Reviews From the Press
"BATTLE FOR THE MINDS should be required viewing for anyone with an interest in theology, ethics, citizenship and political culture – it is engrossing and edifying entertainment." Ann Hornaday, The Austin American Statesman
"The debaters’ spirit enlivens the hour, I was specially taken." Walter Goodman, The New York Times
"BATTLE FOR THE MINDS [is] a gripping documentary. Editing of interviews, broadcast news and other materials . . . is excellent, shaping much info into a cohesive, engrossing package." Dennis Harvey, Variety
"BATTLE FOR THE MINDS should be part of all religious studies, political science, and American studies collections." Library Journal
"An emotional and insightful look at the issue that threatens to tear Southern American religious groups apart. It’s a fascinating debate and Lipscomb had wide access to this single largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., which numbers 15 million members." Jim Bawden, The Toronto Star
"[T]he surprise of the [South By Southwest] Film Festival. Who would’ve thought that a documentary on Southern Baptists would ever make it as an entrant in a liberal, arts-oriented film festival? It’s a good thing it did, though, because this compelling, often frightening look at the Fundamentalist takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention was an eye opener. Lipscomb’s film, the SXSW Honorable Mention winner, combines interview footage, press conferences, and chilling excerpts of the SBC’s annual conference to examine the battle over ordaining women into the Baptist Pastorship. This would seem like a ‘who cares?’ non-issue for the rest of us, except that the film reveals just how insidious the Dark Ages mentality of the Christian Far Right is. Remember, these loonies are out to tear down the Church/State wall." Film Threat
"Inspired . . . [a]n inside look at the conservative evolution of the nation’s largest Protestant body." The Atlanta Journal/Constitution
"BATTLE FOR THE MINDS is a telling investigation of the hard-line fundamentalists [and] smug back-room boys . . . who, whether they know it or not, use the Bible to gain power and control." Douglas Todd, Vancouver Sun, Saturday REVIEW
"BATTLE FOR THE MINDS (USA) is a must-see. It takes history into account, it considers biblical interpretations from both sides (without questioning the Bible’s authority) and it talks to all the right people. I don’t know if Lipscomb himself is a Baptist, or a Christian, but this film feels like an insider’s account." Peter Chattaway, Christian Info. News
"Steven Lipscomb’s brilliant documentary, BATTLE FOR THE MINDS, is personally poignant and especially arresting for Catholics troubled by recent pronouncements about the role of women in the church." Frank McConnell, Commonweal
"Critically acclaimed, controversial, and definitely thought-provoking, BATTLE FOR THE MINDS [is a] film bound to provoke debate among conservatives and liberals alike." The Louisville LEO
"BATTLE FOR THE MINDS is a compelling, well-structured film that argues its point with evangelical passion and righteous zeal." The Austin Chronicle
"The debaters’ spirit enlivens the hour, I was specially taken." Walter Goodman, The New York Times
"BATTLE FOR THE MINDS [is] a gripping documentary. Editing of interviews, broadcast news and other materials . . . is excellent, shaping much info into a cohesive, engrossing package." Dennis Harvey, Variety
"BATTLE FOR THE MINDS should be part of all religious studies, political science, and American studies collections." Library Journal
"An emotional and insightful look at the issue that threatens to tear Southern American religious groups apart. It’s a fascinating debate and Lipscomb had wide access to this single largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., which numbers 15 million members." Jim Bawden, The Toronto Star
"[T]he surprise of the [South By Southwest] Film Festival. Who would’ve thought that a documentary on Southern Baptists would ever make it as an entrant in a liberal, arts-oriented film festival? It’s a good thing it did, though, because this compelling, often frightening look at the Fundamentalist takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention was an eye opener. Lipscomb’s film, the SXSW Honorable Mention winner, combines interview footage, press conferences, and chilling excerpts of the SBC’s annual conference to examine the battle over ordaining women into the Baptist Pastorship. This would seem like a ‘who cares?’ non-issue for the rest of us, except that the film reveals just how insidious the Dark Ages mentality of the Christian Far Right is. Remember, these loonies are out to tear down the Church/State wall." Film Threat
"Inspired . . . [a]n inside look at the conservative evolution of the nation’s largest Protestant body." The Atlanta Journal/Constitution
"BATTLE FOR THE MINDS is a telling investigation of the hard-line fundamentalists [and] smug back-room boys . . . who, whether they know it or not, use the Bible to gain power and control." Douglas Todd, Vancouver Sun, Saturday REVIEW
