Jesus Camp

I really don't know what to think about "Jesus Camp."  I won't say if it is bad or good, right or wrong.  Looking at the positive and negatives of the film, I will try to show you how I felt about it.  I agree with a lot of what the leader of the camp said.  Like how Christianity has been changed and tainted, causing it to be confusing to some people.  No wonder people criticize our religion so much.  We don't have a lot of people who radically live out their faith. Now there are quite a few people who do, but not enough who are making a big difference.  Anyone can make a difference, but we have to be willing to give up everything and let Him be in total control.  I think that is why she tries to reach little kids so much.  The faith of children is typically quite good and she says that if she reaches them and teaches them at a young age, then they will have that the rest of their lives and will live it out. In a messed up world, we should try to reach children and share Jesus with them.  How can we be loving if we do not share the greatest gift, Jesus, with others?  She had a heart for reaching children and teens and said that Jesus is the only way to salvation.  I totally agree with that.  The way she presents much of her stuff, though, seems to be brainwashing or indoctrinating.  We don't have to speak in tongues or be very dramatic to feel God's presence.  She almost made it seem we have to lift our hands in the air and speak in tongues to be able to fully reach God.  I am not in any way saying that her belief and what she is doing is wrong, but I don't agree with it.  In the way she teaches the kids, it seems like they know a lot but aren't taught how to defend their faith and say why it is right.  One of the best things to do is raise your children up to be a Christian.  But I would not let any children I know go to her camps because of the way it seems to be a little brainwashing.  She would pray about God not letting the power go out and other things.  We shouldn't demand God to do things like that and then be upset when the prayer isn't answered.  We can worship God even if there is no power and reach people.  Worship can happen in the worst or the best situations.  In that one church, the worship should not be about the pastor or the band.  The lighting was just highlighting that and that is wrong.  The only thing we should worry about is if God is getting glory or not.  Our whole lives can be and should be worship to God.  People in her camps are not being brought up in the right way, I think.  You can't threaten people to follow and make them believe something.  She seemed to guilt trip the kids into asking for forgiveness.  Her passion is great and I like that about her.  But sometimes it was hard to watch how she went around preaching and saying some things.  The kids are partially being misguided.  It's not just at a camp like that where you can experience God and feel Him.  You can always be in His presence and can feel Him anywhere.  It is not how we worship, but how authentic it is.  We don't have to speak in tongues or jump up and down or be moving around to feel Him.  It is good to be still and silent to hear Him and be with Him.  All too often, people go to camp and get on a Spiritual high that fades after a few weeks.  We need to be able to keep it going and always feel like that and want to live for Him like that.  She taugh her kids to go out with the Gospel with a war-like approach.  Sure you can say we need to conquer evil or the wrong in this wicked world.  But we need to be loving and we shouldn't force it upon people.  But she is right that we need to reach the world and take the Gospel to people.  She is trying to serve God and reach people, and that is a very good thing.  But because of the brainwashing factor, I would not send any kids I know to that camp.  It is great to get kids to be on fire!  But that needs to last and not fade away like it does a lot.  I agree that this generation is probably the key to bringing Jesus back.  She said that God doesn't like to go to "dead churches."  But what makes them dead and how do you know they are dead?  I don't agree and think that if there is even one person at a church like that who is living for God and really worshipping Him, then He would definitely be there.  I don't agree that Levi should use his "cute, little kid thing and become popular so people will listen and then learn how to use good content to preach."  So this is what I got out of and felt about the film on "Jesus Camp."