The
documentary production of Prayer In America is scheduled
for nationwide broadcast on public television beginning
in various PBS markets in late November, 2007. Please check
your local listings as the show may be broadcast in your
area at a later date. The Duncan Group does not have specific
information about local market broadcasts; however, viewers
can access more information about the production through
Iowa Public Television at IPTV.org.
In James P. Moore's book One Nation Under God, he
writes: "Much in the way that America's motto 'E Pluribus
Unum' (one out of many) symbolizes unity out of diversity,
prayer affords an opportunity to recognize how Americans,
despite their diversity, are unified in their spirituality
with one another and with a higher being; Americans today
must understand prayer as a unique, unifying force."
As
the above quote suggests, Moore postulates that prayer has
contributed to a sort of civic religion that spiritually
unifies all Americans. Some religious scholars have a different
perspective. With this film, it is the producers' intent
to explore, question, challenge or support Moore's thesis
through interviews with a wide- ranging group of scholars,
writers and experts in the history of religion and prayer
in America. The producers also explore contemporary debates
about the role of prayer through the lens of history. By
asking rhetorically "how did we get here?" the responses
consistently highlight those aspects of prayer and prayer
practices that many consider distinctly American. The documentary
examines how the settlement and early development of America
shaped the prayer lives of those who lived there; and how
the variety of prayer expressions contributed to and continues
to shape the American experience.
The Masonic Wonders
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The
documentary is a production of The Duncan Group under the
supervision of Chip Duncan, Alison Rostankowski, Patricia
Ostermick and Robert Huck. Iowa Public Television is the presenter
and flagship affiliate for the PBS system. LA-based Outreach
Extensions is facilitating an extensive community outreach
campaign that coincides with the national broadcast. As part
of the project, the producers are also preparing a multi-part
series for the middle school classroom to be distributed by
Chicago-based Questar.
For
more information on the production company or program content,
please contact Chip Duncan (Chip@DuncanEntertainment.com)
or Patricia Ostermick (Patty@DuncanEntertainment.com).
For more information on the Prayer In America project and
related outreach activities, please visit PrayerInAmerica.org.
Producer Alison Rostankowski interviews Rick Warren,
author of The Purpose Driven Life, at his church in
Los Angeles, California (Dec. 2006). |
Producer Alison Rostankowski and photographer Bob Huck
interview author James P. Moore Jr. for Prayer in America. |
Learn more: Why Prayer in
America?
Click
here for a Q&A with the Producers
Click
here for a video clip of Prayer In America
Click
here for additional resources
Interview transcripts
Academic Advisors
New: Click
here listen to the Music of Prayer In America
New:
A
Note from the Director
