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Controversial Religious Summer Camp Closed
by Toronto Daily News
Reposted from:
http://www.torontodailynews.com/index.php/WorldNews/2006110814Kids-Camp
The documentary about summer camp where children would tearfully beg God to end abortion and bless President Bush prompted to close the camp.
The summer camp "Kids on Fire" where children would tearfully beg God to end abortion and bless President Bush, will shut down for at least several years after a documentary about the camp.
The film, showing young evangelical children steeling themselves for spiritual and political warfare, includes scenes with pastor Ted Haggard, the evangelical leader accused of gay sex and drug use.
In one scene, Haggard tells the audience, "We don't have to debate about what we should think about homosexual activity. It's written in the Bible."
Titled "Jesus Camp," the documentary sparked a negative reaction, said the camp's director.
"Right now we're just not a safe ministry," Becky Fischer, the fiery Pentecostal pastor featured in "Jesus Camp," said Tuesday.
The pastor, who has been accused of "brainwashing" the children, said she's shutting down the camp for at least several years.
Up to 100 children visited the camp each year. [1]
Read my (Josh Timonen's) review of Jesus Camp here:
http://richarddawkins.net/article,183,Surviving-Jesus-Camp,Josh-Timonen
http://www.torontodailynews.com/index.php/WorldNews/2006110814Kids-Camp
The documentary about summer camp where children would tearfully beg God to end abortion and bless President Bush prompted to close the camp.
The summer camp "Kids on Fire" where children would tearfully beg God to end abortion and bless President Bush, will shut down for at least several years after a documentary about the camp.
The film, showing young evangelical children steeling themselves for spiritual and political warfare, includes scenes with pastor Ted Haggard, the evangelical leader accused of gay sex and drug use.
In one scene, Haggard tells the audience, "We don't have to debate about what we should think about homosexual activity. It's written in the Bible."
Titled "Jesus Camp," the documentary sparked a negative reaction, said the camp's director.
"Right now we're just not a safe ministry," Becky Fischer, the fiery Pentecostal pastor featured in "Jesus Camp," said Tuesday.
The pastor, who has been accused of "brainwashing" the children, said she's shutting down the camp for at least several years.
Up to 100 children visited the camp each year. [1]
Read my (Josh Timonen's) review of Jesus Camp here:
http://richarddawkins.net/article,183,Surviving-Jesus-Camp,Josh-Timonen
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Posted: Wednesday, November 8, 2006 | PermalinkComments 1 - 35 of 35 |
Reload Comments | Back to Top | Page Numbers2. Comment #5310 by Randy Ping on November 8, 2006 at 8:08 pm
Turn on a spotlight and the roaches scatter.Don't count this as a victory yet. They are just going to go underground. And this was just one of MANY camps of the like.
4. Comment #5314 by Andrew Brown on November 8, 2006 at 9:05 pm
The best defence against these loonies is ironically publicity. They jump at the chance to show off, and then fume about how they are misrepresented. Turning a spotlight on them makes sure that they recieve the ridicule they deserve.Long may it continue.
5. Comment #5315 by Russ on November 8, 2006 at 9:48 pm
This is more good news for me today.The US election outcome has me actually sort of giddy. I was not fully aware until this afternoon, just how heavily the Republican Christian Fundamentalism had weighed on me. Its been several years since I've felt this unencumbered.
We live in an interdependent global community and the intense strain imposed on US society by the religiously and morally backward Christian whackjobs has propagated throughout the world. It's unfortunate when so few can so adversely impact so many. I applaud the American voters.
Today, I sense the warmth of a spring long overdue. Raptly, I abandon myself to the songbird's lilt. The sun breaks through, revealing a figure walking away from me. I beckon to the vaguely familiar form; it stops; and, turns toward me. As it approaches its features become more and more distinct; then, all at once I recognize the face. Its the face of freedom. I weep with joy.
7. Comment #5324 by Roger Stanyard on November 9, 2006 at 12:54 am
The fundies are like vampires - they can't stand sunshine on their activities and run for cover as soon as daylight appears.Roger Stanyard, British Centre for Science Education
10. Comment #5345 by Phil T on November 9, 2006 at 2:56 am
We saw some of the "Kids on Fire" footage on a local current events show here in New Zealand. It was presented as and perceived as very scary. Was this lunacy taking hold of the most powerful nation in the world? Were these people having an influence?I am relieved to see that they have withered under the gaze of public scrutiny. Keep up the good work.
Oh, and congratulations on clipping Bush's wings while I'm at it. The free world is depending on you guys, stand up for what you (don't) believe in.
Unfortunately Billy, Bushie's in office for another two years (I really wish that weren't the case, but alas it is). I'm thrilled to see this brainwashing factor shut down. I'm also thrilled to see our beloved Pastor Ted get exposed for the hateful hypocrite that he is. Hopefully, the Christians won't write his behaviour off to the "devil" like they did Swaggart and anyone else in their delusional flock who gets caught doing something which they don't approve of (like breathing!). The scene where the kids were worshipping Bush was really disturbing. Put me in mind of Nazi Germany.
