Target: Evangelicals

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Target: Evangelicals

Posted: 2/26/2007 2:48:59 PM EDT

news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/20070226/cm_usatoday/targetevangelicals

By Don Feder
Mon Feb 26, 6:40 AM ET

Watching Alexandra Pelosi's documentary Friends of God, showing on HBO all this month, brings to mind the carnival attractions of a bygone era.

Instead of "See the bearded lady and Jo-Jo the dog-faced boy," it's "See the Christian wrestlers and the Goth Christian teens with their nose rings and fuchsia-colored hair, talking about getting a religious 'high.' " Pelosi takes a diverse and dynamic community (estimated at between 50 million and 80 million) and turns it into a cavalcade of the bizarre.

Blue Staters often picture evangelicals as a tribe of shallow and slightly loony fanatics. Pelosi's documentary reinforces these prejudices. With minimal effort, the daughter of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (news, bio, voting record) could have found a few evangelical scientists, stock brokers, dedicated inner-city teachers or counselors at drug rehab centers.

Instead, she offers HBO viewers the Christian Wrestling Federation, Christian miniature golf (where players putt through the empty tomb of the resurrected Jesus), a truck-stop prayer group and a Bible theme park, where an actor in robe and sandals dispenses parables. At a drive-through church, those seeking the spiritual equivalent of fast food can pray with a lady behind a plate glass window from the comfort of their car.

A camera and an agenda

It's the tried-and-true technique of filmmakers with an agenda - find the most embarrassing and absurd examples of whatever you want to lampoon and get them on camera.

Pelosi's piece is like a Bush supporter making a documentary on the anti-war movement by going to rallies and interviewing geriatric Trotskyites, dudes in dirty dreadlocks carrying signs equating Israel to the Third Reich and transgendered Scientologists.

A review in The Denver Post notes: "With smug narration and a condescending tone, the filmmaker … finds plenty to gawk at outside her hip metropolitan comfort zone. Nobody sounds more provincial than a New Yorker set adrift in the heartland."

Pelosi follows the trail blazed by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady's 2006 documentary Jesus Camp, about a Pentecostal summer camp for 7- to 12-year-olds in North Dakota. With thousands of Bible camps across the land to choose from, Ewing and Grady found the most extreme and scary.

In Jesus Camp, kids pray with a cardboard cut-out of George Bush. Campers weep uncontrollably as they are told they're "hypocrites" and "phonies" - in a segment reminiscent of a 1960s Chinese Cultural Revolution self-criticism session.

Becky Fischer, founder of the "Kids on Fire" summer camp, comes across as a Pentecostal version of Mullah Omar, the Taliban leader who ran Afghanistan before the 2001 U.S. invasion. "I want to see young people who are as committed to the cause of Jesus Christ as the young people are to the cause of Islam," Fischer confides. "I want to see them as radically laying down their lives for the Gospel, as they are in Palestine, Pakistan and all those different places."

But that's exactly the way cultural elitists view conservative Christians - as barely literate crackpots who could explode at any moment. As Rosie O'Donnell explained on ABC's The View last year, "Radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam in a country like America where we have separation of church and state." Sneering at Christians is a favorite pastime of the cultural left. HBO's Bill Maher calls politically active Christians "demagogues, con men and scolds."

Focus on the oddities

Instead of fear and loathing, Pelosi uses the comically absurd to stigmatize evangelicals. Among other oddities, she presents the home-schooling family with 10 children, where the girls are identically attired in calico dresses -The Stepford Wives meets Little House On ThePrairie. Occasionally, Pelosi gives the game away, as when she asks the Cruisers for Christ, rallying with their classic cars, "So, do you think the Holy Spirit is here in this Burger King parking lot?"

Not everyone is treated like an escapee from a Fellini film. As a foil to the evangelicals interviewed in Friends of God, Pelosi chose Mel White, formerly a speechwriter for Jerry Falwell, and now a gay activist.

White explains that people such as Falwell aren't evil, but (presumably because they oppose gay marriage) hate people like him. We see White in Falwell's church looking anguished for the congregants who are less enlightened than himself.

The HBO website says the film is "driven by (Pelosi's) unflagging curiosity and genuine interest in learning about this increasingly influential community" as she "embarks on a fast-paced cross-country journey, offering snapshots of a cross-section of evangelical America."

Pelosi presents not a cross-section, but the fringe. Friends of God is as representative of evangelicals as Ben Stiller's mental-patient parents in Meet The Fockers are of Jews. But at least the latter doesn't try to pass itself off as a documentary.

OMG I am a skeert of the mean nasty christians!!! We still owe them for blowing up our trade center.

Posted: 2/26/2007 3:02:53 PM EDT

[#1]

Matthew 24:9 "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake."

Matthew 10:21 - 24 "And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against [their] parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."

