A new kind of faith-based film came to movie screens a couple of years ago called Blue Like Jazz which was based on the book by the same name by Christian author Donald Miller. It featured college kids drinking, some swearing and references to sex and sort of came and went without much fanfare. Currently in theaters is another faith-based film which features college kids drinking, some swearing…and no references to sex, that I can remember. However, those are not the issues that will make Christians cringe while watching it. Believe Me is an ambitious satire about Christians and even though the religious ones in the story are not the villains, their behavior will challenge you to re-think your own.

The story is about Sam (Alex Russell) and his college friends who…surprise…can’t afford college. Sam is ready to graduate and move on to law school when he finds out that his scholarship ran out months earlier. While attending a church service to impress a girl, Sam is mesmerized by a group of short-term missionaries who feel called to serve in…Hawaii. Like sheep going to slaughter, Sam witnesses the congregation giving money left and right for the cause. In no time, Sam has convinced his buddies Baker (Max Adler), Tyler (Sinqua Walls), and Pierce (Miles Fisher – a Tom Cruise look-alike) that the answer to their financial dreams to create their “ministry outreach” where they reach out for other’s people’s money and then keep it for themselves. In no time, the two-week plan turns into two months as a Ken (Christopher McDonald), a leader of the Cross Country ministry team, takes the “God Squad” under his wings to help them raise money for starving children in Africa. They gladly accept, but realize in a hurry that they can’t pass themselves off as Christians without some study. They learn that Christians:

• Have different body postures during worship
• Are “okay” with swearing if they shorten the four-letter words to just one letter.
• Will drink wine and attend bars as long as their drinks are non-alcoholic
• Will buy the dumbest t-shirts if the shirts talk about God

This of course is funny, but it is also sad because it is true. The cringe moments continue when you see how gullible the church crowd can be. Sam learns early on that just telling a packed building full of Christians and telling them about the woes in Africa is enough to collect coins. When he changes his tune slightly to say that God will bless the people for their generous giving, that’s when they respond. They completely fall for the “what’s in it for me scheme.” Sam is no longer trying to preach the gospel; he is just selling a product.

Even people of Cross Country team are oblivious to their own behavior. Gabriel (Zachary Knighton), the worship leader, sings songs that only repeat the name of “Jesus” over and over again. He says, “I realized if the song is supposed to all about Him, than what are the other words there for?” Other members of the team become inspired about the “work” the God Squad is doing. The guys respond by telling others what they want to hear. Even the tour manager Callie (Johanna Braddy), who is skeptical of the guys at first, fall victim to their lies.

Believe Me is pretty good. The acting doesn’t leave the saccharine flavor you will find in some other faith-based films. NBC’s Parks and Recreation’s Nick Offerman has a brief role and the best scene in the whole film as a guidance counselor. Hip Hop artist Lecrae also has a cameo role as well. There are a few plot holes and scenes where characters seem to disappear and then re-appear with no real reason for their absence, but these are minor infractions.

The creators of Believe Me may disagree, but I think this film should be used as tool to preach to the choir rather than an outreach tool to reach the masses. Anything that can make us question our authenticity and become more real in the process is a good thing.