12. Comment #5353 by Martin on November 9, 2006 at 3:53 am
Ironically.. I think america should hold onto bush a while longer. Bush has done more to advance secularism than most previous presidents.I can live with idiot fundamentalists. They help us see just how stupid their entire belief system is. It's the shrewd and canny fundamentalists that you need to watch out for.. the ones that sneak into your mind and burrow there.
13. Comment #5384 by G. Tingey on November 9, 2006 at 7:42 am
AND - scary - there are camps like this in Britain.My local loonie church "The Potters House" (controlled form Arizona - I think ) were doing this a month-and-a-half back.
Small children going off to camp, chanting right-wing-christian slogans.
14. Comment #5390 by Linda on November 9, 2006 at 8:05 am
Grouchie in TorontoA funny thing just happened. I am working in my home-based office and waiting for some service technicians so was not surprised to hear the doorbell. I answered via the intercom and heard a man's voice say that he and his friend want to leave some material in the mailbox. I asked about what and the guy refused. My gods-dar went up so I asked them again to tell me or not leave junk in the mailbox. The guys refused. I went to the door and checked the box to find a flyer or the end true religion and was rather pissed off. I then went out on to our quiet street and noticed a car parked there that was not familiar. I couldn't see the men but ran quickly back to the house, grabbed a Dawkins God Delusion flyer and waited for the god-pushers to appear. When they did I walked up to them holding their flyer. They had big goofy false smiles on their faces and I offered them my Dawkins flyer. They wouldn't take it. How odd that they insisted on dumping their material on me but didn't want to receive my good news back. That seemed unfair so I grabbed their folder, stuck the flyer in and suggested they read the God Delusion.
This is a tough neighbourhood for the gods pushers to crack as most of the people who live around us are atheists. In fact one of our older neighbours was here for dinner a couple of weeks ago and walked in the door asking if I had seen Religion is the Root of All Evil. He could not stop talking about Dawkins.
I'd like to think that that pair of gods pushers were themselves rattled by me.
15. Comment #5396 by pgagliardi on November 9, 2006 at 8:34 am
To get back to the Jesus Camp, has anyone seen this doco for download anywhere? It's not playing in a theater anywhere near me and I'm wondering if anyone has seen it on the torrents somewhere. I haven't had any luck finding it. It doesn't go to DVD until January 27th. I'd love to see before then if anyone has spotted to download somewhere on the net.17. Comment #5428 by CF1 on November 9, 2006 at 11:46 am
Quote from Roger Stanyard (above): "The fundies are like vampires - they can't stand sunshine on their activities and run for cover as soon as daylight appears."And Linda's story as well........so true.
I recently registered on a christian forum and made a post with a link to www.godisimaginary.com and sincerely asked what they thought about it. The thread was instantly removed and I was banned.
So I tried another xtian forum and tried the same thing. You guessed it, it was deleted. I tried another post with a link to a less blatent site: www.pointofinquiry.org and asked what they thought of some of the audio interviews. It to was instantly removed and I was banned.
Wow, these people are amazing. Their "faith" discourages thought, debate, reason, or anything
outside of their tiny little, narrow minded, bronze age mythological belief system.
(BELIEF: confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof)
It's understandable though, because they have nothing to substantiate their claims, but frustrating!!! It's like trying to talk to a child and they just cover their ears, close their eyes, shake their head from side to side while saying "la-la-la-la-la-la-la"
GOD: An imaginary friend for grown-ups.
19. Comment #5434 by Randy Ping on November 9, 2006 at 12:01 pm
Again, friends, please let's NOT start declaring a victory yet. We have a long way to go in liberating the intelect of our fellow human beings. It's just One skirmish in one battle in a much larger war for the mind.Should we feel relieved? Yes, but only a little.
Don''t give up hope, but don't let the defense of reason falter into laziness either.
Excelsior!
20. Comment #5435 by Linda on November 9, 2006 at 12:01 pm
Dear CFI - I am a Guardian MB junkie too and constantly had to re-register nicknames for after being banned for making jokes about Islam. The GU allowed posters the opportunity to say pretty much whatever they liked about Christianity or the Pope but dare say anything about quirky, kinky Judaism or Islam and the boot was swift. I once tried to start a debate about women's issues in fundamentalism including Judaism and Islam and it was shut down. Apparently we just don't want to know or talk about domestic violence or that those closed cultures prohibits teaching evolution, higher mathematics and science.There is a religious nut on CNN that gets all gooey when that lady from the Jesus Camp is on his show. How utterly irresponsible that CNN gives Glenn Beck a forum allowing him to terrify the American population further when they are already sick from the disease of religion and barely able to function as an emotionally mature culture.
Has any asked the Jesus Campers if they believe that the Flintstones is a documentary?
