By Ashley Rogers
I’ve always been fond of St. Francis’s quote, “Preach the Gospel to all the world. If necessary, use words.”
Recently, I watched the documentary, “Jesus Camp,” and as a Christian believer myself, was absolutely dismayed. The film focuses on a summer program intended to, through intense training and discipline, turn the children into extremist Christians. Pastor Becky Fischer hints that her program, Kids on Fire, is inspired by her admiration of how Islamic children are “bred to give their life to their country.”
She also explains how she can talk to a playground of non-Christian children and “just moments later they can be seeing visions and hearing the voice of God, because they’re so open.” Then she comments on how “usable” such children would be, undoubtedly as minions in her own personal holy war.
Perhaps the most haunting aspect is what Fischer considers “camp.” These children dress up in camouflage and are trained to “take back America for Christ.” Other activities include the children speaking in tongues and smashing coffee mugs with the word ‘government’ imprinted over them.
A speaker Lou Engle convinces the children to pledge that they will fight against abortion as he says, “you would have more friends if it weren’t for abortion!” Other highlights include children publicly confessing “impure thoughts,” a kind of fatwa against Harry Potter, and images of children praying to and blessing a cardboard cut-out of President George W. Bush.
Hearing the snickers and laughter around me in the theatre, it was pretty clear that there were few other Christians in the theater. It was very disconcerting to have the religious group with which I identify be heckled, considering the Christians on screen are so much different than the ones I know. I wanted to scream that Christianity is not supposed to be about cultish bible thumping and militant behavior.
When I was five years old, I professed my love for Jesus Christ, as my mother led me in prayer. Both my parents are Christians, both set of Grandparents are Christians, my brothers are Christians. So yes, I’ve been surrounded by Christianity all my life, but it has always been a choice.
We weren’t sent to a boot camp such as this, to be scolded and commanded to “turn from our impure thoughts!” We lived as children; we laughed and played and yes, sinned. We told lies, we talked back on occasion, and we snuck cookies from the cookie jars. We were kids. And our parents disciplined us as most parents would. We were taught the wrongs and rights of the world, and we lived by the Bible.
I believe thoroughly that Jesus Christ was sent to this earth as a man by his and our Heavenly Father, God, to die on a cross for us, forgiving humans for our sins. However, this doesn’t mean that children should be have their right to choose their own path revoked. All humans have free will, and some believe in Him and some do not.
Yes, youth are important. Youth are, in a way, the future. America’s culture is quickly failing, and young people can do a lot for this world and for Christ. But please, do not take this film, “Jesus Camp,” as a symbol of what Christianity is. I ask you, do not watch this film and walk away with disgust for Christians or Jesus Christ.
Ashley Rogers is a freshman majoring in equine business. E-mail her at opinion@louisvillecardinal.com.
