Atheist Camp.
I recent came across this video on ConversantLife.com via one of their columnists, Sean McDowell (yes, he does share DNA with Josh McDowell, the man that wrote Evidence That Demands a verdict and More than a Carpender, which are both good books. Dear reader, please do not get confused and think that Josh McDowell is the same person who wrote I Kissed Dating Goodbye. The credit for ruining an entire generation of Christian daters has to go to Joshua Harris. McDowell does NOT equal Harris. I know, it is easy to do).
I’m not completely sure how this video hits me. My first instinct is to be sad. I’m not sure if its just because Atheist Camp doesn’t have the same ring as “Vacation Bible School” where kids hear felt-board stories about a huge God who loves them and wants to be buddies. In comparison, having a camp where children learn that there is no God seems…well, bleak.
I do think it’s interesting that the camp does focus on philosophy, morals, and making good founded decisions, apart from God. I find it interesting to derive morality and standards of being a “good person” aside from God. Granted it’s not the first time that I’ve heard it, it just hit me funny this time. I do believe that people that don’t believe in God can be great thinkers, philosophers and people. And I do like the idea of atheist kids not getting left out of the summer camp experience.
But, I can’t shake a feeling of sadness. Maybe that’s not PC. Maybe that makes me a close minded person to be sad for these kids. What do you think? Atheist Camp? How does that sit with you?
The only reason I can think that you’d be sad about this is that you’re religious. I, personally, would love to send my children (if I had any) to a summer camp that wouldn’t try to force a religious view I disagree with down my children’s throats.
It’s not like the camp doesn’t give anything. Instead of Bible reading, they could be read fairy tales, philosophy, or even the latest pop-culture book (Harry Potter is a gret children’s series). Instead of being given Jesus, Moses, Mohammad (peace be upon him), etc at religious camps, they are given great thinkers like Einstein.
Instead of thinking of it as “Atheist Camp”, think of it as “Science/Philosophy Camp”. It’s not a different product, it’s a different flavor of the same product.
Not a real big deal, but Josh McDowell was not the guy who wrote, “I kissed dating good-bye.” That was written by Josh Harris. McDowell books that are very well known are A Ready Defense and Evidence That Demands A Verdict.
I don’t know how I feel about this, except after watching the video I definitely walked away from it unsettled. I like the idea of teaching kids “how to think, rather than what to think,” but I really see no point to calling it an Atheist Camp. I didn’t hear any dialogue in that video talking about God either way — it was all philosophy and debate. Why can’t that coexist in a discussion about God, too? Why can’t we teach kids how to think about religion — either for or against it — rather than what to think about God, as well?
Dear Jenni,
Please learn to fact check. McDowell does NOT = Harris. Thanks for the clarification CB. Nothing like making a bold and incorrect statement in front of all of your readers.
Oopsies.
-Jenni Brown