Depending on your political or religious persuasion this film is either a straight-forward portrait of the evangelical movement in America or really freakin' scary. I've never hid my political leanings in my reviews because that would be disingenuous. However, this film is such a lightning rod that I'm afraid that it's nearly impossible to review without injecting your point of view somewhat. So the most even-handed way I can think of to review it is to just describe some of its key characters and scenes and present the questions that it brought up in my mind. Even those questions will probably tell you my feelings, but at least it prevents this movie review from spiraling off into a political rant.
Directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady followed a specific group of ultra-conservative evangelicals who are involved in a Jesus camp at Devil's Lake, North Dakota. Yes, the irony of that is amazing. Becky Fischer is the main adult focus of the piece. She has made it her life's goal to share the word of God with others, especially children. At one point she seems in awe of Muslims who can train their children to blow themselves up for Islam. She is certain that her beliefs are the only real truth in the world. At the end of the film, she states that democracy is the best Earthly government ever formed, but it will eventually collapse because it allows other non-Christian points of view in.
Levi is 13 years old and wants to become a preacher. During one scene he is being home schooled by his mother who informs him that global warming is a major political issue and not really a big problem, and that if you look at it, science can't answer everything therefore creationism is the only logical answer. Rachael is 10 years old and is seen handing out religious tracts at a bowling alley, which afterward she is praised for by the adults in her group. Tory loves to dance to Christian heavy metal, but is always scared that she might not be dancing for God, but is "dancing for the flesh." She's 11 years old.
Throughout the film, Air America host Mike Papantonio provides a liberal point of view of the evangelical movement and how it has recently blurred the line between religion and politics. In a very ironic scene now that he has admitted to having an affair with a gay prostitute while he did meth, New Life Church head Ted Haggard points to the camera and says, "I know what you did last night. Does your wife know?" Good thing they "cured" him of his homosexuality. But I digress.
Here are some of the questions that sprung to mind when I was watching the film. When children are made so afraid that they are sinning that they are brought to sobbing tears, is this mental abuse? Is using guilt and shame a Christian way to make children believe in God? When Rachael gets praise from grown-ups right after she gives out a religious tract, whom is she serving more — God or the adults she looks up to? When children are told not to tell ghost stories because there are more worthwhile things they could be doing to serve God, when they do "serve God" are they doing so because they want to or because they are in competition to be the "best" Christian? What does politics have to do with teaching kids to live their life like Christ? When kids are told to pray to a cutout of George W. Bush, is that ideology? When kids sound like they are just repeating what they've been told word for word and are never given a chance to consider a different point of view, are they believing out of their own God-given free will or are they being programmed? Is this religious movement that knows they are "right," a threat to the separation of church and state if their children are being groomed for politics? When Haggard says that children respond to being told they are special, is that a true belief or a great recruiting tactic? Likewise when a preacher tells Levi — in front of a huge group of kids — that God has written the boy's story already and that Levi will not slip up as a teen and will speak out and change things in his 20s, is the preacher psychic, actually talking to God or making it all up so that the young preacher Levi becomes a symbol to make the rest of the kids act like him? When speaking about children, does the phrase "they are so usable in Christianity" seem conniving and manipulative?
There are so many other questions that come to mind watching this film, but I could go on forever. It's this thought provoking nature that makes the film so amazing. It presents its subjects and allows the viewer to make up their minds. For those who don't really know what is going on in the evangelical movement, the film will be an eye-opener — and depending on what you believe that could be a good thing or a bad thing. Some will be scared by this film. Others will be shocked at how extreme these people are. Some will feel sorry for the kids (watch closely to the blonde boy who struggles with his faith and how he seems to be painfully seeking something that will erase all disbelief). Others will see why non-Christians are fearful of all Christians. Others will be excited with the passion of these champions of Christian ideals. But one thing Pastor Becky said is true to everyone. Democracy will fall if these evangelicals have their way. The only thing up for debate is whether that's good or bad. Watch the film and you can decide for yourself.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
