Watch Contradiction: A Question Of Faith

Contradiction: A Question Of Faith is a documentary film that explores the conflicts and contradictions found within different religions. The film is directed and narrated by Jeremiah Camara, a former Christian minister who became an atheist, and features prominent figures such as physicist and philosopher Lawrence Krauss. The film is structured around interviews with various people who have experienced conflicting beliefs within their respective religions. The interviews are interspersed with segments of Camara's narration and clips of religious leaders and figures discussing their own beliefs and how they reconcile seemingly opposite views.

One of the primary themes explored in the film is the tension between faith and reason. Camara posits that religion often requires its followers to abandon reason and critical thinking in order to maintain their faith. This is exemplified through the interviews with people who left their religions after grappling with contradictions in the teachings or practices. For instance, a former Catholic nun discusses how she was taught to believe that every word of the bible was true, yet found inconsistencies between that belief and the scientific evidence she observed.

Another significant thread in the film is the role of cultural and societal conditioning in shaping religious beliefs. Camara stresses that religion is not an innate, universal aspect of humanity, but rather a product of the cultures and societies in which it arises. Thus, certain religious beliefs may be more prevalent in certain areas due to historical or political factors. This idea is explored through interviews with people from different backgrounds and religions, including a Muslim who was raised in an Islamic household in the US, and a former Jehovah's Witness who was raised within the strict confines of that faith.

Throughout the film, Camara also makes the case for the importance of critical thinking and skepticism, especially when it comes to ideologies that seek to control individuals' thoughts and behaviors. He argues that religion, in particular, can be harmful when it seeks to enforce dogmatic beliefs and practices that may be harmful to individuals or society as a whole.

One notable aspect of the film is its balance in presenting different views and perspectives. While the film is clearly critical of certain aspects of religion, it does not demonize religious believers or make sweeping generalizations about all believers. Instead, the interviews with religious leaders and figures are presented in a fairly balanced way, allowing viewers to make their own judgments about the validity of certain beliefs or teachings.

Overall, Contradiction: A Question Of Faith is a thought-provoking documentary that will appeal to anyone interested in exploring the complexities of religion and belief. While it may be challenging for some viewers to confront the contradictions and conflicts within their own beliefs, the film ultimately offers a message of hope and empowerment by encouraging viewers to think critically and question their assumptions.

Contradiction: A Question Of Faith is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes.