Jesus Camp

Directed by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, USA 2006, 84 min
Language English | Subtitles Dutch
In a summer camp for evangelical Christian kids, ‘God’s Army’ is trained to take back America for Christ.

A growing number of Evangelical Christians believe there is a revival underway in America that requires Christian youth to assume leadership roles in advocating the causes of their religious movement.
The documentary Jesus Camp follows several young children as they prepare to attend a summer camp where the kids will get their daily dose of evangelical Christianity. Becky Fischer is the children's pastor who runs the camp. Fischer believes in the political and moral importance of a Christian presence in America, and uses her camp to reinforce the religious training most of her charges are already receiving at home. Through interviews with Fischer, the children, and others, Jesus Camp illustrates the unswerving belief of the faithful. A housewife and homeschooling mother tells her son that creationism has all the answers. Footage from inside the camp shows young children weeping and wailing as they promise to stop their sinning. Child after child is driven to tears. Juxtapose these scenes with clips from a more moderate Christian radio host (who is appalled by such tactics), and Jesus Camp seems to pose a clear question: are these children being brainwashed?

Introduction/aftertalk by Emke Bosgraaf, psychologist of religion.

Interesting links
Wikipedia: Jesus Camp
IMDb: Trailer Jesus Camp