A Grown-Up Bible-Belter Forgives 'Jesus Camp'
The season's hot documentary film is JESUS CAMP, a look at a Pentecostalist retreat for children where there's no room for s'mores--kids get a heavy dose of threats, hellfire and George Bush-worship.
Before you have nightmares about Christ-crazed kindergarteners declaring a Holy War on unbelievers, read this review of the film in Radar Online. "if there is a rising army of evangelical zealots," writes onetime Christian camper Paige Ferrari. "There's an equally large army of ex-Jesus Campers who burned out, rebelled, or simply left the fold because band camp sounded more appealing.
Evangelical Christian retreats have been around a long time. Where they used to condemn Dungeons and Dragons and disco, now they equate Harry Potter with Satan. For some kids, they instill a profound feeling of belonging and faith. For others, they're just an experience to later rebel against.