'Jesus Camp' movie trailer

[JumpCutz]

Let me start by saying......no comment.

http://movies.aol.com/movie/jesus-camp/27214/trailer

[Artman]

Have no idea what to think on this.... it'll be interesting to watch I suppose. Certainly there's many ways to worship and express faith but sometimes heavily charismatic churches are so caught up in the "emotion" they forget some biblical principles...

One thing I don't understand is this whole "forcing their votes un us" mentality.... should religous poeple not be allowed to vote or something? :hscratch:

Anyone who's candidate/issue doesn't go their way could claim oppression from the other side.

[Premise]

-popcorn- Here we go.

[PopcornTreeCt]

-popcorn- Here we go.

I shall start the war: AOL SUCKS!!!

[JumpCutz]

I shall start the war: AOL SUCKS!!!

:lol: ...and religious fascism always seems the same regardless which religion it comes from.

[mrhan]

I hope it's as funny as "Saved".

[brianluvdvd]

Scary. Even scarier that I was raised under some of that (but maybe not quite as extreme).

Nothing like using Jesus and children for your own political and social means. Ugh...but still fascinating. I will watch but in disgust.

Reminds me of another engrossing religious nut documentary called Hell House. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0301235/

Compelling but wretched at the same time. See it.

[Artman]

religious fascism always seems the same regardless which religion it comes from.

Fox reporters were recently held at gunpoint for conversion to Islam. Is that the same as a church/synagogue holding a camp to celebrate their beliefs?

[JumpCutz]

Fox reporters were recently held at gunpoint for conversion to Islam. Is that the same as a church/synagogue holding a camp to celebrate their beliefs?

I think we can agree that the Fox reporter gunpoint conversion was a little more extreme than what probably goes on at that boot camp for christians. Though that camp seemed to be a little more than a place to 'celebrate their beliefs'.
My point is religious extremists of any type are bad for business.
I sure as heck wouldn't want my kid hanging anywhere near those wackos.
I would think teaching religious tolerance to our youth might be a healthier approach.

[Artman]

Yeah, I don't think the end times or politics should be pushed on kids at that age - much more beneficial to focus on loving your neighbor as yourself, how to handle disagreements, etc.. imo.

[The Bus]

This isn't a sequel to Space Camp. :(

[zombiezilla]

"This one time, at Jesus Camp..."

[SPiRAL]

Every time I glance at this thread title, I think it says 'Jesse Camp' ( the tall skinny rock dude from Mtv ).

[Giles]

the trailer scares me.

[GIjon213]

I think Michael Moore should make this documentary:)

[JumpCutz]

Here's a review someone posted on IMDB....

I saw this film at the Silverdocs festival, expecting it to be little more than an oddball slice of Americana, but I was pleasantly surprised.

"Jesus Camp" revolves around a pentecostal minister who hosts a summer camp for children in North Dakota, and the sectarian Christian conservative families who send their children to this camp. Directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady wisely chose to avoid the polemical tone of most politically-motivated films, and instead opt to present a mostly unfiltered glimpse of this odd subculture. But through carefully selected images and the use of talk radio commentary as a framing device, they construct a subtle, yet damning narrative about a religious movement that isolates its children from mainstream culture, indoctrinates them into right-wing causes, and uses them as political props.

At Jesus Camp, the daily activities include standard camp fare such as spelunking and go-karts, but they also include speaking in tongues and smashing coffee mugs emblazoned with the word "government". Children learn that "science doesn't prove anything," and learn to consider themselves part of an Army of God. They are compelled to pledge that they will fight to end abortion. They are even pushed into publicly confessing their impure thoughts, and many of them cry and wail charismatically.

The camp director explains that she admires the way Islamic cultures raise children so devoted they will risk their lives for their faith. When we ultimately see several of the campers being placed by their parents on the steps of the Capitol with tape over their mouths, protesting abortion, the real purpose of this camp is driven home.

But the most touching scenes are the ones where the children are alone, and we see the ways that this indoctrination creeps into the most innocent elements of childhood. 11 year old Tori loves dancing to Christian rock, but frets that it's not always easy to dance for God instead of "dancing for the flesh." On an outing to the bowling alley, 9 year old Rachael feels compelled to walk up to strangers and awkwardly evangelize to them, without being prompted. A roomful of boys telling ghost stories after dark are interrupted by an adult who warns them about stories that don't glorify God.

No doubt some viewers will accuse the filmmakers of the dreaded liberal bias. But this is not a work of fiction, nor is it slanted reporting. These are real people and real events, captured on film. If the evangelical movement comes off badly in this film, the people on screen have no one but themselves to blame.

