Carolyn and I saw Shortbus a few days ago, and Jesus Camp not long before that; what a double feature...

Two groups that seem to think they've found the keys to happiness, to nirvana, to social and spiritual fulfillment. One does so by a radical devotion to Christianity, the other by a devotion to a radical sexuality. Each is outside the mainstream, each amusing when viewed from the outside.

But only one is scary: the radical fundamentalists in Jesus Camp see their life's work to change the world, willing or not, avowing activist if not violent proselytizing. The adherents of radical sexuality attempt to convert by example, by putting on a happy face, by showing the bliss they believe comes from their enlightenment.

Jesus Camp feels a bit weak for being neutral. The model follows one familiar to all media portrayals of arguments between liberal and conservative: on the conservative side charismatic prize fighters on an Evangelical roll; on the liberal side wheezy, halting intellectuals monotoning a nasal appeal to reason. It is no surprise Becky Fisher sees it as an excellent recruiting tool. Children are sure to be impressed by and somewhat attracted to the enthusiasm and devotion expressed by the brainwashed kids in the movie. Nobody will be impressed or convinced by the neo-Unitarian liberal radio personality's emotionless commentary.

Shortbus feels a little weak in the end for the uniformly happy endings everyone achieves in the final climactic windup. It comes off as a bit too glib and a bit too obvious. It is remarkable and valuable that the fornicators were not punished, for once, for the sin of enjoying sex. Even women were allowed to enjoy sex escape repentance, punishment, or damnation; something we learned in "This Film Is Not Yet Rated" the resident priests on the MPAA find an abhorrent offense to decency.