Name
Institution
Course
Date
What might Jones say about the idealization depicted in the film “Jesus Camp?”
Introduction
Religion has accounted for some of the terrible actions in the society, which are against humankind. Although religion has also been a source of inspiring experience and teachings, idealization has contributed to fanaticism in the society (Merenlahti, 23). Therefore, religious idealization can be damaging because it facilitates activities such as terrorism, anti-abortion and anti-homosexuality. According to Jones arguments, idealization refers to exaggeration of the good qualities of a favorite act while downplaying its limitation (Strozier, et al., 40). Therefore, individuals practicing a certain religion tend to believe their beliefs are superior as compared to other religion. Consequently, religion idealization permits people to think that their decisions are more intelligent and wiser as compared to competing religions (Juergensmeyer, Kitts, and Jerryson, 11). They focus on the actions they desire. Moreover, they fail to see the negative side of their religion, which allow them to make poor decisions. The paper will discuss what might Jones say about the idealism depicted in the film Jesus Camp.
According to Jones, both mature and unhealthy aspects characterize religious idealization. Unhealthy aspect refers to the concept of religion, which is viewed as perfect, which fails to admit its limitations (Merenlahti, 27). In addition, they suggest that it is faultless because they maintain that it is clean. It is likely to lead to fanaticism and submission. On the other hand, religion idealization is viewed as imperfect hence they is a chance of changing internalizations (Paloutzian and Park eds., 27). Additionally, there is existence for maturity and growth. Shaw also identifies the negative side of idealization. According to Shaw, idealization is unreasonable when it fails to acknowledge the limitations of humans (Strozier, et al., 40).
In the film Jesus Camp, idealization of religion is evident when the evangelical Christians see themselves as perfect relative to other religions such as Islam. Devotees of this religion suggest that they are two types of person in the society: those who believe Jesus and those who do not. The obsession and fanaticism are profound in this film (Ewing and Grady, 49). At this point, the evangelical devotees have launched a war to bring Jesus back in America by fighting their enemies. They are supposed to fight against abortion and homosexuality by acquiring radical Christian values. Children are recruited in this religion and are taught to be fully submissive to it (Merenlahti, 32). They are directed to identify that the world is made up of two opposing issues of either righteous or defiled.
Religious idealization provides unreasonable prejudice and hatred against homosexuality. As evident in the Jesus Camp, the society attacks any society or legal framework that encourages equality and tolerance between religious devotees and homosexuals (Paloutzian and Park eds., 39). Consequently, the religion opposes these ideas, arguing that homosexuality is morally evil and unnatural. Consequently, the religion is likely to cause oppression, violence, bigotry, and hatred in the name of morality. Homosexual society has become the victims of traditional and religious prejudice and oppression, which produces powerful anti-religious bitterness among the community (Shaw, 1). Idealization can be a source of conflicts and violence. In most cases, religious organization normally applies certain beliefs to validate their criminal activities. According to Jones, they believe in their own reasoning is more crucial than general beliefs in the society (Juergensmeyer, Kitts, and Jerryson, 17). The evangelical community utilizes the psychological principle and warns against enemies of the world in order to influence the desire of their devotees.
Jones arguments are also against child abuse through religion. The Jesus Camp film depicts cases of child abuse in the society by religious personnel. For instance, Levi is denied to attend a normal school because he is schooled at home (Ewing and Grady, 41). His mother argues that God gave her a child so that she can raise him instead of sending Levi to teachers in school. However, he fails to receive quality education. For instance, the issue of global warming is described as a political gossips hence it is not important to learners. Therefore, this amount to child abuse because Levi is denied a chance to acquire quality education from school. Some religious people have a tendency to over-idealize (Ewing and Grady, 41).
Consequently, they become subjects of external items such as institutions, teacher, people and ideas at an extent where they fail to identify the limitations of humankind (Merenlahti, 33). In this regard, Jones suggests that this behavior provides a foundation of fanaticism in religion. Some individuals desire to feel that they are with connected to perfect objects or beings. Subsequently, when a movement, a teacher or an institution, provide that opportunity they are ready to idealize. The problem with this kind of religious activities, forces people to be submissive to a powerful figure, that persuades his/her devotees that he/she possesses the access and authority to right way (Paloutzian and Park eds., 39). In this regard, the results of this kind of surrender are damaging to equality and co-existence of people.
