National Harbor, MD – Conservative Political Action Conference held an early exclusive viewing of “The Young Messiah” movie Friday night.
The film – set for release Friday, March 11 – looks at Jesus Christ at the age of 7 and how he might have responded to historical events based on what theologians know about him in scripture. While the goal of Motive Entertainment’s viewing was to share the movie with an audience that may have an interest in the subject, some worried the relationship between conservatism and religion could isolate voters.
“We didn’t come here for politics,” Motive Entertainment Events Director Kim Stinger said. “We came here because we know that the message of this film will resonate with this particular audience.”
American Atheists’ National Legal and Public Policy Director Amanda Knief said a few years ago, CPAC showed “Olympus Has Fallen.”
“This is me personally – I much more appreciated that movie than I would ‘The Young Messiah,’” Knief said.
She said the rhetoric of religion in conservatism isolates atheist voters.
“It’s not about individual beliefs; it’s about how conservative leaders categorize religion as being necessary to be a good person or even to be patriotic,” Knief said. “Many atheists feel they are not welcome to the conservative movement.”
But Stinger said the principles in the movie appeal to many conference attendees.
“It’s a faith and family-oriented film, so there are many people here who those issues are very important to,” Stinger said. “People have been very, very positive about it.”
Stinger added that the showing was made possible through connections of the producers with conference organizers.
Log Cabin Republicans is an organization of LGBT individuals and straight allies of the gay community who believe in limited government, fiscal responsibility, and conservative foreign policies.
“I think people of faith should be able to express their faith as loud and proud as they like, as long as they answer that Log Cabin Republicans should be able to explain our opinions as loud and as proud as we would like, as well,” said Gregory Angelo, president of Log Cabin Republicans.
Angelo, a Catholic, said he himself was interested in the film.
“We are not a single issue organization,” Angelo said. “CPAC is the perfect organization to talk about all the issues we engage in.”
Knief said the tie between Christianity and conservatism could be dangerous to the movement’s future, especially as more young people become less religious.
“You are branding conservatism to Christianity, in particular,” she said. “You are leaving out conservative Muslims, conservative Jews, and conservative atheists, who want to be part of the other parts of conservatism.”
Knief said explaining religion as a personal choice versus as a necessity for Americans can help make conservatism more inclusive.
“If conservatives want to appeal to atheists, they need to understand the message we’re hearing,” she said.
Stinger said “The Young Messiah” aims to promote inquiry and discussion.
“It’s intending to spark questions and curiosity and exploration,” Stinger said, “and lead you back to your Bible maybe.”