God's Not Dead: We the People (Review)

 This next film in the God’s Not Dead franchise is an inspiring, must-see movie for everyone, especially those in the homeschooling community. The issues we face as homeschoolers are real and we need to be aware of what is happening in our nation and what could be in our future. As of now, homeschooling is legal in all fifty states of America. Even though it is legal, some states have stricter requirements than others. While watching the film, my husband was shocked that the homeschooling mom let a woman come in and observe her homeschool. I reminded him that in certain states, that is the norm, it is actually required. The state we currently live in has two main ways to file for homeschooling. One is Notice of Intent and the other is Religious Exemption. Many parents are nervous to file for Religious Exemption because of horror stories in the past. 

Twenty years ago, if you wanted to file for a Religious Exemption, you had to be prepared to go to court and convince the judge that your religious beliefs truly prevented you from sending your children to public school. I met a woman in the next county over just a few weeks ago who was forced to appear in court for this very reason back when this was an issue. Fortunately, HSLDA and our state's organization helped to fight to make sure this would not happen again. In my twelve years of homeschooling, I have never run into this nor ever met anyone who has within the past decade. Still, it is important that those new to homeschooling know that although many have gone before us to pave the way and protect our freedoms, it doesn't mean we have an easy road ahead of us. This film hits the nail on the head as far as waking up the church to the realities of the public school agenda. I often talk to parents who say that they believe the teachers in their schools are Christian or many of the students are. The movie helps to point out that even if that is true, there is an agenda, primarily pushed through the Common Core curriculum, that cannot be escaped. The government wants to teach your child and as a parent, it is your responsibility to protect them from the non-biblical philosophies being pushed in schools today. My prayer is that parents far and wide would watch this movie and begin pulling their children out left and right. 

        The main theme of this movie is that the government is trying to reach into our homes and tell us what we can and cannot teach our children. This is the very reason America was founded, to escape such tyranny. If the Pilgrims were willing to risk their lives and sail across treacherous waters to an unknown land then how much more should we as Christians be willing to do the same? Maybe not a physical new land but a new way of thinking, teaching, and educating our children. 

   This movie features Christian singer Francesca Battistelli as a Christian homeschool mom who’s fighting for the right to continue educating her children at home. Come follow her family and her co-op's journey as they go to Washington DC to fight for their right to homeschool their own children using the curriculum that they choose. 

    Several original members of the God’s Not Dead cast are back in this film as well, including David A.R. White as Reverend Dave Hill, Paul Kwo as Martin Yip, and Hadeel Sittu as Ayisha Moradi.

  In the film, Reverend Dave (White) is called to defend a group of Christian homeschooling families. He finds himself taken aback by the interference of the government, and believing that their right to educate their own children is a freedom worth fighting for, Reverend Dave is called to Washington DC to testify in a landmark congressional hearing that will determine the future of religious freedom in our country for years to come.

This is an incredible film that every parent needs to see. As a homeschooler, I will admit that there were two things in the movie that didn't seem realistic but I am sure that most people would gloss this over and not worry about it. Since I am in the thick of homeschooling though I thought I should bring them up. First, the involvement of the pastor in the film did not flow well. I understand that he is the main constant throughout the four movies but it seemed like trying to fit him into the homeschooling community was too much of a push that would not happen in real life. When you are first introduced to the pastor in this movie he is in the home of a homeschooling mom, alone, without her husband. The purpose is for a co-op but in reality, a co-op consists of homeschooling moms teaching classes, if they bring in outside help it is called something entirely different and it usually does not take place in the home. Co-ops or outsourcing would happen in a church or a public setting. If this scene took place in his church where there at least was the secretary or another person for accountability's sake it would be a little more realistic. 

Even so, there is not a homeschooling mom that I know that would ask their pastor to teach their child about Noah's ark. In the movie, they call it "theology class." Maybe some parents outsource and have others teach their kids doctrine but most parents, if they are Christian homeschoolers, have enough confidence to teach their child basic Bible concepts such as Creation and the flood. This makes me wonder if this film was created by the Catholic community where it is not encouraged that laymen have access to the Bible for themselves but must learn everything from the priest. If a pastor needs to come into the home of a family choosing to take a Christian stand for homeschooling to teach about Noah, there is something seriously wrong. Especially when the father of the home is not there. 

Even though these aspects of the film were not realistic, and slightly concerning, I understand the heart of the filmmakers and at one point truly wanted to give a standing ovation to the writers of this film. Every word that was spoken in the courtroom scene was powerful and moving. I agreed wholeheartedly with what was written in those scenes and for that reason alone I highly recommend this film to homeschoolers and non-homeschoolers alike. You need to see this film! Hopefully, it will help ignite a fire in you to help support the homeschooling community like never before. Or, if you still have your children in public schools maybe it will give you the boost you need to take a stand. It may be a stand that you never in a million years ever thought you would take but maybe now is the time to do it and inspire those around you to do the same. 

Get your tickets to see God's Not Dead: We the People, in theaters only on October 4, 5, and 6!

Disclaimer: Many thanks to Pinnacle Peak for providing this product/product information for review.  Opinions are 100% my own and not influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive the product in exchange for this review and post.