"BATTLE FOR THE MINDS (USA) is a must-see. It takes history into account, it considers biblical interpretations from both sides (without questioning the Bible’s authority) and it talks to all the right people. I don’t know if Lipscomb himself is a Baptist, or a Christian, but this film feels like an insider’s account." Peter Chattaway, Christian Info. News
"Steven Lipscomb’s brilliant documentary, BATTLE FOR THE MINDS, is personally poignant and especially arresting for Catholics troubled by recent pronouncements about the role of women in the church." Frank McConnell, Commonweal
"Critically acclaimed, controversial, and definitely thought-provoking, BATTLE FOR THE MINDS [is a] film bound to provoke debate among conservatives and liberals alike." The Louisville LEO
"BATTLE FOR THE MINDS is a compelling, well-structured film that argues its point with evangelical passion and righteous zeal." The Austin Chronicle
Reviews From the Baptist Community
"BATTLE FOR THE MINDS is characterized by historical accuracy. I was there. I lived through all of these events, beginning back in the 1970’s. BATTLE is the definitive statement of the fundamentalist takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention and the struggle for control at Southern Seminary." Dr. Roy Honeycutt, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary 1982-92; Chancellor of Southern Seminary 1992-Present
"This is a valuable piece of work, not only for Baptists in the South, but for every mainline denomination beset by fundamentalist insurgencies. Its value is as a warning: What happened to the Southern Baptist Convention can happen to [any denomination]." Stan Hastey, Executive Director, Alliance of Baptists
"A powerful film. An important film for Baptists to see. I found it to be a wonderful teaching tool. Every Baptist church should have a copy of BATTLE FOR THE MINDS in their library." Reba Cobb – Current Chair of CBF General Assembly; Co-founder of Folio, newsletter for Baptist Women In Ministry
"The views you see in this film are accurate on both sides. These people have said these exact things to me over the past 10 or 15 years." Mark Wingfield – Editor, Western Recorder (Kentucky Baptist Paper)
"BATTLE FOR THE MINDS is an extraordinary and insightful documentation of the fundamentalist takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention. It is a balanced and honest account of the profound effects the takeover has had on women and the tragic events surrounding the fall of the flagship seminary in Louisville, Kentucky." Dr. Cecil E. Sherman – First Coordinator, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
"BATTLE FOR THE MINDS speaks in a compelling voice for untold women who have been silenced and censured for following God’s call. Baptist women and men alike need to see this film. Perhaps it will give us the courage to stand and tell our own stories without fear of reprisal and without fear that the community of Baptists has tired of hearing them." Rev. Kathy Manis Findley – President of Baptist Women in Ministry; Pastor, Providence Baptist Church, Little Rock, AK
"Lipscomb skillfully and honestly reveals the truth: many of today’s would-be Baptist emperors have no clothes. This documentary exposes the narrow agenda with which they would shackle Baptists." Dr. David Wilkinson -- Communications Coordinator, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
"This is a valuable piece of work, not only for Baptists in the South, but for every mainline denomination beset by fundamentalist insurgencies. Its value is as a warning: What happened to the Southern Baptist Convention can happen to [any denomination]." Stan Hastey, Executive Director, Alliance of Baptists
"A powerful film. An important film for Baptists to see. I found it to be a wonderful teaching tool. Every Baptist church should have a copy of BATTLE FOR THE MINDS in their library." Reba Cobb – Current Chair of CBF General Assembly; Co-founder of Folio, newsletter for Baptist Women In Ministry
"The views you see in this film are accurate on both sides. These people have said these exact things to me over the past 10 or 15 years." Mark Wingfield – Editor, Western Recorder (Kentucky Baptist Paper)
"BATTLE FOR THE MINDS is an extraordinary and insightful documentation of the fundamentalist takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention. It is a balanced and honest account of the profound effects the takeover has had on women and the tragic events surrounding the fall of the flagship seminary in Louisville, Kentucky." Dr. Cecil E. Sherman – First Coordinator, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