[Giles]

Here's a review someone posted on IMDB....

I saw this film at the Silverdocs festival, expecting it to be little more than an oddball slice of Americana, but I was pleasantly surprised.

"Jesus Camp" revolves around a pentecostal minister who hosts a summer camp for children in North Dakota, and the sectarian Christian conservative families who send their children to this camp. Directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady wisely chose to avoid the polemical tone of most politically-motivated films, and instead opt to present a mostly unfiltered glimpse of this odd subculture. But through carefully selected images and the use of talk radio commentary as a framing device, they construct a subtle, yet damning narrative about a religious movement that isolates its children from mainstream culture, indoctrinates them into right-wing causes, and uses them as political props.

At Jesus Camp, the daily activities include standard camp fare such as spelunking and go-karts, but they also include speaking in tongues and smashing coffee mugs emblazoned with the word "government". Children learn that "science doesn't prove anything," and learn to consider themselves part of an Army of God. They are compelled to pledge that they will fight to end abortion. They are even pushed into publicly confessing their impure thoughts, and many of them cry and wail charismatically.

The camp director explains that she admires the way Islamic cultures raise children so devoted they will risk their lives for their faith. When we ultimately see several of the campers being placed by their parents on the steps of the Capitol with tape over their mouths, protesting abortion, the real purpose of this camp is driven home.

But the most touching scenes are the ones where the children are alone, and we see the ways that this indoctrination creeps into the most innocent elements of childhood. 11 year old Tori loves dancing to Christian rock, but frets that it's not always easy to dance for God instead of "dancing for the flesh." On an outing to the bowling alley, 9 year old Rachael feels compelled to walk up to strangers and awkwardly evangelize to them, without being prompted. A roomful of boys telling ghost stories after dark are interrupted by an adult who warns them about stories that don't glorify God.

No doubt some viewers will accuse the filmmakers of the dreaded liberal bias. But this is not a work of fiction, nor is it slanted reporting. These are real people and real events, captured on film. If the evangelical movement comes off badly in this film, the people on screen have no one but themselves to blame.

Jesus Camp actually won the Silverdoc's Sterling Award for feature film.

also I'm a little surprised that no one here hasn't mentioned that the director's of the film also directed the critically acclamied The Boys of Baraka (which incidently tied with Street Fight winning the Audience Award at the 2005 Silverdocs Film Festival)

[Giles]

website:
Jesus Camp (http://www.magpictures.com/profile.aspx?id=07c96423-06b3-43c6-9c47-64d782362b8e)

here's the playdates/theatrical rollout of the film:

Opening
9/7/2006
Newark, DE: Cinema Center 3 Theatres

9/15/2006
Colorado Springs, CO: Twin Peak Cinemas
Olathe, KS: Studio 30
Independence, MO: Independence Commons 20
Kansas City, MO: Tivoli @ Manor Square
Springfield, MO: Campbell 16 Cine
Oklahoma City, OK: Quail Springs 24
Tulsa, OK: Southroads 20
Dallas, TX: Magnolia Theatre - Dallas
Grapevine, TX: Grapevine 30 Theatres
Plano, TX: Angelika Film Center and Cafe

9/22/2006
New York, NY: Empire 25 Theaters
New York, NY: Angelika Film Center (6)

9/27/2006
Aspen, CO: Aspen Film Festival

9/29/2006
Encino, CA: Town Center 5
Orange, CA: Century Stadium 25 Theatre - Orange
Pasadena, CA: Playhouse 7 Cinemas
Pleasant Hill, CA: Century 5 Theatre - Pleasant Hill
San Francisco, CA: Embarcadero Center Cinema
San Rafael, CA: Smith Rafael Film Center
Santa Ana, CA: Edwards South Coast Village 3
West Hollywood, CA: Sunset 5
Washington, DC: E Street Cinema
Chicago, IL: Pipers Alley 4
Evanston, IL: Cinearts 6

10/6/2006
Rancho Mirage, CA: Century @ the River
San Diego, CA: Hillcrest Cinemas
Denver, CO: Chez Artiste
Indianapolis, IN: Keystone Art Cinema 7
Cambridge, MA: Kendall Square Cinema
Bloomfield Hills, MI: Maple Art Theatre
Minneapolis, MN: Lagoon Cinema
Frontenac, MO: Plaza Frontenac Cinema
Charlotte, NC: Ballantyne Village 5
Montclair, NJ: Clairidge Cinemas
Manhasset, NY: Manhasset Cinemas
White Plains, NY: Clearview Cinema 100 Twin
Cleveland Heights, OH: Cedar Lee Theatres
Columbus, OH: Drexel East Theatre
Portland, OR: Fox Tower 10
Knoxville, TN: Downtown West Cinema 8
Nashville, TN: Green Hills 16
Austin, TX: Arbor Cinemas at Great Hills
Seattle, WA: Metro Cinemas

