Comments on "Jesus Camp"

As I mentioned earlier, last night scottishdm and I watched my DVD of the documentary "Jesus Camp".

"Wow" didn't begin to describe it. "Creepy" came to mind better.

Now, bear in mind that the children's pastor in the movie, Becky Fischer is part of an off-shoot of the charismatic movement that believes in modern-day prophets and apostles. Which places them on the outskirts of the charismatic or pentecistal mainstream. I certainly wouldn't claim it was anywhere close to mainstream Christianity in the US.

That being said, it was profoundly disturbing. From the start of the movie with Fischer praying in tongues, (and encouraging the camoflauge-painted children to do so as well), to the children themselves, (a young boy, Levi, who has already preached at his church, and two young girls, one of which, (Rachael) is seen praying over her bowling ball and witnessing to people in the bowling alley, the other of which, (Tory) dances to Christian heavy metal and expresses her concern about "dancing for the flesh" rather than for the spirit), this movie starts out with a strong twitch factor and goes from that point forward.

All three children are homeschooled, (not that there's anything wrong with homeschooling per se), and one scene is the kids saying the pledge of allegence....to the Christian flag, followed by the laying on of hands on the bible. Another scene is Levi's schooling, very heavy on creationism and dismissive of just about everything else

Fischer at one point talks about how radical Islamic children are taught to be so strong in their faith that they're willing to die for it, and implies that this is something Christianity should try to emulate

Then there's the camp itself. Very heavily structured, the impression is that the children are trained 24/7 that everything they do, even down to simple play, *has* to be for the glory of God. There were some aspects that reminded me strongly of the prosperity gospel movement. This is not a complement BTW. There's a scene denouncing Harry Potter, claiming he's an enemy of God and should be put to death. However, there were two scenes in particular, one where the children were taking hammers to coffee cups marked "Government", while screaming "Responsible Government", and the infamous "laying on of hands" with the children praying towards a cardboard cutout of George W. Bush, that had the anthopologist in me screaming "sympathetic magic!"

There's another scene where Levi mentions how he feels unclean and "icky" whenever he meets a non-Christian, (non-Christian being defined as anyone who doesn't believe exactly as he does.) Levi's family also goes on vacation to Colorado Springs and Ted Haggard's megachurch. In retrospect, the scenes with Ted Haggard denouncing homosexuality from the pulpit and later encouraging Levi to preach as he has the "cute young boy thing going on" come across as outstandingly disturbing and more than slightly funny.

Overall, I admit we had to snark it. Mainly because it was so bloody creepy and disturbing. If you're into documentaries, it's worth seeing, but I can't think of anyone I know of ANY faith who won't find it creepy.

Comments on "Jesus Camp"

As I mentioned earlier, last night scottishdm and I watched my DVD of the documentary "Jesus Camp".

"Wow" didn't begin to describe it. "Creepy" came to mind better.

Now, bear in mind that the children's pastor in the movie, Becky Fischer is part of an off-shoot of the charismatic movement that believes in modern-day prophets and apostles. Which places them on the outskirts of the charismatic or pentecistal mainstream. I certainly wouldn't claim it was anywhere close to mainstream Christianity in the US.

That being said, it was profoundly disturbing. From the start of the movie with Fischer praying in tongues, (and encouraging the camoflauge-painted children to do so as well), to the children themselves, (a young boy, Levi, who has already preached at his church, and two young girls, one of which, (Rachael) is seen praying over her bowling ball and witnessing to people in the bowling alley, the other of which, (Tory) dances to Christian heavy metal and expresses her concern about "dancing for the flesh" rather than for the spirit), this movie starts out with a strong twitch factor and goes from that point forward.

All three children are homeschooled, (not that there's anything wrong with homeschooling per se), and one scene is the kids saying the pledge of allegence....to the Christian flag, followed by the laying on of hands on the bible. Another scene is Levi's schooling, very heavy on creationism and dismissive of just about everything else

Fischer at one point talks about how radical Islamic children are taught to be so strong in their faith that they're willing to die for it, and implies that this is something Christianity should try to emulate

Then there's the camp itself. Very heavily structured, the impression is that the children are trained 24/7 that everything they do, even down to simple play, *has* to be for the glory of God. There were some aspects that reminded me strongly of the prosperity gospel movement. This is not a complement BTW. There's a scene denouncing Harry Potter, claiming he's an enemy of God and should be put to death. However, there were two scenes in particular, one where the children were taking hammers to coffee cups marked "Government", while screaming "Responsible Government", and the infamous "laying on of hands" with the children praying towards a cardboard cutout of George W. Bush, that had the anthopologist in me screaming "sympathetic magic!"

