John Follis’ documentary Leaving God provides an insightful and thought-provoking exploration of the rapidly increasing number of people who have left organized religion in the United States. Over a quarter of those surveyed by the Public Religion Research Institute claimed no religious affiliation, and this number is particularly high among the younger generation.
Leaving God gives us an intimate glimpse into Follis’ personal journey as he grapples with his own religious beliefs. Having been raised in a religious environment, Follis was deeply invested in church life before beginning to challenge certain aspects of his faith. As his marriage started to collapse, his minister told him that divorce was against church doctrine – yet that same minister went through two divorces himself. Questions about religion and its validity began to creep in when reports of sexual molestation began to come out during the 90s, and more so after 9/11 when he contemplated the many lives lost over centuries in the name of religion.
Follis decided to tackle this issue head-on with his documentary Leaving God. He recounts his own struggles with faith while also providing viewers with statistical information regarding those who have abandoned religion altogether. His journey from devout believer to someone questioning their faith will likely resonate with many viewers, whether they are believers or non-believers themselves.
His modestly produced documentary is sure to inspire thoughtful self-reflection and debate amongst viewers who remain firmly committed to their faith as well as those who may identify more closely with Follis’ story. Overall, Leaving God is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding why this seismic shift towards leaving organized religion is taking place across America today!