10/13/2006
Tucson, AZ: Century El Con 20 Theatre
Albuquerque, NM: Century 14 Downtown

10/20/2006
Reno, NV: Century Riverside 12

10/27/2006
Charlottesville, VA: Virginia Film Festival/Univ VA

11/9/2006
Rehoboth Beach, DE: Movies at Midway

[kvrdave]

Boy, that is a scary trailer. I loved Saw, but I don't think I could watch this. I tend to think that children should be taught through rationality rather than emotionalism, because they can't handle it yet, nor do they have a firm basis for that emotional high.

I will pass. You know what really gets me...the Bible does talk about some people (generally Satan) as being an enemy. But when referring to other humans, Jesus points out that we are to love our enemies, yet many fundamentalists want to start a way based on having enemies, which was never something preached by Jesus.

Pretty sad.

[cdollaz]

I would think teaching religious tolerance to our youth might be a healthier approach.

Problem with that is that the meaning of religious tolerance has changed. It used to mean "I respect your right to practice your religion" but has morphed into "I have to accept your religion as a valid alternative to my own." I have a problem with the second definition. I will respect anyone's right to practice their religion, assuming it is not illegal or harmful to society, but I will not accept other religions as a valid alternative to my own.

[zombiezilla]

Man, I knew religion sucked for a reason.

[lukewarmwater]

I thought I blocked this part of my childhood out.

[Fincher Fan]

I predict a lot of 'PWNED!!1!' moments for these kids in the future.

[FinkPish]

Problem with that is that the meaning of religious tolerance has changed. It used to mean "I respect your right to practice your religion" but has morphed into "I have to accept your religion as a valid alternative to my own." I have a problem with the second definition. I will respect anyone's right to practice their religion, assuming it is not illegal or harmful to society, but I will not accept other religions as a valid alternative to my own.
I'm not sure where you are getting this change from, except from your own beliefs. Was there a memo that I missed re: religious tolerance?

[Cameron]

looks very interesting.

[The Bus]

website:
Jesus Camp (http://www.magpictures.com/profile.aspx?id=07c96423-06b3-43c6-9c47-64d782362b8e)

here's the playdates/theatrical rollout of the film:

Opening
9/7/2006
Newark, DE: Cinema Center 3 Theatres


Jesus Camp, Mary and Joseph, we're getting the premiere.

[Artman]

More words of wisdom from Dave. (except for Saw, he he...) It would be very interesting to see how the kids are doing in 10 or 15 yrs. Not that kids can't be excited about their faith, but if it's based on pure emotionalism and not solid teaching/principles... they'll get burned out.

[Brent L]

I am a Christian, but Pentecostal denominations both creep me out and piss me off. I grew up in a Pentecostal church, grandfather was pastor, then I started going to a Baptist for a few years. When in high school I dated someone in a Pentecostal church and I got back into it, then over a year or so I started to see what the church and people were all about, and it made me sick. Now I consider myself non-denominational more than anything else, but I'm most defiantly no longer a part of anything having to do with a Pentecostal church.

For the love of God, please don't watch this movie and think that it is about most Christians, please.

[Suprmallet]

I don't think the filmmakers are trying to claim that these are representative of all Christian denominations. Rather, they're trying to show that this stuff happens and it's sick to use any religious figure for your own political beliefs. What's even scarier is the idea that these kids don't even have the freedom to disagree.

[Brent L]

I don't think that's the intention of the filmmakers either, but, well, you know how some people (the viewers) are when they see stuff like this.

[Suprmallet]

Well, going off the IMDB review, it sounds like it's in the ballpark of the filmmaker's intentions. No documentarian is agenda-less.

[Brent L]

Except for Michael Moore.

[DodgingCars]

I'm a Christian and Christians like these kinda freak me out. I've had friends (even my wife) who were very sheltered growing up -- and I would say it did not have positive effects on their upbringing. My wife rebelled and I have one friend who was a culturally ignorant adult for a few years (he's since opened up).

But I do want to see this.

[DodgingCars]

For the love of God, please don't watch this movie and think that it is about most Christians, please.

Even most "Conservative" or "Evangelicals".

My church (http://mosaic.org/) is theologically conservative but nothing like this film.

[Hulkabrgr]

I saw a screening of this two weeks ago, followed by a Q & A with the D.O.P. and one of the producers. They mentioned that the people in the film are estatic with how they are portrayed, and that they couldn't be happier with the film.

