and activist known for her documentary films focused on social themes.”

        Enough hints there?

    • It’s an anti-gun trojan horse trying to cause division among the religious right by twisting scripture to blend it with modern beta-male socialist doctrine.

      See TC’s comment on this thread.

  6. Presumably the ‘armor of light’ is the shield a gun provides to the righteous. “A good man with a gun” implies two key factors are needed to preserve our Republic. Either one alone is not enough. If the film endorses this point of view, it will be a success. If it does not, then it is a sham. I guess we’ll find out soon enough.

  7. “Citing the tens of thousands of American lives lost every year to homicide, suicide, and accidental shootings, Schenck urged his pro-life peers to embrace the idea that preserving the sanctity of human life means questioning every “use of lethal force against those we perceive to be a threat to our way of life, whether they are in the womb or out of it.” He echoed this charge in a speech before this year’s “March for Life” on the National Mall.”

    This April, an admiring documentary about his crusade against gun violence, Armor of Light, debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival. (Lucy McBath, National Spokesperson for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, which is a part of Everytown for Gun Safety — a seed donor to The Trace — appears in Armor of Light.)

    • This Lucy Bath is the mother of Jordan Davis. He was the kid that got killed by that Michael Dunn at a convenience store in Jacksonville after arguing over the blaring music. This movie sounds like another attempt to make us all feel collectively guilty over the actions of one particular asshole.

      • Ummm, wasn’t that guy convicted? Even with the SYG law in place? They forgot to mention that part I see.

  8. If indeed it is pro-gun, I’m all in, But some pastors are now taking the compromise approach.. This is my concern.

    • It’s anti-gun trojan horse trying to cause division among the religious right by twisting scripture to blend it with modern beta-male socialist doctrine.

      See TC’s comment on this thread.

  9. I looked up this movie and on the website for it there was a quote by Lucy McBath that caught my attention she basically said that some people have more faith in guns than God. Now I assume that she is referring only to people of faith but the way I see it is that if God is going to take me home I’m going with a gun on my side or not. If I ever did have to use it I would understand that if today’s my day to go then that’s how it’s gonna be every time but if it isn’t then whether I had a gun on that theoretical day or not my trust would still be in God.

  12. When it comes to “faith based” films, I get a similar take as Hank Hill about Christian Rock.

    • Arguably the best King of the Hill episode.

      The problem comes when whatever is done is not organic or from the bottom up. If its merely putting a Christian label or spin on something that is when its a problem. And hipster youth pastors should be viewed with an eye of suspicion.

  13. “THE ARMOR OF LIGHT follows an Evangelical minister and the mother of a teenage shooting victim who ask, is it possible to be both pro-gun and pro-life?”

    So are NRA members given free tickets in an attempt to reform them or better train them in communicating with others? That’s the million dollar question.

    • The “armor of light” is the suite of tools that are available to Christians.
      Here’s an illustration: http://biblestudentdoctrine.com/discourses/armor.JPG

      One common idea is that God’s protection supersedes the need for earthly self-defense, if you are righteous God will not let anyone or anything harm you so you don’t need a firearm or pepper spray. That is a downright wrong interpretation, especially if you know a single story out of the Bible, because God will not let anything or anyone harm your soul when you are faithful, that has nothing to do with your body.

      God and Jesus instruct us to defend ourselves in order to spread the Word. Jesus instructed the disciples to defend themselves in Luke 22:36, “He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.” and they replied in Luke 22:38 “The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.” “That’s enough!” he replied.” meaning not everyone must carry a sword, some must to protect them all.

      • Why did you skip Luke 22:37?

        It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”

        • Gonna put this here as well as below: What is your point about that quote, Grindstone? That is just a reference to the fact that Jesus would be condemned as a criminal (“transgressor”) and executed alongside two other convicted criminals.

    • +

      You get the same mentality when you ask east and west coasturds about those in fly-over country. It’s not just snobbish, it’s shut-in hoarder mentality, and they really ought to get out more.

    • ^^ This. God is a God of love. Parading a ‘preserved’ fetus for your own political agenda or appearing in a movie that masks it’s true message is utterly disgusting to me. The Old and New Testament are filled with scriptures about defending yourself from spiritual and human enemies. Pastors like this guy need to get back to the basics and clothe and feed their own communities before embarking in self-aggrandizing stunts like this.

  17. It’s a TRAP!

    Article title: “Can This Evangelical Pastor Shift the Pro-Life Debate to Include Guns?”

    From the story:

    “Reverend Schenck is the leading Evangelical minister in the effort to expand the conservative concept of “womb-to-tomb” defense of human life to include issues beyond abortion — namely, gun violence. In a January op-ed in USA Today titled, ‘Twin terrors – Abortion, gunfire,’ Schenck wrote, ‘The pro-life movement must bring its voice of conscience … [to discussions about] the ominous proliferation of guns — licensed or unlicensed — in our society.'”

    http://www.thetrace.org/2015/06/rev-rob-schenck-pro-life-charleston-church-shooting/

    • Y’all ever heard the concept of “follow the money”? What qualifications does this fruitcake have for advocating anything whatsoever? Yet, here he is, on the way to fame and fortune due to an OPINION. Ridiculous.

  19. I don’t know if things are changing, or if it is just the churches I chose to go to in the past, but I am hearing more an more of Evangelical Christian churches being anti-gun and anti-self defense, citing that God has put the government here to protect us. I’ve even heard some very, VERY, out of context and cherry picked quotes from the bible used to justify this stance.
    This is about as polar opposite to the “authority of God is paramount”, and “your duty to each other is your duty to Him”, that I’m more familiar with in the evangelical Baptist church.
    I know my bible better than most. I read it, cover to cover, every year, about 25 times now. The duty of both self defense and the defense of others is clearly laid out, in both the old and new testaments.
    I was at Community Bible Church in San Antonio recently, a great church and one that I have always enjoyed because of their commitment to service outside of the church. The sermon was about accountability, and I’m all good with that. But towards the end of the service, the pastor told everyone to submit to any authority in their lives 100% without quibble for the next week. Don’t ask, just do, and “see how much easier your life is”.
    At this point I walked out, as did about 10% of the congregation.

    • I don’t know if things are changing, or if it is just the churches I chose to go to in the past, but I am hearing more an more of Evangelical Christian churches being anti-gun and anti-self defense, citing that God has put the government here to protect us.

      Those aren’t Evangelical churches. Those are post-modern, “Seeker Friendly” abominations posing as Christian churches – i.e. the church at Pergamum admonished in Revelation.

      • Right on Bro. There are many churches of this ilk that are completely apostate. Apparently there is no information on King David in their bibles. To promote the concept that God does not call men to be protectors, and expects them to cower in fealty is promoting convictions as doctrine. I’m certain God wants men sitting on their rear while people are victimized around them, and to take no action. Oh, wait!! That’s what our father Adam did! He failed to ACT! He was passive. That didn’t work out so well. I don’t know why so many people are infected with this, but it’s everywhere, and it’s simple, old fashioned legalism that doesn’t need God – it is the attempt to achieve righteousness via human effort.

    • It’s about submission. What better way to enslave people to dogma of faith wrapped in a government security blanket. A government will not protect anyone. One survives by wit, strength, and ability to adapt. Religion does none of the above.

    • Some god put Stalin in charge of Russia to “protect” Russians? Boy, you really have to be together with the idea that god will give you 72 Virginians when you die, or some such mush, to go along with that after he sent 20 million to meet their maker, thank you very much.

    • I’m a member of a mainline Presbyterian congregation. Sad to say but this denomination is along way from its Scottish roots and the Westminster Confessions, but then so are the Scots nowadays.

      I was a lot more religious before I read the Bible cover to cover over a single year. It put a lot of things in context and changed the way I thought about them. It didn’t change my belief in God, but now I trust my own sense of the message a lot more than what other people say. Words change meanings over time so you have to be careful of when translations were written even those that go back to the original Hebrew and Greek.

    • The Christian church that I’m a member of is better defended than darn near every other place I go. We have about 250 people every Sunday morning. We have a four member security team. We have cameras throughout the building in the ability to watch those cameras anywhere we are inside the church. All four members of the security team armed and even the Pastor carries a snubnose 38 revolver. We do this because the fact is evil people pray on unarmed people and evil people tend to think of Christians as being unarmed.

      This pastor seems like just another buff a Christian to me picking and choosing what he wants to believe and what he wants to read and what he wants to be convicted about.

  20. Armor of light? So, throw your bible at a home invader? Chant Pslams at the crack head who’s stabbing you for your wallet?

    Faith is a good thing to have; just be sure you back it up with something

    • If you shoot the crackhead 2 or 3 times, you can preach to him, and read the bible to him, for a few hours, until he learns the error of his ways and is reborn. Obviously, each and every good follower of (insert superstition here) should be armed to the teeth at all times.

      The next question would be, why is this turkey’s analysis any more valuable than mine? No one has ever heard of either of us!

    • It’s an equivalent argument to “I don’t go to dangerous neighborhoods so I don’t need to protect myself”.

  22. Based on this: http://www.armoroflightfilm.com/#_about-the-film the slant of the movie is not pro gun, it’s anti- and that’s why they’re proposing to make it a freebie for card-carrying NRA members. We’re supposed to question ” … whether being pro-gun is consistent with being pro-life”. Why waste my time with anti-gun propaganda?

