Wow. I have a lot to say about the Jesus Camp Video... I don't really know where to start other than I should begin by saying how uncomfortable I was watching the video - even though I am a Christian myself. I was mostly shocked by Becky Fisher (the pastor) and some of the extremist views and radical actions she led at the camp. Just to note ahead of time as I comment on the video: I believe Jesus is my personal Lord and Savior.
Fisher starts out making a comparison between those who follow the Christian faith and those of the Muslim religion. She states that we (as Christians) need to in some way show up the religious practices and public dedication of Muslims. I don't believe that my faith is about out-doing another... it is not based on a point scale with other religions. As I will continue to note, I found several fallacies highlighted in this film.
I also found it interesting that the girl at the bowling alley read the track aloud as she sat at the table and then got up to share with another woman. It seemed orchestrated and planned... if that had been me in the same situation, I would not randomly be reading it in front of a camera even if a film was being produced. Also, the short interview of the same girl was ended with her drawn out sigh. Humorous, but reflecting the intention of the producer. I feel that there is a response the director is looking for out of his audience - one of questioning and shock.
I was completely disturbed by the scene where Fisher led the other counselors to go out and physically touch the seats and pray over them. I believe prayer is powerful - however this seemed to me as nothing more than show. She followed every request with "in Jesus name" as if she expected every minute detail to be granted by her request. I have to justify this by saying that it is often too easy to just ask for whatever we want: typically I think we as Christians are guilty of demanding happiness, health and wealth. However, no where in her laundry list did she ever credit God for being God and that things would be taken care of regardless of circumstances. Fisher should have closed her prayer by appropriately saying, "and my will be done..."
Where did Harry Potter come into play??? I have never read the books and I only think I have seen two of the movies, but not because they are "of Satan." I believe that the age range of children should be approached as they are: children. Pounding over-emphasized beliefs on something so irrelevant just makes Christians look bad. In fact, I think most of this video does. She exploded on these children about Harry Potter... why then?
I could go on forever about how much I disliked the over symbolic demonstrations and the whole ranting/chanting thing... no further explanation other than that was just uncomfortable to watch. There were also several assumptions as to the nature of God and projections were made that I also don't agree with. For now I will wrap up the novel I made this...
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3 comments:
So I definitely agree with you that some of it may have seemed scripted. Its also kind of messed up that they put down harry potter and in general are kind of robbing these kids of a normal childhood. I'm catholic and i probably should have been a little more bothered than i was, but mostly thought it was funny. If people want to do go out of their way like talking to the girl at the bowling alley to prove that their religious than whatever.
I think its interesting how you drew a point on the blessing of the auditorium chairs, projectors, and room. All too often Christians do "demand" things go their way, and disguise it under the power of prayer. This reminds me of how gossip is disguised within the Christian community: "please pray for Jane Doe, shes really got it rough right now." (Kinda off topic, but seems to illustrate the point) Anyway, I can't think of a better word to describe the video than UNCOMFORTABLE. It just makes me itch to know that these kids are being deprived of a proper childhood and being subjected to "evil" issues like abortion at ages 4,5,6 etc. I think its also important to note that you picked out some fallacies of logic. This video was shown through the "child's eyes" (with help from directors, I'm sure) so undoubtedly there were going to be fallacies of simplicity. Anyway, I'm rambling, but I think you and I are on the same page!
I never even thought about the approach Becky tool towards prayer, very good point!
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