The film itself was very good. It is scary how easily young kids can be brainwashed into believing anything that adults tell them.

[RagingBull80]

This trailer is extremely scary and I want to see the film really badly. I have a feeling I will be laughing through most of it. This movie looks to me like republican/conservative propaganda and basically will show why I try to completely avoid religion in my life.

[zombiezilla]

Bingo!

[freshticles]

Wow, this movie's really going to fuck things up for the normal christians, huh?

[Artman]

Wow, this movie's really going to fuck things up for the normal christians, huh?

I think most fair minded people will realize this isn't the norm - even within pentacostal churches. But those that already have a negative view of Christians will no doubt eat this up.

[Mikael79]

You know it's sad when Catholics shake their heads to something and say - "That's fucking crazy!" When did the Catholics stop being the ones who go overboard, and start looking like the sensible ones??

This coming from someone who grew up Catholic. :)

I seriously think those people read a different bible than the one I read as a child. Either that or I seem to have forgotten the part where we're supposed to make our mulleted children dress up in camouflage and call themselves "God's army".

[al_bundy]

this might finally get me into a movie theater after a few years

the movie is different enough from the usuall hollywood crap to be interesting

[Richard Malloy]

I seriously think those people read a different bible than the one I read as a child. Either that or I seem to have forgotten the part where we're supposed to make our mulleted children dress up in camouflage and call themselves "God's army".
Well, there weren't any admonitions I can recall regarding split-level haircuts or camouflaged attire in the Bible, but there's plenty about that "God's Army" stuff, and what to do about the idolators and heretics in your midst:

"If your brother, the son of your father or of your mother, or your son or daughter, or the spouse whom you embrace, or your most intimate friend, tries to secretly seduce you, saying "Let us go and serve other gods," unknown to you or your ancestors before you, gods of the peoples surrounding you, whether near you or far away, anywhere throughout the world, you must not consent; you must not listen to him; you must show him not pity, you must not spare him or conceal his guilt. No, you must kill him, your hand must strike the first blow in putting him to death and the hands of the rest of the people following. You must stone him to death, since he has tried to divert you from Yahweh your God…” (Deuteronomy 13: 7-11)

“If you hear that in one of the towns which Yahweh your God has given you for a home, there are men, scoundrels from your own stock, who have led their fellow-citizens astray, saying ‘Let us go serve other gods’, hitherto unknown to you, it is your duty to look into the matter, examine it, and inquire most carefully. If it is proved and confirmed that such a hateful thing has taken place among you, you must put the inhabitants of that town to the sword; you must lay it under the curse of destruction--the town and everything in it.” (Deuteronomy 13:12-16)

"[Jesus]: If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." John 15:6

Deuteronomy is not exactly prone to interpretation, but I think Jesus' words can be taken metaphorically. Trouble is, the fundamentalists hew to what they regard as a literal interpretation, and can only interpret Jesus' words as they lay: gather those who do not abide by me, cast them on the fire, burn them. And, of course, Christians dutifully followed that practice for centuries, the "Dark Ages" to most of us, the "good ol' days" I presume for the Jesus Campers.

And as for the harsh punishments for heretics in Deuteronomy (and the Old Testament as a whole), Matthew 5:18 admonishes Christians to fulfill every aspect of Old Testament law. That means that violations of most of the Ten Commandments should result in the death penalty. Take the Lord's name in vain? Death. (Leviticus 24:16) Commit adultery? Death. (Leviticus 20:10) Working on the Sabbath? Death. (Exodus 31:15). Etc.

It's very problematic for "moderate" Christians, as so much of the, ahem, "Good Book" must be jettisoned to correspond with a more liberal interpretation of the Bible. It's why fundamentalists generally win arguments when the ultimate arbiter is "Holy Writ". It's why people who read the Bible cover-to-cover, and study it deeply, tend towards fundamentalism or rejecting the faith altogether. I chose the latter course.

[Artman]

self editing here:

? for Mods: Even though this film is about religion, should it be kept on the film itself or will it go into a full-blown war on Christianity and Biblical interpretation? Cause it's headed there - fast.

[pinata242]

This trailer is extremely scary and I want to see the film really badly. I have a feeling I will be laughing through most of it. This movie looks to me like republican/conservative propaganda and basically will show why I try to completely avoid religion in my life.
Just wanted to give you a shout for your sig. I take pride in being the cause of that great characterization of Oklahomans.

Back on topic, damn I wish I would have seen this thread earlier and been able to see the Tulsa showing a few weeks ago.