Mat Staver
With a ruling on Marriage Equality by the United States Supreme Court looming, Christian Right activst across the nation are promising great reprisals should the Court rule aganst them. Over 160 leaders of the Christian Right have joined with Liberty Counsel’s Mat Staver to put the Court on notice promising nothing less than revolution.
The list of anti-gay crusaders is impressive, indeed. Rallying around the idea that “this is the line we must draw and one we cannot and will not cross,” they are essentially attempting to take the Supreme Court hostage under the threat of Civil War. In actuality, this might just be the litmus test required to see just how far into the Christian dogma the ties of the SCOTUS go, and to test the mettle of the bullies on the far right.
Not that we wish to see this country torn apart over religious bigotry, but for way too long these Christian nationalists have been running their mouth and their agenda rough-shod over the American people. In an all out effort to convince our governmental entities that these zealots speak for all of us, this group of fanatics has been behind the war on women, the war on gays, the war on the poor, infirm, and underprivleged, the war on everyone non-white, and non-Christian all in the name of God.
Mat Staver and Deaon Keith Fournier issued the following statement which they entitled “The Marriage Solidarity Statement:
We Stand in Solidarity to Defend Marriage
and the Family and Society Founded Upon Them
We stand together as Christians in defense of marriage and the family and society founded upon them. While we come from a variety of communities and hold differing faith perspectives, we are united in our common faith in Jesus Christ.
We acknowledge that differences exist between us on important matters of religious doctrine and practice. But, on the matter of marriage, we stand in solidarity. As a nation, we have lost our moral compass. As a result, we are losing true freedom. We affirm together that there is a moral basis to a free society. Though we live in a secular society, together we reject relativism and secularism.
We affirm that marriage and family have been inscribed by the Divine Architect into the order of creation. Marriage is ontologically between one man and one woman, ordered toward the union of the spouses, open to children and formative of family. Family is the first vital cell of society; the first church, first school, first hospital, first economy, first government and first mediating institution of our social order. The future of a free and healthy society passes through marriage and the family.
Marriage as existing solely between one man and one woman was not an idea manufactured by the Christian Church. It precedes Christianity. Though affirmed, fulfilled, and elevated by Christian teaching, the truth that marriage can exist only between one man and one woman is not based on religion or revelation alone, but on the Natural Moral Law, written on the human heart and discernible through the exercise of reason.
This claim of the existence of such a Natural Moral Law is the ground upon which every great civilization has been built. It is the source of every authentic human and civil rights movement. This Natural Moral Law gives us the norms we need to build truly human and humane societies and govern ourselves. It should also inform our positive law or we will become lawless and devolve into anarchy.
Marriage is the preeminent and the most fundamental of all human social institutions. Civil institutions do not create marriage nor can they manufacture a right to marry for those who are incapable of marriage. In the words of the first book of the Bible, we read: “it is not good for man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18) Society begins with marriage and the family.
Like many other concerned Americans, we await the opinion of the Supreme Court of the United States on two cases which open up the possibility that the institution of marriage will be further 2
undermined by a judicial opinion. We pledge to stand together to defend marriage as what it is, a bond between one man and one woman, intended for life, and open to the gift of children.
The institutions of civil government should defend marriage and not seek to undermine it. Government has long regulated marriage for the true common good. Examples, such as the age of consent, demonstrate such a proper regulation to ensure the free and voluntary basis of the marriage bond. Redefining the very institution of marriage is improper and outside the authority of the State. The Supreme Court has no authority to redefine marriage.
If the Supreme Court becomes the tool by which marriage is redefined in the positive law of this nation, the precedent established will leave no room for any limitation on what can constitute such a redefined notion of marriage. Conferring a moral and legal equivalency to same-sex couples by legislative or judicial fiat also sends the message that children do not need a mother and a father. It undermines their fundamental rights and threatens their security, stability, and future.
As Christian citizens united together, we will not stand by while the destruction of the institution of marriage unfolds in this nation we love. The Sacred Scriptures and unbroken teaching of the Church confirm that marriage is between one man and one woman. We stand together in solidarity to defend marriage and the family and society founded upon them. The effort to redefine marriage threatens the proper mediating role of the Church in society.
Experience and history have shown us that if the government redefines marriage to grant a legal equivalency to same-sex couples, that same government will then enforce such an action with the police power of the State. This will bring about an inevitable collision with religious freedom and conscience rights. We cannot and will not allow this to occur on our watch. Religious freedom is the first freedom in the American experiment for good reason.
Finally, the Supreme Court has no authority to redefine marriage and thereby weaken both the family and society. Unlike the Legislative Branch that has the power of the purse and the Executive Branch which has the figurative power of the sword, the Judicial Branch has neither. It must depend upon the Executive Branch for the enforcement of its decisions.