John 15:20-21 "Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me."

Posted: 2/26/2007 3:10:40 PM EDT

[#2]

Not suprised. Just another skewed view of fly over country.

Posted: 2/26/2007 3:11:15 PM EDT

[#3]

When the rapture comes, Pelosi and all of her god-hating liberal friends will be standing around with nobody to make fun of.

For a few minutes, anyway.

Posted: 2/26/2007 3:11:42 PM EDT

[#4]

If the tables were turned and some conservative made a film about typical leftists : gays, welfare parasites with 6 different fathers, pro-abortion zealots eating aborted fetuses, child molesters, union activists. etc would the looney left scream hate crime or propaganda?

Posted: 2/26/2007 3:14:25 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
Matthew 24:9 "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake."

Matthew 10:21 - 24 "And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against [their] parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."

John 15:20-21 "Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me."

Well said, Steve.

Posted: 2/26/2007 3:17:14 PM EDT

[#6]

What is Pelosi's Movie called? "Glorious Documentary for Make-Benefit City of New York?"

Posted: 2/26/2007 3:21:07 PM EDT

[#7]

Actually for this to be even, Presidents Bush daughters need to make a video mocking
leftist. Not going to happen. This does give some idea of what kind of speaker of a house we have. Basically a anti-christ wannabee.

Posted: 2/26/2007 3:27:52 PM EDT

[#8]

What's bizarre is not the documentary but the fact that there is such a place like that Jesus Camp that brainwashes kids so much.

It's not like they're making it up, those people are out there and they are not just a small group.

Posted: 2/26/2007 3:29:46 PM EDT

[#9]

The serious whackies should be patted on the head and told to keep being good, huh...?

That the kind of stance you want to take with somebody who's Grade A Certified fruit-by-the-foot, like Kent Hovind?

Posted: 2/26/2007 3:31:38 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
What's bizarre is not the documentary but the fact that there is such a place like that Jesus Camp that brainwashes kids so much.

It's not like they're making it up, those people are out there and they are not just a small group.

And they enjoy the freedom to express their religion just like every other American.

Posted: 2/26/2007 3:32:37 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
The serious whackies should be patted on the head and told to keep being good, huh...?

That the kind of stance you want to take with somebody who's Grade A Certified fruit-by-the-foot, like Kent Hovind?

So who decides who is a 'whackie' and who isn't? pelosi? hitlery?

Posted: 2/26/2007 3:34:21 PM EDT

[#12]

....find the most embarrassing and absurd examples of whatever you want to lampoon and get them on camera....

It's not like this is really that difficult...

Here is an excerpt from one of our local Bible Belt zealots' blogs, outlining her "hit list" of "SPs", (secular progressives), and what they are trying to do to do our town:
"....R. is also is a footsoldier in the sp movements against public decency ... He opposes our community standards on decency by wanting nudes to be displayed in the porn palaces they call the Arts Center and the M. Museum."

The last display in the M. Museum was an Old Masters exhibit.
This religious freak made sure no nudes were on display.
She considers the works of Michelangelo and Da Vinci as porn.

The nutso fundies are a lampoon all unto themselves, unfortunately.

Posted: 2/26/2007 3:35:20 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
When the rapture comes...

Since that'll never happen, we wont find out.

Posted: 2/26/2007 3:38:42 PM EDT

[#14]

Turn on Glenn Beck right now, he is talking about the obvious double standard.

Christians are the one group left that it is OK to discriminate against.

Oh yeah, teaching kids about Jesus and loving their neighbors........ No wonder they are being assailed, that's some bloodthirsty shit right there

Posted: 2/26/2007 3:41:38 PM EDT

[#15]

here

and here

Posted: 2/26/2007 3:44:10 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:

Quoted:
When the rapture comes...

Since that'll never happen, we wont find out.

Shhhhh..you are ruining my fun.

Posted: 2/26/2007 3:44:15 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
What's bizarre is not the documentary but the fact that there is such a place like that Jesus Camp that brainwashes kids so much.

It's not like they're making it up, those people are out there and they are not just a small group.

What makes you so afraid of someone who loves God? When was the last time a christian literally assualted you because of your lack of faith?

I understand that some peope dont believe the same things I do, but I will never understand why some people are so fearfull of it.

Posted: 2/26/2007 3:44:30 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:

Quoted:
The serious whackies should be patted on the head and told to keep being good, huh...?

That the kind of stance you want to take with somebody who's Grade A Certified fruit-by-the-foot, like Kent Hovind?

So who decides who is a 'whackie' and who isn't? pelosi? hitlery?

I guess dolanp does.

Posted: 2/26/2007 3:48:58 PM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
What's bizarre is not the documentary but the fact that there is such a place like that Jesus Camp that brainwashes kids so much.

