Jesus Camp showed up via Netflix to my doorstep yesterday. I honestly had not heard much about the movie, but I was eager to pop it into the Xbox and watch.
I was prepared to get annoyed, maybe even a little angry. I often find myself watching channels on "Jesus Row" (and I use that term affectionately). I'm not sure exactly why I do this. It could be that I have an unconscious need to torture myself. But no, I think it has something to do with staying informed and keeping myself thinking. So, I was no stranger to the normal annoyed state that evangelism usually puts me in. I was, however, not at all prepared for the sick show of emotionally abused children that populates Jesus Camp.
I literally was brought to tears at a few points in the film. Not because I was filled with joy, but because I felt so completely terrible for these children. I recall one little girl who said she was not allowed to dance for anyone but god and that she often had to stop herself from "dancing for the flesh". I couldn't believe my ears. My heart broke for her. I couldn't imagine being a child and feeling guilty for dancing barefoot with sheer innocent abandon in summer-scented grass. That, in my eyes, would be a real abomination. And that poor little girl has to live with that guilt every day.
The children in the film were repeatedly told that they were the chosen warriors of god. The pastor in charge of this child abuse, Becky Fischer, was seen screaming "This means war" at the top of her lungs. I think she needs to be put in a straight jacket and dragged far away from the children she claims to be "using". Those were her words.
After watching the film I found another Pagan blogger's comments on it. Check out Blog o' Gnosis for more, including links to the various personalities seen in the movie.
I am genuinely horrified beyond belief. You should check it out for yourself because no amount of words could justly explain the horror. You'll just have to witness it with your own eyes.
2 comments:
Wow. To put a child through that (not letting them give expression to what come natural to them)is just horrific.
Without having seen the film, it seems as if this woman is teaching them that unless dancing (using your example) is done in a specific setting, it is not "dancing for God." I tend to think the opposite, I guess. If a child is expressing his/her natural tendancies in a joyful way, I would consider that "dancing for God."
Children have a natural joy and curiousity for the world and instead of allowing it to flower, Fischer is killing that joy. That is sad.
(I will have to rent this one myself now. Thanks for mentioning it.)
Sojourner, I agree with that completely. Any pure expression is "dancing for god" in my opinion.
In Judeo-Christian religion there is a tendency towards seeing nature (and the nature or humanity) as dirty or secular as opposed to holy and divine.
Human beings are natural creators - we express and create in many ways with pure intent. All of these can be seen as worshipping Deity.
Thanks for the comments!
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