Scott Burdick has published In God We Trust, free on YouTube, a fascinating two-hour documentary on the town of King, North Carolina, its secular minority, its Christian majority, its religious diversity, a war memorial with one too many flags. Throughout the documentary are in-depth interviews with non-Christians in the area, including Hare Krishnas, Muslims, and “dancers.” These interviews cover not just the flag issue but general questions of faith. Many might find these parts to be most interesting.

How many believe it’s time for America to quit pretending we’re not Christian. And if there’s people in King, North Carolina who don’t like that, then there’s lots of places you can move to. — David Gibbs III of the Christian Law Center speaking at a rally to enshrine the Christian flag at a municipal war memorial.

Steven Hewett, Afghanistan veteran, Bronze star honoree, and atheist in King, North Carolina, issued a complaint against the city when he saw that Christianity was being promoted by the City Council at a war memorial. Flags flew for each of the military services, along with a Christian flag. Atheists, Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians who value secular government were invited to leave the city.

With pressure from the ACLU, the city decided to hold a lottery, during which, residents could request that a flag of their choice, or no flag at all, be flown in honor of a veteran they chose. The symbol on the flag had to be listed on the VA-approved emblems for burial markers. So, in a predominantly Christian area, supported by a threatening majority of Christian-nation enthusiasts, Christianity now has a permanent place on a municipal war memorial.

This issue in King is one of a long line of efforts to enshrine Christianity in government. There can be little confusion in this instance, as this is no non-denominational prayer or general religious activity. The compromise the city council chose, to hold a lottery and fly flags of choice, privileges the majority without accounting for the strong prejudice against those who would dare oppose the de-facto government religion. No flag other than the Christian flag has ever flown.

The quality and composition of the documentary are excellent, and with the variety of coverage, both of the flag issue and local beliefs, it keeps the viewer’s attention. Below is a topical timeline of the documentary for reference.

:00-:20 minutes: Introducing the flag issue.

:20-:53 minutes: Problems with Christian nation theology and Christian beliefs.

:53–1:08 Council decision to institute a lottery, more on Christian nation and problems with faith-based initiatives, debunking of David Barton.

1:09-1:13 Rapture; 1:12 Con Man highlighting the profiteering behind the Family Radio Rapture.

1:14-1:19 Issues of fear and boycotting in King NC; one interviewee opens their heart at 1:16)

1:20-1:27 Inalienable rights, theocracy and theology

1:27 Issue regarding the need for a light on flag

1:28–1:36 religious violence and religions laughing and religions, origins

1:36-1:39 submission of blank/atheist flags; George, presented often as a violent Christian, puts in submission for to commemorate his step-father. He talks about his father as a role model, and a hard worker, who adopted George, but he believes his father is in hell despite those good works. George also submitted the flag to show that the policy was too liberal in that it might allow non-Christian flags.

1:39-1:43 Historicity of Jesus and the Bible. (142 stop in here for commentary from “freethinker Thor”).

1:43 Video of the actual lottery selection. One Nation Under God displayed in selection room. Hewett chose to opt out of flying a Muslim flag on 9-11 and flew no flag at all for each of his 4 weeks.

1:44-1:50 Krishna beliefs and prayers

1:50-2:00 Christian flag goes up, victory celebration and No Flag Week. (and a Biblical justification delivered for slavery)

2:01 Christmas Burlesque, conclusion



