Same God
Where to Watch Same God
Same God is a deeply thought-provoking documentary that explores the themes of faith, conformity, and discrimination existing within institutional religious environments. Released in 2018, the film is directed by Linda Midgett, and features Dr. Larycia Hawkins, Dr. Michael Mangis, and Patti Mangis in its starring roles. The story's narrative is rooted in real-life events, diving head-on into the controversy surrounding an incident at Wheaton College, a private evangelical Protestant college and one of the most recognized institutions of its kind in the United States.
At the center of this film is Dr. Larycia Hawkins, an African American political science professor at Wheaton College, who in 2015, became entangled in controversy for demonstrating solidarity with Muslim women. Her actions ignited a religious and intellectual debate, resulted in a media frenzy, and created waves within the conservative Christian community at Wheaton, ultimately culminating in her impact on the social-political debate around religious liberty, Islamophobia, academic freedom, and racial equality.
In an effort to express solidarity with Muslim women globally and take a stance against the rising tide of Islamophobia, Dr. Hawkins made a public declaration on social media, stating 'we [Christians and Muslims] worship the Same God' and began wearing a hijab. Directed to a Christian audience, these acts were met with severe backlash. Both her theological stance and decision to wear the hijab were fiercely contested, resulting in the termination of her tenure at Wheaton.
Same God undertakes the colossal task of tackling these multifaceted issues within the limited span of its runtime. The narrative, enriched by interviews and personal reflections of the real-life characters involved in the incident, provides not only an intimate insight into Dr. Hawkins' journey but also into the general perspective of Wheaton's faculty and student body.
In addition to capturing Hawkins' personal story, the film offers a broader examination of themes such as religious exclusivity, fear of the 'other', and increasing intolerance within modern society. Director Linda Midgett effectively brings these subjects to the foreground, painting a broader picture of the systemic issues faced by many marginalized communities within the Western world.
Same God is not just about Dr. Hawkins' personal journey, but it also cleverly uses her story as a lens to shed light on broader societal issues. It vividly illustrates the deep-seated fear and apprehension faced by many institutions when challenged to reconsider long-held beliefs and prejudices. It also prompts viewers to contemplate the question of who gets to decide the 'correct' interpretation of religious texts and practices.
The film also explores the chapter in Dr. Hawkins' life immediately following her departure from Wheaton. It chronicles her transition into activism, advocating for religious freedom and challenging institutional Christianity's narrow perspectives. At the same time, it underscores the heart-rending realization of the displacement and isolation Dr. Hawkins experienced as a woman of color within the Christian evangelical community.
Dr. Michael Mangis, also featured in the film, provides insights into the incident as he served as a professor of psychology at Wheaton during that time. Along with Patti Mangis, they provide context and personal reflections on the school’s response to Dr. Hawkins' declaration, offering an insight into the deep division among faculty and students that arose from the incident.
In conclusion, Same God is a poignant documentary that invites its viewers to challenge their convictions and broaden their perspective on religious pluralism. It proves to be a reflective piece that elicits conversations about acceptance, unity, and coexistence across faiths. Dr. Larycia Hawkins emerges not only as a protagonist in the film but also as a symbol of religious freedom and progressive thinking within an increasingly divisive society. This documentary is a testament to her courage and asserts the importance of having such important dialogues within our society today.
Same God is a Documentary movie released in 2018. It has a runtime of 96 min. Critics and viewers have rated it mostly positive reviews, with an IMDb score of 8.0..
How to Watch Same God
Where can I stream Same God movie online? Same God is available to watch and stream, buy on demand, download at Apple TV, Amazon, Kanopy, Google Play, Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Same God for a limited time or purchase the movie for downloading.