The amount of abuse and torment children suffer in the name of religion never ceases to amaze (and disgust) me. And the worst part is, there's so much more of that abuse going on at this very moment than most of us know. Perfect example: Escuela Caribe, a military-style "discipline camp" in the Dominican Republic for "troubled" American teens.
Troubled teens with evangelical Christian parents, that is. Who consider something like being gay a "discipline problem" severe enough to pay goons from a "therapeutic boarding school" to literally wake their kid up in the middle of the night, drag them out of their homes (kicking and screaming, usually), and "transport" them to another country.
Sounds a lot like kidnapping, right? That's what the filmmakers behind documentary-in-progress Kidnapped for Christ think, too.
Yes, this really happens to real kids -- and their stories are heartbreaking. One of the most powerful accounts is given by a baby-faced boy named David who talks about his "transporters" tying a belt around his waist and using it to haul him to their car.
Why would an 18-year-old straight-A student be treated like a prisoner of war?
"I got sent down here because I'm gay and my parents just aren't okay with that," says David.
David's parents didn't offer any explanation for his disappearance to his friends, who of course were scared out of their minds with worry -- until David managed to slip a letter to one of the documentary filmmakers. See, "students" at Escuela Caribe aren't allowed to communicate with anyone on the outside, which makes a hell of a lot of sense when you see what goes on at the so-called school:
It's enough to make you sick, right? As a mom, I can't wrap my head around what parents who send their kids here are thinking. Are they completely brainwashed? Terrified of what people at church would say about their gay son?
Are they freaking insane??
Honestly, I feel like someone would have to be crazy to do this to a kid -- and even pleading insanity wouldn't get them off the hook as far as I'm concerned.
As for how these parents should pay for their sins, I think a biblically-inspired punishment is appropriate (Old Testament-style, oh yeah!): An eye for an eye.
Have fun at "therapeutic boarding school," Mom and Dad!
Do you think parents who send their kids to places like Escuela Caribe realize the harm they're doing?
Image via KidnappedforChrist/YouTube
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Comments 54
just a thought but since he is 18 and his friends don't know where he is couldnt they file a missing person report and if someone whitnessed him being taken couldnt they call the cops. He is 18 if he didnt want to go its kidnapping unless his parents are his legal gaurdians for life but it doesnt sound like they are.
@Coffeluva,no religion was not brought into this to paint ALL Christians in a bad light.These are the extreme Hard-right Evangelical Lunatic Fringe that is trying like hell to overtake ALL Christianity as well as this Country&try&make people believe there is a "War On religion" against Christians,when truthfully,the only REAL War is the ones these wackos are waging aginst everyone else with some sanity&reason,INCLUDING other Christians.It's time for Mainstream(that's the only word I can think of for it,so please don't take it as a slam)Christianity to come out in full force&denouce these"Evangelicals" publicly.As long as The majority of Christians who aren't this way stay silent about it,the more people will take that Silence to mean it is accepted&approved.These sickos didn't need anyone to paint THEIR version of "Christianity"in a bad light,their actions&words do that all on their own.It's time these kinds of people were stopped,before they get into power more than they already are.These kids should press charges on them&NOT back down(their parents obviously already hate them,so it wouldn't be any different),until they get the idea that this type of behavior is NOT ok.Kidnapping is not a protected part of the "Freedom of Reigion" here.It's a crime&should be treated as such.
*bangs head against wall*
I don't understand how this is legal......
The people who do this sort of thing is more likely to be in a cult christian group.
They don't believe they are doing harm. They believe they are doing what God wants them to do. I don't believe this is what He wants them to do. Their actions are not in accordance with the teachings of JC.
Nativesquared, are you writing from a rubber room? Every comment you type reads like a manifesto, what with the lack of spacing and random capitalizing of words. Visual torture.
Anyway - that video is really heartbreaking. Also, I agree that it's not right to characterize ALL Evangelical Christians as hateful people who want to torture gay kids. Stupidity and ignorance is an equal opportunity affliction, easily found in every religious and non-religious demographic in the country.
I keep seeing people say..."this isn't Christianity" or "A true Christian would never do this" and "these are extremists"!! WHAT???? Christians have been doing this shit for DECADES!! It IS Christianity! I find this sooooooo disturbing. It makes me sick!
Christianity in America is becoming a damned cult. I have some good friends who have been taken in by this crap - but OMG, if I ever heard of ANY of them treating their kids like this, you better believe this Agnostic momma would unleash some biblical whoopass on them.
Oh, and for previous posters, being GAY is NOT A CHOICE. I'm sure some of the other behavioral "problems" that got these poor kids sent here also had biological or other natural causes. You know what IS a CHOICE? To be an unbalanced Christian lunatic.
Im a little confused that when ever there is some type of Religious bashing it almost always against Christians on this site why is that??? Cause im sure that Christianity isnt the only Religion out there that has done evil things in this world. Why dont we point out what other religions do as well and quit trying to make all Christians look bad.