Just saw 'Jesus Camp' and am pretty scared - what can I do to counteract fundamentalist evangelicism?

Question

Just watched the documentary 'Jesus Camp' and very worried! Those poor children. 25% of the USA citizenry are evangelicals... No wonder Bush is in power. Does anyone know of any peaceful (and not necessarily agnostic) movements involved in counteracting this fundamentalist evangelicism here in the US?

Thanks to all of you for your answers so far. I should probably add that I was raised a Catholic and see absolutely nothing wrong with anyone having religious beliefs as long as they do not use them in harmful ways infringing on other people's civil rights. We were all created equal... etc. I appreciate the link to the ACLU site and the Spaghetti Monster is pretty hilarious. I'd really love some more resposes. Appreciate it.

Answer 1

I don't think there is such an organization. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them think ;)!

Answer 2

First off, remember those radical evangelicals you saw are a very small minority (less an 1%), just like radical Muslims, so don’t judge all evangelicals by that movie. You’re unintentionally doing exactly what those fundamentalist are doing, generalizing then stereotyping. Two solutions I see: 1) What you did right now. Educating others about the existence of evangelical fundamentalism. 2)America is and always has been a wealthy country stressing education (in which most the teachers are liberals) and I’ve found wealth and education are pretty to solid ways which religious fundamentalism,(and religion and morals in general) can be destroyed so as America does economically better, people no longer see a need for God or a need to be fundamentalist about him. Also, Evangelicals, percent-wise, have less radicals than certain other religions in the U.S.
Hearing you were raised Catholic, I must admit I had to quell an urge to snigger. (I’m Catholic myself) I’ve found a lot of my intellectual “raised Catholics” friends after ….. ahhhh… I looking for a polite euphuism here… “letting go” of the Catholic Church find evangelicalism repulsive on a intellectual level so you reminded me of them much to my amusement. Also while I admit I’ve never seen “Jesus Camp” myself, my ap history teacher (one of those intellectual “raised Catholics”) lectured us about the movie (I’ve been exiled to the far back corner of the room for my conservative comments, so I admit I may have missed some of his finer points, but I got the gist.) so don’t burst your bubble. Evangelicalism will suffer from the same malaise the Catholic Church is suffering from right now once the areas where evangelicalism is prominent in become more urbanized and wealthy so don’t worry, give it time.

Answer 3

As a gay man, I'm well aware of the evil and immorality perpetrated by some of these fundamentalists; my people have to live with the effects of it every day.

However, as with any religion, they have the right to their beliefs. It's when they try to force their beliefs down everyone's throats by passing laws we all must live under that we should be concerned. And they do that.

I think one of the most effective ways is to speak out against them. Whether you do it online or in letters to the editor or in person, it all matters. The best way to fight evil ideas is with good ideas. You fight words with better words and allow everyone listening to make up their minds. Over time, I think the truth wins out. Look how fundamentalists once used their beliefs to justify slavery--but, to their credit, they have stopped that now. Why? Because enough people spoke out against it over time and society changed--the majority realized this belief was wrong and had nothing to do with God or morality. That's how you counteract it--speak out against it at every opportunity, and speak out in a constructive, informative, helpful way so what you are saying is more than just loud noise.

Answer 4

Sad isn't it? Unfortunately there's not much you can do. Just make sure you make your opinion heard, and challenge these irrational people with facts as often as you can. As far as I know there are no well-known groups or movements dedicating to challenging fundamentalism.

The good thing is that people like this are definitely losing steam. More people are challenging the basic "believe everything I say or your evil" approach to spirituality, which indicates that people ARE getting educated about these subjects. All we can do is hope that enough will eventually do the same that we no longer have to worry about them even attempting to assert their control in our lives.

Answer 5

i'm a Pentecostal Christian, merely because of the fact the persons in the action picture are. i will enable you comprehend that this action picture became into VERY extreme. in spite of the actuality that i've got faith in being crammed with the spirit, i've got faith in the conversing of tongues and all the different presents the Lord has given us, I ought to assert that i became into particularly bowled over with the aid of the action picture. I watched it and desperate that it wasn't something i needed my daughters to work out. with the aid of how...the chief of that camp resigned from her place presently after the action picture became into made.

Answer 6

The key here is not to accuse or condemn others of radical ideas. Yes, there are many false-Christians and hypocrites in the US. MANY. However, one must remember, (as most Christians forget) that Christianity should not be a religion, but a relationship. The problem here is that families and our American culture have corrupted original and vital ideals that form the bedrock of christian faith. My advice to you is not to "counter-act" a seemingly corrupt organized religion, but to just keep a peaceful mind with steadfast temperance. Also, remember that these people (portrayed in the movie) may not be true Christians.

Answer 7

The ACLU keeps an eye on them when they try to unconstitutionally force their religion on others but otherwise support their rights and religious freedom and freedom of speech.
If you want to have some fun opposing fundies check out The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster http://www.venganza.org/
Read the letter to the Kansas school board.

Answer 8

I was truly disturbed when I saw those little 'soldiers' marching in step with each other on stage.
Fight back against ignorance by speaking up when you encounter it. Don't let it go by without a challenge, even if its from someone you don't wish to offend.
You don't have to be obnoxious about it, but making sure people have accurate facts is important.

Answer 9

Yeah, but it's called liberalism and there are a lot more people scared of us! LOL

Seriously, there are people fighting their effects all over the country, mostly by not voting for anyone who advocates the kind of laws they would like to have passed. And the courts are ruling against them a lot of times. And the ACLU work to prevent their forcing their views on other people. And the rest of Christianity is a lot bigger than them, so they will always be in the minority. It's just that they make a lot more noise than the others, but that doesn't mean everyone else is listening or agreeing with them.

Answer 10

I don't know if you're a True Believer™ or not; if you are, your beliefs in the Invisible Sky Critter help to give Fundies credibility - if, on the other hand, you're an Atheist like most intelligent planet dwellers all you can do is hold a mirror up to the Theists and continue to question their beliefs in the Invisible Sky Guy. The more you make reference to the Invisible Man the sillier they look. Try it out; it's amusing.

Xians remind me of my young brother fifty years ago having an invisible friend - unlike Xians however, he grew up and put aside his childish ways.

Answer 11

i have seen many similar programs and have been confronted by the same people personally. i know of two decisive steps to counteract them.....1. a very firm and strong no, not remotely interested and 2. totally ignore (blank) them. if they push their luck you can always have them arrested for harrassing you....