>>> COMING UP, DAVID TERESHCHUK ON USING SCRIPTURE TO SETTLE DISPUTES THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE END UP IN COURT.

>>> AND CHRISTIAN FILMMAKERS.

DAN LOTHIAN REPORTS FROM NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, ON THE GROWING SUCCESS OF LOW-BUDGET FEATURE FILMS MARKETED THROUGH CHURCHES.

>>> WELCOME, I'M BOB ABERNETHY.

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU WITH US.

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IS UNDER SERIOUS AND SUSTAINED ASSAULT AROUND THE WORLD, ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT BY THE U.S. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.

THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDED THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT ADD TO THE LIST OF THE WORLD'S WORST ABUSERS A NUMBER OF NEW COUNTRIES, INCLUDING EGYPT, IRAQ, NIGERIA, PAKISTAN AND SYRIA.

THE REPORT HIGHLIGHTED RISING ANTI-SEMITIC AND ANTI-MUSLIM BIGOTRY IN EUROPE, THE PERSECUTION OF MUSLIMS IN MYANMAR, AND VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA CARRIED OUT BY THE MUSLIM EXTREMIST GROUP BOKO HARAM.

THE COMMISSION ALSO SINGLED OUT INDIA, WHERE HINDU NATIONALIST GROUPS HAVE INCREASINGLY TARGETED MUSLIMS AND CHRISTIANS.

>>> IN HONOR OF POPE FRANCIS' YEAR OF MERCY, 6,000 HOMELESS PEOPLE WILL TRAVEL TO ROME IN NOVEMBER TO ATTEND A MASS IN ST. PETER'S SQUARE AND A SPECIAL SESSION WITH THE POPE.

THEY WILL COME FROM ALL OVER EUROPE.

THE FRENCH AFFILIATE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CATHOLIC CHARITY CARITAS IS SUPPORTING THE EFFORT.

MEANWHILE, 101 SYRIAN AND IRAQI REFUGEES ARRIVED IN ROME THIS WEEK.

THE GROUP IS MADE UP OF BOTH MUSLIMS AND CHRISTIANS AND INCLUDES 44 CHILDREN.

ANOTHER 97 REFUGEES WILL TRAVEL TO ROME IN FEBRUARY.

THE TRIPS ARE SPONSORED BY THE CATHOLIC CHARITY SANT'EGIDIO.

THE ORGANIZATION AIMS TO HOUSE A THOUSAND SYRIAN REFUGEES.

>>> THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, THE SECOND LARGEST PROTESTANT DENOMINATION IN THE U.S., IS HOLDING ITS GENERAL CONFERENCE IN PORTLAND, OREGON, BEGINNING MAY 10th.

ON THE EVE OF THE MEETING, 15 UNITED METHODIST CLERGY AND CLERGY CANDIDATES HAVE COME OUT AS GAY.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES JUST BEFORE CHURCH REPRESENTATIVES ARE EXPECTED TO CONSIDER NEW RULES ALLOWING CLERGY TO BE OPENLY GAY AND TO PERFORM SAME-SEX WEDDINGS.

CURRENTLY, CHURCH RULES PROHIBIT BOTH.

>>> A HISTORIC SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN NEW YORK CITY BURNED DOWN LAST SUNDAY, ON THE VERY DAY THE CONGREGATION, AND ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS AROUND THE WORLD, CELEBRATED EASTER.

THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL OF ST. SAVA WAS BUILT IN THE EARLY 1850s AND IS LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES.

ONLY A CHARRED SKELETON OF THE CHURCH REMAINS.

FIRE OFFICIALS SUSPECT THE CHURCH'S CARETAKERS ACCIDENTALLY PLACED UNEXTINGUISHED CANDLES USED DURING THE SERVICE IN A CARDBOARD BOX.

>>> ARBITRATION IS AN ALTERNATIVE FOR SETTLING DISPUTES THAT HAS SOMETIMES BEEN CONTROVERSIAL.

YET THERE HAS BEEN A RISE IN ARBITRATION THAT'S RELIGIOUS IN NATURE.

AS DAVID TERESHCHUK REPORTS, IT'S RISING EVEN AMONG ORGANIZATIONS THAT ENGAGE IN PURELY SECULAR BUSINESS.

>> PAMELA PRESCOTT HAS BEEN AN EDUCATOR FOR 38 YEARS, A TEACHER WHO ROSE TO BE PRINCIPAL AT A CHRISTIAN SCHOOL.

