Just wanted to start a thread for those who have seen the movie Jesus Camp. I just watched this last night on DVD and recommend everyone check it out so you know what all the hype is about firsthand. Having watched it now, I have some conflicting viewpoints and I'm not sure which side of the black-and-white fence people have put up that I sit on...
Firstly, I think the movie has been over-hyped and many people are making judgments based purely on the hype and some of the clips they see on You-Tube or the trailer. The whole 'army of G-d' thing might sound pretty scary, but honestly it isn't that large a part of the movie (at least not in the way you might expect). One of the girls, a nine year old, even says that she is a warrior but there is a 'sense of peace' about it all that she finds wonderful. Some of the kids they picked sure are articulate for their age I'll give them that.
I also felt that these kids were experiencing some amazing emotions and connections to something larger than them. Obviously there is a large element of living up to expectations - the speaking in tongues scenes are interesting - but just the sheer emotion that some of these kids are obviously feeling was pretty amazing. It took me a long time before I ever felt that alive, and I certainly haven't had it too often...in many ways I felt like they were experiencing being 'alive' in a way that so few kids do, no wonder we all turn into angsty teenagers when we have never felt such immense joy. Just a thought, I still don't know where I stand on it all...
Obviously, one of the major issues that arises comes from how much freedom parents have over the 'indoctrination' of their children. I don't think it is as easy to solve as many critics will have you believe. We all indoctrinate kids in one way or another - very very few people are able to truly instill an independent critical thinking view in a 10 year old. Added to that, if you truly and utterly believed you had found the 'Truth' - would you not want your kids to know that from as early an age as possible? Something for me to think about as I slowly approach the possible age of having my own children.
Finally, the inclusion of Ted Haggard telling the camera during one of his sermons that 'G-d can see what you're doing' was just too funny. By far the funniest part of the movie was any scene with him in it
It was absolutely hilarious! I only wish they had released the movie a bit later so that they could do some kind of follow up on his 'predicament'.
I have many other thoughts (like the kid who was allowed to watch Harry Potter at his dad's house - shock horror! The other kids faces were priceless), but am interested in others who have seen it. If you haven't watched it - check out some clips or read up on it and lets have a discussion on movements like that. How far do you think we can influence our children with our own beliefs? Do you think camps like this should be seen as mental abuse? (I don't) What do you think about the growing attention of the Evangelical movement on children?
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