Why evangelicals influence US foreign policy in the Middle East | EP1 | Witness Documentary

The first episode of Praying for Armageddon goes inside the evangelical Christian movement to explore its influence on US democracy and foreign policy.

Preparing for the "end times", a grassroots pastor gathers an army of veterans in the heartland of the United States, and megachurch ministers provide spiritual advice to politicians in the nation’s capital.

They call for the "final battle" which they believe will trigger the second coming of Christ. Central to their apocalyptic prophecy is Israel. It is with their blessing that the Trump administration controversially recognises Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moves the US embassy there in 2018.

“It feels like everyone has a say about the destiny and the future of Jerusalem except for the Palestinians living in it,” says Palestinian activist Fayrouz Sharqawi.

Praying for Armageddon is a documentary film by Tonje Hessen Schei. 
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Q&A with Tonje Hessen Schei, the director of the series:

1) Could you tell us about the image in the poster? What was the creative thought process behind it?
▫The poster is a literal presentation of what some of the Evangelical fundamentalists believe, that Jesus will return as a warrior with an AR-15. As they interpret the Armageddon prophecy literally they believe Jesus will come down from the heavens on a white horse. This symbolizes the beginning of Armageddon.

2) Can you tell us what surprised you most when shooting the film or researching the story?
▫We started working on this film over 8 years ago, before Trump & Pence, and it has been a wild unbelievable ride with lots of surprises. Most concerning to me is the increase in the real political power the fundamentalist Evangelicals have in the US now.

3) Will Tonje do a sequel regarding the new events happened since October 7th?
▫I have no plans of making a sequel at this point, but there are many films being made on this topic and on this catastrophic time in our history.

4) Why is he trying to make Christianity look like they are wack jobs or terrorists?
▫This is not an anti-religion or anti-Christianity film, and we are treating all of our characters and protagonists with the utmost respect. This film takes a hard look at fundamentalism, which is important for all of us to do within our communities, cultures and societies across the world.

5) According to Tonje will the election of Trump worsen the situation for Palestine?
▫Unfortunately, there is no way to know what Trump would do, and I hope that the rest of the world and our international institutions will step up to take more responsibility and help with the governance of the catastrophic situation of Palestine.

6) Have you had any backlash from the evangelical community about the film?
▫There has been quite a bit of buzz about the film in dark religious corners of the internet, but most Evangelicals who see the film are surprised and support the message of the film that we have to fight religious fundamentalism.

7) Brazil is full of evangelists too but it shows support to Palestine, are they different from American evangelicals?
▫There are very strong similarities between US Evangelicals and the Brazilian fundamentalists. I am not an expert on the Brazilian situation, but Praying for Armageddon has been shown at several film festivals there, and from the response we are getting their relationship to Bolsonaro was very similar to the bond these groups had to Trump.

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[shamim]

I know we're all brainwashed somehow but American brainwashing is next level😅.

[DisenchantedWithSociety]

It's ridiculous that these Evangelicals think that Jesus is gonna love them more when he comes back and finds their fingerprints all over this genocide that brought about the end of the world.

[commodoor]

Anyone who prays for war has never truly suffered through war.

[WednesdayJJ]

I'm from Colombia and I stand with the Palestinian, I can understand your struggles and pain. 😢

[marygrace]

A group of people so eager to see unimaginable violence and death talk about a battle of good vs evil don't realize how evil they are.

[roadend]

As a Christian my love and Solidarity will always will be for the people of Palestine the bravest and most honorable people on God's earth 🙏❤ 🇵🇸

[oliverschultz]

Wow - these evangelicals are irrational ... and scary, especially given their influence in Washington.

[AgentSmith-blhk]

I grew up in an evangelical church, I fully understand the mindset, and I think this journalism did a good job. Religion helps people when they keep their world small, but politicians always use it to fuel unnecessary wars.

[MoEhabS]

The last scene of those schmucks standing in a circle praying for Israel while there are homeless people all over in the background is so powerful and says a lot👌🏼

[idontknow]

How can settlers be allowed to just steal someone's home. It's just wrong. It's evil.

[TheGoodversusEvil]

Real Christian’s will pray for peace not destruction. Blessed are the peacemakers

[hadara]

"Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful."
~Lucius Annaeus Seneca 4BCE - 65"AD"

[arianarubytemple]

As a Christian i believe we should love our neighour as ourselves. That includes the Palestinian people who have lived under a brutal military occupation for 75 years and who have suffered discrimination, displcacement, occupation and sheer brutality at the hands of the Israelis for far too long. I stand for justice, peace, love and mercy for ALL people. ❤

[endoferagoat]

As a Muslim I fully support my Palestinian brothers in faith. Greetings from Somalia 🇸🇴

[HippolitoJuancheese]

This documentary sums up my lifetime of disgust with the people in the religious community I was brought up in. It is hate, hyprocrisy, and bigotry hiding behind the veil of "faith".

[aflowerforthemoon]

‘It is inconceivable to me that God would want us to be treating other human beings like this. It’s impossible that Jesus would be in favour of oppressing other people’ - Brave Rabbi Arik Ascherman

[LouisGFranco]

USS LIBERTY, evangelicals Cognitive Dissonance at its finest.

[Dr.Adamastor]

This whole thing is repulsive, but the heroic resilience of the Palestinians, and the work of people like rabbi Ascherman and investigative journalist Lee Fang give me hope. Maybe just a glimmer of hope, but it's better than nothing.

[douglasinglesepertutti]

Thank you Al Jazeera for showing us the insane alternative reality these American Evangelical Christians live in. It scares the daylights out of me.