Coronado Center to Screen Documentary About Dangers of Christian Nationalist Movement

The Coronado Center for the Performing Arts will be showing a documentary on the encroaching dangers of Christian nationalism Sunday afternoon.

The film, God and Country, looks at the relationship between white nationalism and religion, and at the movement that seeks to erase the firewalls between church and state.

The 3 p.m. event, which was organized by local residents, is free and open to the public. The film will be followed by a panel featuring local pastors — Steve Mather of Coronado Community Church and J.T. Greenleaf of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church — and Peter Bolland, a professor of world religions at Southwestern College.

The screening follows months of rising concerns from the community about Awaken Church, a politically extreme, far right church affiliated with Christian nationalism. It attracted wide attention in 2022 after hosting a right-wing event with figures such as Eric Trump, Michael Flynn, and Roger Stone.

The church is reportedly attempting to recruit Coronado’s military members, with a stated goal of trying to “take over” the city. It also has a track record of promoting violence and intolerance toward LGBTQ people, according to Coronado residents who protested it in January.

The venue is on the grounds of Coronado High School at 650 D Avenue.

The film is a free, one-time event for the public. Tickets and seating are available on a first-come-first-served basis.