Jesus Camp

Posted by Censor Librorum on Nov 21, 2006 | Categories: Lesbian in a Catholic Sort of Way

“Jesus Camp” is a film about the “Kids on Fire” summer camp, located near Devils Lake, North Dakota. It is owned and operated by Becky Fischer and her ministry, Kids in Ministry International. Kids practice their “prophetic gifts” and are taught they can “take back America for Christ.” The film focuses on three children who attended the camp in the summer of 2005–Levi, Rachael and Victoria (Tory).

Rev. Ted Haggard, the evangelical minister who was fired amid allegations of gay sex and drug use, can be seen in the documentary preaching to thousands and condemning homosexuality. (Of course, the obligatory, “all homosexuals are going to hell” is included in the film.)

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.” Then Haggard looks into the camera and says kiddingly, “I think I know what you did last night,” drawing laughs from the crowd. “If you send me a thousand dollars I won’t tell your wife.”

“Jesus Camp” is playing in several cities. The directors, Heidi Ewing and Rachael Grady said when they shot the footage for the film in October 2005 at Haggard’s New Life Church, they were struck by how enraptured Haggard’s followers looked. “Pastor Ted, they were so proud of him. They thought he was hip, young; he didn’t have that stodgy James Dobson feel,” Ewing said. “They all really adored him, that’s the first thing I thought–those people, those faces, they hung and took notes on every word he said–I can’t imagine what those people must be feeling.”

Haggard has disputed the way he’s portrayed in “Jesus Camp.” “You can expect to learn about as much about the Catholic Church from “Nacho Libre” as you can about evangelicalism from “Jesus Camp.”

www.kidsinministry.com

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