One of the features of fanatical persons, particularly in religion is that they usually segregate the society into camps of evil vs. good, and darkness vs. light (Juergensmeyer, Kitts, and Jerryson, 21). Most notably, they tend to ensure that they remain on the good side while those who do not possess the same faith are consigned on the wrong side. Some of these ideas lead to terrorism. For instance, in “The Last Night Instruction” the terrorist uses the Quran and religious concepts to justify, plan and execute the 9-11 attack in the US (PBS – Frontline, 1). Therefore, Jones noted that there is a problem in Islam fanaticism because they are able to justify killing and murder of those they believed to be on the dark side (Shaw, 1). On the other hand, Islamist organizations validate their actions as holy and perfect so long as they kill and destroy their ‘religious enemies. In this regard, this is a totally polluted and discriminatory view towards others (Strozier, et al., 47).
Moreover, religious actions that defend actions such as terrorism, anti-homosexuality and anti-abortion can nurture prejudice and intolerance that lead to hostility and damaging actions towards others (Strozier, et al., 50). Unfortunately, most religions do not acknowledge the existence of fanatic components in their actions, teachings or beliefs. Jones arguments are consistent with other scholars such as Kohut and Freud. In this respect, they question the idealization of religion in the society by criticizing fanaticism. They suggest that religion is a powerful institution in contemporary world hence leaders should emphasize a combination of realism and idealization (Paloutzian and Park eds., 47). Due to this fact, realism will play a crucial role in promoting transformation and commitment. Furthermore, it will help devotees to identify challenges and limitation in their societies. Subsequently, they will be able to control fanaticism by keeping their hopes and demands that are motivated by religion within practical dimensions (Strozier, et al., 55).
The risks of idealizing major religions of the world such as Buddhism, Islam, Judaism or Christianity undermine the beneficial practices and actions as devotees tend to elevate their ancestors, pastors, rabbis and priests. Moreover, they change them into more astute, more sacred, more divine and brighter versions of beings (Juergensmeyer, Kitts, and Jerryson, 23). Similarly, elevation of religious leaders acts as a guarantee that the religion they belong is strong and powerful. Due to this fact, religious idealization contributes to visionless fundamentalism (Strozier, et al., 60). Therefore, people should avoid certain teachings, actions and beliefs that are likely to turn them into religious fanaticism.
Conclusion
Religious idealization is one of the most common causes of intolerable actions such as terrorism, anti-abortion and anti-homosexuality in the society. In addition, it contributes to intolerance, hostility and damaging actions in the society. The film Jesus Camp depicts a society that abuses the role of religion because it teaches children on discrimination. These are instances of unhealthy idealization (Paloutzian and Park eds., 50). In addition, it encourages children to fight those who are opposed to their religion. In the case of “last Night Instruction”, Islamic extremists use teaching in the Quran to justify, plan and execute 9-11 terrorist attack. Jones argues that religious leaders forces devotees to be submissive and persuades them to be the only authority and access to right ways. Similarly, fanatical people tend to segregate the society into evil vs. good, and darkness vs. light sides but ensure that they belong to appropriate side while their enemies are in the wrong sides (Merenlahti, 23). Therefore, Jones proposes that realism should be integrated in religion, which would help devotees to acknowledge their limitations.
Work cited
Ewing, Heidi and Rachel Grady. “Brainwashing Children: A Camp Jesus Documentary(2006)”. YouTube. N.p., 2016. Web. 9 July 2016.
Juergensmeyer, Mark, Margo Kitts, and Michael Jerryson. The Oxford handbook of religion and violence. Oxford University Press, 2013.
Merenlahti, Petri. A Smaller God: On the Divinely Human Nature of Biblical Literature. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2014.
Paloutzian, Raymond F., and Crystal L. Park, eds. Handbook of the psychology of religion and spirituality. Guilford Publications, 2014.
PBS – Frontline,. “Personal Stories – Instructions For The Last Night | Inside The Terror Network | FRONTLINE | PBS”. Pbs.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 9 July 2016.
Shaw, Daniel. “The Dark Side Of Enlightenment, Elan Vital, Maharaji, Cult”. Ex-premie.org. N.p., 2010. Web. 9 July 2016.
Strozier, Charles B., et al. The fundamentalist mindset: Psychological perspectives on religion, violence, and history. Oxford University Press on Demand, 2010.