- In God's Name explores the complex questions of our time through the intimate thoughts and beliefs of 12 of the world's most influential spiritual leaders.
- Produced and directed by the acclaimed French filmmakers Jules and Gedeon Naudet, In God's Name explores the complex questions of our time through the intimate thoughts and beliefs of 12 of the world's most influential spiritual leaders. These diverse and powerful voices offer provocative, compelling and enlightening perspective on myriad issues in our post-9/11 world, including the rise of terrorism, fanaticism, intolerance and war. In God's Name marks the first time that this distinct group of leaders has appeared in one program allowing the viewer to see them in intimate settings, including their homes and personal places of worship. These spiritual beacons speak out about violence and hatred and reveal their own thoughts about faith, peace, unity, tolerance and hope. Ultimately, through the eyes of these 12 very different religious figures, the filmmakers discover the common ground among believers around the world.—National Geographic
- The 12 Religious Leaders: Alexy II, Patriarch of Moscow and head of the Russian Orthodox Church Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi), a Hindu spiritual leader Pope Benedict XVI, head of the Roman Catholic Church The Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso), spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists Ayatollah Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah, a prominent Shi'ite Muslim leader Bishop Mark Hanson, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and President of the Lutheran World Federation Michihisa Kitashirakawa, Jingu Daiguji (High Priest) of the Shinto Grand Shrine of Ise Yona Metzger, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel Dr. Frank Page, President of the Southern Baptist Convention Muhammad Sayyed Tantawi, Sheikh of Al-Azhar and a prominent Sunni Muslim leader Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar of the Akal Takht, the Sikhs' highest authority Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the Church of England
The Specific Categories of Questions and Topics of Main Documentary: Introduction - Opens with Bishop Mark Hanson - Its been some of the darkest moments in religious life. In all of history when in the name of God we kill other people. After some images of violence Imam Muhammad Sayyed Tantawi states: People of all faiths and of all homelands are divided into reasonable and unreasonable people and all that I wish and pray to God for is that reasonable people would outnumber the fools. Following this is a description of what is to come with images and short video clips of the leaders in the video. The Dalai Lama then speaks stating: You can't decree that this or that particular religion is the most important. Buddhism is the best for me but I can't say that this is the best for you to. How can I say this, likes and interests are different as in the food habits of different people. Some people like hot spicy food, others do not. Those that like hot spicy food can not say that the food with chili is the best, for those who don't like hot spice the food without chili is the best. That is what it is like. More images and clips depicting the 12 religious leaders as well as children and followers are shown. The video then focuses on Amma the Hindu Spiritual Leader who says: When they are in pain and cry I wipe their tears and hold them in my lap. At that moment I forget myself and become them. From there a few other clips that give short statements from Dr. Frank Page, Yona Metzger, Pope Benedict, and Dr. Rowan Williams.
Like Any Other Morning - Jules and Gedeon Naudet talk about how the idea of the project started on September 11th, 2001. They share a brief clip of the towers and state how they were in the lobby of 1 World Trade Center. The one brother mentions the noise, running for life, thinking they were about to die, and the questions that came to their mind of what does it all mean, how do you deal with death when confronted with it so violently. They speak of how in one moment 3,000 people are working and living then in the next are dead. They wondered how do people make sense of it, what types of questions a person might ask if they were or were not spiritual, and that one common question may have been where was God that day. Dr. Rowan Williams gives a statement of the changes that day created for him. He speaks of the morning after and how he was on a street in New York and was stopped by an airline pilot and asked where God was. He responds: People will always ask that in these tragedies, there is no simple answer, God is also in those who are digging out the bodies, putting them in the service of others, those who are there to console, befriend, and support, God is there, it is still true. Naudet decides to ask the questions of a spiritual level and mentions how the key was to seek out the 12 leaders, show them as human beings, to get into the private life, to have a day in the life with them, to experience what these leaders had as their hopes, their dreams and fears. They wanted the viewer to be able to relate to these leaders as a father, a mother, as a believer in God, and as a person who is on that quest for the answers to the meaning of life.
First Light: Starts with images of leaders at first light preparing for and starting their day. Yona Metzger, Tenzin Gatso (Dalai Lama), Dr. Frank Page, Imam Muhammad Sayyed Tantawi, and Amma share some of their stories and thoughts in this section.
The Calling: Asks how some of the leaders came to be spiritual leaders including reflections on their childhood. Included in this section are: Dr. Frank Page, Joginder Singh Vendanti, Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah, Alexy II, Dr. Rowan Williams, Michihisa Kitashirakawa, Pope Benedict, and Mark Hanson
Early Morning: Features Dalai Lama, Joginder Singh Vedanti, and Dr. Frank Page
The Presence of God: Amma, Michihisa Kitashirakawa, Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah, Pope Benedict, Muhammad Sayyed Tantawi, Dr. Rowan Williams
The Sacrifices Made: Muhammad Sayyed Tantawi, Amma, Mark Hanson, Dr. Rown Williams, and Alexy II
Late Morning: Pope Benedict and Dalai Lama
Doubting God: Dr. Rowan Williams, Mark Hanson, Yona Metzger, and Dr. Frank Page
Midday: Dr. Frank Page, Mark Hanson, Yonga Metzger, Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah, and Muhammad Sayyed Tantawi
Finding Faith: Amma, Pope Benedict, Muhammad Sayyed Tantawi, Yona Metzger, Dalai Lama, Mark Hanson, and Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah
Motherhood in Everyone: Amma
Testing Faith: Joginder Singh Vedanti, Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah, Mark Hanson, Dalai Lama
Late Afternoon: Michihisa Kitashirakawa
Twilight: Muhammad Sayyed Tantawi, Amma, Alexy II, Pope Benedict. Dr. Rowan Williams, Dalai Lama, and Dr. Frank Page,
The Meaning of Life: Mark Hanson, Amma, Dr. Rowan Williams, Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah, Mark Hanson (at approximately 1:26:00 provides a marvelous quote, "My problem is that we only talk to people with whom we agree with in this world. Fanatics on the right only talk to other fanatics on the right about how right they are and how wrong the rest of the world is, liberals on the left only talk to liberals on the left about how right they are and how the ones on the right are wrong"), Alexy II, Dr. Frank Page, and Pope Benedict,
The Naudet brothers also come in at this time to talk about what they found throughout the journey. They found that there was more that unites than divides us. They said that at the end of the journey they realized that, ' the search for truth is itself is a religious act"
A Prayer for Mankind: Mark Hanson, Muhammad Sayyed Tantawi, and Yona Metzger,
End Credits
The Bonus Feature Topics Include: The Childhood and The Calling The Presence of God Doubting God What Do You Miss That You Can Not Do Anymore Perfect Happiness Finding Faith What Would You Ask God The Meaning of Life The Meaning of Death War and Fanaticism What is Worth Fighting For and Dying For The Future of Our World Can All Religions Co-Exist A Message to Mankind
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