Modest Mouse
Strike Watch: Day Fourteen
Strike Watch: Day Fifteen
The Daily Photoist: June 6, 2009
Rachel is only nine years old, but she dreams of becoming a manicurist since she can preach the Word of God to a captive listener. Levi, twelve, was born-again at age five because he claims he needed more out of life. Ten year-old Tory likes Christian hard rock, but warns, "when I dance, I really have to make sure that's God because people will notice when I'm just dancing for the flesh."
These are the children of the Christian Evangelical movement, which has experienced staggering growth and influence over the last decade, reshaping American society and government all the way up to the White House. At about 45 million strong in the U.S., Evangelicals aren't solidly defined as a single group, but most agree that children are the key to cementing fundamentalist Christianity into the courts, government and schools of the United States -- what many of them say is a God-given duty to reclaim America for Christ.
Children's minister Becky Fischer is the creator of "Kids On Fire," a North Dakota Pentecostal camp for Evangelical youth which is the subject of Jesus Camp, opening at Doc Soup on Wednesday. Fischer makes no bones about her mission to "take these prophecies and do what the apostle Paul said and make war with them."
Like many contemporary Evangelicals, the undeniably charming Fischer subscribes to the notion that Christians are in a culture war against non-Christians, and that Evangelicals can learn lessons from Middle Eastern fundamentalism. "I want to see [young people] radically laying down their lives for the Gospel as they are over in Pakistan, in Israel and Palestine," she enthuses, "because, excuse me, but we have the truth."
The sight of the kids in Fisher's camp writhing on the floor, fainting and speaking in tongues is familiar to most as an adult domain, often highly visible at televised revivals. Tears flow -- many -- and children as young as five convulse in the Holy Spirit as if being electrocuted, a stream of nonsensical gibberish spewing from their lips. "Hooking-up with the spirit," Fischer calls it.
"I can go into a playground of kids that don't know anything about Christianity, lead them to the Lord in no time at all, and just moments later, they can be seeing visions and hearing the voice of God because they're so open ... [children] are so usable in Christianity."
Jesus Camp also chronicles the rise of the theatrical within modern megachurches. Wearing army fatigues, face paint and brandishing spears, a youth group performs a warlike dance routine before the crowd. A Pentecostal arena in Colorado Springs boasts concert lighting, live bands, impeccable sound, and multimedia. Children are called to dramatically smash ceramic cups with a hammer to symbolically drive the "enemy" (non-Christians and liberals) from righteous government. A cardboard cutout standee of President Bush is welcomed, caressed, and prayed-to in what almost seems like a violation of the First Commandment forbidding idolatry.
Relatively even-handed, the two directors of the documentary, Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, frame the footage with a moderate voice in the form of Mike Papantonio, the host of the Ring of Fire radio show on the left-wing Air America network. He is shown on-air in his studio, providing exposition and taking callers, most notably opining how Evangelicals have elbowed their way into "the White House, Congress, and the judiciary for a generation," even at one point taking a call from Becky Fischer and warning her that God has a special place for people that mess with children.
Of particular interest is young Levi, who was "saved" at five. The charismatic boy wants to become a preacher himself, and is actually given his first chance behind the mic at twelve. To non-Evangelicals, the choice to be born-again at such an early age seems bizarrely immature, but 43% of Evangelical Christians are born-again before they hit thirteen.
Levi is frustrated that he feels different from other kids, claiming that if everyone else just did their Christian calling as God requires, they'd be just like him. Fundamentalist Christian parents are also frustrated, which is why three fourths of home-schooled kids are Evangelicals, with their own special texts and curriculum.
In one of the more alarming segments, we see Levi and his brother being schooled in their Missouri kitchen by their mother. Reading from a creationist "science" text and watching slick children's videos on creationism (also known as intelligent design), Levi is frankly told that science can't be proven and that creationism is the only possible answer to all the questions. His textbook states that global warming doesn't exist (Evangelicals believe that they are mandated by God to reap the spoils of the earth now, since Armageddon approaches and they won't be here for long). "It's a huge political issue," appends his mom.
