Militant Jesus Camp?

[Zippa D Doodah]

That's exactly where they are coming from but you have plenty of not so nice things to say about their beliefs. Interesting.

If by "they" you mean Muslims, then yes, I do have not so nice things to say about their actions that stem from their beliefs. But I'll promise you one thing... I will never ever advocate cutting off anyone's head, blowing up a bus, burning a building, or killing even an abortion doctor. An extreme commitment to Christian faith -to Jesus' way of love in this world, to God's indescribabale grace, and to God's radical preference of life over death -is what my faith is all about.

 

[cardaway]

If by "they" you mean Muslims, then yes, I do have not so nice things to say about their actions that stem from their beliefs.

I thought so. Welcome to their club.

 

[Uncle Remus]

If by "they" you mean Muslims, then yes, I do have not so nice things to say about their actions that stem from their beliefs. But I'll promise you one thing... I will never ever advocate cutting off anyone's head, blowing up a bus, burning a building, or killing even an abortion doctor. An extreme commitment to Christian faith -to Jesus' way of love in this world, to God's indescribabale grace, and to God's radical preference of life over death -is what my faith is all about.

Promise?

 

[MzDiz]

Yeah, I shouldn't have said devout. That was insulting and I humbly apologize. It's not at all what I meant to say.

When I said that it's not far from Islamic extremism, I meant that. It's the same mob mentality, at a different stage. If those kids were raised to fire guns instead of smashing mugs, shooting someone because you believed God wanted it that way isn't too far off. We're all the same animal, after all. They're not so different from us and we're not too far from them. A lot of blood has been spilled in the name of Jesus, too.

If this is a war, like they said it was, who are they fighting against? Me? They really are making it an "us and them" situation.

 

[singingpixie]

OK, Zippa D Doodah, let me see if I can break down this to an example so we're all talking on the same terms.

First, lets try to come to a mutual definition of the word "extreme"- lets use it, for the purpose of this discussion, to mean "outside of the mainstream" and "devout" to indicate what you are talking about yourself as being- "your life is totally devoted to your religion."

We can use these terms to indicate any religion- there can be extreme Christians, such as those who advocate the bombings of abortion clinics, just like there are extreme Muslims, who advocate the bombings of synogogues and churches. I don't see a difference between these examples besides the name they identify with- they are both beyond the realm of the religions they profess to participate in. I don't see the extremists of either faiths as true followers of either religion- what they believe has totally mutated from the original religion.

There is nothing intrinsic in Islam that advocates extremism- it is a mutation of the belief advocated and spread, just like (but on a larger scale) some cults claim to have sprouted from Christianity but are not recognisable as such by mainstream Christians. I just wish you would understand this distinction in Islam as as clear as the one in Christianity is.

 

[disneyfan67]

And of course none of us have any people think the same kind of thoughts when they see the Disney stuff we wear, decorate our homes with, or send our kids to school in, right?

I probably should have said things a little differently and you have a point. I'm a very moderate and modest person in the real world and don't allow myself to go to extremes in anything. I just can't see why anyone would dress their kids for bed in an outfit that looks like something that was worn in the crusades. That wasn't exactly a shining moment in the history of Christianity. You're right about "to each his own", but these warriors of Christ or militant Jesus camps do concern me though. It's just a little too much, IMO. A little religion can go a long way.

 

[JoyG]

I can't get the video to play so I have to go by what others are saying.

I wouldn't send my kids to a camp that worshipped or prayed in front of a picture of president Bush...that's absurd.

However I have nothing against christian camps in general, I listen to chrisitian music and graduated from a christian college. I see nothing wrong with those things.

The pajamas aren't really my thing either but I don't see anything wrong with them, the Bible verse they are based on refers to a spiritual battle not a physical one.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I thought so. Welcome to their club.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I can't get the video to play so I have to go by what others are saying.



However I have nothing against christian camps in general, I listen to chrisitian music and graduated from a christian college. I see nothing wrong with those things.

...then you probably will not find too many things unfamiliar about the video. As cardaway would say, welcome to the club.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I have seen the video, and I'm fairly sure your Christian college was nothing like this. There is a VAST difference between the kind of behavior being taught to these children and what traditional Sunday Schools, CCD classes or Vacation Bible Schools are teaching children. I've been involved in all of those things at one point or another in my life and I've never seen anything like that. It gave me the creeps.

