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They say you get what you pay for, and we certainly did.

Late last week, we decided to promote our Fahrenheit 9/11 review on Google as a "sponsored link." The result was a ton of traffic from people who probably don't normally visit Christianity Today Movies, and we're thrilled about that. Another result was a ton of e-mail, much of it negative. Some of it was clearly criticizing our review of Michael Moore's controversial new documentary—which was No. 1 at the box office over the weekend—and some of it was criticizing Bush and his policies.

Despite the mostly negative letters, we're also thrilled about that. This is an important film that America needs to be discussing, and we're glad to be part of that discussion. With that said, here's a sampling of some of the letters—the good and the bad—that we've received:

Kathryn Love writes: "I saw Fahrenheit 9/11 today. At the end of the movie the house broke out in applause. I was spellbound. This movie should go into the archives of history. This movie is accurate in every way. God bless Michael Moore and let him live a very long life."

Desmond Root: "Your review of Fahrenheit 9/11 was really disappointing. Why do you need to pay so much attention to that 'other side' when that's all that there has been in the press for years? The media is very saturated with 'the other side.' The movie clearly states how none of this corruption is being checked and that these politicians are lying to us, and no one is being held accountable for it. I feel your lame two-star review missed the point. Your shortsightedness is typical of your dying religion."

Donald Johnson: "I haven't seen the movie, but it seems to me that Christianity Today is in a poor position to criticize anyone for being one-sided on foreign policy issues. Rarely do you challenge the morality of American foreign policy in any serious way. For instance, if Moore's movie lacks any mention of Saddam's atrocities, then it presumably also doesn't mention how the U.S. supported him when he was committing his bloodiest crimes. The sad fact is that a humorist like Moore has to be taken seriously because most of his critics ignore the kinds of American sins that he focuses on. Christianity Today should be in the forefront on such issues, but in practice it's a timid mainstream publication that seems willing to talk about some issues (like abortion) while carefully avoiding others (such as the long-standing American support for pro-American tyrants and terrorists overseas)."

Rachel Ann Sollender: "I am a Christian, and though I do not agree with the way that Moore chooses to get his point across, I think that America needs to be informed on the way that the government (Bush) does in fact treat us, especially the military. My husband is military. I have seen the funeral processions through town, the widows, crying on the news, lives ruined, the death toll rising. And Bush just keeps sending more and more. Terrorism will never stop. Never. Do I think God looks at this war and approves? No. The last year and a half that I have spent as a military spouse, I have learned that this is another Vietnam. God weeps and families mourn uselessly. This war is evil. We must vote Bush out of office."

Mike Walsh: "Michael Moore is a complete idiot and moron. He is so far left that one of these days he will fall off the face of the earth."

Ximena Tagle: "Your review fails to mention that the film is also about the heartbreak of war, that the tears, rage, and despair of parents—Iraqi and American—is the same. As Christians, it is our duty to LOVE our neighbor, not bomb them."

Dan Roe: "I think you missed the point re: this movie. Look past the spin, which exists on both sides, and look into your heart, and please explain to me how, as a Christian, you can support this war after seeing the images of dead children? Are we killing their children to save our own? What have we accomplished in Christ's name? We've taken a very dark path as a nation, and I fear that by not speaking out, you're taking your readers further down this path. I've seen this movie, and will be recommending it to every Christian I know. They're smart enough to see past spin."

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Fahrenheit 9/11	Printer view