This week we have turned to viral videos and a documentary as other modes of protesting. The Will.I.Am music video used well-known people and good music to deliver its message about Barack Obama. The lyrics correspond to a song Obama delivered, and I think the music video is effective because it portrays Obama as inspirational, a visionary, and someone who is capable of leading the country. With the internet, I can see how this video quickly spread throughout the nation (and world), as it takes only a couple seconds to email someone the link. In the George Allen clip, our knowledge of Allen's Tunisian mother made me highly suspicious of his claim that he had no awareness of the derogatory nature of his remark to a cameraman. When he appeared on Meet The Press, he was well-prepared to answered the questions properly with political rhetoric. However, this still didn't repair his integrity in my mind, because his true feelings came out when he made the unrehearsed comments at the rally.
Jesus Camp is an eye-opening documentary at the lives of Evangelical Christian youths attending a religious summer camp. The kids appeared very isolated from the rest of society, and I would be concerned about their adjustment to the "real world" once they reach adulthood and their parents can no longer shelter them from everything. The camp atmosphere seemed cult-like, and it doesn't seem like these kids get the opportunity to have much of a childhood. They are reprimanded for telling ghost stories, and it is amazing to see how many break into tears and screams during the devotional sessions. While I respect the followers' devotion to their religion, their apparent disdain for other religions and people with differing points of view was a little disturbing.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
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5 comments:
I never thought of this group as cult-like until I read your blog. I really think you are right though, these children are very sheltered and shut off from most of the outside world. I experienced this for a time in my childhood too, but not quite as extreme or intense. You are exactly right, when they enter the "real world" they will more than likely be shocked, I was. The sad thing about these children is that if they decide they want to live the rest their life differently they will face intense criticism from the community they were raised by. You are right, this group is probably very intolerant and devoted to their beliefs, which makes it difficult for them to interact with people that are not like them.
This movie shows how easily children can be manipulated and trained to believe a certain way. Sometimes they respond out of fear and sometimes they respond out of a need to feel loved and accepted (by peers and family). I have a hard time believing that some of what these children are saying and doing is a reflection of their own personal idea of their religion. I'm not saying children can't have a grasp on spirituality or religious truth, but I find it difficult to believe these kids actually know much about American politics and other adult issues they were being taught.
Yeah I found the crying during the sessions very disturbing as well. It just doesn't make sense for them to crying if they are worshipping or enjoying it. It was just sad and shocking.
Surprisingly most of my former peers that went to public universities have not continued with the lifestyle they were raised in, most of them got pretty "wild" or "worldly." Dropping religion altogether.
However, some of my peers went to conservative private schools and have continued with living like this, but it's all they have ever known. It's very interesting.
I really believe that children should have the freedom to believe in what they want to believe without the adults pressuring them. Children are people, too, and I think they deserve the right to make their own judgements on what religion they want to follow. Pressuring children to believe in what adults want to believe is just like a dictator who wants to control everything about a country. Not pretty. I'm just glad my parents let me worship and believe in what I want to believe in. It's the best gift they could ever have given me.
The kids tears got me also. I actually think that made the camp seem negative. I also agree with you when you say the Internet is a powerful tool. Wow youtube has revolutionized the media.
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