Review of Jesus Camp (2006) by Alissa C — 27 Jul 2009

This movie is pretty fucked up.

I am a Christian by faith, grew up in church, my father a minister and have never seen shit like this before in my life. Granted, I grew up in small, quiet, NON fundamentalist Baptist churches, where the was no speaking in tongues, or writhing on the floor, or people bursting out crying, or any of that other Pentecostal uber-worship that scares the crap out of me.

This documentary had me shaking my head so much I got dizzy. I also laughed a couple times, like when Becky Fischer proclaims that Harry Potter is evil because 'warlocks are enemies of God!' Give me a break. If Harry Potter is witchcraft, then so is Mary Poppins. And the characters in The Wizard of Oz, or 80% of The Lord of the Rings.

Anyway, this movie is scary. I did like that the filmmakers spliced in some rational thought in the form of radio talk show host Mike Papantonio, who gives Becky Fischer a run for her money at the end of the movie, asking her question she stutters and stammers to answer. Poorly.

This film represents everything in Evangelical Christianity that makes me feel uneasy and uncomfortable towards religion. I didn't want my five year old watching this because I don't want her to think that this is what being a Christian is.

So well made though. Excellent editing, very captivating. One of the best horror movies I've seen in years!