THEN THINGS WENT BADLY WRONG BETWEEN HER AND HER EMPLOYERS.

A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER PHONED HER AT HOME.

>> HE SAID WE DON'T NEED YOU TO COME BACK TO CAMPUS AT ALL.

WE ARE DISMISSING YOU.

IT WAS A VERY ARDUOUS AND A VERY PAINFUL THING TO GO THROUGH.

>> CHERI SPIVEY LOST HER SON, NICK, WHEN HE WAS 20 YEARS OLD AND ADDICTED TO DRUGS.

HE DIED AFTER SHE SENT HIM TO A CHRISTIAN REHABILITATION CENTER.

>> IT WAS THE WORST, AND STILL IS.

IT'S JUST -- A LOT OF TIMES, IT'S JUST HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THAT HAPPENED, THAT NICK'S NOT HERE ANYMORE.

>> WHAT THE PRESCOTT AND SPIVEY CASES HAVE IN COMMON IS THAT WHEN EACH WOMAN WANTED TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION OVER THEIR LOSSES, THEIR WAY WAS BLOCKED BY THE OLD, BUT RARELY DISCUSSED, PRACTICE OF CHRISTIAN ARBITRATION.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THAT WAS.

I DIDN'T HAVE A CLUE.

I HAD HEARD OF MEDIATION BEFORE, BUT CHRISTIAN ARBITRATION I HAD NOT HEARD OF.

>> IT'S A POOR WITNESS TO OUR GOD AND TO OUR FAITH IF OUR FIRST RESORT IS TO TAKE THINGS TO COURT.

>> BRYCE THOMAS, BESIDES BEING A LICENSED ATTORNEY IN NORTH CAROLINA, IS A NATIONALLY PROMINENT CHRISTIAN ARBITRATOR WHO WORKS WITH THE INSTITUTE OF CHRISTIAN CONCILIATION.

THE INSTITUTE'S RULES GOVERN MOST OF THE CHRISTIAN ARBITRATIONS THAT TAKE PLACE IN AMERICA.

>> YOU MIGHT WORK WITH BOTH SIDES, AND YOU BRING THEM TOGETHER IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY CAN HAVE THE MOST OPEN, CANDID CONVERSATION, AND FACE ALL THE STUFF BETWEEN THEM.

ONE MIGHT OWE THE OTHER MONEY, AND THEY SAY WE NEED SOMEBODY TO DECIDE WHAT IS FAIR.

WE CAN'T ARRIVE AT WHAT IS FAIR.

WE'RE GOING TO TELL YOU ALL THE FACTS, AND THEN YOU MAKE A RULING, MUCH LIKE A JUDGE WOULD.

>> ARBITRATION HAS LONG BEEN ACCEPTED AS AN ALTERNATIVE FOR SETTLING DISPUTES WITHOUT RESORTING TO A COURT OF LAW.

RECENTLY, THOUGH, THERE'S BEEN CONTROVERSY OVER COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS USING IT TO AVOID THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATIONS, AND DEMANDS HAVE GROWN FOR NEW LAWS TO BAN ABUSES.

BUT HOWEVER ARBITRATION MAY HAVE BEEN USED OR MISUSED, IT HAS RARELY BEEN SEEN AS HAVING ANYTHING TO DO WITH RELIGION.

THAT TOO HAS BEEN CHANGING.

WHAT'S LESS WELL KNOWN IS THE RISE IN ARBITRATION THAT'S RELIGIOUS IN NATURE, SPECIFICALLY CHRISTIAN ARBITRATION.

AND IT'S RISING EVEN AMONG ORGANIZATIONS THAT ENGAGE IN PURELY SECULAR BUSINESS, LIKE THIS COMPANY SELLING HARDWOODS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.

SCROLL DOWN ALL THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND YOU'LL SEE YOU'RE AGREEING TO SUBMIT ANY DISPUTE YOU MAY EVER HAVE WITH THE COMPANY TO CHRISTIAN ARBITRATION HELD IN SEATTLE UNDER CHRISTIAN CONCILIATION RULES.

CHRISTIAN ARBITRATION IS SAID TO BE BIBLICM PRECEDENT.

THE APOSTIL PAUL IS SAID TO HAVE SAID CHRISTIAN SHOULD NOT TURN TO LEGAL.