  23. Quoted from the movie website, “Reverend Rob Schenck, anti-abortion activist and fixture on the political far right, who breaks with orthodoxy by questioning whether being pro-gun is consistent with being pro-life.” This is the wrong question.

    Abortion is murder; the premeditated taking of an innocent life. The Old Testament 10 Commandments tell us not to murder (that’s #6). Yet Jesus, at the last supper with His disciples tells us to defend ourselves, as quoted by Fred above (Luke 22:36). If God has a plan for our lives, and we are not able to defend our lives, then all the enemy has to do is take our lives. I’ll leave it to the TTAG crowd here to define whom the enemy is….

    • I have it on good authority that abortion would have been an exception to the 10 Commandments, as being none of god’s business, except for the fact that it had not been invented yet, 5000 years ago. 6000?

    • Yet Jesus, at the last supper with His disciples tells us to defend ourselves, as quoted by Fred above (Luke 22:36)

      So then what about the whole context of the passage?

      Luke 22:35 And He said to them, “When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” They said, “No, nothing.”
      36 And He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one.
      37 “For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, ‘AND HE WAS NUMBERED WITH TRANSGRESSORS’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.”
      38 The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.” “That’s enough!” he replied.

      I don’t see any advocacy of armed self-defense.

      • For some clarity from ‘gotquestions’

        Question: “What does the Bible say about self-defense?”

        Answer: Without close study, the Bible can seem to give conflicting instructions on self-defense. There are numerous passages that speak of Christians being pacifistic (Proverbs 25:21,22; Matthew 5:39; Romans 12:17). Yet there are many passages that talk about war and violence that God approves of, such as David slaying Goliath (1 Samuel 17). Not to mention the fact that God commanded the Israelites to completely destroy everyone and everything in the Promised Land! So what is the conclusion? Is God for violence or not? Under what circumstances is self-defense appropriate?

        As with many questions in our lives, self-defense has to do with wisdom, understanding, and tact. For instance, in Luke 22, Jesus does tell His disciples to get a sword. Jesus knew that now was the time when Jesus would be threatened (and later killed) and His followers would be threatened as well. Jesus was giving approval of the fact that one has the right to self-defense. Now, just a few verses later, we see Jesus being arrested, and Peter takes a sword and cuts off someone’s ear. Jesus rebukes Peter for that act. Why? Peter was trying to stop something that Jesus had been telling His disciples was in fact going to happen. In other words, Peter was acting unwisely in the situation. He was trying to stop something that was not supposed to be stopped. We must be wise as to when to fight and when not to.

        As far as self-defense when one’s life or property is threatened, there is not a whole lot in the Bible concerning this. Exodus 22 does show quite a bit about God’s attitude towards self-defense. “If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed; but if it happens after sunrise, he is guilty of bloodshed. A thief must certainly make restitution, but if he has nothing, he must be sold to pay for his theft” (Exodus 22:2-3). Obviously, here we see that when a thief breaks into someone’s house at night and that person defends his home and slays the thief, God does not hold that death over the defender’s head. However, God does not wish for anyone to take the law into his or her own hands. This is why it is said that if a thief is struck down during the daylight the defender is guilty of bloodshed. Now, this is speaking of thievery, not an attack. So if the thief were to attack the defender even during the day, self-defense would be justified.

        The proper use of self-defense has to do with wisdom, understanding, and tact. In many karate classes, one of the principles is “Restrain your physical abilities by spiritual attainment.” This is a fancy way of saying that since one has the ability to bring great harm that doesn’t mean he or she needs to use it. Just because we can break someone’s arm doesn’t mean we need to use that ability. Just because we have a gun doesn’t mean we need to fire on someone who breaks into the home.

      • Not sure why you capitalized that bit about “numbered with the transgressors”, Grindstone, but that was simply the prediction that Jesus would be condemned as a criminal and executed along with two other criminals (thieves). He was telling His disciples that they would soon be left without Him and would be travelling about on their own, so His admonition to “buy a sword” could indeed be reasonably interpreted as an instruction to arm one’s self for defensive purposes (even if, as the pacifist Mennonites see it, it was only for defense against wild animals).

  24. When I want you to speak for my GOD, I will come and beat it out of you (it’s ok, HE knows this and HE tries to communicate with me otherwise).

    If I ever want Disney _________________ (anything / fill in the blank) [or Hollywood __________] to speak for my GOD, I want you all to come and collectively BEAT IT OUT OF ME.

  25. “We can’t really be sure until we see the picture; the trailer plays its cards close to its chest.”

    Alternatively, you could spend two minutes Googling the director and the subject of the film, Rev. Schenck, and know with absolute certainty that it’s anti-gun.

    The advantage of my method is you don’t have to waste $10 and have your intelligence insulted.

