NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Though nine out of ten
Americans claim a belief in God, public expression of faith is more
contentious than ever. Even as discussion of religion floods the media like
never before, the rhetoric is divisive and hyper as the 2008 elections loom on
the horizon. Fed up with the angry, strident language filling the airwaves
that has come to represent the Christian faith, author, director, and follower
Dan Merchant set out to explore the collision of faith and culture in America.
What is all this fighting really about?
Lord, Save Us from Your Followers: Why is the Gospel of Love Dividing
America? by Portland native Merchant represents a two-year effort behind the
front lines of the so-called Culture War in hopes of getting a conversation
started. The result is a startlingly refreshing (in bookstores now) book and
feature length documentary film (releasing Summer 2008), full of offbeat
observations, inspiring anecdotes, and in-depth interviews from both sides of
the aisle.
From Dan's hilarious Bumpersticker Man interviews with folks on the street
to his unique "Confession Booth" stunt at a Gay Pride celebration inspired by
his meeting with Tony the Beat Poet, from Blue Like Jazz, Merchant delves into
all the hot button social issues with candor, humor, and balance. With
exclusive interviews with comedian/Senatorial candidate Al Franken, former
Senator and Religious Right inside man Rick Santorum, noted evangelical Tony
Campolo, conservative radio host Michael Reagan and others, no stone is left
unturned in this engaging, unpredictable, and challenging examination of the
collision of faith and culture in America.
"We Christians are the ones who believe in the God of Love, right?" notes
Merchant. "We're the ones who love and worship the Prince of Peace, right?
Isn't that us? Aren't we the ones who are to hold patience, kindness, and
forgiveness up as ideal standards? We're the Truth and Grace people, correct?
Then why are we hammering others with the Truth (our take on it anyway) and
then neglecting to share the Grace? Those two things go together, one doesn't
mean as much without the other."
Dan Merchant is an award winning television writer/producer, novelist and
an expert on the loom. For more information, please visit
www.lordsaveusthemovie.com.
SOURCE Thomas Nelson
Stephanie Newton, Publicist II, tel: +1-615-902-2320, fax: +1-615-902-2129,
email: snewton@thomasnelson.com
