Many topics are covered in the highly controversial film Jesus Camp. Everything is covered from abortion, and separation of church and state to ethical practices when learning religion. The two topics Im choosing to further elaborate on is the intensity and content Pastor Fischer introduces to the children, and also the problemental stereotype Jesus Camp has created for many Christians.
Pastor Becky Fischer refers to her methods of teaching and practicing Christianity as recruitment. Watching the film, Pastor Fischer specifically uses the phrase get them while theyre young in reference to her ministry with children born-again Christians. What I found most striking in the film was that very phrase, insinuating children need to be initiated into Christianity before theyre mentally capable of weighing in and giving their two sense. In addition, many Christians and citizens found Fischers relation of children following Jesus Christ similar to that of children involved in extreme Islamic practices troubling as well. People even of the Christian faith seemed very uncomfortable with Pastor Fischers intensity. Pastor Fischer introduces her view of abortion to the children in one of the services, something many people would deem inappropriate for children that age. The childrens reaction to what theyre shared with about abortion in my opinion was slightly disturbing. Because the kids are so young to be introduced to such heavy topics, many of the kids became emotionally unstable. This is where my questions about the safety of Pastor Beckys practices come into play. Many of the children were weeping, and screaming with the emotional pain they were feeling for their slaughtered brothers and sisters, undoubtedly an experience theyll never forget, and most likely be scarred from. Although there is huge importance with upholding the United States constitution and letting parents have the right to introduce their children to the religion(s) of their choosing, Jesus Camp is really teetering the line of that freedom, and line of child neglect by emotional trauma.
