Sex, Drugs & Religion is a provocative documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 11 minutes that humorously explores the diverse and often bizarre world of religious beliefs and practices. The film takes viewers on a comedic journey through various faiths, highlighting the contradictions, scandals, and peculiarities associated with them. Betty Butterfield and Pastor Deacon Fred Smith serve as the primary guides, offering satirical commentary on major religions such as Catholicism, Mormonism, Pentecostalism, and others, while also examining controversial groups like the Westboro Baptist Church and Scientologists.
The film opens with a somber montage of archived black-and-white footage from World War II, revealing disturbing images of Nazi Germany, including Adolf Hitler and Ante Pavelich, along with scenes of forced conversions, concentration camps, and the brutality inflicted on prisoners and children. This stark imagery sets a stark contrast to the satirical tone that follows, as the film dives into the personal perspectives of its hosts.
Pastor Deacon Fred Smith (played by [Chris Harper]) introduces himself as a prominent figure from the Landover Baptist Church, claiming to be one of the most sought-after men in Christianity. His opening monologue sets the stage for a critique of organized religion, which is juxtaposed with Betty Butterfield’s (played by [Chuck Knipp]) candid opinions on Catholicism and her observations about sexual abuse scandals involving priests, often supported by real news clips and media commentary, including appearances by Bill Maher on Larry King Live and clips promoting his film Religulous.
The documentary then shifts focus to contemporary religious controversies. It features interviews from Shirley Lynn Phelps-Roper, daughter of Fred Phelps, the infamous leader of Westboro Baptist Church, who is shown protesting at soldiers’ funerals and propagating church rhetoric. Scenes also explore failed televangelist ministries like those of Jimmy Swaggart and Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, criticizing the greed and manipulation within televangelism, with insights from Ole Anthony about the corrupt nature of these ministries.
A significant portion of the film is dedicated to the Pentecostal movement, renowned for snake handling and charismatic rock-n-roll religious expressions, with footage of snake handling and faith-healing rituals. The film then briefly looks at Mormon evangelism, where two young representatives confront a man who knows his Bible well, and moves on to feature Scientology, with Tom Cruise referencing the controversial faith in a bizarre interview.
The documentary also provides a look into international conflicts, offering glimpses of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, before turning to Islam and its faith practices. Throughout, renowned thinker Richard Dawkins shares insights on faith and belief systems, emphasizing the film’s critical yet satirical approach.
The closing scenes revisit Betty Butterfield’s personal reflections on Presbyterians and her eventual prayerful request for guidance in finding a church. The film’s credit roll is a lively segment featuring two Mormons dancing to Jimmy Eat World’s song Here It Goes, accompanied by messages from the director expressing his thoughts on religion. After the credits, viewers are treated to a hidden humorous music video, adding an extra layer of entertainment to the overall experience.
Sex, Drugs & Religion offers a thought-provoking yet humorous look at the complexities, contradictions, and scandals surrounding faith in modern society, encouraging viewers to question and reflect on the role of religion in their lives and communities.
