Tusculum College to screen documentary “Armor of Light”

Tusculum College will host an advanced screening of “Armor of Light” on Thursday, April 21, at 7 p.m.

Presented by Independent Lens and East Tennessee PBS in partnership with Tusculum College’s department of civic studies, the movie follows Rev. Rob Schenck, an evangelical minister who preaches about the toll of gun violence in America.

“Students will benefit from watching this documentary by their exposure to different viewpoints and perspectives concerning important and controversial matters such as abortion and gun rights and will hopefully gain a deeper understanding of the moral principles of civility, tolerance and how to work with others to find solutions for these significant and often divisive social issues,” said Dr. Troy Goodale, chair of the department of civic studies and associate professor of political science at Tusculum College.

As an anti-abortion activist, Rev. Schenck questions whether being pro-gun conflicts with being pro-life. He meets Lucy McBath, the mother of an unarmed boy who was murdered in Florida and whose case became a landmark in the fight against “stand your ground” laws.

The documentary’s trailer states, “Through their stories, intercut with revealing footage underlining the marriage between the religious right and the NRA, “The Armor of Light” asserts that even in the face of heartbreak, outrage and political affiliations, it is possible for people to evolve their opinions and potentially come together to find common ground.”

The screening is free and open to the public and will be followed by a discussion session. An Arts and Lecture Series event for residential students, the film is rate PG-13, and its running time is 88 minutes.

 

By Stephanie Turner, senior journalism and professional writing major from Shelbyville