Essay On Military Boot Camp

I do believe that the Evangelization of the participants is a practice of indoctrination and brainwashing. At a young age, the children are sent to Jesus Camp. With innocent minds, the children would be easier subjects to manipulate. Their minds are too pure to be able to analyze the information they are fed. If the teachers are continuously emphasizing their teachings and persuade their mind set on life, the children would soon believe that this is the only view of life. At these camps, educating eventually becomes brainwashing.

How does what you saw differ from military boot camp?

What i saw differs from military boot camp because it forces on the spiritual aspect rather than the physical. The military boot camp’s main focus is physical endurance; to prepare them for the force. However, at this Jesus camp, the children are trained to perceive life in a certain way and to become custom to extreme Evangelical practices.

In your mind, do you feel that these Christians feel the urge to militarize further, into a sort of David Koresh kind of way? Or is it more just activist fanaticism, and that their words and actions wont ever lean towards violence?

In my opinion, I believe these Christians’ words and actions wont ever lean towards violence: it is just activist fanaticism. Despite the practices at this

camp to be extreme, I don’t believe it would ever become dangerous. In the movie, there is a lot of talk about the “army of God”, however, I think it is meant in a figurative language. Violence is against the bible: it states that weapons of a believe are not “carnal”. The children at Jesus Camp praise and devote themselves to God and therefore would not go against His words.

What do you perceive to be the benefits of the experience of camp?
The benefits of the experience of camp is to be able to surround yourself with others who share the same beliefs as you.

By continuing your faith with others, it would allow you to strengthen your faith and unite with your community. In our Catholic faith, the activities at these camp serve the same purpose as Communion: “communion draws myself out of myself towards him, and thus also towards the unity with all Christians. We become “one body”, completely joined in a single existence”. Another benefit is that you would be able to learn from the experience. By participating in certain activities to test your faith, your knowledge on religion would continue to

grow.

What types of activities go on at the Christian camps? Do you believe that some of these activities may run contrary to the practices of faith? Explain.
At these camps, children, some as young as six or seven, participate in activities including: yelling, crying, and speaking in tongue, skits, pantomime, lessons that include political propaganda, prayer, and calling out to the Holy Spirit. I dont believe any of these activities to run contrary to the practices of faith, they act accordingly to how they perceive the bible and the Holy Spirit.

How does the experience at these camps differ and compare with that of your experience at Catholic School?
The experiences at these camps are more intense and extreme compared to the experience at Catholic School. In both cases, we learn of the Word of God, we read bible passages, and practice our faith. However, the way we execute these activities differ. At our Catholic school, we connect with God everyday through our morning prayers. We learn of God’s Words and the bible scripture in religion class. We practice our faith at mass as we celebrate the body of Christ, the coming of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. At the camps, the children feel the connection with God more intensely; some were on the floor crying as they felt the Holy Spirit empower them. They believe yelling, crying, and speaking in tongue is the way to call out to God.

After viewing this documentary, what are your overall opinions about the film? Explain in 2-3 sentences.
My opinions after viewing this documentary is how this method of evangelization of the participants is an extreme and militaristic way to train the kids at this camp. I believe the intentions are pure: to keep the word of God in today’s society and to continue to strengthen our faith in Him despite the distractions around us. Although the movie embodies this message, it is portrayed in a way that gives the viewers a negative interpretation of faith: as a manipulative and brainwashing way. Therefore, I believe this film ultimately contributes to the negative decline of religion.