I know that it's only September and the
little bastards delightful kids have just returned to school, but it's never too early to think about where they should spend the summer! There's a documentary that premiered at the
Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. It might give you some great ideas for
summer camp!
Jesus Camp, directed by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady (The Boys of Baraka), follows Levi, Rachael, and Tory to Pastor Becky Fischer's "Kids on Fire" summer camp in Devil's Lake, North Dakota, where kids as young as 6 years-old are taught to become dedicated Christian soldiers in "God's army." The film follows these children at camp as they hone their "prophetic gifts" and are schooled in how to "take back America for Christ." The film is a first-ever look into an intense training ground that recruits born-again Christian children to become an active part of America's political future. (92y.org)
I added the emphasis in the quote. Devil's Lake!! Dont'cha just love irony?
Hello Muddah, hello Faddah,
From Camp Christian Intifada,
Camp is very tantalizing,
When we get a break from constant proselytizing!
Meet Pastor Becky Fischer.
Pastor Becky can be shrewish,
Her name's Fischer, that sounds Jewish!
Is she a spy from Hadassah?
Should a woman really teach at a madrassa?
Forget about the kiddies schlepping home lanyards, potholders, or pictures made out of macaroni. Nope, at Jesus Camp, Pastor Becky has planned much better activities than making crappy stuff. Instead, the kids will have a heckuva time...
...Speaking in tongues, weeping for salvation, praying for an end to abortion and worshipping a picture of President Bush... (abc news)
Worshipping President Bush? Hey, kids! Can you say cushy job in Iraq?
Every day's a celebration,
As we're weeping for salvation,
We don't care how the world sees us,
It's not easy being a martyr for Jesus!
Oh, heck, you don't want to hear me describing what happens at Jesus Camp! Why not watch Pastor Becky and her little soldiers yourself?
Hallelujah and pass the mosquito repellant!
Now, let me introduce you to Tory, a disciple who must, by her own admission, make sure that she is not "dancing for the flesh". Tory is 10 years old.
Campers are taught to disparage,
All abortions and gay marriage,
To make sure I'll get to heaven,
I will learn all that next year, when I'm eleven!
Let's just hope that the kids don't forget what they learn when the summer is over!
When I get home, oh Muddah, Faddah
From Camp Christian Intifada,
I will fall upon my toy sword while
I do P.R. work for the Lord.
When I get home, I promise I will
Make some noise, and teach all of the
Other boys--at the top of their lungs,
They should scream prayers in tongues.
So don't worry, not a smidgen,
I'm now oozing pure religion!
It's a righteous revolution,
That rejects all science, 'specially evolution!
I'm so happy, I'm ecstatic!
Brainwashed by a charismatic!
I'll be vacant, scared. and drooling
As you indococtrinate me further through home-schooling.
Last year, at Jesus Camp...
(The original lyrics of Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah (A Letter from Camp) were written by the fabulous Allan Sherman, using the music from Ponchielli's "Dance of the Hours" from La Gioconda.)