This new film by Dan Merchant has the prescient subtitle: "Why is the Gospel of Love Dividing America?"

In a documentary format made famous by the likes of Michael Moore, Merchant - disturbed by the level of public rancor between the political left vs. religious right on a variety of related culture war issues - takes on this very important issue in modern life - the absence of real dialog, real listening and real conversation among those who claim to be followers of Jesus and his message of healing love and forgiveness.

To get a handle on this high volume multimedia conflict - Merchant, a self described Evangelical Christian - becomes "Bumper Sticker Man" and dons a suit covered with dozens of religious and political slogans from a wide variety of perspectives. He takes to the streets to talk with anyone who was willing. These "anonymous" persons sharing their off-the-cuff views and thoughts on Christianity and Christ's church are quite eye-opening to say the least.

Back in the day, I had a button that said, "Nuke a gay whale for Christ" which, from experience, had something to offend just about everyone. I kept looking for that sticker on Merchant's outfit and didn't find it. But he had something there to offend many if not most of us, no matter what we believe or don't.

For instance, he had a great collection of "fish" decals – you know the traditional IXOYE "fish" symbol which stands for Christ. Then came the Darwin fish, which had evolved to include legs. Then the Christian "truth fish," which ate the Darwin fish, and you see where this is going, right?

Merchant mixes these interviews with TV footage from religious and anti-religious voices emphasizing the most incendiary, including Ann Coulter, Bill Maher, Pat Robertson and Jon Stewart. He then sits down for interviews with a variety of religious leaders, pundits and politicians, including Tony Campolo, Sen. Rick Santorum, Sen. Al Franken, Dr. John Perkins, Michael Reagan and others. From news clips and other televised interviews we hear excerpts of U2's Bono before a Presidential Prayer Breakfast on behalf of his One Campaign to end global hunger and stem the tide of HIV/AIDS, as well as footage of Rick Warren ("Purpose Driven Life"), James Dobson (Focus on the Family) and many others.

And here is my strongest criticism of the project: There are few voices from mainstream and progressive Christian orientations like those throughout the United Church of Christ. Merchant's primary interest is the Evangelical world and it's definitive sub-culture, and that's his prerogative.

However, as a Rabbi recently asked me about Bill Mahar's film, "Religulous," "did you notice who was missing from the conversation? You and I were." His point was simple: the media of late tends to go to the extremes for its headlines, to focus on the voices that are most strident, most antithetical to a reasonable dialog.

I realize I have to cut Merchant some slack here, he's an Evangelical holding a stark mirror up to his own belief system, his own community, but I can't help but wonder why more (or any) moderate, mainstream, oft-described as a "third, middle way" of progressive Christian voices weren't included. Perhaps because we often get lumped in with the "other side" by both sides. But that would be another documentary.

And, maybe it's just me, and my elite, left-wing bias, but I had a hard time listening to Santorum and Warren presented as voices of reason, when Santorum is viewed by many as one of the strongest, and most antagonistic anti-gay voices in the Senatete, and Warren was recently aired out due to his support for Prop. 8, the anti-gay rights bill in California. But, again, that's probably just me.

Watching the film it feels like Merchant by refusing to make a judgment call and leaving it to a discussion of several differing voices presents a less than clear thought. For instance in the counter-protests of conservative Christian "Battle Cry" youth against LGBT voices on the steps of San Francisco's city hall, did Merchant finally think that the "Battle Cry" anti-gay rhetoric message too strident and accusatory, or not?

Ron Luce of "Battle Cry" notoriety seems quite comfortable and unapologetic about the controversy raised by the rally. At least the one gay activist, Sister Mary Timothy, a gay man in clerical drag, offers up some self-reflective uncertainty about yelling at the young people, she calls "children."

Other times, Merchant just seems to go too far for a below average joke. Like taking the separation of church and state arguments from "the war on Christmas" nativities and Easter bunnies in the public square to renaming all the cities called "St. Paul" across our nation to "New Leningrad." It's a long way for a short laugh.

But that said, "Lord, Save Us From Your Followers" will still play well in many UCC congregations because of its poignant take on these all too loud and cantankerous "culture wars" and the fact that he offers a number of powerful learnings and transformative moments as the film progresses.

For instance, all of us could benefit from the reminder in these words for Tony Campolo: "Do you realize what you are doing when you frame the discussion in such an antagonistic, polarizing, hateful manner? A movement can exist without a god, but never without a devil, there has to be an enemy to be destroyed."

Even more insightful, and fun, was a Family Feud styled game of Culture Wars between teams of Young Conservatives and Liberal Media Elites. Merchant's conclusion, borne out in the game and second one with younger college-aged participants – Agnostic Scholars vs. Young Believers, was that the more progressive, less religious folk had a better understanding of those on the opposing side of the argument. But the real learning came after the first game, when the two teams sat around for two hours of conversation and dialog.

Another artful choice was to create a confession booth, following an idea put forward by "Blue Like Jazz" author Donald Miller. Merchant took the confessional to a Gay Pride event in Portland, Ore., where the filmmaker offered confessions, one at a time, to apologize for the homophobia, hostility and spirit of unwelcome that dominates many churches. The touching response of confessor and confesses is pretty moving and ultimately transformative.

Merchant then goes on to focus on what folk can do, when they seek to get past the divisions to find out what we can accomplish when working together. Like World Vision partnering with Portland's secular rock music radio station, KINK-FM, to help find sponsors for 400 AIDS orphans from Ethiopia.

Another example comes from Bridge Ministries, a caring outreach to homeless folk in Portland, where Christians gather on Friday nights to seek to meet the basic needs of folk who struggle to get by. These good folk feed, help and even wash the feet and give themselves to those who need them.

Which finally, is Merchant's point, and the value of this fine film. It's a good place for the conversation to begin. 

Lord, Save Us From Your Followers: Why is the Gospel of Love Dividing America?
Zacchaeus Films