Constantine's Sword (2008)

Constantine's Sword is an astonishing exploration of the dark side of Christianity, following acclaimed author and former priest James Carrol on a journey of rememberance and reckoning. Warning of what happens when military power and religious fervor are joined, this new film from Oscar-nominated director Oren Jacoby asks: Is the fanaticism that threatens the world today fueled by our own deeply held beliefs? Product Description

Carrol's truth of Christianity

Jim Carrol presents a scholarly and truthful presentation of Christianity and its roll in the world since Emperor Constantine at about 320. He also explores Christianity's effect on Jews for the past 1700 years, in a most honest and open way.
Carrol deserves a humanitarian prize for his scholarly work. December 24, 2008

three weak documentaries in one; insulting

this is one of the weakest documentaries i've viewed in some time. the premise is that it looks at issues with evangelization within the air force academy and the connection between the american military, the right-wing, and Christian violence throughout history.

the reality is that this is a poorly constructed mash of clips and ideas, the least of which relate to the air force academy or even contemporary evangelical thought in america.

what it does talk about? the author's ambivalent feelings and relationship with his deceased air force general father. the author's ambivalence and anger at the Catholic church (author is a former priest). throw in Viet Nam and sprinkle with George Bush quotes at the end. it's a fairly fashionable tirade mixed with a mid-life crisis, brought to the big screen. and i write "fashionable tirade" as a liberal, disgusted with how i see serious issues abused in this film.

i wish i could end there, but i can't. because i have to mention the truly offensive aspect of this documentary. that is the incorporation of extensive discussion of the Holocaust amidst the topics i describe above. in fact, the author's basic premise appears to become "look at the Holocaust: this could happen because of evangelicals in the US Military". it's a sick, angry, and ultimately ineffective thesis.

to show the remnants of concentration camps, including the gas chamber where Edith Stein died, and then to return to the author's poorly-constructed and over-generalized commentary is disrepectful and exploitative.

to do this and try to link in footage of the dining hall at the air force academy is dishonouring of both the horror of the Holocaust and the many outstanding young people who are educated through the academy. most who would willingly give their lives and safety to prevent any such evil.

i think ultimately the point of this film-- and i have no idea or interest in researching how it received its funding-- is based around the author's issues with his father, and not having followed the footsteps of military service (his stated childhood dream to become an air force academy cadet) and then his choice to become a priest. then leave the priesthood.

whatever the case, don't waste your time with this documentary. December 11, 2008

Constantine's Sword a selective history!

James Carroll has written and produced a excellent documentary but very selective Social History of Europe to modern times. The flaw in his study is in his overly narrow focus not in his facts. His is a history of the interactions between the three great western religions. In doing so Mr. Carroll ignores hundreds bloody events that make up Judeo-Christian-Islamic history. These could easily be documented beginning with the Old Testament Genesis and Deuteronomy leading into the New Testament and Medieval. In doing so he tends to overemphasize the true horrors of events such as the Russian pogroms while overlooking the equally horrific Albigensian Crusade and the daily persecutions heretics. In his history we are lead to believe the "Inquisition" affected only "Jews". While the Jews of Spain were interrogated tortured and even burned by the Popes Dominican priests, so were many other Religious Minorities.

Note the book is correctly titled "Constantine's Sword: The Church and the Jews -- A History"


November 29, 2008

Excellent, scholarly.

In his scholarly work, James Carroll, a former Catholic priest, becomes a modern-day Indiana Jones. His quest is to understand the role of Christianity in the persecution of Jews in ancient times as well as today. Not only is Carroll courageous and honest in his evaluation, but he exposes how other priests who wish to expose similar findings are systematically sidelined or silenced. Carroll should win a prize for his excellent documentary. November 23, 2008

Contantine's Sword

One great book with a focus on what Christians do as opposed to what the religion says it is about. Always with the Western world, it is self interest above the professions of morality, righteousness, or love. November 19, 2008

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