Jesus Camp
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Movie Reviews of Jesus Camp
Movie Review: What must be avoided at all costs
Summary: 5 Stars
Never before in the history of my reviewing has the word terrifying seemed so pathetically inadequate. 'Jesus Camp' is a revealing documentary about a bible camp that, had it taken place in a third world muslim country, would be referred to by the mainstream press as disgraceful, militant propoganda.
What one is confronted with throughout, is the sight of very young children, professing to have emotions and beliefs that they clearly could not yet understand and have obviously been transplanted onto them by adults who should know better. The sight of a young child saying that at the age of 5 he wanted more from life and was saved by the word of Jesus is a surreal one to say the least.
Much of what goes on in this "Jesus Camp" is patently psychologically damaging to the children involved and requires nothing short of government intervention (although I am fully aware of how unlikely that is). I personally believe that religious decisions are not ones that should be made for someone while they are still a minor and should be left up to the person themselves once they reach the age of reason. I also would tend to agree with the idea that there is no such thing as a christian child or a muslim child, simply a child of christian or muslim parents.
It must be said that most christians are nothing like those depicted in this documentary. Indeed much, if not all, of this behaviour goes against everything that christianity claims to be about. The message that this camp is disseminating is one that must be stopped, before it manages to foster even further divisions between the world's cultures.
Movie Review: Extremists
Summary: 5 Stars
Jesus Camp can only be described as disturbing. The film depicts a radical sect of the evangelical movement, in particular youth ministry. In any evangelical church, youth ministry is at times manipulative and borderline brainwashing. However, it is mostly benign, just teaching kids the difference from right and wrong. Becky Fischer's methods go way overboard and is overt indoctrination into this radical movement. It's disturbing to watch these kids cry as she lays down the standard guilt technique, claiming that some kids aren't true believers. That technique is tried and true in ever evangelical church I've set foot in, but somehow in this context it seems way too manipulative and creepy.
Of course the standard political elements are in this doc. We see random pictures and references of President Bush, and a strange scene with a Bush cardboard cut out. All along during the film, we have liberal-Christian radio commentator Mike Papantonio providing analysis.
There were so many creepy people and actions in the movie, then to top it all off Rev Ted Haggard made an appearance.
Becky Fischer at one point seemed to praise Palestinian militants and their methods for indoctrinating the youth. Seemed odd to me, 'cause I immediately drew a parallel to her and any Islamic extremist...man, she's crazy.
All that said, I think this represents a subset of the evangelical movement. Although many of the core beliefs remain the same, most evangelicals are not as fervent as Fischer's crew. At least I hope there are not 80million Becky Fischers, as the film claims.
Movie Review: Jesus Camp: A Brilliant and Revealing Look at Religion as Child Abuse
Summary: 5 Stars
Partway through watching Jesus Camp I realized how skillfully filmmakers Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing were allowing their subjects to tell the story. While many will view the central character Becky Fischer (an evangelical children's pastor) as extremely sinister, Fischer herself will likely view it as a positive portrayal. Therein lies the genius of Grady and Ewing's documentary.
The close proximity of the camera allows the viewers an intimate view of the subjects, many of which are very young children. Seeing these children worn down emotionally and then berated for their "sins" by the adults running the show was difficult to watch at times, though ultimately so compelling it was impossible to look away. Once scene involves a cardboard cutout of George Bush with each child saluting him with an arm fully outstretched. The similarities to the poisonous pedagogy that supported Hitler and the Third Reich are clear, yet not overstated.
I often found myself looking beyond the main children, some of whom were well on their way to becoming the next Becky Fischer, to the little ones in the background, faces revealing their utter fear and confusion. Heartbreaking to imagine how many will side with their abusers in order to survive.
Many critics of this film attempt to point out how extreme this form of religion is, while trying to justify their own brand as so much more moderate. Though Jesus Camp focuses on some pretty extreme religious fundamentalism it also encourages viewers to examine religious indoctrination of children generally.
Movie Review: Powerful, Flat Portrayal of an Intense Christian Movement
Summary: 5 Stars
The film follows a few main characters prior and post Jesus Camp. These characters are kids from varying backgrounds with the commonality of Evangelical Christianity. There is no narration or comments from the film makers but only clips of interviews with the children, some parents and the leader of the Jesus Camp - as well as clips from Jesus Camp itself. I have many experiences with Christians like these (my family are some of them) and I saw no distortion in the film from personal experience with the views or acts presented. The film doesn't seek to portray the moderate Christian. These people are the intense, biblical literalists. These are the same people that prefer suppression of science in favor of their beliefs and centuries ago would've embraced the worsts and extreme of Christianity (witch burnings, inquisitions, etc).
This film is a very poignant depiction of indoctrination. The themes of religion are reinforced early in the mind of these kids, whether it be fear of a world and devil that is out to attack and get them or that god loves these kids despite them being sinful and unclean which makes them otherwise unworthy. It is a very rousing and wrenching experience and to sit back and watch it is difficult but you should do it. For me it was a reliving, but for most it will be an eye-opening film. True to the experience and undistorted, you should be distressed by the film. There are many of these people that allow faith to dominate reason and as they say in the film "they vote."
Movie Review: Horrifying, Frightening, Very good movie.
Summary: 5 Stars
If I was an Evangelical Christian instead of a regular Dad who goes with wife and children to church most Sundays, perhaps I would not be as horrified by this movie. It shows Americans who no doubt are loving, caring, committed parents/teachers/camp counselors, teaching their children lessons that to me are factually very wrong, and almost loony. It focuses on two or three eager-to-please and charming kids. The one or two girls are adorable and resourceful. The boy is a talented and sincere and likable Huck Finn. The viewer roots for these kinds of wonderful and sincere young people, as they adapt to a sequence of frightening lessons presented by adults. These lessons, in my personal view, emphasize intolerance, closed-mindedness, and in some cases inexcusable ignorance. One of the adult enthusiasts --- and the viewer can't help but admire her energy and endurance and guts -- repeatedly identifies her enemy as closed-minded Muslims, yet reminded me again and again that her kind of closed-mindedness is the sort of sincere insanity that led to the 12th century crusades. The movie suggests -- accurately or not I cannot tell --the White House under President Bush is the ally of this sort of thing. The problem with this effective movie is it is meant to upset viewers. It is edited to upset viewers. It does upset viewers. It paints a picture suggesting that the 30 or so stars in the movie -- who might represent a very small group in America -- represent a very broad and growing group. I highly recommend.