Hellfighters MM - The more you know

 Our local community arts center and theater is listing an upcoming film and fund raiser that seemed a little different from the normal holiday films and events. 

The Wayne Theatre in Waynesboro, Virginia had this listing:

“Last Ounce of Courage”

https://www.waynetheatre.org/event/fundraiser-last-ounce-of-courage-film

This is billed as a local Hellfighters Motorcycle Ministry unit fund raiser for a local homeless shelter, Open Doors. On the surface this seems legit and a worthy cause. What perked our interest is the anti-government theme of the film, and as we found after some further research, it has ties to Far-right Christian Nationalism. 

From Wikipedia:  

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Ounce_of_Courage

Last Ounce of Courage is a 2012 film. It centers on the struggle of Bob Revere, a man dealing with what he feels is his freedom of religion is being attacked by the government of his community and an ACLU-like group.

That set off some domestic terrorist watch red flags. Sounds like this Hellfighters Motorcycle Ministry outfit might be a bit insurrectionist adjacent.

The audience for this type of film is clearly sympathetic to extreme Christian Nationalism. Literally preaching to the choir. It’s all about perceived persecution of Christians. Old song, repeatedly played. Right wing “War of Christmas” malarkey. Never gets too old for some folks.

As the Washington Posts puts it, "Its effectiveness depends entirely on the degree to which you already believe its talking points.” Actor and activist Chuck Norris, said of the film, "It was an easy choice to endorse this film because its message is consistent with my life principles and core values.”

But we dug a little further, and found that it was a Mike Huckabee project timed to stir up the “faithful” in resistance to President Obama. Unfortunately for Huckabee, he was sued for shady telephone marketing practices. 

Last Ounce of Courage was the subject of a 2014 class action lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that the film's marketing team conducted a massive robocall advertising campaign, which was alleged to be in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. In 2017, a federal judge awarded $32.4 million to the plaintiffs.

So that brings us back to the Hellfighters MM. 

We have no concerns with religious evangelicalism, as long as it doesn’t turn violent. The organization’s symbols suggest a combative attitude. While certainly a predictable part of evangelism and the HD motorcycle sub-culture, it clearly is a religious warrior mantra.

Hopefully these “Foot Soldiers” for Christ focus on doing good works, and saving souls, not armed insurrection.

We will be on the lookout for association with Oathkeepers, III%-ers, and other domestic terror groups.

So it’s just a heads up at this point. Eyes open. 

As always, Be Vigilant.