Pro-democracy groups plan Blacksburg screening of doc about Christian nationalism

A coalition of community groups concerned about rising threats to democracy will screen the documentary film "Bad Faith" Tuesday night in Blacksburg.

The 2024 film from directors Stephen Ujlaki and Christopher Jacob Jones will be shown at the Lyric Theatre at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., said Alexa Casey, coordinator for NRV Indivisible. "Bad Faith" is about the rise of Christian nationalism and the risk it poses to \ democracy.

Duke University historian Nancy MacLean will be on hand for a question-and-answer session after the screening. She authored the 2017 book, "Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right's Stealth Plan for America." Copies of the book will be available for purchase.

"That book connects the dots on 'How did we get here?' and 'Why are we dealing with this craziness now?'" Casey said.

A variety of local advocacy groups will have education tables in the lobby before the film, with information on how to get involved locally. Among them are: Our Bodies, Our Choice; NRV Indivisible; Montgomery County Democrats; Gun Aware Project; and the Rural-Urban Bridge Initiative.

Virginia Tech professor emeritus Jim Bohland, who's led meetings in Blacksburg and Roanoke since March under the banner, Defending Democracy, will also be present.

"Bad Faith" won the 2024 Justice Matters Award as best documentary at the Washington, D.C. Filmfest, and was a nominee for Best Documentary at the 2024 Palm Springs International Film Festival.

"Part archival chronicle, part exposé, the film reveals the secretive political machinery that has relentlessly sought to weaken and destroy American democracy in order to promote its authoritarian vision," according a description of the book on IMDd.com .

"The cast includes religious leaders, historians, investigative journalists, state senators, political activists, sociologists, and a former high-ranking member of the Trump administration."

'Bad Faith' movie screening and Q&A

• What: Screening of the 2024 documentary "Bad Faith," followed by a Q&A with Duke University historian Nancy MacLean, author of the 2017 book "Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right's Stealth Plan for America."

• Where: Lyric Theater, 135 College Ave., Blacksburg.

• When: Tuesday, 7 p.m.; doors open at 6:30 p.m.

• Admission: Free, open to the public.

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