Missions Jesus Camp Shuts Down Due
to Negative Response
The controversial Jesus Camp in the US has shut down after a
documentary film which featured events of children praying in
tongues and sobbing with repentance in the camp met with a negative
response.
By Gretta Curtis Posted
November 29, 2006
The controversial Jesus Camp in the
US has shut down after a documentary film which featured events of
children praying in tongues and sobbing with repentance in the camp
met with a negative response.
Camp director Becky Fischer
commented to Christianity Today: "Christians go after me because of
doctrinal issues, whereas the world is going after me because they
think I'm another Adolf Hitler."
She added: "They're accusing me of
raising a Christian jihad."
The documentary “Jesus Camp” was
launched last September, featuring kids worshipping at Bible camps
and youth events in the US.
But the film has caused a scare to
some audiences for its raw depiction of white evangelical children
being ‘radically trained’ to lay down their lives for the gospel.
Many condemned Fischer, accusing
her of ‘manipulating’ or ‘brainwashing’ children.
The film features kids shouting out
for forgiveness and sobbing over social issues such as abortion and
war. "Air America" radio host Mike Papantonio is among many who
disagree with the tactics used at the camp.
"I think when you look at what
occurs in the camp, there is a use of guilt. There is a use of
shame," Papantonio said. "That is not directed all at Becky. I mean,
what is a 5-year-old capable in ways of sin? Maybe stealing an Oreo
from a cookie jar."
Papantonio asked Fischer why
children needed to be so emotional at such a young age.
"One repetitive theme is a child
crying, a child laying out on the ground and crying. Well, what are
they crying about?" he asked. "Why does a 5-year-old feel like it is
necessary to cry about their spirituality?"
"I do not use guilt. I do not use
shame or manipulation in those ways," Fischer said. "This is a very
intense moment. These children are passionate about their faith in
Jesus Christ. Most people don't really have much emotion going on in
their religion at all."
Since the past decade and a half,
enrolment at Christian colleges is up 70 per cent in the US. Sales
of Christian music in the US are up 300 per cent. Tens of thousands
of youth pastors have been trained.
Young people are the majority who
are targeted through Christian music festivals, skateboard
competitions and rodeos.
"I think there is a push right now
in a lot of evangelical churches to definitely keep the teenagers
and keep the children in the faith," said Heidi Ewing, co-director
of "Jesus Camp". "And this is one version of that attempt."
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