In ‘Disciples in the Moonlight,’ US Christians Are Persecuted and the Bible Is Banned

[Michie]

(RNS) — In the dead of night, a team of seven races across the midwestern U.S., risking their lives to smuggle rare contraband: The Holy Bible.

In this version of America, depicted in the new film “Disciples in the Moonlight,” Christians are persecuted, the Bible is banned hate speech and the government has issued its own “inclusive, welcoming” and censored version of the Bible.

The film, set to hit theaters July 17, isn’t set in an unrecognizable dystopia, but in an eerily familiar not-too-distant future. Though its Christian filmmakers describe the movie as a thought experiment — what if the Bible were illegal? — and not a prediction, director Brett Varvel, who also stars in the film, said it depicts a reality that’s not entirely implausible.

“Christian persecution is very much a reality that a lot of people live in in other countries,” Varvel told Religion News Service. “We haven’t seen it near that level here in America, and we’re not saying that’s the case right now, but I believe that we are headed that direction.”

Continued below.

In ‘Disciples in the Moonlight,’ US Christians Are Persecuted and the Bible Is Banned

Mike Pence praised the Christian action film as a 'cautionary tale' that should 'inspire people of faith to do even more to protect religious freedom in America.'

churchleaders.com

 

[AlexB23]

(RNS) — In the dead of night, a team of seven races across the midwestern U.S., risking their lives to smuggle rare contraband: The Holy Bible.

In this version of America, depicted in the new film “Disciples in the Moonlight,” Christians are persecuted, the Bible is banned hate speech and the government has issued its own “inclusive, welcoming” and censored version of the Bible.

The film, set to hit theaters July 17, isn’t set in an unrecognizable dystopia, but in an eerily familiar not-too-distant future. Though its Christian filmmakers describe the movie as a thought experiment — what if the Bible were illegal? — and not a prediction, director Brett Varvel, who also stars in the film, said it depicts a reality that’s not entirely implausible.

“Christian persecution is very much a reality that a lot of people live in in other countries,” Varvel told Religion News Service. “We haven’t seen it near that level here in America, and we’re not saying that’s the case right now, but I believe that we are headed that direction.”

Continued below.

In ‘Disciples in the Moonlight,’ US Christians Are Persecuted and the Bible Is Banned

Mike Pence praised the Christian action film as a 'cautionary tale' that should 'inspire people of faith to do even more to protect religious freedom in America.'

churchleaders.com

Is this set in the Great Tribulation?

 

[Michie]

Is this set in the Great Tribulation?

I think it’s more about freedom of religion than any end times scenarios. That’s my impression anyway.

 

[AlexB23]

I think it’s more about freedom of religion than any end times scenarios. That’s my impression anyway.

Interesting stuff. Though, I do know that freedom of religion would be taken away in the Tribulation.