After opting out of a rush hour screening at the Laemmle a couple months ago (Lest you think I was invited as part of a group of theologically-minded movie goers, I get weekly Laemmle emails about free previews), I saw Jesus Camp last night.

It was really scary.

Of particular note (other than the oodles of spectacular footage of Ted Haggard, who has a manner quite like David Letterman on ecstasy) was the goal of Jesus Camp founder, Becky Fisher, to train children as soldiers of God to go into the workplace as adults and bring their message of truth. That training included some time speaking in tongues, and then other time praying for aborted fetuses.

Yikes.

I went to UU Camp at De Benneville Pines for many childhood years and don’t remember a goal about bringing my message of truth into the workplace. I do remember a messages about safe sex, no drinking in the woods, and smoking inside. These messages were coupled with building a shelter out of sticks, and some lite fishing (”lite” fishing occurs when one doesn’t bait the hook). But that’s besides the point. Or maybe that is the point.

Jesus Camp as a camp no longer exists. Blame it on the film. Blame it on Ted Haggard. It’s not up and running. But De Benneville Pines sure is.

Huh.