THOMAS AND OTHER ARBITRATORS LIKE HIM USE PRECEPTS IN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS TO GUIDE THEIR RULINGS.

>>> ONE OF THE NATION'S FEW EXPERTS IN THIS SPECIALTY IS IN CALIFORNIA.

HE'S A JEWISH RAB I, WHO IS A LAW PROFESSOR AT PEPPER DINE UNIVERSITY.

>> AT ITS BEST, RELIGIOUS ARBITRATION IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TWO PARTIES WHO HAVE SHARED RELIGIOUS VALUES TO RESOLVE THOSE DISPUTES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR RELIGIOUS VALUES.

>> PROFESSOR HELFAND EMPHASIZES THE CONSTITUTIONAL SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.

HE SAYS THIS PREVENTS COURTS FROM TAKING SIDES IN A DIFFERENCE OF RELIGIOUS OPINION OR PRACTICE BETWEEN, FOR INSTANCE, A FAITH INSTITUTION AND ITS EMPLOYEES.

>> AND IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE RELIGIOUS ARBITRATION, YOU'D BE SAYING TO ALL THESE EMPLOYEES, "THERE'S NOWHERE ELSE FOR YOU TO SEEK JUSTICE."

>> THE CASE OF PAM PRESCOTT SEEMED TO RAISE SUCH AN ISSUE OF RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES WHEN SHE WAS FIRED FROM THE SCHOOL WHERE SHE WAS PRINCIPAL, AND WHICH WE HAVE AGREED NOT TO NAME, AT PRESCOTT'S REQUEST.

>> I'M A BIBLICALLY BASED BELIEVER, SO MY RELIGION IS THE SCRIPTURE.

>> PRESCOTT'S CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT REQUIRED HER TO WAIVE HER NORMAL RIGHT TO SUE FOR WRONGFUL DISMISSAL IF AGGRIEVED.

>> THE CONTRACT ALSO MADE THIS CHRISTIAN ARBITRATION -- CONCILIATION, MEDIATION, AND ARBITRATION -- MANDATORY.

I DID NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE IT TO COURT.

>> THOUGH SHE HAD SIGNED THE WAIVER, SHE WAS UPSET TO FIND HER EMPLOYERS DRAGGING THEIR FEET FOR YEARS OVER THE BIBLE-BASED ALTERNATIVE THAT WAS STIPULATED.

BUT EVENTUALLY BOTH SIDES DID GET TO A FORMAL ARBITRATION, PRESIDED OVER BY BRYCE THOMAS.

>> I HAD SOMETHING LIKE 20, 30 WITNESSES THAT I LISTENED TO, AND PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF PAGES OF DOCUMENTS.

>> SEVEN DAYS -- IT WENT ON THAT LONG, WITH CALLING WITNESSES.

AND BEFORE THIS, WE HAD TO HAVE DEPOSITIONS, JUST LIKE YOU WOULD DO IT IN A CIVIL COURT.

AND A RULING WAS RENDERED BY THE ARBITRATOR, WHO RULED IN MY FAVOR.

>> ARBITRATOR THOMAS ORDERED THE SCHOOL TO PAY PRESCOTT ABOUT $160,000 TO COVER LOST INCOME AND DAMAGE TO HER REPUTATION.

>> WE'RE NOT THERE TO PLEASE EITHER PARTY.

WE'RE TRYING TO RENDER A DECISION THAT'S GOD-PLEASING, FIRST OF ALL, AND SECONDLY, BLESSES BOTH PARTIES.

BUT WE'VE GOT TO DEAL WITH TRUTH.

>> THE SCHOOL CERTAINLY WASN'T PLEASED WITH THE ARBITRATOR'S FINDING, AND TRIED TO APPEAL IT, SURPRISINGLY ENOUGH, IN THE CIVIL COURTS.

THE APPEAL FAILED, BUT PRESCOTT'S LEGAL COSTS WIPED OUT ALMOST EVERY DOLLAR SHE HAD BEEN AWARDED.

THE SCHOOL DECLINED TO DISCUSS THE CASE WITH US, ON THE GROUNDS THAT IT CONCERNED ACTIONS BY A PAST ADMINISTRATION.

THE SPIVEY FAMILY'S DISTRESSING ARBITRATION EXPERIENCE CAME WHEN CHERI SPIVEY TRIED TO SUE THE CHRISTIAN DRUG REHAB, TEEN CHALLENGE, FOR THE WRONGFUL DEATH OF HER SON.

