JESUS CAMP... A VIEWPOINT NOT A REVIEW...

I just watch a documentary titled “Jesus Camp.” I though it was a very good, though provoking movie.

Before I continue, this is not my review of this film that will come in another entry. I must say that I do believe in God, I do believe that the universe was created by a supreme being and not by some random explosion. I believe in systems of right over wrong and strong moral consciousness.

Jesus Camp takes you inside the revivalist subculture and follows youngsters that are being primed to deliver the religious and political doctrine of fundamentalists. Although, they mention how Muslims use their youths to deliver the message of Islam, I could not help but draw a serious parallel between the two.

Back to my beliefs. I believe in God, but not religion. Religion in itself is not a bad thing, it is the misinterpretation of what the bible says that has ruined many societies and destroyed many lives. I’m going to concentrate on “Christianity” since this is what effects this country and is the topic of this particular documentary. Christianity in itself is not a bad thing; many good things have been done in the name of Christianity. Community outreach programs, youth programs, feeding and clothing the hungry and homeless; there are many things that religious groups do or have done to help the world around them.

Let’s focus on the other side of the religious coin, the so-called conservative right. This group considers such children fictional stories works as Harry Potter and the gang, and their promoting of the evil school in the WISD (Witchcraft International School District) a sinful and a bad influence on youth and the nation as a whole. In 1999, televangelist Jerry Falwell warned that Tinky Winky, the Teletubbie, was gay and was pushing the liberal/ gay pride agenda because of his red purse, purple outfit (the alleged gay color) and the triangle shape of his head (the triangle according to extreme Christian conservatives is the gay pride symbol). You know, kindergarten and Sesame Street never taught that side of shapes and colors... No one has accused Barney of being a big gay pedophile as of yet…he is big; he is purple and loves to hug children. Well, let me yell a hardy “RIDICULOUS!”

This is what Jesus Camp sparked in my mind; the extreme conservative numbers may be small, but unfortunately, this supposed Moral Majority, has a voice that influences Governments. It’s their way or the highway and all praise president Bush, who claims to be a part of the group. Maybe because he was backed by Jerry Falwell, the same Falwell that promoted and distributed the 1994 documentary “The Clinton Chronicles” that was debunked as having no validity. They often contradict the bible itself by bearing false witness. Using a half-truth to promote your agenda is still a lie. The bible has a scripture that reads, “ Judge not or you will be judge.” This is not a new entry that was added to the book a few days ago. This group has the knack of dismissing parts of the bible and twisting the book to support their warped ideas.

So… What is the difference between a Muslim Extremist and an extreme Christian Conservative? Both feel that what they are doing is right and they are the chosen ones to promote God’s will.
Well until the next entry…

MEMORIES!!!!

Recently, I was talking with a coworker about the 1980s and my memories were fired up. The subject of old discount department stores sparked the conversation. I recalled a store called Fed-Mart, and remembered my parents shopping at the North Long Beach and South Gate stores. I remembered buying hiking boots, a ski cap, and a ski jacket for a senior snow trip to Big Bear Lakes. Well, in 1982, FedMart closed their doors and Target Stores took over most of their locations.

Gemco was another discount chain owned by Lucky Stores, the place where I bought my first computer, a Commodore 64. My coworker stated that she received the same computer, then realized that she just go the CPU without the tape drive or the 5 ¼ disk drive. I told her that I was lucky that my sister, the year previous had bought the older Commodore VIC20, a tape drive and an Epson printer. We were proud of our computers as the conversation flourished. Another co-worker joined the conversation, and when she found out the topic of conversation, she exclaimed with a loud voice, “ MY GRANDFATHER HAD ONE OF THOSE!”

Boy, that just made our day… Young punks…