Controversial Doc Christspiracy Finally Debuts Globally, Examining Compassion & Animal Rights in Religion – vegconomist

A new documentary exploring the relationship between religious teachings and animal welfare, Christspiracy: The Spirituality Secret, makes its worldwide debut today.

Directed by Kip Andersen, known for previous documentaries such as Cowspiracy and Seaspiracy, and co-directed by Kameron Waters, Christspiracy is now available for streaming on Christspiracy.com. 

Produced over seven years, Christspiracy investigates a central question: “How would Jesus kill an animal?” The documentary presents insights from interviews with religious leaders, scholars, and animal rights activists across various cultural and religious contexts. Filming locations included Rome, Jerusalem, and the United States, among others, where the filmmakers sought perspectives on the treatment of animals within religious traditions. The documentary’s stated aim is to reveal connections between historical religious teachings and contemporary issues in animal agriculture.

Reflecting on religious interpretations, Christspiracy questions how compassion—a core principle in major religions—is reconciled with practices involving animal exploitation. The film’s approach has sparked discussions around ethical responsibilities, with notable support from public figures. Actor Joaquin Phoenix, a prominent animal rights advocate, remarked, “This film explores the answer from many of the world’s religions and exposes unforgiving truths about animal cruelty in the name of religion.”

The documentary is available on a unique “pay-it-forward” model, where viewers are encouraged to make a suggested donation of $15. Half of all proceeds will go toward animal sanctuaries and animal rights activism, according to AUM Films, the production company behind the film. AUM Films has described its mission as promoting environmental and social justice through media, emphasizing compassionate co-existence as essential for planetary well-being.

Nationwide college tour

To promote Christspiracy and foster public discussion, the filmmakers have launched a college tour across the United States. Organized in partnership with Allied Scholars, a student advocacy network, the Christspiracy tour will include screenings and Q&A sessions at prestigious universities such as Harvard, MIT, and Yale. The tour will run through November 22, 2024, with appearances by Waters and other guest speakers, including biomedical scientist Dr. Faraz Harsini.

Kip Andersen, who co-directed Christspiracy, has previously co-created several widely viewed documentaries that address environmental and health issues related to animal agriculture. His past works, such as Cowspiracy and What the Health, have been executive produced by figures including Leonardo DiCaprio and Joaquin Phoenix, drawing attention to ethical and environmental concerns tied to food production.

Addressing the gap

Co-director Kam Waters brings a personal perspective rooted in his background in gospel music and religious tradition. Raised in the Bible Belt, Waters’ exploration of animal ethics was influenced by his upbringing within a family with deep ties to the church. His involvement in Christspiracy emerged from a belief that religious teachings often overlook animal welfare, a gap he and Andersen hope to address through their latest work.

“Christspiracy is an exclusive discovery about Jesus Christ that has never been shown before. We believe what we have unearthed will transform history and the future,” states Anderson.

Christspiracy: The Spirituality Secret is now accessible worldwide on Christspiracy.com. Further details on the college tour, including dates and registration, are available through the Allied Scholars network.