>> I WANTED SOMEONE TO ANSWER, YOU KNOW, ME, YOU KNOW?

YOU ALL TOLD ME NICK WAS DOING REALLY WELL.

WHAT HAPPENED, WHAT WENT WRONG?

HE'S ONLY BEEN THERE 30 DAYS.

JUST SO MANY QUESTIONS, YOU KNOW, AND THEY WERE REFUSING TO GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION.

>> SPIVEY DISCOVERED THAT HER SON HAD SIGNED A WAIVER WHILE HE WAS BEING ADMITTED TO THE REHAB, MOST LIKELY STILL HIGH ON DRUGS.

IT SAID THAT HE, OR HIS ESTATE, SHOULD HE DIE, WOULD GIVE UP ALL RIGHTS TO SUE TEEN CHALLENGE IN COURT AND WOULD INSTEAD UNDERGO CHRISTIAN ARBITRATION.

>> MY ATTORNEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SPEAK AT ALL.

SHE COULD ATTEND, BUT SHE WOULD HAVE TO SIT IN THE BACK AND NOT TALK.

IT WAS LED BY ALL CHRISTIANS, AND TO ME, IT FELT LIKE WE WOULD GO IN THERE AND PRAY, DO BIBLE STUDY, KISS AND MAKE UP, AND I WASN'T WILLING TO DO THAT.

>> EVENTUALLY THE MATTER WAS SETTLED, AT LEAST IN FINANCIAL TERMS, WITH TEEN CHALLENGE PAYING OUT AN UNDISCLOSED SUM OF MONEY.

TEEN CHALLENGE DECLINED COMMENT ON THE CASE TO US.

SPIVEY REMAINS UNSATISFIED ABOUT THE FACTS SURROUNDING HER OLDEST CHILD'S DEATH AND FRUSTRATED IN HER EFFORTS TO FIND THEM OUT.

>> THEY DON'T GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET JUSTICE.

SOME THINGS YOU CAN'T JUST SWEEP UNDER THE RUG AND SAY, YOU KNOW, I'M SORRY THAT HAPPENED.

LET'S MOVE FORWARD FROM HERE.

FOR SOME THINGS, "I'M SORRY" IS JUST NOT ENOUGH.

AND ULTIMATELY, THAT'S WHAT CHRISTIAN ARBITRATION IS -- IS, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY JUST FINDS A WAY TO GET ALONG.

>> THE FACT THAT WE RELY ON HOLY SCRIPTURE THAT NEEDS IMPROVING.

>> THOSE CAN FEEL THAT THE SYSTEM TOO EASILY WORKS AGAINST THEM.

AT THE LEAST IT LEAVES THEM WARY CERTAINLY ABOUT THE RELIGIOUSTS LABEL.

>> I HAVEN'T LOST FAITH IN CHRISTIANITY OR CHRISTIANS, IT'S JUST I'M MORE CAREFUL WITH THE IDEA OF THE NAME DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING.

>> FOR "RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY," THIS IS DAVID TERESHCHUK REPORTING.

>>> NOW, THE GROWING SUCCESS OF FAITH-BASED FEATURE FILMS.

DAN LOTHIAN REPORTS FROM NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, ON CHRISTIAN FILMMAKERS MAKING RELIGIOUS-THEMED MOVIES.

THEY MARKET THEM THROUGH CHURCHES AND ARE MAKING MANY OF THEIR INVESTORS VERY HAPPY.

>> ON EVERY MOVIE SET, YOU'LL HAVE "LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION."

BUT THIS CREW HAS ANOTHER DAILY RITUAL -- PRAYING.

YOU'RE BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE FAITH-BASED FILM "WAR ROOM," RELEASED LAST YEAR.

IT WENT ON TO BECOME A MAJOR HIT WITH A STORY ABOUT THE POWER OF PRAYER.

THE FEATURE FILM WAS RELEASED BY THE KENDRICK BROTHERS, WHO ALSO WROTE, PRODUCED AND DIRECTED IT.

THEY ARE TWO FORMER ASSOCIATE PASTORS FROM ALBANY, GEORGIA, WHO STARTED WITH A SMALL OUTREACH FILM FOR THEIR CHURCH AND NOW HAVE A NUMBER OF BIG SCREEN SUCCESSES.

