Jesus Camp: Is it the truth or good editing at work?

I am currently taking a class called, Film, Culture and Theology. It has been quite rewarding. There are many things that go into film that viewers are not readily aware of such as camera angles, the impact of lighting and shade, the juxtaposition of scenes, cutting, transitions, the use of irony, even the effect of the soundtrack etc.

My first class on film was four years ago and in that class, I learned that when ever there is editing involved, the film is sure to be bias only presenting half-truths to no truth but never the whole truth.

The documentary, Jesus camp, shown here http://www.atheistnation.net/video/?video/00118/atheist/jesus-camp/#comment

is no exception. The film is the finished product of a film crew that presents children as being brainwashed by Church leaders and parents into joining the religious right. In a nutshell, the film characterizes the Churches, parents, and children in the film as a dangerous religious political movement. Mike Papantonio, a Christian radio host, is the resistant to the movement.

That being said, let me be clear that I am not down with religious right evangelicals nor do I support their cause. My intentions here is to make readers aware of the impact of film and, while keeping in mind how each component of making a film shapes and impacts its viewers, help them raise relevant questions about what they are watching.

A few observations about the art of the film

-the suspenseful almost scary music in the background adds to the film’s objective which is to show how kids are being brainwashed.

-The location is key. The film location is Devil’s Lake, North Dakota. The name of the location is intentional. Furthermore, its in Middletown America. The scene evokes images of places where militia cell groups are formed and trained.

-The focus on kids gives off the impression of innocence and vulnerability. The assumption is that these kids are but puddy in the hands of adults.

-The use of American flags and slogans of “God bless America” help to drive home the idea that what is being filmed is a political movement rather than a moral and ethical movement.

Other observations

The film does a great job at showing how indeed the children in the film are being conditioned into believing in certain values. Question: Is being conditioned into belief wrong? Are we not all conditioned into believing in things? In light of the film, what are we to do as Christians with Israel circumcising their children and teaching them at an early age the Torah? What about Proverbs?

Also, notice how on their website http://www.jesuscampthemovie.com/ they describe the Churches and parents as “training grounds” for children. This is an interpretation and thus their point of view.

Again, I am not endorsing the religious right but bringing attention to the bias nature of film, encouraging viewers to see that everyone has a point of view–especially when we are dealing with film where editing and directing is heavily involved in the process.

Added info: One thing that characterizes the Religious Right is the emphasis of national sins such as the acceptance of homosexuality, abortion and divorce, at the expense of omitting other national sins such as racism, violence, discrimination, materialism, etc.