Levi's brother chimes-in with his thoughts that "Galileo made the right choice by giving up science for Christ." It is unclear whether or not the science texts explain that Galileo was persecuted by the Church as a heretic and died under house arrest for sticking to his (correct) theories on heliocentrism.
In what cheekily might be referred to as a divine act of retribution, the film takes an interesting turn when preacher-hopeful Levi attends service at Colorado Springs' New Life Church. Here he meets head pastor and President of the National Association of Evangelicals Ted Haggard, who would later become mired in a massive scandal involving crystal meth and a male prostitute (another New Life youth pastor, Christopher Beard, would resign soon after for vague admissions of sexual misconduct, and the church currently has a discreet call to root-out any more skeletons in their staff's closets).
Haggard takes a moment to meet Levi, throwing in a fey "fabulous!" that holds a kind of dark humour today. When the scandal hit after the movie was completed, Haggard originally lied about his involvement with the prostitute, most notably to his highly visible wife and children. In an eerily prescient clip, Haggard sermonizes, "We don't have to debate about what we think about homosexual activity; it's written in the Bible!" He turns to the camera and points with a wry smile. "I think I know what you did last night. If you send me a thousand dollars, I won't tell your wife." This short clip would go on to become a YouTube phenomenon.
Explaining the Ted Haggard scandal to young followers might seem like a sticky task, but the film shows us exactly how savvy Evangelical children are becoming to traditionally adult issues. The kids protest against abortion on Capitol Hill, and pray to God that He will shift the courts to the righteous. They pledge allegiance to a flag, but it's the Christian flag. Religious children in the U.S. are firmly indoctrinated against homosexuality from an extremely early age, and ten year-old Tory who loves to dance feels she has to explicitly manage its obviously carnal effects.
These kids clearly are straddling a difficult line between childhood desires and adult interests. "I feel like we're kinda being trained to be warriors, only in a much funner way," says little Rachel, who has a penchant for reading fundamentalist Jack Chick tracts. She even boldly approaches a total stranger in a bowling alley, claiming a sudden signal from God that this woman was on His mind and that Rachel needed to inform her of His special plan for her.
"Way to go, Rachel," her dad praises when she tells him of her sermonizing. "Way to be obedient!" She hugs him with a grin, basking in his approval.
Jesus Camp is evenly-balanced enough that Evangelicals should feel driven by it, while others will find horror in the behaviour of these precocious children. Pastor Becky Fisher has praised the film, despite its minor contradictory bias. She sees Jesus Camp not only as a tool to promote her ministry, but as a shot across the bow to non-Christians and the American left-wing. When describing the concern liberals might have watching her kiddie congregation thrash on the floor, slain in the spirit and speaking in tongues, Fischer explains again that the kids have to be snagged while young for maximum success.
Fischer gleefully believes liberals ask themselves a question that excites her but sends chills down the spine of social progressives: What are these kids going to be like when they grow up? If all goes according to plan, they will be God's active warriors on a Christian planet.
Jesus Camp plays during Hot Docs' monthly Doc Soup series at the Bloor Cinema, Wednesday, January 10 at 6:30 and 9:15 PM. The filmmakers will be in attendance and admission is restricted to ages 18+. View the trailer or visit the official site.
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Guess I don't have to see the movie now.
"what many of them say is a God-given duty to reclaim America for Christ"
- Yes, by taking America back to the Dark Ages, where fear, superstition and ignorance reign supreme. Because, if Christ did exist or come back (good grief) He would just LOVE America.