>> YOU'RE FINDING IN THE LAST DECADE MORE ORGANIC FAITH FILMS BEING MADE.

AND THE PRODUCTION QUALITY IS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER EVERY YEAR THAT GOES BY.

>> WE HAVE ACCESS NOW TO SOME OF THE SPECIAL EFFECTS GEAR FOR A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS THAT HOLLYWOOD USED TO ONLY HAVE FOR, YOU KNOW, $500,000.

PEOPLE ARE REALIZING THIS IS A POIRL, IMPACTFUL, LEGITIMATE GENRE THAT'S TOUCHING LIVES.

IT'S NOT JUST PASTORS AND PULPITS WHICH WE NEED, BUT IT'S NOW TELLING STORIES AND PARABLES, IF YOU WILL, VISUALLY ON A MOVIE SCREEN.

>> THEIR FIRST PROJECT, MADE FOR $20,000, WAS "FLYWHEEL," A STORY ABOUT A DISHONEST USED CAR SALESMAN WHO TURNED HIS LIFE AROUND.

DOZENS OF CHURCH VOLUNTEERS HELPED MAKE IT HAPPEN, BUT THEY BARELY DELIVERED IT ON TIME.

>> BY THE TIME WE FINISHED THE EDIT AND BURNED THE FIRST DVD TO TAKE TO THE THEATRE, WE REALIZED WE HADN'T EVEN WATCHED IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH.

>> IT SOLD OUT THE FIRST NIGHT, AND TO THE SURPRISE OF THE THEATRE MANAGER, KEPT DOING WELL.

>> HE SAID, YOU KNOW, CAN WE EXTEND IT ANOTHER WEEK?

AND HE KEPT CALLING EVERY MONDAY SAYING WE WANT TO EXTEND "FLYWHEEL" ANOTHER WEEK.

>> THEY'VE NOW RELEASED FIVE FILMS.

THEIR BUDGETS HAVE INCREASED WITH EVERY NEW PROJECT, BUT THEIR MISSION REMAINS THE SAME.

>> WE DO MINISTRY THROUGH MOVIES AND DESIRING TO IMPACT PEOPLE'S LIVES AT A HEART LEVEL.

>> THAT'S WHAT MANY OF THESE MOVIES HAVE IN COMMON.

THEY ARE UNAPOLOGETICALLY CHRISTIAN.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO READ BETWEEN THE LINES TO FIND FAITH.

THEY ONLY MAKE UP A FRACTION OF THE OVERALL FEATURE FILM MARKET, ABOUT 1% LAST YEAR AND A LITTLE MORE THAN 2.5% THE YEAR BEFORE, BUT THOSE NUMBERS REPRESENT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, AND BUSINESS IS BOOMING.

"WAR ROOM" WAS MADE FOR $3 MILLION.

IT'S DOMESTIC TOTAL?

$68 MILLION.

"GOD'S NOT DEAD," ANOTHER BIG FEATURE FILM ABOUT STANDING UP FOR YOUR BELIEFS, WAS PRODUCED BY PURE FLIX ENTERTAINMENT FOR $2 MILLION.

IT'S MADE $61 MILLION.

>> WE DEFINITELY DIDN'T THINK "GOD'S NOT DEAD" WAS GOING TO BE AS BIG.

>> WHAT'S DRIVING THESE NUMBERS?

MICHAEL SCOTT, A PARTNER AND PRODUCER AT PURE FLIX, SAYS THE MESSAGE RESONATES WITH A WIDE FAITH AUDIENCE THAT HAS BEEN HUNGRY FOR GOOD BIBLICAL CONTENT.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT, YOU KNOW, THE AMERICAN POPULATION, YOU KNOW, HALF OR MORE -- THEY SAY, THEY CONFIRM THAT THEY'RE CHRISTIAN.

SO IT'S A HUGE NICHE.

AND THESE FILMS -- I THINK WE'RE JUST SEEING THE BEGINNINGS OF WHAT THESE FILMS CAN DO AT THE BOX OFFICE.

>> CHURCHES PLAY A BIG ROLE, TOO.

INFLUENTIAL PASTORS ARE OFTEN CONSULTED BEFORE MOVIES ARE RELEASED.

THEY IN TURN PROMOTE THEM TO THEIR CONGREGATIONS AND OFTEN BUY UP LARGE BLOCKS OF TICKETS.

