Around 500 individuals gathered at B’nai Emunah Synagogue on Monday to watch a film addressing the topic of Christian nationalism and to engage with local leaders.
The film “Bad Faith” examines the history of Christian nationalism in the United States over the course of 90 minutes, ultimately linking current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to a network of evangelical activists aiming to dismantle the federal government.
The event received sponsorship from approximately a dozen churches across Oklahoma to demonstrate their support. Screenings of the film are planned in various locations across the U.S. through the end of October.
Stacey Paisner, a recent move to Tulsa, shared that viewing the film prompted an “epiphany” regarding Trump. She remarked, “I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out how this disgusting, unfaithful, cheating, lying man got all these evangelicals behind him. And it’s because he’s the puppet to get them what they want.”
Following the film, a panel discussion was moderated by Brian Silva from Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. It featured speakers including Tulsa Rabbi Dan Kaiman, Oklahoma City Reverend Shannon Fleck, and Columbia University scholar Anne Nelson.
Nelson introduced a nearly 900-page document known as Project 2025, purportedly created by Trump’s supporters. Despite Trump attempting to disassociate himself from it, Project 2025 is viewed as a framework for his potential second term if he secures victory in November.
“They want to ban the words reproductive health from all federal documents, prevent the CDC from recommending vaccinations for school children, shut down the Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency, and allow oil companies to drill without safety measures,” Nelson stated. “It is a radical, radical document.”
The panelists encouraged civic engagement and voting for those troubled by Project 2025. Fleck urged attendees to endorse a letter from the Oklahoma Faith Network intended for lawmakers and school boards.
Kaiman highlighted the importance of community-driven solutions and relationship-building while advocating for legislation. He referenced the successful completion of 2022 state legislation concerning Holocaust education that synagogue members contributed to.
“Well, sure, the place to start is with Holocaust education. But let’s follow it with legislation about teaching the Tulsa Race Massacre, about seeking the history of Indigenous peoples in our state. There’s a lot we can do, and it is possible,” Kaiman affirmed.
The next screening of “Bad Faith” is scheduled for Tuesday in Lexington, North Carolina, with another showing set for Sept. 15 in Oklahoma City at New Covenant Church.