Sunday, October 26, 2008

Oh. My. God.

I don't understand some people. Have you ever seen Jesus Camp? I read Jesus Land by Julia Scheeres a few years ago and that was depressingly informative. But to see actual images from a sick-o bible-beater camp is one of the scariest things I have ever seen. I actually watched both Jesus Camp and The Cult of the Suicide Bomber this weekend and I don’t think I’ve had a more depressing weekend since Bush won his second election back in 2004. I don’t even know where to begin.

In Jesus Land, the pastors, or whatever they are called, start off by slamming global warming and evolution. Then they show very young children ‘examples’ of 7-week old fetuses, which apparently look like ity-bitty plastic baby dolls if you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Never mind that most women at that point are carrying something that looks like a jellybean in their womb, true Evangelicals immaculately conceive fully developed miniature people in their uteruses. Then they bring in a life-sized George Bush cutout so that the children at Jesus Camp can pray to him. And throughout the movie they repeatedly refer to how great of a leader Bush is.

The Cult of the Suicide Bomber takes a look at how Iran and Lebanon began using young soldiers as suicide bombers and how it changed the face of guerilla warfare. Did you know that the first known suicide bomber was a 13-year old boy?! The movie was done by a jaded ex-CIA agent that was working in Beirut back in 1983 when the American Embassy was bombed. It's a harsh look at what it is like to be raised in extreme Muslim countries. And the similarities between the two films is eerie. But I guess it makes sense. I mean, I feel that most religious extremists are going to sound somewhat similar. And I just don't understand why anyone that believes in a higher power would be so intolerant of other people. I just don't get it.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Doesn't sound like the church camps I went to as a youth. And praying to George Bush? Really??? What about the commandment Thou Shalt Not Have Any Other Gods Before Me?
I hope you don't let these two documentaries mold your thoughts towards Christians and Muslims. There are many good and tolerant ones out there. It's too bad that the media only wants to show the bad ones.

Radioactive Tori said...

"And I just don't understand why anyone that believes in a higher power would be so intolerant of other people. I just don't get it."


That is exactly what I always think/say. I just honestly can't make sense of it.

blythe said...

jesus camp was mind blowing. my heart broke for that little kid with the rat tail. mostly because he had a rat tail, but also because, well you know. fascinating.