What comes to mind when I write “Vacation Bible School”?
I asked a few atheist friends and the word “brainwashing” came up more than once. I was hesitant about using that word myself because it’s not like the counselors know they’re feeding fairy tales to the children. They believe the nonsense and they’re just passing it along. They don’t know any better.
I never experienced VBS myself, but after I read this story, I think my friends may have been right…:
Every child participating in this program received a call from God Wednesday as they took part in games, music and crafts all this week at the church’s vacation bible school.
…
“He told me to fish for people,” 8-year-old Noelle Nunes said, “and tell everyone about him.”
“He told me to follow in his footsteps,” 7-year-old Jack Dubois said. “The phone call really surprised me. He didn’t say an awful lot, he just told me to follow him.”
*facepalm*
Hey kids, God didn’t call you. The adults lied to you. Go star-69 that number, trace it back to your counselor’s office, and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
(And why is reporter Kendra Leigh Miller writing that as if it actually happened?)
I know the Christian media often likes to demonize Camp Quest, but at least the atheist counselors there don’t sit around plotting ways to lie to the campers.
These VBS counselors knew exactly what they were doing when they made the phone calls (or coordinated them with someone else).
It’s not cute or playful. It’s despicable.
(Thanks to William for the link)