Jesus Camp
I'm not sure if this film has been addressed on this forum before, but I just purchased it on DVD. It had a very limited run in my town when it was touring theaters and I missed it.
If you don't know, the film focuses on a Pentacostal Minister and her children's Summer Camp. This doccumentary takes the viewer through the experiences of the camp from the point of veiw of several of the children and the Minister who runs the camp.
Honestly, I was disgusted by this film. I firmly believe that we all have the right to raise our children to believe in God and to foster their developing faith. However, the woman running the camp manipulates children as young as eight years old into taking personal responsibility for the death of Christ. While this is a popular view and may be true in some circles, I think it's unfair and cruel to place such a burden on a child. As the movie progresses, she asks the children if they are ready to be soldiers of the Lord...and actually asks them to lay down their lives for God. She asks, "Are you ready to die for Jesus?"
This stems from her almost fanatical fear of muslim extremists and the fact that they are sending their children to terrorst camps to be trained in acts of violence and self-sacrifice. She says she wants to place the same kind of mentality and commitment in the hearts and minds of young Christians.
Since the release of the film, she has had to discontinue the camp due to threats she has received. I don't condone anyone threatening anyone over their religious beliefs, but I also strongly disagree with the way she is spreading the Word. Are our children not to be cherrished and loved? Why turn them into cannon fodder simply because "the enemy" is doing the same?
I found myself in tears at the end of the film. Taking into consideration my own recent conversion and epiphany, I felt so much pity and sorrow and ANGER towards what this woman was doing with the word of God. Regardless of whether or not she has "The Truth" on her side, she has no right to take our precious children and make martyrs out of them.
Has anyone else seen this film? Am I way off base in my opinions? Your replies are appreciated!
WasLost
I'm not sure if this film has been addressed on this forum before, but I just purchased it on DVD. It had a very limited run in my town when it was touring theaters and I missed it.
If you don't know, the film focuses on a Pentacostal Minister and her children's Summer Camp. This doccumentary takes the viewer through the experiences of the camp from the point of veiw of several of the children and the Minister who runs the camp.
Honestly, I was disgusted by this film. I firmly believe that we all have the right to raise our children to believe in God and to foster their developing faith. However, the woman running the camp manipulates children as young as eight years old into taking personal responsibility for the death of Christ. While this is a popular view and may be true in some circles, I think it's unfair and cruel to place such a burden on a child. As the movie progresses, she asks the children if they are ready to be soldiers of the Lord...and actually asks them to lay down their lives for God. She asks, "Are you ready to die for Jesus?"
This stems from her almost fanatical fear of muslim extremists and the fact that they are sending their children to terrorst camps to be trained in acts of violence and self-sacrifice. She says she wants to place the same kind of mentality and commitment in the hearts and minds of young Christians.
Since the release of the film, she has had to discontinue the camp due to threats she has received. I don't condone anyone threatening anyone over their religious beliefs, but I also strongly disagree with the way she is spreading the Word. Are our children not to be cherrished and loved? Why turn them into cannon fodder simply because "the enemy" is doing the same?
I found myself in tears at the end of the film. Taking into consideration my own recent conversion and epiphany, I felt so much pity and sorrow and ANGER towards what this woman was doing with the word of God. Regardless of whether or not she has "The Truth" on her side, she has no right to take our precious children and make martyrs out of them.
Has anyone else seen this film? Am I way off base in my opinions? Your replies are appreciated!
WasLost