Jesus Camp Isn't All That Bad: 20 reflections

Finally watched Jesus Camp last night, the "documentary" on a mid-western Pentecostal camp for kids. No review (see some here), but some reflections (they won't mean anything to you unless you have seen the movie):

1. This film is not nearly as disconcerting as I was led to believe. In fact, there were even some heartening moments and good practices.
2. It is clear that this was not a documentary, or at least in the normal sense of the word. This was an opinion piece, designed to make you fear the "evangelicals." This was obvious by (1) the way they cut the film, removing context, and (2) the periodic focus on a radio talk show host who condemned evangelicals and their supposed bent on making USA a Christian nation.
3. Despite the lopsided filmaking approach, you couldn't deny that a lot of the content was odd, and even disturbing.
4. I, of course, disagree with their view and practice of charismatic gifts. It was especially hard to see them teaching this emotional practice to kids.
5. My despair at this site (kids forced to speak in tongues and roll in the floor) was ameliorated slightly by the thought that Paul probably dealt with something similar in the Corinthian church (kids, however, are not mentioned in his epistle). This has been a problem for thousands of years and won't stop until Christ comes.
6. Much of the film, I thought, portrayed parents and kids as very serious about their faith. I think that is a good thing.
7. Nevertheless, it all felt too weighty. Yes, we should teach our kids to love Jesus and that there is a battle going on between heaven and hell. But, for goodness sakes, let's not freak them out. There are some things that we should wait to teach our kids. And beyond the content, there are some ways we should avoid teaching our kids. The fervor from the preachers was reflected in the kids in an unhealthy way. They were responding in ways that they could not have understood.
8. However, the film failed to argue persuasively that we should not "indoctrinate" our kids. That is a specious argument. Every parent will teach their kids according to their own values (religious, conservative, liberal, etc). The film just doesn't like the values promoted here, so they condemn them. The intolerance of tolerance.
9. There is one particular scene that has now become infamous. A women brings a life-size cut out of then president George W. Bush in front of a throng of eagerly awaiting kids. The film catalogues the kids yelling to him, praying for him. Though a bit odd, I wasn't troubled by this, moslty because the editing job was so terrible. They made it seem as though the kids were unhinged worshippers of the president. That is doubtful. I am sure they cut sections where they prayed for him, for wisdom, for strength. When did it become a bad thing to pray for our leaders? And who cares if they used the life-size image? Kids like visuals. The camp director even said as much.
10. They spent a lot of time focused on abortion. The kids prayed that God would stop it, screamed out loud for the world to change, put red tape on their mouths with the word "LIFE" written on it in bold letters. You're not going to get much criticism from me. It could have been a bit heavy for some of the younger ones, that is true. But getting them passionate about stopping the killing babies doesn't seem misguided.
11. Rat tails don't help the evangelical cause.
12. Ted Haggard (sigh).
13. I want a life-size cut out of GW. Who is gonna get me one?
14. If only the world could be exposed to a little more evangelical rap.
15. Nutty Evangelicals, please listen: Global Warming has nothing to do with Christianity.
16. Stop--pelase stop--talking about "taking God out of the public schools." It is remarkable how free we are to worship in this country. Get over it, be grateful.
17. I loved the ardency of the kids. They are a bit misguided, but they love Jesus, and I am ok with that. I would honestly prefer my kid be slightly nuts for Jesus than "too cool for school."
18. Lest you forget, we are in a battle. And we shall win the battle in the strength that God supplies, armed with grace and love.
19. Anthony, I can see why now you are going to refer to yourself from now on as a "Protestant."
20. Christianity will always seem odd from those who do not yet have the Spirit. That is the design of Christ and we can't be afraid to stand up for what we believe, living out our faith authentically.

Next film to see: Hell House. Stoked.