#religious documentaries

[spurgie-cousin]

Heres the trailer for Prime's Shiny Happy People documentary about the Duggars if you couldn't use the link ✨️

[spurgie-cousin]

would you say Jesus Camp is your favorite religious documentary? just curious, i also love religious docs!

it's hard for me to pick but it's top 2 at least. i remember the first time i saw it was when i was still attending church and youth group and shit, fully mentally checked out but not far enough removed yet to realize just how fucking bizarre the behavior of the kids was in the movie (it actually made me feel pleasantly nostalgic at first and still does). but the filmmakers juxtaposition of that summer camp's values with the political climate of the time was definitely a light switch moment for me. it's a perfect time capsule of the post-Bush, early 2000s evangelical revival as well as a warning for the political movements to come (in hindsight).

but all of that to say yes lol it is one of the docs i'd take with me to a deserted island if i had to.

[spurgie-cousin]

super interested to know if any of my followers have any experience with Teal Swan or her organization........i’d never heard of her before and am just starting the doc series The Deep End. apparently she’s a really popular, new age-y spiritual (cult) leader and I was surprised to find out even some people I know irl follow her.

i’ll let you guys know what i think once i get more into the series! it’s from the channel Freeform which i’ve never really liked so i’m also not sure if i trust them with a topic like this lol but we’ll see.

[spurgie-cousin]

I have COVID, what's your recommendation for fundie deep dives to take while I recover?

Sorry to hear that amigo! Here are some rabbit holes I like to go down when I need to kill time (I also have documentary recommendations for most of these topics under the "religious documentaries" tag):

- Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or FLDS, an ultra conservative branch of Mormonism known for practicing polygamy, having huge families, and dressing like pastel pioneers

- Pentecostal Charismatics, or any type of Christian charismatic movement, who are known for faith healing/"laying hands", speaking in tongues, snake handling, etc.

- Fundamentalist Mormons operating outside of the FLDS, like the ones in the Rockland Ranch Community, or the family from Sister Wives.

- Mainstream ultra conservative Christian movements like courting and brainwashing bible camps (I'm not sure if they're on my list, but my 2 fave docs about this are A Courtship and Jesus Camp).

- The Family, a conservative Christian group in America that wields an absurd amount of political influence (there's a netflix series that's also missing from my list bc it's new by the same name).

- The Westboro Baptist Church, a fundamentalist Christian Hate group that believes natural disasters, war, pandemics, and general human suffering are all caused by the legalization of gay marriage.

[spurgie-cousin]

I just watched a netflix programme 4 wives and one man. Its a documentary about an Iranian family. I think u would like to see it. There is love, humour, jealousy, hurt, infertility (also trigger dv) - interesting to watch polygamy that isnt American / fundie mormon.

Yes omg I would find that very interesting thank you for the rec!! I'll be sure to look for it. I don't think I've ever seen a polygamy doc that wasn't about either Mormons or non-religious polyamorists even though I've looked so if anyone has any more recommendations like this get at me.

[spurgie-cousin]

starting an A&E doc series called “Living in Sin: Inside a Religious Reform School” recommended by a follower about Hepzibah House, a conservative Christian reform school for girls in Indiana that I think is permanently closed now.

super stoked because I’ve definitely heard of this place but don’t know much about it except it’s really toxic and horrible. my understanding is that it’s like a Journey to the Heart but worse. I actually remember hearing a rumor about a girl my age going there during my church going days and I don’t really know what became of her. 

It’s also kind of relevant to the discussion we’ve been having about the Romeikes and religious schooling in America , so I’m excited to learn more about that. I’ll let you guys know what I think! 

[spurgie-cousin]

I just remembered after having forgot for awhile that I knew Tory from Jesus Camp when I was I in middle school, and her best friend who was also at that camp was my ballet teacher for a time…you’re the only person I know who’d appreciate this information

I absolutely appreciate this information!! Jesus Camp was very much my gateway drug for religious docs lol, I've probably seen it almost 10 times in my life and Tory with her Christian metal and tongue-speaking was my fave.

[spurgie-cousin]

As a documentary freak I cannot express how ready I am for this