"BATTLE FOR THE MINDS speaks in a compelling voice for untold women who have been silenced and censured for following God’s call. Baptist women and men alike need to see this film. Perhaps it will give us the courage to stand and tell our own stories without fear of reprisal and without fear that the community of Baptists has tired of hearing them." Rev. Kathy Manis Findley – President of Baptist Women in Ministry; Pastor, Providence Baptist Church, Little Rock, AK
"Lipscomb skillfully and honestly reveals the truth: many of today’s would-be Baptist emperors have no clothes. This documentary exposes the narrow agenda with which they would shackle Baptists." Dr. David Wilkinson -- Communications Coordinator, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
Reviews From the Film Community
"An important film, capable of shifting the public consciousness." Bill Moyers – Public Affairs Television
"Lipscomb is a skillful filmmaker, especially adept at drawing from his subjects controversial and emotional material." Michael Apted – Director, 28 UP; GORILLAS IN THE MIST
"BATTLE FOR THE MINDS is an important film, brilliantly allowing the religious right to hang itself on its own word and deeds." Norman Lear – Creator, ALL IN THE FAMILY; Producer, FRIED GREEN TOMATOES
"Lipscomb has exposed the fundamentalists’ agenda in America. His intriguing film shows us the battle currently being waged in both the microcosm of the Southern Baptist world and the macrocosm of society today." Dan Genetti – Executive Producer, MANDELA; THE BASKETBALL DIARIES
"This is an important film for women. If we had any doubt that our rights were in danger from the religious right, this film makes it absolutely clear. BATTLE FOR THE MINDS is an evocative and powerful documentary." Kathryn Miller – Director of Development, Universal Pictures
"In Steven Lipscomb’s stunning BATTLE FOR THE MINDS, misogyny still stalks the American imagination. Fear of female sexuality, rejection of women’s capacity for intellectual advancement or institutional leadership – Lipscomb’s film strips bare this hatred of women in Southern Baptist institutions and in the hearts of its current religious leaders. If you thought we’d buried such intense misogyny, BATTLE FOR THE MINDS reveals with shocking honesty that it is still very much alive." Calvin Skaggs – Award Winning Documentarian; Producer, IN GOD WE TRUST
"BATTLE FOR THE MINDS is relevant and it’s personal, the kind of film that demands its viewer to think and take a position." Robert Guenette – Award winning Documentarian; Former President, International Documentary Assn.
"Lipscomb’s film about the struggle against the right wing takeover of the Baptist church chillingly echoes the current battle raging in government for the political soul of America." Dana Stevens - Writer, BLINK; CITY OF ANGELS
"Lipscomb is a bright new talent. BATTLE FOR THE MINDS is not only about the frightening political savvy of the religious right, it is about every intolerant fundamentalist movement in America." Paul Lazarus – Director, L.A. LAW
"Lipscomb is a skillful filmmaker, especially adept at drawing from his subjects controversial and emotional material." Michael Apted – Director, 28 UP; GORILLAS IN THE MIST
"BATTLE FOR THE MINDS is an important film, brilliantly allowing the religious right to hang itself on its own word and deeds." Norman Lear – Creator, ALL IN THE FAMILY; Producer, FRIED GREEN TOMATOES
"Lipscomb has exposed the fundamentalists’ agenda in America. His intriguing film shows us the battle currently being waged in both the microcosm of the Southern Baptist world and the macrocosm of society today." Dan Genetti – Executive Producer, MANDELA; THE BASKETBALL DIARIES
"This is an important film for women. If we had any doubt that our rights were in danger from the religious right, this film makes it absolutely clear. BATTLE FOR THE MINDS is an evocative and powerful documentary." Kathryn Miller – Director of Development, Universal Pictures
"In Steven Lipscomb’s stunning BATTLE FOR THE MINDS, misogyny still stalks the American imagination. Fear of female sexuality, rejection of women’s capacity for intellectual advancement or institutional leadership – Lipscomb’s film strips bare this hatred of women in Southern Baptist institutions and in the hearts of its current religious leaders. If you thought we’d buried such intense misogyny, BATTLE FOR THE MINDS reveals with shocking honesty that it is still very much alive." Calvin Skaggs – Award Winning Documentarian; Producer, IN GOD WE TRUST
"BATTLE FOR THE MINDS is relevant and it’s personal, the kind of film that demands its viewer to think and take a position." Robert Guenette – Award winning Documentarian; Former President, International Documentary Assn.
"Lipscomb’s film about the struggle against the right wing takeover of the Baptist church chillingly echoes the current battle raging in government for the political soul of America." Dana Stevens - Writer, BLINK; CITY OF ANGELS
"Lipscomb is a bright new talent. BATTLE FOR THE MINDS is not only about the frightening political savvy of the religious right, it is about every intolerant fundamentalist movement in America." Paul Lazarus – Director, L.A. LAW