 

[Uncle Remus]

http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movies/trailer.html?v_id=342517
I picked this up from another thread, maybe it will work

 

[Distriv]

I really wish this film was playing here. State College doesn't have any theatres that show small films like this. Though, some group in the school may arrange a screening.

 

[Uncle Remus]

I really wish this film was playing here. State College doesn't have any theatres that show small films like this. Though, some group in the school may arrange a screening.

Hey, thanks for the warning

 

[MzDiz]

I have seen the video, and I'm fairly sure your Christian college was nothing like this. There is a VAST difference between the kind of behavior being taught to these children and what traditional Sunday Schools, CCD classes or Vacation Bible Schools are teaching children. I've been involved in all of those things at one point or another in my life and I've never seen anything like that. It gave me the creeps.

Yeah, I remember VBS as singing "This Little Light of Mine" and putting on a play about loaves and fishes. Not painting our faces camouflage, screaming about war, and smashing things.

 

[Distriv]

Hey, thanks for the warning

I don't see what you're getting at.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

OK, Zippa D Doodah, let me see if I can break down this to an example so we're all talking on the same terms.

First, lets try to come to a mutual definition of the word "extreme"- lets use it, for the purpose of this discussion, to mean "outside of the mainstream" and "devout" to indicate what you are talking about yourself as being- "your life is totally devoted to your religion."

We can use these terms to indicate any religion- there can be extreme Christians, such as those who advocate the bombings of abortion clinics, just like there are extreme Muslims, who advocate the bombings of synogogues and churches. I don't see a difference between these examples besides the name they identify with- they are both beyond the realm of the religions they profess to participate in. I don't see the extremists of either faiths as true followers of either religion- what they believe has totally mutated from the original religion.

There is nothing intrinsic in Islam that advocates extremism- it is a mutation of the belief advocated and spread, just like (but on a larger scale) some cults claim to have sprouted from Christianity but are not recognisable as such by mainstream Christians. I just wish you would understand this distinction in Islam as as clear as the one in Christianity is.

We are generally on the same page here. Let me point out a couple of things...

1) I will have to grumblingly agree with the distinction between "devout" and "extreme". Seems like a sad waste of a good word like "extreme"

2) Regarding the assertion that there is nothing in Islam that advocates extremism in the form of violence, doesn't the Quran contain directives to kill infidels and engage in jihad? The Bible is empty of such things.

 

[Aidensmom]

I have seen the video, and I'm fairly sure your Christian college was nothing like this. There is a VAST difference between the kind of behavior being taught to these children and what traditional Sunday Schools, CCD classes or Vacation Bible Schools are teaching children. I've been involved in all of those things at one point or another in my life and I've never seen anything like that. It gave me the creeps.

I agree, and I also found and read the associated article.

I am what a lot of Christians would categorize as a "charismatic" Christian. We dance and clap during worship, we believe in all of the spiritual gifts, etc. I am not at all opposed to demonstrative displays of worship. That video and article, however, to me just was not right. Especially the Bush thing....I very much question the motives of anyone that brings a political figure into a religious experience. There is something off there.

 

[Disney Doll]

Extremism in either direction is dangerous.

 

[Saxsoon]

Just read the accompanying story to the video. Here's a smear of breathtaking proportion:Wow, that one heck of a logical leap there... Because my kids and I like groups like the Newsboys, Jars of Clay, Barlow Girl, Casting Crowns, then we're in kahoots with those yahoos talking about armed conflict for Jesus???? Wow. "What media bias???"

I love to listen to Casting Crowns and Newsboys too! Other favorites are MercyMe, Big Daddy Weave, Building 429, and Jeremy Camp.


I believe that this truly distorts Christianity, and Christ, I am certain is sad about this. Those who live by the sword shall die by it.

 

[Aidensmom]

I believe that this truly distorts Christianity, and Christ, I am certain is sad about this. Those who live by the sword shall die by it.

As usual, well said and to the point.

(And Newsboys and MercyMe are some of my absolute favorites.)