As the Supreme Court acknowledged in the 1992 decision of Planned Parenthood v. Casey, its power rests solely upon the legitimacy of its decisions in the eyes of the people. If the Supreme Court were to issue a decision that redefined marriage or provided a precedent on which to build
an argument to redefine marriage, the Supreme Court will thereby undermine its legitimacy. The Court will significantly decrease its credibility and impair the role it has assumed for itself as a moral authority. It will be acting beyond its proper constitutional role and contrary to the Natural Moral Law which transcends religions, culture, and time.
As Christians united together in defense of marriage, we pray that this will not happen. But, make no mistake about our resolve. While there are many things we can endure, redefining marriage is so fundamental to the natural order and the true common good that this is the line we must draw and one we cannot and will not cross.
They then put out the call to all of the Christian ant-gay activists to sign this statement – this is the result, so far.
Mathew Staver, Chairman,Liberty Counsel Action, Co-drafter
Deacon Keith Fournier, Common Good Alliance,Catholic Online, Co-drafter
Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
Fr. Paul CB Schenck, MA, EdD, National Representative, Catholics United for Life
Hon. Kenneth Blackwell, Constitutional Congress, Fmr. U.S. Ambassador to United Nations on Human Rights
Anita Staver, President, Liberty Counsel
James Robison, LIFE Outreach International
Fr. Randolph W. Sly, Common Good Foundation
Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life, President, National Pro-Life Religious Council
Rev. Johannes L. Jacobse, American Orthodox Institute
Benjamin S. Carson, M.D., World-renowned pediatric neurosurgeon
Tony Perkins, President, Family Research Council
James C. Dobson, Ph.D., President and Founder, Family Talk Action
William G Boykin, LTG(R) US Army, President, Kingdom Warriors Ministries
Dr. Erwin Lutzer, Moody Church – Chicago, IL
Colin A Hanna, President, Let Freedom Ring
Dr. Ché Ahn, Senior Pastor, HROCK Church, Pasadena, CA, President, Harvest International Ministry, International Chancellor, Wagner Leadership Institute
Carlos Campo, Ph. D., President, Regent University
Dr. Richard Land, President, Southern Evangelical Seminary
Dr. Paige Patterson, President, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Ron Luce, Founder, Teen Mania
Bill Donohue, President, Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights
Betty Robison,Co-Host, LIFE Today Television
Dr. Jack W. Hayford, Chancellor The King’s University—Dallas/Los Angeles
Rick Joyner, President, The Oak Initiative
Rick Scarborough, President, Vision America Action
Dr. Carl Herbster, President, Advance USA
Dr. Alveda C. King, President, Alveda King Ministries
Star Parker, President, CURE
Ruth Graham, President, Ruth Graham Ministries
Tim Clinton, President, American Association of Christian Counselors
Dr. Keith Wiebe, President, American Association of Christian Schools
Bill Johnson, President, American Decency Association
Don Wildmon, Founder/Chairman Emeritus American Family Association
Tim Wildmon, President American Family Association
Nancy Schulze, Co-Founder, American Prayer Initiative
Gary L. Bauer, President, American Values
Tom Hoefling, Chairman, America’s Party
Dr. Kenneth Hutcherson, Senior Pastor, Antioch Bible Church
Andrew Wommack, Andrew Wommack Ministries, Inc.