May I ask if anyone else is visiting bookstores seeking the God Delusion? I did a search of chapters.ca and found that only 1 store in Toronto has 3 copies today. Is it the publishers holding back or the store owners?
21. Comment #5442 by rob on November 9, 2006 at 12:20 pm
Hank, as much as I enjoyed checking the "yes" box for "It should be the city policy of San Francisco that President Bush should be impeached" last Tuesday, I'm with Andy on this one.....I think it would be a huge waste to actually do it. A waste of a chance for democrats to lead and a waste of good karma.Unfortunatley our system fosters polarization and partisanship (due to Duverger's Law: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duvergers_Law ). I think both sides would do well to spend more time on advocating their particular agendas, rather than simply trying to bring down the other side.
It's time to move on.
And BTW, I find the comment "I'd really love to have a pic of the patented Cheney sneer smoldering through the bars of a prison cell" not so much better than hearing the fundamentalist Christian glee at the suffering atheists etc will experience in hell. It comes off as hateful and unproductive. Why not try to be better than them?
22. Comment #5454 by Neil Parry on November 9, 2006 at 2:33 pm
Did anyone pick up on the words "young evangelical children" in the text? Shouldn't this read "young impressionable children brainwashed by their parents to believe in superstition and not to question or reason".As RD puts it, this is child abuse.
23. Comment #5455 by Hayka on November 9, 2006 at 2:36 pm
CR1,I'm not sure I agree with the expression "GOD: An imaginary friend for grown-ups." Rather, I prefer 'God, an imaginary master for the self-enslaved.' 'Friend' just doesn't fit with the
fire-and-brimstone image from my Catholic upbringing.
26. Comment #6282 by Carole on November 13, 2006 at 1:26 pm
I am fairly new to this place and am blown away. I thought for over 50 years I was alone. I am frankly terrified of all fundamentalist religions and KNOW we are headed for real trouble. The crazies in the mideival Middle-East, I'm afraid, will continue to intensify and strengthen the the will of the other mindless fundamentalists here in the USA.But, thank the LARD I read TGD - it led me here. My question: several have mentioned a movie or documentary "Religion, the Root of All Evil". Where??? Or is it a book? I guess I need to google.
This film is not playing anywhere near me- in Jacksonville, FL, the southern tip of the Bible Belt. We have a megachurch called First Baptist, and they have a lot of influence in this town. I am quite sure the theaters have refused to play it. I have ordered Creation Adventure Team, which is featured on the film, in an effort to put it on YouTube. This is the film that Rat-tail is watching, which claims that dinosaurs lived 6000 years ago. Apparently, science is off by about 4.4999.. and the rest billion years.
28. Comment #7093 by Duncan on November 17, 2006 at 5:56 am
Carole"The Root of all Evil" was a documentary series made for Channel 4 in the UK by Richard Dawkins, screened earlier this year (2006).
In it he posits the idea that religion causes more trouble than it is worth and explores this through the three Abrahamic religions, Christianity, Islam and Judaism. He encounters a variety of fundamentalist fruitcakes, including a
memorable encounter with everybody's favourite little hypocrite, Ted Haggard.
Aside from finding it on you tube, I'm not sure where you would find a copy. Googling "The root of all evil" will take you to the Channel 4 website though on the first hit though. I would strongly recommend that you try to find and to watch this series though, it is very good.
30. Comment #11734 by Kergillian on December 7, 2006 at 12:53 am
I attended Word of Life bible camp as a child.It had a "Cowboys and Indians" theme and it made being brainwashed fun!
My councilors were all perverts though. My showers were always with other boys and the councilors would watch us. Modesty was not an option. I wasn't molested, but there was something creepy about it.
Other Comments by Kergillian
31. Comment #11969 by CrimsonSun on December 8, 2006 at 4:28 pm
Haha, glad they got shut down because that video deeply saddened me and my man Greydon Square.You can view a discussion on a talk show about the movie "Jesus Camp" here:
http://www.atheistnation.net/index.php?p=19
Other Comments by CrimsonSun
32. Comment #18538 by captain underpants on January 21, 2007 at 4:22 pm
To get back to the Jesus Camp, has anyone seen this doco for download anywhere?
I downloaded it from emule.
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33. Comment #19205 by gaz4470 on January 25, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Has anyone noticed that this film is made by a company called "LOKI"The mythical being of mischief in Norse mythology.
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34. Comment #19210 by Russell Blackford on January 25, 2007 at 3:18 pm
This is great news.Loki, huh? That's cute. I always had a soft spot for that particular god. I do like mythology ... as long as it's not kinda running around taking over the whole damn place, like the monotheistic variety likes to do.
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35. Comment #29891 by Aaron SF on April 5, 2007 at 11:11 am
Hurray!!! Lets hope they don't just get sent to the *other* Jesus camp down the street.Seriously I hope some of the negative reaction was from the parents of these kids.
Other Comments by Aaron SF
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1. Comment #5306 by Janus on November 8, 2006 at 7:44 pm
One down... how many to go?