It's not like they're making it up, those people are out there and they are not just a small group.

Yea it would be far better for these kids to be out in the positive healthy popular culture…

Do you actually believe Jesus Camp is representative of Evangelicals? Talk about brainwashing.

Posted: 2/26/2007 4:00:03 PM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:

Quoted:
What's bizarre is not the documentary but the fact that there is such a place like that Jesus Camp that brainwashes kids so much.

It's not like they're making it up, those people are out there and they are not just a small group.

Yea it would be far better for these kids to be out in the positive healthy popular culture…

Do you actually believe Jesus Camp is representative of Evangelicals? Talk about brainwashing.

+100

I saw something similar that did look like brainwashing but this is NOT indicative of Christianity or even Evangelicals. I am outspoken against flase prophets like Benny Hinn, but that is not indicative of Christianity as a whole, or even the Evangelical crowd.

James Cameron, this "documentary" the ACLU.... the trend these days is to attack Christianity whenever and wherever possible.

If this "documentary" had been on the brainwashing that happens in madrassas (mUslim schools) HBO would have been burnt to the ground.
But attacking Christianity is the trend for now.

Ridiculous stuff, perhaps I should make a documantery on how goofy all Liberals are... I mean we can find freaks in ANY camp. It doesn't mean all are the same.

Posted: 2/26/2007 4:10:35 PM EDT

[#21]

You fly over staters are so sensitive!

[Note of full disclosure-I once dragged into a choir loft by a family friend who was convinced that condensation on a plastic sheet placed over a stained glass window looked like Jesus Face-sort of a Garbage Bag of Turin. Oh well, at least she didn't build a miniature golf course.

]

Posted: 2/26/2007 4:15:47 PM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:

Ridiculous stuff, perhaps I should make a documantery on how goofy all Liberals are... I mean we can find freaks in ANY camp. It doesn't mean all are the same.

Good luck getting that on HBO.

Posted: 2/26/2007 4:20:45 PM EDT

[#23]

I'm one of the Crazed Christo-Fascists.

I'm scarry.

Posted: 2/26/2007 4:31:32 PM EDT

[#24]

Believing in God= Okay
Not believing in God=Okay
Religion= EVIL !!!!

Posted: 2/26/2007 4:40:08 PM EDT

[#25]

I never understood why liberal jews hate Christianity so much.

Posted: 2/26/2007 5:24:21 PM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:
I never understood why liberal jews hate Christianity so much.

I believe she's catholic.

Posted: 2/26/2007 5:40:48 PM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:

Quoted:
What's bizarre is not the documentary but the fact that there is such a place like that Jesus Camp that brainwashes kids so much.

It's not like they're making it up, those people are out there and they are not just a small group.

What makes you so afraid of someone who loves God? When was the last time a christian literally assualted you because of your lack of faith?

I understand that some peope dont believe the same things I do, but I will never understand why some people are so fearfull of it.

I was assaulted repeatedly by evangelicals during my childhood, one notable example being locked in a room in which coffee cans full of sulfer were burned until three children passed out, in an unannounced and involuntary "test of faith", and the physical confrontation that occurred at the exit to said room when I refused to participate, resulting in a broken wrist.

I don't hold Christians in general responsible for those events, but that sort of thing is not uncommon at all. Pretending that sort of thing never happens is just as bad as lumping everyone of faith together IMO.

Posted: 2/26/2007 5:56:20 PM EDT

[#28]

Quoted:
When the rapture comes, Pelosi and all of her god-hating liberal friends will be standing around with nobody to make fun of.

For a few minutes, anyway.

Dude, the rapture happened three years ago. If you're still here, you're fucked.

Posted: 2/26/2007 5:58:26 PM EDT

[#29]

Blue Staters often picture evangelicals as a tribe of shallow and slightly loony fanatics.

Don't we all?

Seriously, before the MSM started using that term recently, the only people I ever knew that used that term to describe themselves were such freaks that even they knew they were freaks. A perfect example of that is the 5,000 seat Evangel Cathedral built in 1988 that's about four miles from my office that is full of those type of people. It is a scary place.z

Posted: 2/26/2007 6:05:39 PM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:

Quoted:
What's bizarre is not the documentary but the fact that there is such a place like that Jesus Camp that brainwashes kids so much.

It's not like they're making it up, those people are out there and they are not just a small group.

Yea it would be far better for these kids to be out in the positive healthy popular culture…

Do you actually believe Jesus Camp is representative of Evangelicals? Talk about brainwashing.

You guys sure get defensive even though you separate yourselves from these types. Clearly you think they are a little unhinged too.

I'm not saying they shouldn't be allowed to do it. They are just as free to indoctrinate their kids with that stuff as a Scientologist, doesn't mean it's 'good' just because they 'love God'.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Target: Evangelicals

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