Controversial Documentary Examines Children's Church Camp
By Allie Martin
October 4, 2006
(AgapePress) - A new movie that looks at evangelical
Christians in the Midwest is generating controversy in the
secular media.
Jesus Camp is a documentary that follows Christian children
attending a charismatic summer camp. The movie focuses on
camp founder Pastor Becky Fischer, who runs the "Kids on
Fire" Bible camp in Devils Lake, North Dakota, about 70 miles
south of the Canadian border. Fischer, who works with Kids in
Ministry International, reminds children throughout the movie
that they are in a spiritual war. Because of that, Fischer has
been accused of "brainwashing" children.
Co-director Heidi Ewing says the movie reflects the current
culture war and how some churches are preparing and
educating young people. She describes the film as a "journey
of exploration" that examines "faith through the eyes of
children." She also explains how events during filming
influenced the final product.
"While we were shooting, ... two Supreme Court Justices ...
were replaced," Ewing recalls. "So the abortion issue, which is
always front and center, became even more front and center in
the lives of our children and the families we were shooting, and
so there's sort of a more political feel to the film."
Ewing explains that the movie was not meant to portray
believers in a negative light, but to convey that Christian
activists often believe that politics and faith go together.
"They're educated, attractive, wonderful people with very
intelligent children, who are very mature for their age," she
shares. "And I think that, yes, we did want to break some
stereotypes. You might disagree with someone's views, but
they're your friend ... they would help you."
The co-director acknowledges there is currently division in
America based on those perceptions. "We definitely tried to
work against those stereotypes. That was important to us," she
shares.
The 84-minute documentary, which has been panned by Pastor
Ted Haggard with the National Association of Evangelicals, is
rated PG-13 by the MPAA for some discussions of mature
subject matter. Since its release, Fischer claims to have
received numerous hate messages via e-mail.
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| News Papers |
| There are several 100 news papers and Internet news stories so it is imposable to have the all here on Jesus Camp. |
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| Kids in Ministry. Becky's Web Site |