Seeing the Reiner headline in my inbox this morning—grateful for his work in general and especially God and Country—came close to being more than I could take, on the heels of grieving the horror at Brown with a family friend of one of the victims, and then absorbing the horror of the beach shooting in Australia last night as our New England town gathered for the menorah lighting. Hard to hold back the tears.
Rob Reiner was a national treasure. Donald Trump is a national disgrace. I'm not surprised that Reiner would produce "God And Country, even though he was a non-Christian. Anyone who respects others' belief systems and relationships to the transcendent, who supports democracy, and who loves their country, can see that Christian nationalism is a perversion of religion and a threat to both civic and spiritual life.
God + Country was an excellent documentary and after watching it I was surprised that Rob Reiner had produced it, but the film gave me a new respect for him. It is absolutely appalling that our president would spout such awful, delusional rhetoric upon the death of anyone, but, unfortunately it is to be expected.
I don’t have the linguistic gifts to express my disgust toward our president , but David Bentley Hart perhaps expresses what I feel best: “How obvious it seems to me now. Cold, grasping, bleak, graceless,and dull; unctuous, sleek, pitiless, and crass; a palid vulgarian floating through life on clouds of acrid cologne and trailed by a vanguard of fawning divorce lawyers, the devil is probably eerily similar to Donald Trump - though perhaps just a little nicer.”
In an interview on God and Country, Reiner said he wanted to see a healthy church in America again, one that looked like Jesus. He could have used his skill and wealth to parody or belittle, but he chose to respectfully inform. Jesus often gave shoutouts to those outside of the faith, ie: "...and that man was a Samaritan!" Christian leaders could learn from Reiner's example, if they had eyes to see.
thank you for this important post and calling Trump's comments for what they are: EVIL.
I was shocked when I heard of the terrible death of Rob and Michelle Reiner. Tragic beyond words.
I was disgusted and sickened by yet another Trump amoral, evil diatribe regarding the horrific death of the Reiners. This president is beyond disgusting. He is EVIL.
I also have been a Christian all my life Kristin. Christian Nationalism is in no way shape or form Christianity. I thank you again for your courage and commitment to speaking truth and tirelessly educating us all about true Christianity as exemplified in the teachings and life of Jesus of Nazareth. We owe you so much for all that you do and for all that you are.
being 76, Reiner even from the beginning as "Michael" in *All in the Family*, and then thru his acting and esp his directorial career, has always been a kind of peer counselor. He helped me blend my countercultural sensibilities in reasonable forms as a parent, a partner, and a friend, being kind, being resolute, and also being flexible living with other people in public life and private. Integrity, kindness and plenty of fun were his life lessons, and at the end, the fight agst fascism, all of which i find completely integrated in my understanding of the gospel of love. RIP "Michael Stivic" a-k-a Rob Reiner.
Thank you for continuing to speak truth to power. It is totally disgusting to hear “Christian” nationalists defend this type of vile language and behavior.
My dad used to like Archie Bunker so I remember “meathead” Michael Stivic - in particular the episode where if Michael could properly identify Coke Pepsi and RC in a blind test Gloria had to try Lima beans…
Yeah no matter what Trump says it’s always “better than the alternative”. MAGA folks are imperfect brothers in Christ. Guys who agree with liberals like DuMez and Gushee however - with them gotta break fellowship… 🤮🤮
Thank you for calling it evil. It IS evil.
Seeing the Reiner headline in my inbox this morning—grateful for his work in general and especially God and Country—came close to being more than I could take, on the heels of grieving the horror at Brown with a family friend of one of the victims, and then absorbing the horror of the beach shooting in Australia last night as our New England town gathered for the menorah lighting. Hard to hold back the tears.
I couldn’t write about Brown or Sydney, or the anniversary of Sandy Hook.
Right. Too much. Those little 6 year olds would have been in college now ...
Rob Reiner was a national treasure. Donald Trump is a national disgrace. I'm not surprised that Reiner would produce "God And Country, even though he was a non-Christian. Anyone who respects others' belief systems and relationships to the transcendent, who supports democracy, and who loves their country, can see that Christian nationalism is a perversion of religion and a threat to both civic and spiritual life.
God + Country was an excellent documentary and after watching it I was surprised that Rob Reiner had produced it, but the film gave me a new respect for him. It is absolutely appalling that our president would spout such awful, delusional rhetoric upon the death of anyone, but, unfortunately it is to be expected.
I don’t have the linguistic gifts to express my disgust toward our president , but David Bentley Hart perhaps expresses what I feel best: “How obvious it seems to me now. Cold, grasping, bleak, graceless,and dull; unctuous, sleek, pitiless, and crass; a palid vulgarian floating through life on clouds of acrid cologne and trailed by a vanguard of fawning divorce lawyers, the devil is probably eerily similar to Donald Trump - though perhaps just a little nicer.”
If anyone has the right words, DBH does.
In an interview on God and Country, Reiner said he wanted to see a healthy church in America again, one that looked like Jesus. He could have used his skill and wealth to parody or belittle, but he chose to respectfully inform. Jesus often gave shoutouts to those outside of the faith, ie: "...and that man was a Samaritan!" Christian leaders could learn from Reiner's example, if they had eyes to see.
Perhaps Mr. Strachan will also understate that King Herod was also a sinner.
Thank you, Kristin. Beautiful and powerfully said.
thank you for this important post and calling Trump's comments for what they are: EVIL.
I was shocked when I heard of the terrible death of Rob and Michelle Reiner. Tragic beyond words.
I was disgusted and sickened by yet another Trump amoral, evil diatribe regarding the horrific death of the Reiners. This president is beyond disgusting. He is EVIL.
I also have been a Christian all my life Kristin. Christian Nationalism is in no way shape or form Christianity. I thank you again for your courage and commitment to speaking truth and tirelessly educating us all about true Christianity as exemplified in the teachings and life of Jesus of Nazareth. We owe you so much for all that you do and for all that you are.
💔💔💔
Thanks for this. I loved many of his movies. I watches All in the Family but much of what was being said went over my head.
The Princess Bride was so winsome and grace filled.
being 76, Reiner even from the beginning as "Michael" in *All in the Family*, and then thru his acting and esp his directorial career, has always been a kind of peer counselor. He helped me blend my countercultural sensibilities in reasonable forms as a parent, a partner, and a friend, being kind, being resolute, and also being flexible living with other people in public life and private. Integrity, kindness and plenty of fun were his life lessons, and at the end, the fight agst fascism, all of which i find completely integrated in my understanding of the gospel of love. RIP "Michael Stivic" a-k-a Rob Reiner.
Thank you for continuing to speak truth to power. It is totally disgusting to hear “Christian” nationalists defend this type of vile language and behavior.
My dad used to like Archie Bunker so I remember “meathead” Michael Stivic - in particular the episode where if Michael could properly identify Coke Pepsi and RC in a blind test Gloria had to try Lima beans…
Yeah no matter what Trump says it’s always “better than the alternative”. MAGA folks are imperfect brothers in Christ. Guys who agree with liberals like DuMez and Gushee however - with them gotta break fellowship… 🤮🤮
Thank you for writing this! I’m sorry you didn’t get a chance to meet Reiner. I’m so glad you participated in “God and Country”.
Thank you for your writing and for the reminder about this film. I will be watching it in short order.