Let's see, he would first go on Oprah (she called dibs on the Son of God), who would give him a complete make-over, haircut, new suit,a job with Trump. Her friends at "Extreme Home Makeover" and Sears would donate a house with appliances and a pool for walking on. Dr. Phil would discuss any "mommy issues". He could hang with Paris Lindsay and Britney, "Oh my Gawd, you guys, Tom Cruise and Mel Gibson are here, quick, hide JC!". "Oh my Gawd, you guys, like, I totally threw up on the Child of God, that is so not hot". He would have to do Ellen, Leno (after Headlines), Regis and Kelly, The View. Tonight on 'Must See Thursday', the saviour visits the "King of Queens" and gets confused.
I am embarrassed to be an American.
You guys up there must think we're idiots. Onward, Christian Soldier.
My biggest problem with Christian fundamentalists is that they usually claim to be literalists, believing that the Bible is the divinely-inspired, unerring Word of God, yet cherry-pick passages to suit their politics. Fischer, for example, claims to be following Paul's examples, but Paul was also very clear on the minimized, subserient role of women and would have been repulsed by her jewelry, bleached hair and brash attitude. Paul's scriptures are also the passages most quoted when arguing against female preachers.
Of course, if the bible was truly being taken literally, Evangelicals wouldn't be wearing polycotton, eating lobster, getting rich or preparing food while menstruating. They'd be killing adulterers and punishing children for not being circumcized. And then, of course, Deuteronomy helpfully informs men that they may not enter the assembly of the Lord if their testicles have been crushed.
It's also interesting how the ones who are so exuberant about being Christian are often the ones who exhibit the least Jesus-like behaviour, choosing instead to whip-out the Old Testament as their most effective weapon. They seem to forget one of the most important passages in the Bible, when Jesus became furious at the Pharisees for -- hello! -- taking scripture too literally and being hyprocritical.
These home-schooled Evangelicals are usually removed from school in the first place for the sole purpose of avoiding exposure outside influences and ideas contradictory to their beliefs. A huge amount of these home-schooled kids then attend fundamentalist colleges (like Oral Roberts University) and enter adulthood without ever experiencing true intellectual inquiry on faith. Faith pledges taken while young and consistently renewed promise that the Bible shall never be questioned, and acknowledge that anyone attempting to pose a contrary view is an enemy doing the work of the devil. It's a calculated, proven bulwark that is consistent with all types of religious fundamentalism throughout the world -- and it's extremely dangerous.
As a christian and son of a preacher man(my dad is a pastor), I can't say I disagree. I think fundamentalism in any religion is a real problem. One must always be open minded and tolerant. I guess my issue is, when people try force their worldview on others; when they try to say "I believe this, and you are WRONG for believing otherwise". It's certainly a discussion when I visit home hahaha, although my folks are better than most.
One problem though, is that the text christians follow, the bible, tells them at the end that the secular world will eventually legislate it's worldview against them. And hey, it happened before. Why they try to fight this though, is beyond me. I would certinaly think they'd be waiting for that as a sign of the coming rapture.
Either way, brainwashing children like this is ridiculous and dangerous, and will ultimately backfire. These kids are the ones who will grow up and rebel like all teenagers do, except the kids of hardcore christian families tend to rebel once they're in their early 20's; just in time for them to be able to vote, abnd y'know, do exactly the opposite of what these groups wanted them to do in the fist place...
Mark, not to rain on your parade, but the examples you cite (polycotton, seafood, preparing food while menstruating) drawn from Leviticus are, not surprisingly, widely understood to be rituals and requirements for the priests and families of the Israelite tribe of Levi (hence the Latin name "Leviticus"), in force at a particular point in Israel's past.
Likewise the Song of Solomon is understood to be poetic indulgence of eros love and not a how-to manual for wooing one's prospective Christian bride.
Applying a holistic hermeneutical analysis to the text is something taught in most bible colleges, even at the dreaded Oral Roberts University (course BIB 306 in their course catalog).
