A scary look at how tax-free, election determining, religious propaganda is attempting to create a new wave of Christian Soldiers.
Incredibly powerful. A documentary that outlines one of the major party defining trait within the Republican Party in the late 20th and early 21st century. Religious beliefs. Jesus Camp follows a few Evangelical Christian families and how they raise their children with religion as the major life-defining focus. As well as a Minister named Beckey Fischer, who hosts sermons with a large focus on family-oriented prayers. Asking kids about their relationship with God and enforcing the Church’s idea of the divine power. The controversy arises when the ideas of religion are forced onto these kids, not allowing them to make personal choices at some of the most impressionable ages. Many of these kids are being forced into this idolization of a divine power before they enter grade school.
I’m not writing this as a complete bash on religious institutions and a whole. As someone who doesn’t follow a religion, but was raised in an atmosphere which accepts religious beliefs and ideologies. As well as many common ideas that are transferable into modern society. I have respect for those who follow without hate and bigotry completely blinding their beliefs. The ideas and values that are brought up by the ministers and speakers in Jesus Camp are often using their platform to spread hate towards other cultures. They often make derogatory claims towards individuals who follow middle eastern ideologies. This tactic became incredibly popular in the fear-riddled era of the Bush 43, post 9/11, Iraq War American culture. An easy way to spread fear politics and drew a large number of evangelical voters to the polls in 2004.
An incredibly timely part of the film was the inclusion of the controversial United States Supreme Court nominee Judge Samuel Alito. The documentary goes over the inclusion of how Alito was chosen in the perfect mold for the far right evangelical base that George W. Bush and his administration was aligning themselves with. As an example, Alito was a Judge who supported employment discrimination in the United States towards the LGBTQ+ community. A community not condoned by the evangelical right. I say it’s extremely timely due to the current conversation about current Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh and how the conversation has shifted from religious beliefs to make sure those accused of sexual assault are held accountable. While religion is still a common talking point the American culture, it is not the main reason for the uproar in today’s political landscape. It could be pointing to a wider acceptance towards marginalized communities, something that Jesus Camp focuses as the main issue for both right-wing evangelicals and left-wing social political types.
One of the major talking points I took away from Jesus Camp is the lack of choice given to the children been indoctrinated into the Church and the world they present to them. A mother that is followed over the course of the film was asked about homeschooling her children. She attempts to rationalize her reasoning as she lacks trust for the establishment and feels the need to take up the mantle as the teacher herself. A large amount of the lessons seemingly play into the family’s affinity for religion. Outside of their teachings, the family seems to follow a strict daily routine of prayer. Focusing on establishing a basis for god in most facets in their life including the music they raise their kids with. Have messages pertaining to faith within the songs. The families also include the pledge of allegiance at the dinner table as well as prayer. Members of the church are also shown establishing media that as churchgoers, they could find harmful towards the youth of tomorrow. The main minister that is followed, Becky Fischer, paints Harry Potter as a piece of media that goes against The Bible and the establishment of the Chruch due to the use of “warlocks” which are “spawns of Satan” in the eyes of The Bible.
The filmmakers, Heidi Ewing, and Rachel Grady are making Jesus Camp to shed light on a large sect of America that could easily go unseen by masses in large metropolitan areas. In fast-moving, dense areas of the country where the “melting pot” has become the new norm for raising children, it is typically Liberal and progressive. It is shown in even Red States such as Alabama, Texas, and Georgia that in larger areas where the effect of Gerrymandering has minimal effect on the population, turn blue in large elections. The purpose of the film was to have it find its way to these people to create a larger sense of those in other parts of the country, who have the ability to sway elections if the numbers are large enough. Not to mention the lack of disregard for modern ideas such as equal rights and discrimination based on gender amongst other ideas.
Jesus Camp has a lot to say about religious institutions in the modern era. In particular, those who follow a regressive and bigoted nature. At the time of the film’s release, the topic of religion was the hot-button issue facing many conservatives. As an example, the question “Should God play a role in politics?” was being asked up until the 2016 election! The focus of religion has always been a major topic in the United States political spectrum and films such as Jesus Camp are what have the ability to make citizens aware of what damage those establishments can do. Whether it means avoiding an election swing, protecting the youth from regressive beliefs or even broadening peoples understanding of what Middle-America understands elitist society to be. As well as giving other believers of how others in their community are acting towards those who they deem unholy. The road to progression is one that takes time but is attainable.
The FilmSpot 