The Family

I keep seeing reviews claiming this series conscientiously omits Barack Obama's involvement with the organization: this is a complete and utter falsehood. He is frequently pictured at various annual prayer breakfasts, and so are numerous other democratic presidents and congressmen. It's absurd to claim that this series is some sort of hit piece targeting republicans and republicans alone.

Well, as someone who was raised in the evangelical church myself, I find it oddly strange that at my age this is the first time I've ever heard of this group. After watching it all, I can't decide if it gives me the creeps or what. I will say one thing..... how evangelicals have somehow chosen to 'fawn" over Trump makes me just want to vomit and realize just how easy it will be for the Antichrist to come to power. Sorry, that's how I feel. Trump cares no more for them than he does the kids he's caging. On a sidenote, I found it both disturbing and destracting that one of the interviewers in the documentary was just this past year thrown out of our church as the senior pastor for sexual harassment. I also agree with one of the professional reviewers that the entire thing was too drawn out for 5 episodes; it should have been a documentary film instead.

This is a required-watch for anyone interested in the impact of religious political influence on American politics.

"The Family" is a well-researched documentation of the intentional and secretive infiltration of American politics by one tentacle of the religious right. It highlights the ongoing decimation of supposed divisions between church and state, categorically investigating the influence of just one of the many "Christian" organizations wielding outsized power in Washington. "The Family" examines the achievements of a largely-ignored organization that's pursued global political dominion, with the professed aims of subsequent Christian indoctrination of the masses. It narrates a complex web of illegal and legally-dubious behavior that has impacted American politics on a deeper level than almost anyone would like to admit. Highly recommended for political junkies, as this shines a light on what's previously been a poorly-documented yet integral piece of Washington D.C.'s swampy puzzle.

I'd have given it a 10, but it does have a bit of a propaganda reenactment production feeling to it. Hallmark meets Michael Moore. Try to keep an open mind to the larger picture.

Using Jesus' name for power is really coopting a spiritual teaching for personal gain. Most Christians are afraid to challenge power if they hear his name. That is clearly what the power hungry "Family" is doing in my opinion.

What I unexpectedly took away from this production, is how secularism protects both religion and politics. Mixing the two really degrades both into something both sinister and ignorant. I've always had a biased against religion in politics for the sake of democracy, but both democracy and spirituality lose in this documentary. It's interesting how historical political climates set the stage for much of what this organization comes from and is today.

Made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Confirmation of what many have long suspected but never knew for certain. It's time to pay attention to separation of church and state. Vote religion OUT of government.