>> ULTIMATELY, IN ORDER TO GET THE GRASSROOTS REALLY WORKING AND MOVING ON THESE FILMS, WE NEED THE PASTORS, AND THEY'RE THE GATEKEEPERS.

AND SO IF THE FILM WON'T GO PAST THE GATEKEEPERS, IT'S NEVER GOING TO REACH THE CONSUMER.

>> PEOPLE NEED TO WAKE UP TO THE FACT IN HOLLYWOOD THAT THERE'S AN AUDIENCE OUT THERE.

>> ACTOR KEVIN SORBO, WHO IDENTIFIES HIMSELF AS CHRISTIAN, IS NOT ONLY KNOWN AS THE STAR OF THE 1990s TV SERIES "HERCULES," BUT ALSO FOR ROLES IN FAITH-BASED FILMS LIKE "SOUL SURFER," "ABEL'S FIELD," "GALLOWS" AND "GOD'S NOT DEAD," WHERE HE PLAYED THE ROLE OF AN ATHEIST PHILOSOPHY PROFESSOR.

>> SHE DIED BELIEVING THAT A LIE.

THAT SOMEONE OUT THERE LOVED HER EVEN WHILE HE WAS STRANGLING HER TO DEATH.

A GOD WHO WOULD ALLOW THAT IS NOT WORTH BELIEVING IN.

>> I GET STOPPED ALL THE TIME BECAUSE OF THE FAITH-BASED MOVIES.

PEOPLE SAY PLEASE MAKE MORE.

THEY WOULD COME UP TO ME AND SAY WE LOVE THIS.

WE WANT MORE.

PLEASE TELL HOLLYWOOD TO MAKE MORE LIKE THIS.

>> SOME CRITICIZE THE MESSAGE AS PROPAGANDA, TOO IN YOUR FACE.

AND MANY MOVIE CRITICS HAVE DELIVERED POOR REVIEWS.

BUT INVESTORS DRAWN BY FAITH AND FINANCES ARE TAKING A MUCH DIFFERENT VIEW.

THE SUCCESS OF THESE FILMS HAS CREATED NEW OPPORTUNITIES.

BILL REEVES IS ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF A COMPANY CALLED WORKING TITLE AGENCY, LOCATED IN THE AFFLUENT NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, SUBURB OF FRANKLIN.

REEVES AND HIS PARTNERS LAUNCHED TWO HEDGE FUNDS TO HELP INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS TURN CREATIVE CHRISTIAN IDEAS INTO REALITY.

>> IT ALLOWS HIGH NET WORTH PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN INVESTING IN FAITH FILM S A LOT OF THEM BELIEVERS AND CHRISTIANS, TO REALLY HAVE A DOUBLE BOTTOM LINE.

WE CAN SHOW THEM THAT THEY CAN MAKE MONEY BY NOT BETTING ON JUST ONE FILM, BUT A SLATE OF THEM.

AND THEN IN RETURN, KNOW THAT THEIR MONEY WENT TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST AROUND THE WORLD, WHICH IS REALLY WHY WE'RE ALL IN THIS BUSINESS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> WHAT PERCENTAGE WOULD YOU SAY ARE DRIVEN BY MINISTRY?

>> I'D SAY OF OUR INVESTORS, ABOUT 80% OF THEM ARE INTERESTED IN THE DOUBLE BOTTOM LINE, AND 20% ARE JUST INTERESTED IN THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

>> THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE IN THE MIX.

THESE FILMS OFTEN COME WITH STUDY GUIDES FOR CHURCHES AND HOME GROUPS, RELIGIOUS BOOKS, MERCHANDISING AND LICENSING.

IT ALL ADDS UP.

>> THE INVESTORS LOOK AT IT AS A WAY TO SORT OF HEDGE THEIR INVESTMENT, BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE DRAWING REVENUE NOT JUST FROM THE SCREEN AND THE DVD, BUT THE PRODUCTS THAT GO WITH IT.

>> HOLLYWOOD HAS BEEN PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION.

SMALL BUDGETS WITH BIG RETURNS IS A GOOD BUSINESS MODEL.

>> ANYTIME YOU GET 35 TIMES BACK ON YOUR MONEY IN HOLLYWOOD, THEY'RE GOING TO WAKE UP A LITTLE BIT.

