About this project

Kickstarter

The purpose of this Kickstarter campaign is to raise funds to produce a documentary called The Religious Test by offering special edition DVD and digital downloads for pre-sale (with other rewards).

Note: We have lined up interviews with many individuals from members of the U.S. Senate, Congress, local government officials, business leaders, academics and entertainers to participate in the film. The current trailer leverages media footage to exemplify the problem associated with the film, and is utilized under Fair Use as stipulated by best practices listed by the Center for Social Media (American University, 2011).

Film Synopsis

This film is about the two things you should never talk about at the dinner table-- religion and politics. It also sheds light on how our religious diversity makes us great, often divided, ultimately united, and unequivocally American.

The Religious Test explores why roughly 1 in 5 Americans would not support a Mormon for president - an interesting fact given that there are two LDS candidates in the running for 2012. The film will attempt to address misconceptions regarding Mormon faith and culture (as it pertains to leadership track records in government and civil service) and capture relevant conversations from all over the political and faith spectrum. It will focus on social perception over dogmatic issues. 

Background

President Obama in a recent email to CBN News wrote:

“Whatever we once were, we’re no longer just a Christian nation; we are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, a Buddhist nation, a Hindu nation, and a nation of non-believers...”

The matter of religion in politics was constitutionally settled with the First Amendment in 1791: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...” and more explicitly in regard to holding public office in Article VI, paragraph 3: “...No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.”

The film asks the larger question - why is faith still such a concern in presidential races? It also reveals the underpinnings of what makes people afraid of the idea of a Mormon president-- and by extension any American whose beliefs are in the minority.