When Religion Goes Too Far

YOU should go to Jesus Camp!

     "Warlocks are enemies of god." Well damn,  as if I didn't dislike you enough already, way to slander a great book. Harry Potter is twice the person you'll ever be. Somehow wizard magic seems to make more sense than half of the garbage that you force down these kids throats. Searching for a reason behind the evident dislike, I stumbled upon this article:

Why Harry Potter Is Not For Kids

     While the article is more joking than serious, it addresses a few key points about the films. They promote violence. Copious amounts of violence. Once the reader gets past the first few books, it gets rather gory. But I digress. With statements like these, I can see how the evangelical church aims to keep children innocent and pure by falsifying their reasons for avoiding "sinful" things. These kids are as god-fearing as they come. If they hope not to anger god, its a better incentive than just because, "mom told me so." 

     All joking aside, this film was slightly disturbing. Not only for me but for my roommates as well. It was a rather awkward conversation trying to explain why children were writhing and crying on the floor screaming "Jesus!" Personally, I hold a biased view on organized religion. I was not offended by any association with "normal" Christianity that the Evangelicals displayed. I believe it certainly allowed me to take a more objective view on the matter. I saw a group of educated children, especially Levi, who were excellent public speakers. The clothes they wore, the way they spoke, their haircuts (except Levi), etc. showed no indication that they were anything but your typical group of ~8-14 year olds.

     Wait a minute, 12 year old children typically DO NOT speak grammatically correct English...

     Their public speaking skills were truly incredible to witness. I don't believe I heard any ums, uhs, or cursing whatsoever. It caught me off guard until the movie listed one very important little fact: 75% of homeschooled kids in the US are Evangelical Christian. These kids, more likely than not, have never been exposed to many kids their age, outside of the church. They haven't had the opportunity to pick up slang, bad habits, and the like.

     This sect of evangelism is truly astounding. The brainwashing these children are put through is astonishing. I wish that I could make the simple differentiation between good and bad. I don't believe in the inherit evil of this evangelist sect. It seems they are simply devout in their beliefs and misinformed.

     Pray as she might, that little girl never did hit any of the bowling balls. Where is your God, little girl?

Assorted Humors:
1)Christian Heavy Metal
2)"The human spirit is like a balloon"
3)"There are two types of people in this world; those who love Jesus and those who don't."
4)"We worship you god, we worship you god. They sing three songs and then they listen to a sermon. Church's that god likes to go to are praising his name, jumping up and down."


   

Grizzly Man

Timothy Treadwill is a prime example of a man disillusioned and alienated by the society which once claimed him. “Alone,” in the wilderness, we are privy to his innermost thoughts and opinions. As a great documentarian, Timothy is portrayed as a man fully immersed in his mission, dedicated to his cause. Grizzly bears. Some of nature’s fiercest predators, I watched as these behemoths tore into one another as Treadwill hovered only yards away. I found myself questioning the man’s sanity. Is Timothy Treadwill sane? I’d be disinclined to agree with such a statement. Analyzing his behaviors, I find it unlikely that others would either. He is erratic and prone to spontaneous outbursts against his former employers. The relationships he holds with the many women interviewed throughout the film seem to almost clash with the antisocial tendencies he displays.  Treadwill will be remembered as an eccentric man with innate dedication; a man of the bears. The Grizzly Man

Waiting for Superman

    Well I can say that this documentary certainly piqued my interest and gave me a different perspective on the public school system. I grew up a upper-middle class white kid in the suburbs of America. Raleigh, NC to be more specific. Wake County has one of the best school systems in the country. My educational experience was fantastic, largely in part from tremendous PTA support. From the days of separation anxiety until the grandeur of graduation, never did I once experience the struggle detailed within this powerful film. It seems that I came to expect the best and it was hard to imagine an alternative.
     At a young age, around six I believe, I was caught between the tracks and placed in a remedial reading group. I didn't understand why I was reading the Cat and the Hat when I had been reading the Harry Potter series since age five. I didn't complain though, I didn't speak up. I was a quiet kid, I suppose. I could have continued on that path forever, misunderstood and underestimated. Thankfully, between parental intervention and conference, I was eventually escalated up to the appropriate level. I take that for granted. I shouldn't though, my experience is clearly atypical in the sense that I am in the minority. I had a safety net. I had people who cared about me and my education. Not only my parents, but the school system as a whole. I succeeded because the system believed in me more so than I believed in myself. It pushed me to new heights, past the awkward years of middle school and the faux-confidence of high school. Contrary to previous beliefs, I am not typical.
     Before the beginning of high school, I applied for admission at a prestigious charter school nearby. It was not a matter of whether I would receive a fantastic education or not. Rather, it was simply the opportunity to experience a slightly different learning method with smaller classes. Throughout my UNC-A experience, I have been astounded at the diversity of the student body in terms of financial and social backgrounds. Having been surrounded by similar individuals from similar backgrounds all of my life, never did I fully understand the extent of the need for educational reform. I believe that this film reinforced what I have begun to realize on my four year journey; we are not all the same, we are not all as privileged, however, humble beginnings should not determine our future. A public school reform is needed.