Critical analysis based on movie Jesus Camp - Essay Example

In the film "Jesus Camp," filmmakers Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing probe the belief systems of a radical Evangelical Christian children's ministry known as "Kids on Fire," a summer camp near the city of Devil's Lake, North Dakota. "Kids on Fire" is a program that trains children to take their place in the "Lord's army" through what some might call Biblical brainwashing. Modern music, dance, and inspirational speaking are used to sway, seduce, and save children from the "sick, sad world." Scenes in the film relating to the actual camp are interspersed with commentary from radio host Michael Papantonio, a moderate Christian, and a special visit to the mega-church ran by the now infamous Pastor Ted Haggard , who proves to be the least genuine personality in this documentary. The film shows that the religious motivation of the Evangelicals often crosses into the political realm. Viewers are introduced to several children, including Levi, Rachael and Tory. Each of these three stand out in their own way: Levi, a twelve-year old home-schooled boy with a ponytail and a flair for preaching; Rachael, a nine-year old girl whose passion for communicating the gospel to any listening ear often leaves her voice stopping to catch up with the words in her mind; and Tory, a ten-year old girl in love with dance who must do so only for the Lord, not "in the flesh." Pastor Becky, the leader of the "Kids on Fire" ministry, is portrayed as passionate but fanatical and unwavering in her political-religious beliefs. The three children highlighted are driven by their desire to be a part of "the Lord's army." They share the belief that the world will only be changed by their submission to the will of God, and they have a genuine but misdirected care for their fellow man. Levi believes that the Lord uses his voice to speak to his peers. He states that "the Holy Spirit is gonna come out of me. That ain't gonna be me up there preaching." He professes that the non-Christian world is "giving out candy, but I don't want candy, I want the meat. The holy spirit is like the meat. Good food, you know, food that you need." With these beliefs in his heart he speaks to his peers as a spiritual mentor determined to guide them along the paths of righteousness. Rachael prays over her bowling ball as she works up the courage to share the gospel with an older girl in the next lane. She brings a religious tract over to a suddenly befuddled blond, telling her "Hi, um, God's just telling me that you're on his mind and he just wants to take you and he just wants to love on you and he has special plans for your life." As the blond responds with a kind, yet confused "thank you," Rachael is congratulated by her mentor for listening to the voice of God and bravely sharing her love for Jesus with a lost soul. A weeping Tory, after a particularly emotional meeting, holds the microphone feebly as she cries with all the strength in her heart "I just pray for a change over our nation," illustrating the hidden political agenda with which she has been indoctrinated. At one point in the film, as the religious world crosses into the political realm, Levi states, "America is supposed to be God's nation." Pastor Becky claims that she "can go into a playground of kids that don't know anything about Christianity, lead them to the Lord in a matter of no time at all, and just moments later make them be seeing visions and hearing the voice of God." On all levels she appears to sincerely believe in her mission, though statements such as "They're so usable in Christianity" point to the frightening view of a larger "army of the Lord." She tells children that in the old days (under the Laws of God) "Harry Potter would've been put to death," a rousing call for exclusion, especially a few scenes later when several children tell another child that he resembles Harry Potter. In one scene she has the children "pray over" a cardboard cutout of George W. Bush, who is lionized in parts of the film. Michael Papantonio, who is the first person introduced in the film, presents a more moderate view of Christianity. He denounces those who use the pulpit to display an "us against them" mentality. Accusing the religious right of "dividing this country," he presents an alternate view, one where the love espoused by Christianity is not tainted by the intolerance and agendas of the far-right as personified by Pastor Becky. Listeners call in to his show to express their disdain for those who have turned their worship into military-style indoctrination. Toward the end of the film, he speaks with Pastor Becky, who hedges accusations of politicizing the faith of children. She also tells him that democracy is the best system on Earth but that "it's ultimately designed to destroy itself." After this exchange he seems exasperated, saying "the more I hear about this, I mean, it just gets crazier and crazier." Pastor Ted Haggard, now infamous for his dalliances with a male prostitute and crystal meth, appears in one of the culminating scenes of the movie. Levi, obviously star struck, attends one of Haggard's services where the minister acts slick for the filmmakers. He repeatedly makes jokes in the camera, much to the amusement of his congregation. He asks Levi if people listen to him because of his "content, or because you're a kid" Following this question he advises Levi to "use your cute kid thing until you're thirty and by then you'll have good content," which only illustrates his interest in fame overpowering his faith. In light of his recent confessions and subsequent resignation (or removal,) it's easy to see Haggard in the film as cocky and fake. Through the Evangelical characters, we see a disturbing view of Christianity training children to be religious extremists. The children are even compared to Islamic extremists by Pastor Becky, and they learn disdain for their own government at "Jesus camp." While people such as Papantonio seek to understand and expose the "us against them" mentality, their strict and misguided interpretation of the Bible lead them onward into battle, even as leaders like Haggard, fall into the same sinful bonfires they desire to extinguish. Their religious motivations are increasingly political, a fact the average American citizen must realize, because their numbers are growing. Read More