Jesus Camp (PG-13, 2006)

common sense media says

Eye-opening look at the Evangelicals among us.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this documentary is an outsider's look at members of the Evangelical Christian church. While it shows a Christian radio deejay who opposes what the church stands for, it does it rather respectfully. Parents should be warned, however, that there are many scenes of kids caught up in religious fervor where they look very distressed and are crying, speaking in tongues, and professing to the group that they have sinned. There is also a scene where a right-to-life advocate hands out small infant figures to the kids, tapes their mouths shut, and encourages them to express their sadness and outrage. One child says that she thinks God only comes to a church like hers. One parent home-schools her child and explains why evolution is wrong. A family recites a revised version of the Pledge of Allegiance with many mentions of God, and at one church meeting a life-size cardboard cut-out of President Bush is brought to the stage and everyone is encouraged to pray over the president, and over more conservative Supreme Court nominees.

Positive messages: The church members aren't all white, but they are openly exclusionary otherwise -- no alternative lifestyles allowed here, this religion is the "right" one, and evolution is wrong.
Violence: Kids get distressed and cry in religious fervor. In one scene their mouths are covered in tape as part of a protest. A right-to-life advocate talks about how many children abortions have killed since Roe v. Wade.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: People speak in tongues in a few scenes. Lots of judgmental and militaristic statements on both sides of the issue.
Consumerism: Pepsi cups all over the camp. Whole industry related to religion; music, books, etc.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Jesus Camp

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about so many topics it's hard to know where to begin. If your kids like Harry Potter, they'll notice that the youth minister, Becky, speaks out against the books. Why do you think she does that? If your family is religious, you can discuss how you see worship in relation to the Christians shown here. Would you ever go to a camp with your family to feel closer to God? Why or why not? The Evangelicals here all support President Bush. What ideals do the Bush administration and the Evangelical church share? Do you think the non-Evangelicals making this film showed enough respect for their subjects? Do you think the subjects show the same level of tolerance for the filmmakers? Why do you think the subjects in this film allowed the filmmakers into their lives?

What's the story?

What's the story?

JESUS CAMP focuses on the experience of children who attend youth pastor Becky Fischer's "Kids on Fire" summer camp in North Dakota for Evangelical Christians. The film follows the children, their families, and others in the Evangelical Christian world, particularly showcasing those most devoted.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The film is fascinating, eye-opening, and sure to be controversial. The filmmakers present their material in an even-handed manner, but those who aren't accustomed to the intense devotion may find the material somewhat disturbing, if not shocking. Those familiar with this world may take exception to some of the movie, particularly with a Christian radio talk show host who doesn't think highly of the Evangelical movement.

There is plenty in this movie to upset people across the belief spectrums, and young children aren't the intended audience.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Magnolia Pictures
Director: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady
Cast: Becky Fischer, Mike Papantonio, Ted Haggard
Genre: Documentary
Run time: 87 minutes
Theatrical release: September 15, 2006
DVD release: January 23, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: some discussions of mature subject matter.

This review was written by Common Sense Media Editors
 
 

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What parents & educators say

15

Most useful reviews by all members

Jesusrulz666
parent of 18 year old
 
ok. Evolution is wrong, but Fundamentalist Christianity is REALLY stupid. Im an evangelical and I know God exists, but these peoples aren't Christians, they are just cults making up a bunch of lies. These people are liars. I'm sorry for this profanity but man this film makes me that mad!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Abigail Belting
kid, 11 years old
 
He's ALIVE!!
I watched it. I understand it fine. I just don't get why it's PG-13. I'm a Evangelical Christian myself and i cried at a few parts of the movie.

VForNoVendettas
kid, 10 years old
 
Once again, Common Sense is wrong. (Pun intended)
This movie has NOTHING wrong with it, just because you don't believe in them does not mean it is bad, again it has nothing wrong and these people need to simply shut there mouth, I rated this 1 star though because I'm a agnostic.

YoungWonder
kid, 10 years old
 
Evil!!!!!

starwars reviewer
kid, 13 years old
 
Why is it that as soon as I saw the title, I knew that I would have a bone to pick?
First off! It is called Jesus Camp. I'm guessing no Jew or Muslims can watch this movie? (not joking. I really am Jewish) Anyway, this movie made me want to rip my eyes and ears off. Even if I were Christian, I would not do that whole, anything new is of the Devil stuff. This was a very one-sided film, and discoureged me more than it encouraged me.

Chicagoan
parent of 15 year old
 
Thought provoking and fun to discuss
My daughter and I watched this movie together when she was 13 years old. We were both fascinated by it, and seeing it gave her the idea that "documentaries" film category is something to check out, rather than to dismiss as boring. This movie was a good starting point for us to discuss varieties of religious belief, education, and point of view (e.g., what do you think that the film maker thinks about this type of religion, and what makes you think that?). I don't think that very many kids under 13 or so would find this interesting.

cross_breed
teen, 17 years old
 
Speaking as a Witness
I am an Evangelical Christian and proud of it. Our youth band has played at many of these camps and the "religious fervor" that is being experienced here is a beautiful and moving experience. I've seen it, I've been in it. I don't know what this denomination is but I would like to let everyone know that not all Evangelical Christians are like this. While I do not support abortion, I most certainly believe in evolution. I am so far left on the political scale that I am a breath away from Socialist. I most certainly did NOT support the political views of the previous administration, and once again, I am a practicing Evangelical Christian. Spreading a stereotype that is dangerous to my Faith and I have to speak out against that being spread.

 
Decent Doc
Not a great work of documentary film making, but an eye opening look into a world few of us really see . . . but one that plays a big role in the politics of the current administration. What I found most intriguing is the furvor behind the training of these children. Had the woman in charge of the camp told them to commit acts of terror in the name of Jesus, these kids would have . . . this is how you train a jhihadist.

 
Mature, enlightening documentary is not without flaws...
This documentary is enlightening, but also very mature. Those who watch it need to be old enough to understand the issues discussed. Understanding the slant of the filmaker is also key. This movie was filmed from a liberal perspective. While I agree with a more liberal perspective, I still want to know all sides of the story. Make sure you (and your kids) are comfortable with this viewpoint before you watch it.

Communism
teen, 14 years old
 
Holy S***
I realize that these people are extremists and that in no religion do most people act like this, but this is the reason we would be better off with no religion, because it only takes a handful of people to turn children into sadists who are willing to do anything in the name of their beliefs

 
Weird movie, would not watch twice.
Fist off let me say that not all evalgelical christians act in such a manner. This was a very interecting "documentary" into the lives of some very wacked people, their drive for a perfect lifestyle in the face of God has forced them to push everything else away. Its really selfish, I know that this movie will spark dedate in most churchs accross the nation. I do not recamend this movie for someone under the age of about 14, simply too much to comprehend at one time. This is a culture shock movie, one has to enter the theater knowing that they are going to see strange behaior.

 
great movie parents should see
truly shows the extremes of some people and all older should watch , but the younger audience will not understand. Mothers and Fathers or any one over the age of intellectual value need to see that kids will become the future and that may be good depending on how you raise them.

staceyebox
parent of 8 year old
 
Scariest movie I've seen this year
A must-see in my opinion. I am apalled that I let one of my children go on "vacation" with a friend once, and they actually went to one of these camps. The parents and youth pastor in this movie commit a disturbing form of child abuse, but I could not stop watching, and I am glad I did. Very enlightning.

taffy310
kid, 11 years old
 
Amazing movie!!

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