PRAYER IN AMERICA asks the questions, what role has prayer played in shaping the history of America and how has the nation shaped prayer. The two-part documentary, presented by Iowa Public Television, explores contemporary debates about the role of prayer through the lens of history. By asking rhetorically, “how did we get here?” the show examines the ways in which prayer has contributed to and continues to shape the American experience.


The film was inspired by author James P. Moore, Jr.’s book, One Nation Under God: The History of Prayer in America (Doubleday, 2005).   In his book, Moore suggests that prayer has historically, and through to the present day, been a significant influence on the political, cultural and economic development of the United States.   The Duncan Group explores and challenges this thesis through interviews with a wide-ranging group of scholars, writers, and experts on the history of prayer and religion in America. The documentary reflects diverse and sometimes conflicting perspectives that we hope will inspire viewers to examine the role religion and prayer in their personal lives, politics, and culture.


The following Q&A reflects the opinions of The Duncan Group and producers Chip Duncan, Patricia Ostermick and Alison Rostankowski.


-  Why examine prayer in America?  As Americans, we’ve all heard the phrase that one should never discuss religion and politics in public.  But The Duncan Group has made a career out of talking about those two subjects and doing so in detail. 


As producers, we believe in public discussion of issues and policies that impact everyday Americans – and that includes discussion of prayer, religion and spirituality.  In particular, we try to take on challenging subjects by considering their history.  In keeping with the journalistic values of our company, we’re presenting the history of prayer in America with an inclusive, multi faith and objective approach.  We’ve assembled an extraordinary group of interview subjects whose perspectives will, we believe, greatly enhance dialogue about the role of prayer and religion in America today.


There are also a number of important authors who have recently tackled the history and impact of prayer and religion in America such as James P. Moore’s One Nation Under God-The History of Prayer in America, John Meacham’s American Gospel, Chris Hedges’ American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America, Newt Gingrich’s Rediscovering God In America or Christopher Hitchens God Is Not Great – How Religion Poisons Everything.  Americans seem to have a significant appetite for a broad-ranging, pluralistic discussion of the history and impact of prayer and religion in America.  In addition, most of our interview subjects have written extensively on prayer and religion in America with notable books such as Fire in the Bones by Dr. Albert Raboteau, The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, Dr. Carol Zaleski’s Prayer: A History, and No god but God by Reza Aslan, among others.


For a complete list of interview subjects, please visit DuncanEntertainment.com.


-  What makes this project unique?  What makes this project unique is that it exists at all.  In all likelihood, the show would not exist if it were not for the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.  It was during the healing process around that event that Americans, in large number, resorted to faith and prayer as part of their individual healing process.  Large groups convened in public and in private to offer prayers and to share in the grieving and healing process.  Prayer In America looks at the events following 9/11 as a defining moment in American history.  Perhaps as significant, the question arises “what were Americans praying for?”  One can also ask what role prayer has had throughout American history?  How did we get to a place where Jews, Christians, Muslims and other believers could unite in prayer at a venue such as Yankee Stadium or the National Cathedral?  What is unique about the role of prayer in America, especially as it relates to our apparent religious diversity?


Part of our job in producing Prayer In America is to ask those questions and to work with scholars and experts to explore history as we work to inform viewers about the historical role of prayer in America’s politics, government policy, culture, arts and society in general.


- What do you hope viewers take away or learn from the documentary?  We hope that viewers will look at American history from a fresh perspective.  While some of the topics we cover are familiar to viewers, we invite viewers to consider the influence prayer has had on America’s development and how much it continues to shape the contemporary landscape.  We also discuss how America has impacted prayer and prayer practices.  We’ve done our best to present the film in such a way that the audience can draw its own conclusions about topics many consider quite personal.


- How are you handling the diversity of religions and spiritual practices in America?  It is impossible to give equal representation to the myriad of faith groups that make up the fabric of American religion.  There is a big difference between a book and a TV show and given our two-hour time slot on public television, we simply can’t do justice to those faith groups that represent just a small fraction of believers in the United States today.  We are also not able to delve into specifics related to sects within the major religions.  Therefore, this is not a show for people searching for the differences between Sunnis and Shiites, Baptists and Methodists, Catholics or the Greek or Russian Orthodox.  However, for those who may think we are producing a documentary designed to endorse a particular religious perspective or point of view, you will find yourself disappointed.  Our decisions about what to cover are driven by our thematic and historical approach and the need to do what television does best - tell a compelling story.  Having said that, viewers will experience rich and diverse footage demonstrating prayer and meditation practices from across America including both Orthodox and Reform Judaism, Sufism, mainstream Islam, Buddhism, various Catholic and Protestant Christian practices as well as Mormon and some Native American traditions.


