Jesus Camp

3.8

(670)

Documentary

2006

84 min

PG-13

Jesus Camp is a Christian summer camp where children 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.

Starring:

Documentary

7.4/10

80%

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"Nightmares."

Marsh

"This is a good documentary but it’s incredibly disturbing. I grew up being dragged into church every week, but certainly nothing like that and I don’t recognize the Jesus they talk about in this documentary as the same loving Jesus that was taught to me by my Grandmother. Much of what is in this documentary feels very abusive to the children in the film….and the film documents the politicization of the pulpit which is why they shouldn’t have a tax exemption. "

H G

"I prefer documentaries that are not obviously biased one way or another. This was a hard one for me to watch. I grew up very religious, and this one brought up some feelings as I watched the children crying in the camp meetings and how distraught they were as they prayed and "spoke in tongues." They're taught so young that they must be warriors of god on a mission to save the world, and if they fail to convert the lost souls they are failures in the eyes of god. That is a heavy burden to place on young children, and the guilt and fear indoctrinated in them lasts a lifetime. Children deserve to learn about the whole world, including what is outside their limited bubble, to be able to decide for themselves how to perceive the world, what is good and evil, and how to live their lives. Just because someone is not part of your religion doesn't make them bad or evil- you learn that by going out into the world and meeting all kinds of people and realizing we are all humans. Why would god make us all so different if he wanted us all to be the same? I'm curious to know what the lives of some of the featured kids are like today."

MeYou0

"SO disturbing. And still alarmingly relevant."

Anne G

"Are adults putting too much pressure on these kids? "

Wilma Williams

"One of the most memorable documentaries I’ve ever seen."

Ali Roberts

"Disturbing."

Amora

"Religion is poison"

Sharlann Leonetti

"Growing up in an evangelical church and deciding to move away from my own indoctrination made me curious about what children like myself are subjected to in churches like this. It’s an eye-opener but if you’re not open to hearing about the negatives of organized religion, skip this one."