This may come as a surprise to non-Christians, but those of us who have been born-again for a while expect our attitudes and character to be challenged and changed -- not just by secular sources but by God Himself. He's not interested in creating mindless automatons with knee-jerk reactions devoid of understanding; even a cursory glance at the passages involving Jesus and the Pharisees should make that abundantly clear.
This article made me very, very sad. I work with kids and teens, and I hate to think of what these kids will go through when they are older. They are going to be so confused and feel so guilty, angry and conflicted when they reach adulthood and give thinking for themselves a try. The possibility that they will reject God entirely is very sad to me too, because Christianity doesn't have to be like that (the way they practice it). Marc makes a very good point about the contradictions and hypocricy inherent in their actions, as well as their appallingly un-Christlike behaviour. I hope people who see this film do not think that all Christians think this is what faith is all about. It also scares me a lot in the midst of this un-winter to think that 45 million Americans are "reaping the earth" right now with no thought of stewardship at all.
There is a very good article on fundamentalism in the most recent issue of Geez magazine (www.geezmagazine.com) that explains the different schools of thought, etc. for anyone who's curious.
I love the US - assert that gray anthropoids from Zeta Reticuli are sending you messages about nuclear war and you'll be ridiculed and possibly put away, but claim that a first century Jewish rabbi told you to invade Iraq and you'll get elected President. The poor kids - wait until they grow up and have to go out into the real world.
brokenengine: As you know, many Evangelicals believe that the installation of President Bush and the wars the U.S. has engaged in are the beginning of the end. Some believe that the current young generation is the "key generation" that will usher in the Rapture, and that the holy war has already started.
There are some that believe the U.S. military is currently actively and dangerously being infiltrated by Evangelicals for this sole purpose (the Military Religious Freefom Foundation is one of the adherents to this theory), claiming that some military leaders are forcing their soldiers to pledge allegiance to a Christian God's army above the authority of the U.S. Constitution.
Major fundamentalist organizations in the U.S. have also become much more media savvy, blunting historically sharp words into seemingly harmless terms ("intelligent design") and unironically using psuedo-authoritative names ("Family Research Council," "Institute for Creative Research").
Most dangerous is the increasing "us vs. them" attitude that permeates fundamentalism. Everyone should have the right to believe that humans roamed the 6000 year-old earth with dinosaurs, but everyone should also have the right to be free of being dictated to by another's belief system -- just as Evangelical Christians want not to be persecuted for their values.
(sigh) 2007 and people STILL follow the bible.
Being an American (unfortunately) and an atheist, here is what I find painfully hilarious (aside from the numerous evangelical sex scandals). If Jesus were alive today...Well, no one would believe him for one thing. but, 1) He would look like the people we are currently bombing (not the blue-eyed guy with long wavy blonde hair) 2) He would be against the war, so FOX News would rip him to shreds ("Are Jesus and Cindy Sheehan bad for America?"). 3) He would be anti-commercialism, so big business would drive him out. 4) The FBI and CIA and NSA would put him on "the list". he would cause a panic just walking into an airport here, "I'm afraid we're gonna hafta do a body cavity search, sir". Everyone knows, the best way to get yourself shot in America is to start talking about peace. So, for these people to try and "save" me or America, or to tell me what is right or wrong...it's a joke. They are pretty scary though. Normally, these whack jobs wouldn't be an issue, but because of our stupid, redneck president who was helped into office by these people, they are now calling on the favor and helping to dictate policy. Which is very scary. I'd love nothing more than to kick religion out like they did in the French Revolution. I'm amazed, with all of the priests feeling up young boys, that it hasn't already happened...geez, what WOULD it take? The church has lied to you, molested your' children, taken your money, snorted coke off of the buns of both male and female escorts, and yet, every sunday, people still show up. That is some faith.
Chris: Thanks for contributing to the discussion from a born-again perspective. I pretty much totally agree with you in theory. It's just that passages in the exact same lists of prohibitions (Leviticus, for example) are still used to support some of the most contentious theories. If one says, "the Bible says so in black and white," one should then subscribe to its other crystal clear statements as well. Those who call themselves Christian should subscribe predominantly to teachings of the New Testament, which contradicts many of the usual literal weapons pulled from the Old.
