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aclarke - welcome to Blogit
I have to agree that the documentary Jesus Camp is sick and disturbing on a number of levels. The goal of the effort is to apparently foster a generation of children as brainwashed with Christian notions as some of the children coming from the Muslim Madrassa schools. As if that is some kind of desirable aspiration?
In a very real sense it is child abuse to promote cons such as speaking in tongues or the importance of a willingness to die for Jesus. The perpetrators are accomplishing nothing more than demonstrating their ability to exploit the malleability and the desire to please authority inherent in all young children.
posted by
gomedome
on June 4, 2009 at 6:16 AM
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Jesus Camp?
First off let me say I love your blog. I'm new to blogit and have spent most of my time on here so far reading your stuff.
I'm not sure if you have or not, but the "documentary" titled Jesus Camp made me angry and sick at the same time. Angry and sick to the point where I simply could not watch it anymore. It's a perfect example of the contradictions you so accurately write about on your blog. How can anyone consider themselves a "free" citizen of the United States or any country based on a free society but brainwash their child in to their belief system? How can they firmly believe that they live in a "free" society and that their children are "free" when their children cannot make decisions about religion on their own? The hypocrisies and contradictions have caused me to lose my faith recently, and my girlfriend is so lost she's not sure which way to turn. Even though I was baptized and confirms in a United Church of Christ church where things seem to be toned down and less insane. I have a hard time getting behind a lot of the things I was taught throughout my years of church and sunday school gong. My Girlfriend refuses to go to the Catholic church her parents are members of, and is amongst those that consider themselves "non-religious." Especially after we watched that "documentary" we both cannot see how anyone can stand behind something that has so many dead ends and loop holes in it that it resembles something like an intangible block of Swiss cheese.
Sorry to write a small column of my own on here. I'm looking forward to your next posts good sir!
posted by
aclarke
on June 3, 2009 at 6:16 PM
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Re: where do they come from you ask?
Xeno-x - I have to agree, brainwashed children that have never managed to grow out of their childhood lessons and continue to buy into a notion that insists it is better to believe in something that doesn't make any sense than to question it.
posted by
gomedome
on June 2, 2009 at 11:13 AM
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texture - thanx for stopping in
The scenario you describe has always been one of my pet peeves since the day a nun told me as a child that all of my protestant friends were going to roast like campfire marshmellows in hell for all eternity.
It matters not what a person believes in terms of the existence of the big guy. Redemption, salvation, entering the pearly gates, or whatever one wants to call it, is either universal with all of mankind having a chance at it, or this being so many want to insist is all knowing and all caring is neither.
posted by
gomedome
on June 2, 2009 at 11:11 AM
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strat - Re: Pardon the expression, but Holy Cow!
That was my reaction the first time I read it as well. Not only is the lesson fostering prejudice, it also undermines the very beliefs the lesson giver is trying to promote. An all knowing God not ever hearing of Mohammed, the central icon to the beliefs of 1/5 of the earth's population?
posted by
gomedome
on June 2, 2009 at 11:06 AM
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where do they come from you ask?
children.
you know that however children are taught, that is what they believe when they grow up -- no matter what is taught. and then they believe it as if it were the only true belief
thus we have hundreds of versions of "the only true belief".
posted by
Xeno-x
on June 2, 2009 at 11:05 AM
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I believe in many paths to something. That doesn't sit well with many people, but I am an adult and I can deal. My 9 year old, however should not have to ever be frightened of someone elses God. I don't always agree with you, but i respect you, your writing, and your understanding of the Universe. This Post I echo with all my heart. My daughter came home the other day saying that a friend up the street had told her she was going to hell if she didn't go to church every week. She has her own spirit and let it speak back to the other child. Although upsetting, it gave us an opportunity to discuss our ability to love and leave the rest to people who need to make rules. I enjoy this blog emensly by the way.
posted by
texture
on June 2, 2009 at 8:44 AM
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Pardon the expression, but Holy Cow!
posted by
strat
on June 2, 2009 at 8:39 AM
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