Jesus Camp.

[hazetwostep]

SOME religion is brainwashing...
SOME religion helps change people's lives for the better...
SOME religion connects people with a higher power...
SOME religion distances people from a higher power and others...

[Gatekeeper777]

I went to Jesus camp.
The boy named jesus never was able to swim (he just walked on the surface)
we always had juice out of the well.
he always spoke in riddles and parables.
he did away with archery practice saying "those who live by the bow shall die by the bow."

[delusionsofNORMALity]

SOME religion is brainwashing...
SOME religion helps change people's lives for the better...
SOME religion connects people with a higher power...
SOME religion distances people from a higher power and others...

all religion is brainwashing, it's the nature of the beast. to enforce conformity of thought and purpose is the goal of all such elitist institutions. whether this is good or bad is ultimately up to those at the high end of the food chain. it is usually used to consolidate power and we all know how most people use their power.

some religion helps change some people's lives for the better. there are people who need to be told the difference between right and wrong, they need an ultimate master to show them how to lead a useful life. for these people religion is a necessary guide to lead them through the pitfalls of everyday life that most of us sidestep with ease. unluckily many use religion as a way to form power blocs in a struggle to force their narrow views on the rest of us.

some religion connects people with the illusion of a higher power. it gives them something to blame their problems on and a tidy explanation for everything they find confusing or inexplicable. dependence on religious dogma inhibits the questioning of authority and the search for the logic behind the mysteries of life.

all religion distances people from a higher power within themselves and others. by relegating supreme power to an imaginary deity we stifle the search for the power within ourselves. even though we might have what it takes to change our circumstances for the betterment of mankind, most religions teach that the omnipotence of a god overshadows our puny attempts at redefining our lot in life.


the very act of worshiping that which we cannot understand should be foreign to us. first should come understanding; then, if circumstances warrant it, worship would be a meaningful alternative instead of a primitive reaction to the unknown.

[mafyew]

I am constantly at battle between religion and atheism within myself. I have gotten the idea of hell slammed down my throat so many times that i actually have fear of it. I got really stoned the other day, considering weed effects me like salvia effects others, i actually thought i had died and went to hell. It brought this whole religious thing back in question to me.

On the other hand, i cant NOT bow down to a god that is so completely discriminating. I often ask myself what i would do at the foot of god, to bow down? or burn in hell?

All logic tells me is there is nothing after death.

One more thing that really bothers me about Christianity is no one actually lives by the book. NO ONE. If they did we would still be stoning gay people, and women would forever be locked in the kitchen.

It is such a touchy subject that frightens me about the future of America, what ever happened to separation of church and state? It never existed. Surely the end will come in religious wartime.

Life is all about personal growth to me anyways.

[delusionsofNORMALity]

I am constantly at battle between religion and atheism within myself....

most people don't come to their final conclusions concerning religion and the nature of god until their final breath. even die-hard atheists such as myself have the occasional midnight fear that they may have damned themselves to an eternity of fire and brimstone. i just smoke another joint, take a deep breath and resume my quest for reality when the sun comes up.

[harris7]

i've seen camps like this and actually have been to them!! it is getting blown way out of proportion. the video is a compilation of things and some of those things (if not from within its sub-culture) can easily be misunderstood. i am not saying it isn't overdone or eccentric, but they have the right to be as eccentric as they want. why ridicule them for their beliefs when you are so annoyed at them judging your beliefs??? doesn't make much sense...

as far as brainwashing... these kids will end up like me and most of you, rejecting the things their parents taught them when they get old enough to understand on their own. no worries... they will be just fine

watching a couple minute video on something does not quite give you the info needed to slander those people with comparisons to hitler and terrorists, but do what you will cause i am sure you wont stop because i said. i will not become like the fundamentalists and judge them in return for their judgement. if you judge them for judging you, YOU ARE NO BETTER THAN THEM.

We Are NOT annoyed by them judging our beliefs. I generally donâ??t care what insane people think of me.
I am, and I believe most people are, concerned with what they are doing to their children.

Furthermore if you belief that these camps do not effect the psyche of the children you are wrong. This is back by research and they know this and it is the reason they are doing it. They want their children to share their beliefs, no matter how harmful or delusional they are.

[jsn9333]

We Are NOT annoyed by them judging our beliefs. I generally donâ??t care what insane people think of me.
I am, and I believe most people are, concerned with what they are doing to their children.

Furthermore if you belief that these camps do not effect the psyche of the children you are wrong. This is back by research and they know this and it is the reason they are doing it. They want their children to share their beliefs, no matter how harmful or delusional they are.

Harmful? Delusional? So what are you saying... the U.S. should pass laws commanding that only certain "non-harmful" religious beliefs and practices be passed on to children under a certain age? Whether or not I agree with their techniques, these people have the right to teach their children whatever they wish... and you have the right to teach yours whatever you wish. Eventually the kids will grow up and think for themselves. If you want the government to determine which religious beliefs are "harmful" and which are not then move to China, Cuba, or North Korea... and raise some cookie-cutter children.

[mafyew]

my conflict: its depressing to think that if there is no god life will be over forever, and if Christianity is true, i don't think i could bow down to god. religion causes so much fucking hate, its like how can i be saved if i hate the one thats saving. how can i strive to succeed if all there is is death?

[delusionsofNORMALity]

.... how can i strive to succeed if all there is is death?

you're born, you live and you die. if your lucky your legacy survives through your children and your deeds.

[hazetwostep]

most people don't come to their final conclusions concerning religion and the nature of god until their final breath. even die-hard atheists such as myself have the occasional midnight fear that they may have damned themselves to an eternity of fire and brimstone. i just smoke another joint, take a deep breath and resume my quest for reality when the sun comes up.

wow... i am the opposite way with things, but i struggle with it too... especially lately... glad to know someone else realizes we can't know 100%