>> AND WHEN "WAR ROOM" KNOCKED UNIVERSAL STUDIOS MOVIE "STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON" FROM ITS NUMBER ONE SPOT OVER LABOR DAY WEEKEND, IT DID NOT GO UNNOTICED.

>> WE WERE THRILLED WITH THE RESPONSE.

THE WORD OF MOUTH WAS LIKE WILDFIRE.

>> MAJOR HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS HAVE FORMED DIVISIONS TO FOCUS ON THIS GROWING GENRE.

AFFIRM FILMS, A DIVISION OF SONY PICTURES, SAYS IT HAS INVESTED TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN THE KENDRICK BROTHERS BRAND, WHICH BY THE WAY ALSO INCLUDES THAT FIRST MOVIE, "FLYWHEEL."

RICK PELUSO IS THE COMPANY'S SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT.

>> WE KNOW WHAT OUR AUDIENCE WANTS, WE KNOW HOW TO MARKET TO THEM, AND WE'RE OUT THERE DEVELOPING AND PRODUCING CONTENT ON OUR OWN TO MEET THAT NEED.

>> PELUSO MADE THOSE COMMENTS AT THE RECENT ANNUAL NATIONAL RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS CONVENTION IN NASHVILLE.

THE CITY WIDELY KNOWN FOR ITS COUNTRY MUSIC IS ALSO WHERE MANY TOP CHRISTIAN ARTISTS ARE BASED, ALONG WITH COMPANIES THAT PRODUCE FAITH-RELATED CONTENT.

IT'S THE PERFECT BACKDROP FOR THIS CONVENTION OF VENDORS, SPEAKERS, WORKSHOPS AND MOVIE SCREENINGS.

THE NRB WAS ONCE ALL ABOUT RADIO, BUT THE OVERALL MEDIA LANDSCAPE HAS CHANGED, AND SO TOO HAS THIS ORGANIZATION.

FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS, THERE'S BEEN A BIG EMPHASIS ON FAITH FILMS AND MAKING IT IN THE MOVIE BUSINESS.

NRB PRESIDENT AND CEO JERRY JOHNSON SAYS IT'S PAYING OFF.

>> WE'RE GOT 15, 20 STUDIOS HERE THIS MORNING, AND WE'RE PITCHING SCRIPTS.

NRB MEMBERS ARE PITCHING SCRIPTS TO THESE MAJOR STUDIOS.

LAST YEAR A MAJOR STUDIO PICKED UP AN OPTION ON ONE OF THE CHRISTIAN SCRIPTS THAT WAS PROPOSED, AND THEN IN THE AFTERNOON IT'S PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

GOOD ACTING, GOOD DIRECTING, GOOD DISTRIBUTION.

SO WE'RE ALL IN.

>> NOT EVERY MOVIE WILL HIT A HOME RUN.

IN FACT, SOME HAVE LOST MONEY.

BUT THERE'S A TRACK RECORD THAT THE INDUSTRY SAYS PROVES WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THEATRES ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS NOT A FLUKE.

MORE OF THESE FILMS ARE ON THE WAY, OR IN THEATRES NOW LIKE THE SEQUEL "GOD'S NOT DEAD 2."

>> YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN.

>> WHAT'S THE GOOD NEWS.

>> I DON'T LIKE TO LOSE.

>> THE QUESTION NOW -- WILL THERE BE GREATER OUTSIDE PRESSURE TO PERFORM, AND WILL HOLLYWOOD EXERT MORE INFLUENCE OVER THE MESSAGE?

>> I THINK YOU'RE ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE THAT PROBLEM.

I THINK YOU GET BIG STUDIOS THAT COME IN.

THEY HAVE THEIR MACHINE.

BUT THIS AUDIENCE AND WHAT THEY WANT IS DIFFERENT.

AS SOON AS YOU DEVIATE FROM WHAT PEOPLE VIEW AS BIBLICAL, THAT'S WHEN YOU START TO LOSE THE CHURCH.

>> AND TO LOSE THE CHURCH IS TO CUT OFF THE VERY PIPELINE THAT HELPS FILL SEATS, MOVE RELATED PRODUCTS, AND MULTIPLY THAT DOUBLE BOTTOM LINE.

FOR "RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY," I'M DAN LOTHIAN IN NASHVILLE.

>>> DANIEL BERRIGAN DIED LAST WEEK.

