Caught On Tape: Horrible Abuse, Coercion At Church Youth Camp

Sometimes, extreme examples of religions cross over into child abuse when they incorporate forced indoctrination into their activities, and it is no different at Rose of Sharon Summer Camp. A video was uncovered by Awkward Moments Children’s Bible on Facebook that shows what many perceive to be child abuse.

The video, which was originally shared publicly by a counselor on Rose of Sharon’s own page, was removed from Facebook, and the summer camp’s Facebook page was quickly hidden from the public eye after concerned individuals saw the horrific emotional and mental abuse children were suffering at the hands of adults at the camp in their efforts to show a sufficient amount of reverence for the bearded sky djinn they are expected to worship.

Since it was preserved by Awkward Moments, the video has been taken down numerous times, thanks to reports from the summer camp’s administration. Currently, it is on LiveLeak, where it is described as “the blatant manipulation, coercion and emotional abuse of minors.”

Counselors from the camp and supporters  visited Awkward Moments in an effort to defend their actions–including Nita, the counselor who originally posted the video:

One commenter, a parent of a child in attendance at the camp, was horrified by the video: “My daughter was at camp when the pictures were taken last week. I am a Christian and raised Baptist. Never once did I EVER witness the likes of this! Pictures of my daughter were also posted on the woman’s page. Pictures of her crying and in very apparent emotional distress. When asked about the pictures of her, her response was that she was TOLD to pray with the other children, so she did. I asked why she was crying and she responded with, “Other kids were crying, it made me cry too.” So, please explain to be how children who are ENCOURAGED TO COPY what they are seeing other adults and children do without rhyme or reason or instruction is healthy? You cant. And when it ISN’T healthy, it becomes a form of abuse. Period. Emotional abuse has occurred that could scar these children for life.”

Yes, there are many wonderful aspects of Christianity. Despite the numerous atrocities committed in the name of God, all religions have contributed something positive to the world. However, at some point we need to look to the treatment of these children and other horrors like the existence of “purity balls,” where little girls pledge their hymens to their fathers in awedding-like ceremony until they are given over to their dominant husband-masters.

Here’s a hint for Christians: don’t forcibly indoctrinate children, and stick to the stuff Jesus told you. Then, you’ll stop making it difficult for actual Christians to be taken seriously. Deal?