Comments on: Wars on Children

By: Thorn Coyle

Thorn Coyle — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 00:42:25 +0000

Good post, Anne.

I wrote this http://yezida.livejournal.com/100106.html after seeing Jesus Camp in October. Hadn’t thought of the Indigo children – I guess I’m lucky enough to not be around those folks.

When I saw it, I said, “there was only one person in it who seemed evil”. Turned out to be Ted Haggard. Sheesh.

I closed the post with this:
“And I want to promise children that, while I may suggest ways in which to live that are ethical, and while I may share some of my beliefs with you, I will never, ever, manipulate you into belief. I will never ask you to give over yourself before your self is even formed. As a matter of fact, I will never ask you to give over your self at all, but will attempt to teach you autonomy, power from within, and power shared with others.”

By: ms flowers

ms flowers — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 10:26:53 +0000

I agree about the need to create a democratic world for the future generations.
For some reason your post reminded me of the poetry in stars truth or dare..the old woman remembering when it was safe to run naked in the woods etc (must reread it when I get home)…guess i felt that would be nicer then the pressure of having to be indigo children……
love and struggle! ann

By: Grian

Grian — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 23:23:49 +0000

I couldn’t agree with you more on all of your well written thoughts. I watched this movie yesterday and will be posting my thoughts on it this evening. I’ll be linking to your post as well.

By: Moonroot

Moonroot — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 12:23:08 +0000

Very well said, Anne – about both Jesus Camp, Indigo children and the rest.

By: Cosette

Cosette — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 07:00:39 +0000

I saw the documentary a while ago and was disturbed and saddened by it, but the thing is that belief in God (and religion in general) is not separate from the way this country is run. In theory it is, but in practice it’s not. Politicians don’t get very far without using religious rhetoric, a candidate’s religious affiliation is always questioned, and ‘morals’ are important in any campaign. The families that send their children to Jesus Camp understand that.

By: vs-f

vs-f — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 01:08:19 +0000

Anne, I’m glad you raised the “indigo child” stuff. Every time I hear someone in our community spouting indigo-child rhetoric, I can’t decide whether I want to shudder or just plain barf. The self-indulgence of it all annoys me something fierce, and I’ve seen parents justify their kids’ really bad behavior–and the parents’ non-intervention–on the grounds that these are indigo children and they need to be unfettered. As we Norwegians say, uff da!

By: Reya Mellicker

Reya Mellicker — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 22:21:00 +0000

The things people do to their children. Wow. It’s a wonder things aren’t worse than they are. It was a scary movie I walked out of halfway through. Jesus.

By: Hadar

Hadar — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 06:36:39 +0000

I really liked this entry, Anne. Here in Israel I see people from both sides of the political divide shamelessly indoctrinating and exploiting children in political activities, and it makes me very concerned.

By: Jonah

Jonah — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 18:31:02 +0000

I think you are spot on, here. I haven’t seen Jesus Camp yet (but I will), but I don’t need to in order to know what kind of emotional and psychological damage this type of training can have on kids.

I was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness. They are a very evangelical Christian sect, though not as overt as many. They have no segregation in teaching for children vs. adults. I sat in the same meetings as the adults, learned the same things, started training in public speaking and evangelism at age five. The control they employ is not so over the top, but it is subtly and deeply invasive, controlling every aspect in the life of a devout member.

When you grow up a little and begin to realize that you simply cannot live up to it all, it can destroy your world, your family, and your life. JW’s aren’t likely to set up a theocracy any time soon, but I can only imagine what I would be like today if that had been their goal. I still fight occasional delusions of exaggerated importance, and the “chosen one” mentality they placed on me. Now I’ve learned that I am a piece of whatever the puzzle will turn out to be – not a mouthpiece of God.