Lord, Save Us From Your Followers

Over a year ago, a college friend of mine introduced me to Dan Merchant. Merchant is an author and documentary film maker. My friend introduced me to him as he was working on a project called "Lord, Save Us From Your Followers." The introduction was kismet, one of those "you had me at hello" moments.

Let me backtrack for a moment. My friend, Mark, is a fellow alum from a small Southern Baptist college in South Georgia. He and I met there, and we were acquaintances at best. Mark is several years younger than I am, so he was starting college as I was finishing. Still, I am glad that God put him in my path.

Fast forward - Mark and I are both out of college. (Thank God! It's been like 10 years for me since graduation, so if I weren't out now I'd be pretty retarded.) Mark is a filmmaker and a happily married young father. I am a social activist homosexual living with my partner. Both of us are recovering Southern Baptists. I think Mark would agree with this statement on our faith - as we both can take issue with some of the directives the SBC has followed in recent years. Mark and I reconnected via social networking sites, and we've had some good conversations. Mark is funnier than I recall, and he's more moderate than some might expect. Mark greeted me with an open mind and a big heart - a rare combination.

So, sometime a year or so ago, Mark introduced me to Dan Merchant and the work he was doing. Dan was finishing a documentary that attempted to answer why religion has become such a weapon. Why is the so-called "Gospel of Love" such a divisive tool? Is it the doctrine itself, or does the problem lie in the messenger? As one who'd grown up in the church (Dad was a deacon, Mom was the head of the WMU), I was intrigued. I grew up in the church - my parents took us every time the doors were open. I have a degree in theology, and I worked as a minister for nearly a decade. I've performed weddings and funerals. And now, I live as a virtual outsider. I do not attend church regularly. I am an out and proud Gay man. For that, I have been repeatedly subjected to hate speech, condemnation and attempts to "cure" my homosexuality - all courtesy of organized religion. Obviously, the work of Dan Merchant spoke to me.

"Lord, Save Us From Your Followers" was recently released on DVD. I received an email from a high school friend telling me that she and her husband had seen it. She apologized to me for any judgments that she'd held in her heart. She told me that the film had touched her, and that it'd made her painfully aware of the hypocrisy that is so prevalent in the Church. I was touched by her kind words - even though I'd never felt any judgment from her. I guess the worst kind of hate is the one you're not even aware of, huh?

After her email, I bumped the film up in my Netflix cue. This past weekend, I watched it. WOW. Thank you, Dan Merchant. Thank you for giving a voice to those who have none. Thank you for giving a well balanced account of the issues dividing the religious and secular sects. Thank you for a thoughtful and intelligent film. I hope your film will be seen by many - and I hope it will change just as many hearts. You are doing a good work.

Thank you, Mark. I appreciate you introducing me to Dan Merchant and his work. Moreover, I appreciate you continually showing me the true love of God and what it means to be a Christian.