There are some documentaries that genuinely stir up emotions and create discussions around topics of growing importance. Jesus Camp fits this description as it chronicles the rising trend of radical fundamentalism in evangelical Christianity and the newest target for their quest: children. Forewarning: my view is one of anti-fundamentalist sentiments and this movie horrified me in ways I will only touch on briefly since I will try to give a fair an impartial review of such a politically poignant documentary.
Jesus Camp shows the fundamentalist movement in all its glory and often awe-inspiring tactics of spreading Jesus’ word. Whether at a bowling alley or a camp devoted entirely to influencing the next generation of Americans, Evangelical Christianity seems to have a bright and glorious future on the horizon. The audience follows three children in their experiences, through what some may view as a very propagandist church camp, where they’re taught that unless they hold fundamental Christian beliefs, they and the country they love so dear will be doomed and overcome by the savage (though admirably devoted) Muslims.
Becky Fischer and Ted Haggard doggedly pursue the attentions of the children as they use visual example after visual example in attempts to not only influence how they children think, but also how they live their daily lives. The children are encouraged to encounter strangers on a day-to-day basis, preaching the word of the lord. Apparently the whole “Stranger Danger” policy is out and we’re back to the good old-fashioned “follow the creepy man into his van if you think you can show him Jesus.” From scene to scene, the audience is showed statistics regarding the connection between home schooling and fundamental Christian families.
Of course, like any good Christian propaganda film would, Jesus Camp dutifully tackles the issue of evolution, and how it’s grounded in a field called “science” that lacks any kind of evidence and asks that people believe it based on faith in old fossils. We see the lives of the three children inside their homes and exactly what kind of families produce and encourage the thinking supported by Becky and Ted. Levi, the child that receives the most attention, spends his days watching videos that constantly work at debasing evolution as it reinforces the belief structure his family holds so dear.
Perhaps the most valuable aspect of this particular documentary is that it leans to neither a positive nor negative light. It portrays the folks within just as they are, allowing the audience to decide whether or not radical Christianity will become as extremist and powerfully iconic as extremist Muslims, or whether it’s a passing sensationalist fad of a religion, made popular by the controversial speeches of our impassioned president, George Bush. During the documentary, the audience is told that Ted Haggard, an adamant supporter and President of the organized body of Evangelical Christianity, meets every Monday with our nation’s current leader.
I can’t pan or support this movie, as it is but a device to make those in the United States more aware of a growing trend. This sect of religion tells itself that if each and every one of the members in their countrywide congregation were to vote in any given election, they would decide which way the election went hands down. Is this a clever psychological ploy? Or is it truth? It’s hard to say. Those who would disprove it would be accused of falsifying their numbers. And those who would prove it true would do the same to stir more support within their own ranks. Either way, it’s eerie to consider that any given body within the US could control its politics one way or the other.
The audience may find it hard to stay impartial towards one side or another (though I doubt that will be a problem since most will come with their minds made up already) when they find out the motivation for targeting children. It’s not only to save their souls and help them be born again at an early age. Their tactics are based on scientific and psychological figures showing that what you teach a child between the ages of 6 and 9 will stay with them for the rest of their lives. This is where the innocence of their motivations can be called into question, and the issue arises whether or not these people are attempting to raise a militantly religious army for the sake of the Republican Party. Becky Fischer laughs at the notion but some people’s worries might not be so easily dismissed.
I don’t care if you’re in favor of radical evangelism or against it, you need to see this movie in order to understand where a surprising number of American’s opinions lie on the subject of abortion and evolution. The world is changing and the people with it. Will you ignore global warming as a baseless precaution or will you choose otherwise? Jesus Camp may help you understand exactly why the country is the way it is.
"Jesus Camp" opens September 15, 2006 and is rated PG13. Documentary. Directed by Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady. Starring Becky Fischer, Mike Papantonio, Ted Haggard.
