Sometimes I wonder if it is even possible to raise children of faith in this culture? I speak primarily of my own faith, Christianity, but I imagine it isn't any easier for Jewish parents here in the States. I'm sure there are geographical pockets where one would find the task easier than I do in my corner of the ol' USA. I know there are communities in which one faith group is so concentrated that it must feel somewhat less challenging to pass along your faith traditions, values and beliefs. Maybe. I don't know.
I live in a highly secularized area of the country. We are, in fact, statistically one of the most "unchurched" populations in the nation. We have plenty of zealots in our area, they just tend to be fanatical about things like politics, the environment, or public transportation. Even within our communities of faith it can be hard to determine who is there primarily out of a sense of tradition/obligation, and who is there because of deeply held spiritual beliefs. To be a Christian, an open, practicing Christian, is an act of defiance against the majority in this city. Or, at least it feels that way at times.
Big J loves skateboarding. He also loves watching skateboard videos on Youtu.be. Our computer is in a central location of the house and his Yo.utube account goes through my email so I have full access to his viewing habits and any communications he might receive via that medium. Therefore, under our watchful eye, we allow him his You.tube.
This morning I received an YT email notifying J of some new videos posted by some of his favorite skateboarders. Normally I scan these emails quickly, make sure they appear on the up and up, and then delete. But this morning the title of one of the videos caught my eye. It referenced the name of the summer camp Big J has attended every summer since he was in the 4th grade. This camp is his favorite because it has a large, covered skate park and thus offers skateboarding as one of its many activity options. J has loved that camp every single summer he has attended and always comes home beaming and excited and talking about how he wants to be a counselor there someday. Let's call the camp, Camp Skate.
One of the videos listed in my email today was titled, "Camp Skate Sucks."
Camp Skate is a Christian camp. It is a very open, honest Christian camp. It does not pretend to be otherwise and it is clear in every piece of PR they put out that they are a Christian camp. What this means for the kids is that they pray before meals, sing a few God-songs at campfire, and pray with their counselors before bed. That's about it. Other than that, it is a camp with swimming, and crafts, and archery, and moto-x, and skateboarding etc.. etc.. etc... As I said before, Big J has loved it.
During the non-summer months, Camp Skate opens the skatepark during certain hours for kids to come and skateboard for a small fee. They are still quite clear that they are a Christian organization and they consider this part of their ministry. I believe at the end of the session they ask the kids to gather together and they say a short group prayer and then send them on their way. Again, they make no secret of who they are and what they are about.
I checked out this video "Camp Skate Sucks" and while the video itself wasn't too bad, the comments from the boys who attended one of these sessions made my heart sink. They claim to have been unaware it was a Christian skatepark. I don't know how they missed that one. I have never seen a piece of advertising or PR for this camp that wasn't very forthright about their affiliation and intentions. They claim that all they heard was that there would be free Gatorade and so they decided to go.
Their comments weren't surprising to me. I know that not very many kids these days view religious beliefs and practices in a positive light. What was upsetting to me was thinking about how Big J might feel if he should read their comments. The boys were clearly very annoyed and disgusted by the Christian affiliation. One of the comments read, "it is a Christian skatepark-sooooo g.ay!!!" Which is an offensive comment on so many levels.
The part that really bothered me though, on behalf of my son, was their very clear insinuation that anyone who would regularly skate at this skatepark, or profess themselves to be a Christian, is not only idiotic, but not a true skateboarder. In fact, one of them wrote that he thought it was "weird" that any kid would go to this skatepark by choice. A Christian who skateboards? Obviously you would have to be completely and totally lame.
I don't know if Big J will see this video or not and I am torn about whether or not to say anything to him about it. You have to remember, he is our kid who is never enthusiastic about any conversation that might get deep and real. I'm not even sure I could get him to talk about this or admit to having seen it even if I tried. But I do wonder how he feels about these kinds of comments and attitudes. I wonder if he shrugs them off or if they get into his psyche and make him doubt who we are and everything he has been taught? I wonder if it will make him self-conscious about the camp he attends, or telling other skateboarders the name of his school (a Christian school)? Just how much courage and self-awareness can we expect from a 14 year old boy?
It makes me wonder. It makes me worry. It makes me sad.