HE WAS A JESUIT PRIEST, A POET AND WRITER, WHO VIGOROUSLY OPPOSED THE VIETNAM WAR, AND ALL WAR.

THE CATHOLIC PEACE MOVEMENT HE AND HIS BROTHER HELPED INSPIRE -- THE DEMONSTRATIONS AND ANTI-WAR ACTIONS -- LED TO ARRESTS AND PRISON.

BUT HE NEVER GAVE UP HIS CONVICTION THAT FOLLOWING THE GOSPEL REQUIRES TRYING TO MAKE PEACE.

FATHER BERRIGAN WAS 94 YEARS OLD.

>>> THE U.S.

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM GAVE ITS HIGHEST HONOR THIS WEEK TO U.S. REPRESENTATIVE AND CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER JOHN LEWIS.

LEWIS IS AN ORDAINED BAPTIST MINISTER WHO HAS SERVED IN CONGRESS FOR DECADES.

HE RECEIVED THE ELIE WIESEL AWARD.

LEWIS WAS SEVERELY BEATEN ATTEMPTING TO MARCH ACROSS THE EDMUND PETTUS BRIDGE IN SELMA, ALABAMA, IN 1965 ON WHAT'S KNOWN AS "BLOODY SUNDAY."

THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM ALSO OBSERVED YOM HASHOAH, OR HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY, THIS WEEK.

VISITORS READ THE NAMES OF PEOPLE WHO WERE KILLED IN THE HOLOCAUST.

WE SPOKE WITH COLLEEN GREGO, A MIDDLE SCHOOL HISTORY TEACHER FROM HILTON, NEW YORK, AND ZELLA SHABASSON AND HER SON, MICHAEL ROSENBERG.

>> FEIGA AZMAN, DIED AUSCHWITZ, AGE 7.

>> ABRAM ARZELAT, BORN IN ODESSA, DIED IN ODESSA, 1941, AGE 6.

>> BERKA SCHEIN, BORN 1937, DIED AUSCHWITZ, 1944, AGE 7.

THE EXPERIENCE OF READING THE NAMES WAS OVERWHELMING.

I WAS IN TEARS BEFORE IT STARTED.

>> FEIGAR KERZENBERG -- >> AND WHEN OUR STUDENTS SEE THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE LIKE THEM, THE SAME AGE AND YOUNGER, IT MEANS SOMETHING.

IT MEANS SOMETHING SO DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE CAN TEACH IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> BOTH OF MY PARENTS WERE HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS, BOTH FROM POLAND.

AND THEY BOTH LOST BOTH THEIR PARENTS, AND THEY LOST SIBLINGS, COUSINS, FRIENDS, LOVED ONES.

>> BIRENBAUM WISENTRAUM.

I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO SAY MY NAMESAKE, MY GREAT UNCLE, WHO WAS KILLED IN AUSCHWITZ AT AGE 16, AND WE HAVE BEEN KIND OF ON A JOURNEY THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS LEARNING ABOUT HIM, BECAUSE WE DIDN'T KNOW TOO MUCH ABOUT HIM.

NOW AT LEAST WE HAVE ONE PHOTO TAKEN OF HIM SHORTLY BEFORE HE WAS KILLED IN AUSCHWITZ.

>> READING THE NAMES MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I CAN CONTINUE THEIR MEMORIES, SINCE THERE'S NOT MANY PEOPLE LEFT WHO EVEN REMEMBER THEM, AND NO PLACE TO VISIT THEIR REMAINS.

>> OUR STUDENTS HAVE STUDIED THE HOLOCAUST PRETTY EXTENSIVELY IN SCHOOL BEFORE THEY CAME THERE, AND SO FOR THEM THIS WAS A CULMINATION AND A CHANCE FOR THEM TO BEGIN TO CONNECT THOSE DOTS AND MAKE MEANING AND DECIDE HOW THEY ARE GOING TO GO FORWARD AND LIVE THEIR LIVES.

>> JUDITH SALZER, BORN GYOR, DIED AUSCHWITZ AGE 7.

>>> THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR NOW.

I'M BOB ABERNETHY.

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AS WE LEAVE YOU, MORE FROM THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM, WHERE VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST WERE REMEMBERED.

>>> SALINA, BORN IN 1934, AMSTERDAM.

DATE OF DEATH 1943, EIGHT YEARS OLD.

>> LIEBEL.

DIED AGE EIGHT.

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