frankie's Journal: Jesus, Protect Us From Your Followers...

From a review of the new documentary _Jesus Camp_:

Pastor Becky Fisher started the camp in 2001 because she wanted to see "young people who are as committed to the cause of Jesus as the young people are to the cause of Islam. I want to see them as radically lay down their lives for the gospel as they are in Pakistan, Israel, Palestine, all these different places because--excuse me--we have the truth."

I am deeply freaked out by this quote. Not because she wants to form the Anti-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (plenty of others in the Church of Dubya the Modern Day Saint have hinted the same) but because she feels so utterly confident that she's willing to declare it as her camp's official on-the-record policy.

It used to be that psycho fanatic mega-vangelists would at least have to mute their true feelings with a bunch of fluffiness about the Prince of Peace and good will towards all. Now they can preach violence straight up and not face widespread condemnation.

Or . . . perhaps that actually is the toned-down phrasing, and her real goal is immanentizing the Eschaton. God, are you testing me?

I'm too late

[Marxist Hacker 42]

If they succeed at doing this in as widespread a fashion as Islam has, then the GWOT has been lost. With 20 million potential sucicide bombers between Christianity and Islam, they will have enough suicidal martyrs that even the current low average of 6 innocents dead per incident won't be enough to save us.

Not followers of Jesus

[gmhowell]

Someone who would suggest and follow through with this is not a follower of Jesus.

Re:

[RailGunner]

There's not enough information in this JE to truly know what the speaker is talking about. If she's wanting Christian Suicide Bombers, then obviously that's a HUGE problem.

If, on the other hand, she wants people that aren't afraid to preach the Gospel in lands where doing so could get them executed - then fine, I don't see the problem. Sure, the locals could kill them, but - unlike blowing yourself up and murdering others, being put to death for your beliefs is what being a martyr truly is.

Many of th

Re:

[frankie]

I guess we'll find out in about 10 years. These kids are being groomed as hardcore fanatics, and will most likely follow whatever path the strongest evangelist is preaching at that time.

If you want more detail, Googling for "Kids on Fire" [google.com] returns plenty of hits to peruse. Personally, I think the lesson where each kid takes a hammer to a coffee cup labeled "Government" makes it pretty clear that the goal is to (in the words of another fundamentalist) "invade their countries, kill their leaders and conver

Re:

[RailGunner]

Religious Zeal isn't the problem; it's the mechanism. If these kids, in 10 years, have the courage to go into other countries (and blue states) and preach the Gospel without concern - then it's fine.

If they're being taught Christianity, then they'll know to lead by example - be an example of peace, speaking for truth...

You may or may not know this, but the New Testament holds teachers to a higher standard than other followers... and if their teachings are wrong, they will pay the price for it.

Re:

[frankie]

Sadly, you are referring to OLD Christianity, which has been supplanted by a newer bolder vision, just like old Conservatism. NeoChristians (which will likely end up contracting to NeoChrists) have no need for such silly archaic notions as "peace" and "truth".

Up until JP2 died, I was a lapsed Catholic and believing Christian. But in recent months I have become increasingly convinced that "Christianity" has changed and left me behind. Instead I find myself much more in tune with the things that a man (whose

Re:

[RailGunner]

One thing I've learned in my own personal Christian walk is this:
Christianity is not about what others are doing - it's about what you are doing. It's about your relationship with God, and Salvation through His Son.

Don't let the actions of others influence your faith.