Many of the Bible's commandments are rooted in culture from thousands of years ago, like polygyny and the health risks of eating sun-spoiled pork. Wives were property and married-off as children under the absolute authority of men (that's "traditional marriage"). Some even believe that commandments are intended for Jews only, and that Christians aren't even bound to Mosaic law (a theory further strengthened by the New Testament).
The malleability of the contemporary Evangelical movement in the U.S. is part of what makes it so powerful. Each organization doesn't necessarily have to subscribe to the convictions of the other, but they share some common core struggles and beliefs where leverage can be fostered by sheer numbers. Not only that, but Evangelicals are driven and passionate. I wish other people could take lessons from these movements and direct a similar zeal toward social issues from the environment to drug addiction to the HIV crisis in Africa. When the bible was written, nobody was dealing with things like our ozone layer, an immunodeficiency virus, or, apparently, lesbianism.
Another issue I have with many Evangelicals is the notion of righteousness. How can any effective discourse come between two parties when one believes to the core of his soul that the other is doomed unless he accepts Jesus as his personal Saviour, with no exceptions? And that he, personally, is on a fast-track to heaven with divine authority? My way or the hellway. It seems to me that the very act of superior righteousness is judgmental blasphemy in itself.
You say that God isn't interested in creating knee-jerk automatons, yet that's what many of His most fervent believers have become. If Jesus were to ascend/descend/poof into the world today, I'm convinced that he'd run around screaming, "THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT, MEDAMMIT!"
Yeah, but(and it's been a long time since I read Revelations), I don't think it's "God's Army" thats supposed to be victorious. I believe it states something about "Isreal defeating the army of the world", which I always took to mean The U.N.(not far fetched, given todays climate)...or something. Again, it's been a long time.
Also, as for people believing humans lived with dinosaurs: Yeah, they have the right to believe that, and I've never had a problem with "creationism" or "intelligent design" being taught in schools. I never thought they were telling schools that they had to teach it OVER evolution, just that a differing viewpoint was needed. Isn't that the case?
I put a long reply to this, but the server ate it. Basically, to sum up, If Americans are thinking they're going to be "God's Army", I think they're mistaken. I haven't read Revelations in a while, but I thought it actually talks about the army of the world attacking and being defeated by Isreal at Armeggedon. Not God's army.
Marc, I hear what you're saying, and thats always been my issue too, the 'hloier than thou' attitude, pardon the pun. I believe what I believe, but I in no way expect anyone else to believe it. Because, ultimately, it's a moot argument. There's just no way to know, for sure, until we're all dead. And then it's too late to argue. So, I give Muslims, Hindu's, Shinto's, hell even Taoists(which to me, just seems like an absence of faith, but again thats just me) their due, because whatever makes you a better person is ok with me. Just don't expect me to kowtow to your belief.
So, when Christian groups rage against Gay marraige etc, I just roll my eyes and think to myself that it's ironic that christianities greatest enemies have always been the christians.
It's such a moot point, the world may as well argue about "Jack and the Beanstalk" or any other fairy tale.
America is under the assumption that as a country that has been around 231 years, somehow the are the world's expert on religion and that WE know what is best for the rest of the world...and if you don't agree...we will hit you in the ass with a bible, pipe in Howard Stern or put up a Wal-mart, still don't buy it? Then we start dropping bombs.
We're idiots. We can't help it. Well, we can, most don't.
me - 10footpole - this article
:)
As a child raised in this "warfare" (a preacher's daughter no less), perhaps my views are tainted by my own experiences.
Indoctrination is abusive, and neglectful regardless of the subject matter. Just because you have an official name for your "doctrine" doesn't make it any less garbage than the next soothsayer to pull into town.