Or is it Jesus/Bush? I can never keep the two straight:
Sept. 17, 2006 — An in-your-face documentary out this weekend is raising eyebrows, raising hackles and raising questions about evangelizing to young people.
Speaking in tongues, weeping for salvation, praying for an end to abortion and worshipping a picture of President Bush — these are some of the activities at Pastor Becky Fischer’s Bible camp in North Dakota, “Kids on Fire,” subject of the provocative new documentary, “Jesus Camp.”
Hey, isn’t this Bush Cult the practice of idolatry? Because it sure isn’t any version of Christianity I’m familiar with. And it sure has little to do with Jesus. If I recall Jesus said something like:
Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the Children of God. Matthew 5:9
Let’s see. Is there anything comparable in the Gospel of Bush? Well, not exactly:
I just want you to know that, when we talk about war, we’re really talking about peace.
(cont.)
However, obviously the folks who are training these kids to be the new Christian Warriors have confused Jesus with some sort of pagan War God who thirsts for blood sacrifices. Otherwise, how can you explain this?
“I want to see them as radically laying down their lives for the gospel as they are in Palestine, Pakistan and all those different places,” Fisher said. “Because, excuse me, we have the truth.”
“A lot of people die for God,” one camper said, “and they’re not afraid.”
“We’re kinda being trained to be warriors,” said another, “only in a funner way.” […]
This camp is, by many accounts, a small — and perhaps extreme — slice of what some say is a growing, intensifying evangelical youth movement.
“It’s an absolute, straight-up us-against-them,” Sandler said. “It’s, you’re either with us or you’re against us. … Not only are you a sinner, but you are working for the enemy — the enemy being Satan.”
I hope you find these quotes, and this movement as chilling as I do. This is straight up political indoctrination to be the shock troops for the New World Christian Order. And I see very little of Jesus Christ, other than the misappropriation of his name in this movement. What I see, frankly, are a new version of Brown Shirts or the Hitler Youth, only this time marching beneath the banner of a Cross, rather than a Swastika.
What was it that famous wise man once said about such terribly fanatical beliefs where anyone who is not for you is against you, anyone who is not your friend is your enemy? Oh yes, here it is:
Only a Sith deals in absolutes.
Obi Wan Kenobi, Star Wars III
Yes, it is rather blasphemous of me to quote the words of a fictional character to people who consider themselves devout Christians. People who are convinced that only they are right, and all whom stand opposed to them are in league with Satan. So for them, let me close with an excerpt from the New Testament, instead, one that is very revealing on how Jesus would expect those who practice his teachings to act:
And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto Him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto Him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the Law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest Thou?
This they said, tempting Him, that they might have to accuse Him.
But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground, as though He heard them not. So when they continued asking Him, He lifted up Himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
When Jesus had lifted up Himself, and saw none but the woman, He said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?
She said, No man, Lord.
And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
(John 8:2-11 KJV)
Neither do I condemn thee. Would that I could exercise such restraint in my feelings toward those who willingly turn children into “haters” and “warriors” in the name of Jesus. Would that I could not pass judgment on people who have made their religion one with their politics. Would that I could stay so calm in the face of these modern day Pharisees who seek to condemn all of us who do not practice their hate filled and violent credo.
I guess I’ll just have to try harder. After all, when faced with such violent religious fanaticism, What Would Jesus Do?
