Since 2000, I have seen a trend towards “conservative Christian” values in governmental policies. But I considered that as an inevitible pendulum swing of the way that America’s culture has always drifted back and forth regarding conservatism.
I discovered a movie preview the other day about a movie opening next weekend: Jesus Camp
It’s a documentary that focuses on a Pastor Becky Fischer’s “Kids on Fire” summer camp where she mobilizes kids to “fight in Jesus’ army.” One would hope she’s being metaphorical about this, but one of the clips shows her saying how she wants kids to lay down their lives for Jesus the way that Islamic fundamentalits lay down their life for Islam.
I find that a little alarming.
Yes, I know that America has always been predominantly Christian country, and I know that this subject has been done to death here many times before, but I’m interested to hear people chime in on what they think of the movie or it’s subject matter. It’s because of this subject matter that I posted this in GD instead of Cafe Society.
That’s a little scary. What galls me the most is when they talk about taking the country back for Jesus they mean “their” vision of Jesus. That usually means a superficial worship of the principles Jesus taught and a lot of lip service. That lip service includes fighting to keep “under God” in the pledge and trying to re institute prayer in schools and other superficial meaningless gestures.
:dubious: Hey wait a minute… the Pastor claims that she wants kids to lay down their lives for Jesus in the manner of Islamic fundamentalists… and the name of the summer camp is “Kids on Fire?!”
:smack: I’ve been whooshed, haven’t I? This is a parody of some sort, right? A joke.
Superficial? Sure. Meaningless? You betcha. But these believers don’t see it that way. Things like “Under God” and praying to their version of God in public schools are the be-all end-all for these people.
That’s not a little scary. That’s flat out terrifying.
You mean he didn’t get 72 virgins? I thought that, like father, like son, a thing for the perpetually virginal was his thing. All those nuns married to Jesus are going to be WAY disappointed.
I think we’re doing this all wrong. We get these people together with the Islamic fundies, throw them into a deathmatch, and broadcast it on PPV. Everyone wins! (Well, everyone who isn’t a raving nutjob, that is.)
What? They win, too, when they demand a rematch. The sooner this goes from Serious to Just TV the better. Pay per View goes to Pay Cable to Basic Service to Network Broadcast to Local UHF. After that NOBODY cares.
Yeah, and I’m sure they edited it to highlight the most extreme quotes.
You know, I don’t think kids EVER went away for weeklong religious camps before Bush II was elected. I bet he’s sending 'em federal funds under his special Black Ops program that previously was devoted to Roswell crash research.
:rolleyes: to all who get their panties bunched up over this
You’re probably right that it’s nothing at all to worry about. On the other hand, there’s no harm in calling attention to it either, is there? Perhaps if more people learn about it, concerned citizens might eventually be persuaded to lay down their lives attacking the Bible camps, the way that Islamic fundamentalists lay down their lives for Islam. Surely you wouldn’t object to such harmless rhetoric?