-  Is the show primarily historical, or does it also discuss contemporary prayer in America?  Over the course of two hours, those who are interested in contemporary issues will find much to contemplate.  The documentary is informed by history, but only to the extent that it shows how modern discussions about prayer are not unique but are often manifestations of older debates.  In addition to discussing the social gospel and the prosperity gospel, we spend considerable time controversial subjects such as faith-based prison initiatives, the school prayer debate and the role of science and prayer in healing.  The show also includes significant discussion of America’s civil religion, prayer during conflict, and the role of prayer in the life of Cesar Chavez.


- How did you select the scholars that appear?  When first approaching research, we are voracious readers.  We also work with a team of academic advisers who help us shape content and make interview suggestions.  After we have read a wide body of literature and consulted with our advisers we create a master list of interview subjects.  We try to select a variety of voices and perspectives.  As important, we select scholars who are acknowledged experts in their field and who are steeped in the subjects that we wish to explore.

 - Throughout your interviews, was there consensus among the scholars about the role of prayer in this country?  We would hesitate to use the word ‘consensus’ because this glosses over the widely nuanced answers we received.  It is fair to say though that during our interviews for Prayer In America, we found a fairly common denominator among the various scholars and historians.  That is, many share the notion that America is a largely religious nation and that virtually all prayer practices have been shaped by a “Protestant ethic” that makes them uniquely American.  Religious practice in America is, many argue, infused with the symbols and events of our history.  People, historical and government texts, even buildings have become sacred.  No matter what faith one may choose to practice, or no matter how hard one may choose to practice no faith at all, many believe there is a kind of “civil religion” that defines America and makes it unique.  Our discussion of “civil religion” is, perhaps, the most groundbreaking element explored in Prayer In America.


- How long have you been working on this project?  Our work as filmmakers begins in development.  It can often take several years of work on a topic before the film or community outreach campaign become a reality. 

In that regard, we had our first conversation with author James P. Moore Jr. about his book One Nation Under God – The History of Prayer In America in 2003.  At that time, Moore was still writing his book while also working as an adjunct lecturer at Georgetown University. 

Many of the questions Moore raises in his book helped to inspire our vision for Prayer In America as a public television documentary and community outreach campaign.  In particular, Moore 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…American’s today must understand prayer as a unique, unifying force.”

Of course, not everyone would agree with Moore’s thesis and part of our job as documentary filmmakers is to explore the thesis with solid representation of view points from a broad spectrum of scholars and faith groups.  Viewers will be the judge as to whether we have succeeded in maintaining a fair and balanced perspective.


- How has the project changed from its inception?   The question acknowledges the organic nature of long form film production.  In other words, change in process and approach is anticipated at the outset of a project.  The creation of a book and a film involve significantly different resources and processes.  As filmmakers with a journalistic perspective, we began with one simple decision - Prayer In America would be a history show.  The majority of our creative and editorial decisions flow from that acknowledgement and approach.

By choosing to look at prayer in America through a historical lens, we began a lengthy pre-production process that included extensive research, assembling an advisory committee and determining our interview subjects.  As our most important program advisor, we have worked closely with Iowa Public Television throughout the process.  We also made the decision early on that we would take a thematic approach to content versus a chronological approach.  This decision is due, in part, to our desire to make something new … something different … something that is less “expected.”  Part of good filmmaking is finding a new way to approach subject matter and we hope we’ve done that with Prayer In America.

It’s also important to note that our approach is often dictated by numerous factors including, specifically, our interview subjects and the available historical footage and still photographs.  Most of our interview subjects are also authors so we were able to anticipate some of their answers based on their previous work.  However, what they say and how it’s said can have a dramatic impact on our scripting process.  Like all documentary filmmakers, we’re looking for a good blend of knowledge and charisma in our interview subjects to help keep the film dynamic and entertaining.  To that goal, we think we’ve managed to interview some of the finest voices in America on this subject.  And, because this is television, we are both confined and liberated by the available historical images that helps us to shape and tell the story.  To that extent, we believe we will be providing viewers with an entertaining and dynamic mix of still photos, illustrations and historical motion pictures that help to illustrate America’s diversity of faith and prayer practices.


-  Who are the partners in this production?  Our key partners include Iowa Public Television (IPTV.org) and their experienced team of professionals.  IPTV’s involvement includes a significant role as content advisors as well as their work in publicity, community outreach and administration.  In addition, the reach and shelf life of the project is greatly enhanced by the participation of Los Angeles-based Outreach Extensions.  Outreach Extensions has a long history of community engagement and, in the case of Prayer In America, Outreach Extensions is doing outstanding work in bringing together multi-faith stakeholders and the secular community with public television affiliates around the country.

For additional information please visit
IPTV.org
or
PrayerInAmerica.org

For additional information on the broadcast of PRAYER IN AMERICA - Influences in History, Business, Politics & Culture or the related community outreach efforts, please contact Chip Duncan via email at Chip@DuncanEntertainment.com or by phone at (USA) 414-223-1060. With regard to the role of Iowa Public Television in this production, please contact Duane Huey via email at Huey@IPTV.org.