  26. A religious movie? Not interested. A religious anti-gun movie? Hell no.
    I bet it’s as bad as “God’s not dead”.

  27. I just want all the religious people on TTAG to know that when the the SHTF, while you’re busy strapping on your armor of light, this atheist will be laying down covering fire for you. Godspeed and pass the ammo.

      • I just want all the atheists to know that when you need help of the ballistic sort, feel free to stop by our churches. Many of us are Christians and gun owners. Funny that…

        Unless of course the rapture happened and you are left behind to suffer your chosen fate. In that case our ammo and firearms are at home. Feel free to take it. I won’t need it.

        • OOooh! Sounds like fun! I’d be looking forward to it if I didn’t know it was silliness from 5000-year-old children’s stories.

    • We can do both. To be physically prepared but not mentally prepared is like neglecting plates in your body armor or ammunition for your rifle.

      • True. Its like spitting in one hand AND wishing in the other. I’ll pass on Pascal’s Wager, but thanks for thinking of me.

  29. The late great comedian Jonathan Winters palyed a character in his routine that was a Southern Sheriff. One of his hysterical lines used to be when asked for advice to improve the country was ” every man, woman and child ought to carry a .45 and prayer book. “

  30. OK, now that I watched the vid–Maybe I’m already ruined by reading the linked review, but it honestly seems pretty discernible where these guys are coming from. I mean, the guy frets about “getting the ‘scarlet letter L’ [for “liberal”]” and ruining his career–how would that happen if he’s pro-gun? And the snarky crack about “Jesus, the gospel, and a sidearm”? Also, the screen time given to the mother of a young black victim of “gun violence”–come on, you can’t see what’s coming?

  31. Take the time to google the rev Schenck. I give him props for protecting babies but he has joined the heretic/apostate/sissy side here. And a Sundance winner is already leftwing. It makes me appreciate my Baptist pastor-2 weeks in a row he talked about armed self-defense/ giving your life for your loved ones. Yeah Hammond (Indiana)1st Baptist church is one armed up place. THIS movie is anti-2A BS…

  33. When we have grace based gun control we will have entered a state of grace.
    Its Howdy Doody Time!

  34. I had a Methodist Pastor state that you cannot be a Christian and own a gun. No Christian should ever own a gun.
    Notice the past tense.
    I suppose people can throw Bible verses around all day, but I think real wisdom and understanding of the Bible is to be found in the Book of Ecclesiastes which was perhaps written by or in the school of King Solomon.

  35. Did some reading online about the Film and Rob Schenck earlier this morning. Was getting error on TTAG connection, so could not post at that time.
    This film is a TRAP where they are going to try to convince you that providing for your self-defense with a firearm is somehow wrong and incompatible with a Pro-Life Abortion stance. NRA members should not bother to take advantage of their “free” admission, unless you want to be proselytized to.

    For myself, I am Pro-Life and a gun owner. Part of my Pro-Life stance is that I am “Pro” my own life, as well as the Lives of others. I cannot describe myself as a practicing Christian because I do not attend an organized Christian Church on Sundays. I do hold Jesus Christ as the greatest, holiest teacher and try to live by His commandments that we “Love one another” and “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.

    I received my first firearm when I was 13 years old. In the intervening 52.5 years I have never used my guns to threaten, injure or kill another Human Being. That is because I believe Jesus taught us to choose to be loving to our brethren and to intend no harm to other people. Therefore, I am Pro-Life and a gun owner without conflict or doubt, but perfectly willing to defend myself, should the need arise, also without conflict or doubt.

  37. I have the right to protect myself and if you don’t like it tough $hit.
    The 2nd Amendment was put into the Constitution so the people could protect themselves from a corrupt government. No double standards put DC politicians on Obamacare and SS.Thanks for your support and vote.Pass the word. mrpresident2016.com

  38. “…an assertion that it is, indeed, possible for people to come together across deep party lines to find common ground.”

    It’s really, really not. These days, one side fights for a free nation and the other side fights for an oppressive tyranny. Also, any time someone says a quote like this, it’s a leftist whose view of “common ground” is “agree with me or die.”

    Also, the UK can think whatever they want about us, as they bow to a queen, give up their country to Muslims and PC thuggery, and bend under the thumb of an unmitigated police state. The moment I begin caring what pathetic slaves think of me, I’ll pay attention. Don’t hold your breath.

  39. I am ALWAYS on guard when a minister ventures out into the right and wrongs of anything outside of saving my soul!

    Jesus was about core values. If the core is solid the morality[The ability to tell right from wrong] is unquestioned.

    If the question[The morality of taking another life to save yours] is asked then man will invariably say no.

    The ability to adapt Christianity to you particular situation in life, be you in Russia, Syria or ??, is about your soul in life and after death. Your body is simply the tool for survival.

    I will always choose to survive. My gun, my knife and a Bible will always be held equally close.

    The Bible warns of false prophets…there will be more than a few in this film!

Comments are closed.