Standing Up for Freedom

By   •   September 11, 2012

America at the Crossroads is a series of articles that examines aspects of American culture that are of concern to people of faith.

The name of the movie is “Last Ounce of Courage,” which is quite apt, considering the effect it’s had already on some near immortals.

It’s one thing to hear a grown man cried at a movie.

But Chuck Norris?

What?

But that’s what was reported at an advance “Last Ounce of Courage” screening.  Yes, legendary Texas Walker Ranger tough guy — and the source of endless mythical quotes like “Churck Norris doesn’t cheat death; he wins fair and square” — actually went misty-eyed while watching the film.

In fact, for the first time ever, Norris was so moved by “Last Ounce of Courage,” he gave his “Seal of Approval” to a film he’s not even in.

Of course, somewhere on the Internet, there will be a spin to all this: Chuck Norris wasn’t crying, the tears were so afraid, they were escaping down his cheek.

“It will touch something in your psyche and in your heart,” Norris told FoxNews.com. “We’ve had theaters filled with people openly weeping.”

And as for that “Seal of Approval?”

“A few years ago, I decided to create a seal of approval as a marker that is consistent with my core values,” Norris said. “It’s about faith, family and freedom. It really is about every town in America.”

If America is truly at a Crossroads this fall, then “Last Ounce of Courage” will be the theatrical fork in the road that leads to freedom.

Freedom of religion. The freedoms that our country was founded on. Freedom to stand up for what you believe.  

“It really is a call to action,” said Marshall Teague, lead actor known for roles in “Roadhouse,” “The Rock” and “Armageddon.”

“This has been is a passion of mine since Day One and it will never change.”

Both on screen and in person, Teague oozes Red, White and Blue, so much so that you hear real concern in his voice when he talks about why he joined this project. 

For Teague, it’s about America turning into a country completely different than the one our forefathers founded.  It’s about knowing what’s in the constitution, or more revealing, what is not — like the term “separation of church and state.”

That phrase has been repeatedly used by the Supreme Court of the United States, but in reality there is no such law.

Yet recently, a school in New York decided to scrap playing the song “God Bless the USA” at a kindergarten graduation for fear offending other cultures.  NBC censored “Under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance in the 2011 U.S. Open. Police chaplains in Charlotte, N.C., are forbidden to pray in the name of Jesus.

“Movies like this aren’t considered ‘fashionable,’ ” Norris said. “And people are afraid of being jumped on for taking a strong stand.”

The movie deals with many practical ways this affects our lives, including a town that forbids a Christmas Tree from being erected, in fear of offending other religions. Also a school, who’s Christmas play does everything in its power not to mention anything Biblical, rather going with an Alien theme.

All in the name of not offending anyone.

“I’m not talking about the Republicans or the Democrats or the Libertarians,” Teague said. “This movie was made because we wanted everyone to have the opportunity to say how you feel about this.”

“Last Ounce of Courage” will open on 1,200 screens beginning Sept. 14. A special Patriot Day screening will be shown on Sept. 11 in select cities.

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