The Family

I'd have given it a 10, but it does have a bit of a propaganda reenactment production feeling to it. Hallmark meets Michael Moore. Try to keep an open mind to the larger picture.

Using Jesus' name for power is really coopting a spiritual teaching for personal gain. Most Christians are afraid to challenge power if they hear his name. That is clearly what the power hungry "Family" is doing in my opinion.

What I unexpectedly took away from this production, is how secularism protects both religion and politics. Mixing the two really degrades both into something both sinister and ignorant. I've always had a biased against religion in politics for the sake of democracy, but both democracy and spirituality lose in this documentary. It's interesting how historical political climates set the stage for much of what this organization comes from and is today.

This is a required-watch for anyone interested in the impact of religious political influence on American politics.

"The Family" is a well-researched documentation of the intentional and secretive infiltration of American politics by one tentacle of the religious right. It highlights the ongoing decimation of supposed divisions between church and state, categorically investigating the influence of just one of the many "Christian" organizations wielding outsized power in Washington. "The Family" examines the achievements of a largely-ignored organization that's pursued global political dominion, with the professed aims of subsequent Christian indoctrination of the masses. It narrates a complex web of illegal and legally-dubious behavior that has impacted American politics on a deeper level than almost anyone would like to admit. Highly recommended for political junkies, as this shines a light on what's previously been a poorly-documented yet integral piece of Washington D.C.'s swampy puzzle.

Made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Confirmation of what many have long suspected but never knew for certain. It's time to pay attention to separation of church and state. Vote religion OUT of government.

I keep seeing reviews claiming this series conscientiously omits Barack Obama's involvement with the organization: this is a complete and utter falsehood. He is frequently pictured at various annual prayer breakfasts, and so are numerous other democratic presidents and congressmen. It's absurd to claim that this series is some sort of hit piece targeting republicans and republicans alone.

None of this should come as a surprise to any informed viewer, but it's still a depressing, frustrating and annoying demonstration of how the human species can fail at having human values. On parade in these episodes are an endless number of ignorant, hubristic, deluded sociopaths who believe that their personal vision of Jesus has given them the right to take everything and control everything. When they're not patting each other on the back and hiding each other's crimes, the members of this worldwide cabal are plotting and scheming their way to riches and world domination where the vast majority of the human race will bow down to them as God's chosen people. They are disgusting and pathetic creatures, hypocrites and liars, wilfully ignorant fantasists and as morally bankrupt and greedy as any group of villains who ever lived. They're also extremely well-connected and currently hold the reigns of power throughout the world. Their survival depends on secrecy, so I'd advise everyone to watch this series, and to cast their future votes wisely if they happen to live in democratic societies. This entire bunch of depraved narcissists will discover that their imagined God will not protect them once the world shines a real light on their execrable activities and horrible beliefs