Spiritual Lessons From the 2009 Oscar Nominees

'Changeling': Sometimes We Need to Get Loud

3 nominations, including Best Actress

Faith, if it's too loud, makes people uncomfortable. Spiritualized zealots are freaky, and radicalized religion is downright frightening: Faith, we say, should be soft and gentle and speak in a still, small voice.

Don't tell that to the Rev. Gustav Briegleb, a Los Angeles-area crusading pastor who uses the plight of one heartbroken mother to rail against the city's lying, corrupt, trigger-happy police force. He thunders from his radio pulpit like Moses, raining down righteous condemnation on his enemies. He pushes Collins' story to the front of public consciousness and, when the police throw Collins into an insane asylum, it's Briegleb who gets her out.

Historically, religion has often been at its best when it has stood, firmly and forcefully, against injustice. That still, small voice is great and all, but Briegleb understands that some good ol' fire and brimstone can be pretty darn effective, too.