There's another scene where Levi mentions how he feels unclean and "icky" whenever he meets a non-Christian, (non-Christian being defined as anyone who doesn't believe exactly as he does.) Levi's family also goes on vacation to Colorado Springs and Ted Haggard's megachurch. In retrospect, the scenes with Ted Haggard denouncing homosexuality from the pulpit and later encouraging Levi to preach as he has the "cute young boy thing going on" come across as outstandingly disturbing and more than slightly funny.

Overall, I admit we had to snark it. Mainly because it was so bloody creepy and disturbing. If you're into documentaries, it's worth seeing, but I can't think of anyone I know of ANY faith who won't find it creepy.

*chuckle*

Thanks to hekatatia for this.

Full article here, but I had to share this line:

"What are some aspects of American Culture that you enjoy that aren't found in the UK?
You have something here called ‘decent food’ which could really catch on back in the UK if people just gave it a chance."

*chuckle*

Thanks to hekatatia for this.

Full article here, but I had to share this line:

"What are some aspects of American Culture that you enjoy that aren't found in the UK?
You have something here called ‘decent food’ which could really catch on back in the UK if people just gave it a chance."

Star Trek XI - 25 Dec. 2008

Paramount Officially Announces Trek XI For Christmas 2008

"Paramount Pictures today officially announced the return of Star Trek on Christmas Day 2008.

"If there’s something I’m dying to see, it’s the brilliance and optimism of Roddenberry’s world brought back to the big screen," J.J. Abrams was quoted in a Paramount press release, which in its title again confirmed Abrams will be directing the new Trek film. Abrams continued: "[Alex Kurtzman] and Roberto Orci] wrote an amazing script that embraces and respects Trek canon, but charts its own course. Our goal is to make a picture for everyone — life-long fans and the uninitiated. Needless to say, I am honored and excited to be part of this next chapter of Star Trek."

Kurtzman and Orci, who previously worked on Abrams' Mission: Impossible III, were the only writers mentioned in the press release. They will also serve as executive producers along with Bryan Burk, while Abrams and Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof will produce the film. Shooting is currently scheduled to begin in the Fall."

Star Trek XI - 25 Dec. 2008

Paramount Officially Announces Trek XI For Christmas 2008

"Paramount Pictures today officially announced the return of Star Trek on Christmas Day 2008.

"If there’s something I’m dying to see, it’s the brilliance and optimism of Roddenberry’s world brought back to the big screen," J.J. Abrams was quoted in a Paramount press release, which in its title again confirmed Abrams will be directing the new Trek film. Abrams continued: "[Alex Kurtzman] and Roberto Orci] wrote an amazing script that embraces and respects Trek canon, but charts its own course. Our goal is to make a picture for everyone — life-long fans and the uninitiated. Needless to say, I am honored and excited to be part of this next chapter of Star Trek."

Kurtzman and Orci, who previously worked on Abrams' Mission: Impossible III, were the only writers mentioned in the press release. They will also serve as executive producers along with Bryan Burk, while Abrams and Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof will produce the film. Shooting is currently scheduled to begin in the Fall."

It's Japan......

.....NEED I say anymore???

Japanese Banquet of Cannibalism (May be NSFW)

"Japan has just invented another way of eating, where a “body” is made from food and placed on an operating table, much as though in a hospital.

You can operate anyway and anywhere you want by cutting open the body and eating what you find inside. The body will actually bleed as you cut it and the intestines and organs inside are completely editable. It’s a banquet of Cannibalism."

WTF?? No, seriously, WTF??

It's Japan......

.....NEED I say anymore???

Japanese Banquet of Cannibalism (May be NSFW)

"Japan has just invented another way of eating, where a “body” is made from food and placed on an operating table, much as though in a hospital.

You can operate anyway and anywhere you want by cutting open the body and eating what you find inside. The body will actually bleed as you cut it and the intestines and organs inside are completely editable. It’s a banquet of Cannibalism."

WTF?? No, seriously, WTF??