Dr. Sergio Navarrete, Superintendent, A/G – Southern Pacific District
Eleazar Rodriguez, Jr, A/G – Texas Louisiana Hispanic District
Pastor Juan Eliel Garcia, Auditorio de la Fe – La Nueva FM 88.3FM
Al Kresta, President and CEO, Ave Maria Radio
Sue Ek, Executive Director, BOMA-USA
Stanley Jeter, Sr. Producer, CBN News, President, ComunicadoresUSA
Rev. Dan E. Collis, Pastor Bell Shoals Baptist Church – Apollo Beach
John Martin, Senior Adult Pastor, Bell Shoals Baptist Church – Apollo Beach
Dr. Jeffrey Meyer, Exec. Pastor, Bell Shoals Baptist Church
Dr. Stephen Rummage, Sr. Pastor, Bell Shoals Baptist Church
George & Sandra Thomasson, Pastor Bell Shoals Baptist Church – Apollo Beach
Dr. Mike Spaulding, Calvary Chapel of Lima, OH
Steve Strang, Founder & CEO, Charisma Media
Matt Smith, President, Catholic Advocate
Sue Trombino, Founder, Women Impacting the Nation
Bishop Harry R. Jackson, Jr., President, High Impact Leadership Coalition
Daniel Hite, Pastor, Christian Family Fellowship
Carlos S. Morán, Ed.D., Dir.of Hispanic Ministries Church of God International, Cleveland, TN
Bishop Juan A. Garcia, Admin. Bishop, Church of God Northeast Spanish Region
Michael A. Montelongo, Former Mayor, City of Sanger, CA
Michael L. Brown, Ph.D., Director, Coalition of Conscience
Terry Kemple, President, Community Issues Council
Penny Nance, CEO and President, Concerned Women for America
Robert Gittelson, President Conservatives for Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Rick Ryan, Director, Convoy of Hope
Nathan Blackwell, Senior Pastor, Cornerstone Family Church – St. Cloud, FL
The Most Reverend Rene Henry Gracida, Bishop Emeritus, Corpus Christi – Corpus Christi, Texas
Dr. Tom Mullins, Founding Pastor, Christ Fellowship
Amelia Den Hartog, MS., PLMHP, Christ for the City International
Marcus Lamb. Daystar Television Network
Rev. Rick Stevens, Pastor, Diplomat Wesleyan Church, Cape Coral, FL
Shannon M. Jones, President, CatechismClass.com
M. Daniel Carroll R. (Rodas), PhD, Distinguished Professor of Old Testament
Denver Seminary, Jay. W. Richards, PhD, Senior Fellow, Discovery Institute
George and Terri Pearsons, Pastors, Eagle Mountain International Church
Andrew Haines, Editor, Ethika Politika
Gary Marx, E. D., Faith and Freedom Coalition
Ralph Reed, Chairman, Faith and Freedom Coalition
Stephen Broden, Sr. Pastor, Fair Park Bible Fellowship, Pres., Constitutional Defenders of Texas
Rev. Louise Yakubisin, Assoc. Pastor, Faith Christian Fellowship Church Newton, Ohio
Rev. Gary Cristofaro, Senior Pastor, First Assembly of God, Melbourne FL
Dr. Robert Jeffress, Pastor, First Baptist Church Dallas, TX
Dr. Richard Lee, Founding Pastor, First Redeemer Church – Alpharetta, GA
Pat Andrews, President, Florida Eagle Forum
John Stemberger, President, Florida Family Policy Council
Norman Blanton, Pastor, Foursquare Church
Colonel (AL) John Eidsmoe, Senior Counsel and Resident Scholar Foundation for Moral Law
Patrick Lee, Director of Institute of Bioethics, Franciscan University of Steubeniville
Dr. Lloyd Stilley, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church Gulf Shores, AL
John Meador, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church Euless, TX
Don Worden, Pastor of Church Administration and Missions, First Baptist Church of Pompano Beach Florida
Steve Dulin, Elder, Gateway Church
Robert Morris, Senior Pastor, Gateway Church
Bill Gattis, retired Vice Pres., Exxon Mobil
Dr. Cindy & Mike Jacobs, Co-Founders, Generals International
Michael Cordeiro, Deacon Grace and Truth Family Baptist Church
Nathaniel & Veronica Dixon, Pastors, Grandview Church – Dunnellon, FL
Dr. Robert W. Roach, Pastor, Haven of Hope of St. Lucie County
Mark Andrews, President, Heartland Research Corporation
Ronald L. Drumm, Pastor Henderson Blvd Church of Christ
Dr. Carl Herbster, President, Center to Advance the USA
Patricia Sullivan, Women Impacting the Nation
Dr. Travis Smith, Sr. Pastor, Hillsdale Baptist Church
Jesse Rincones, Executive Director, Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas
Michael P. Donnelly, HSLDA Attorney, Home School Legal Defense Association
Rev. Nilo Ayala, Senior Pastor, Iglesia De Dios De Auburn
Rev. Carlos Quintero Iglesia Harvest Rock Hispana Unidad Los Angeles
David E. Smith, Executive Director, Illinois Family Institute
Pasqual Urrabazo Jr., Associate Pastor, International Church of Las Vegas
Frank Lopez, Sr. Pastor, Jesus Worship Center
Phillip L. Jauregui, President, Judicial Action Group
Eugene J. Zurlo, KCHS Radio
Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Founder and Co-Founder, Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Rev. Jesten F. Peters, President/Minister, Keys of Authority Ministries, Inc.
Steve Smothermon, Pastor, Legacy Church – Albuquerque,NM
Dean Shawn Akers, Liberty University, Helms School of Government
Yuri Mantilla, Ph.D., Dir. of Global Initiatives, Liberty University School of Law
Judith Gelernter Reisman, Ph.D., Visiting Professor of Law, Liberty University School of Law
Dr. Johnny M. Hunter, DD, National Director, Life, Education and Resource Networks
Gene Mills, President, Louisiana Family Forum
Dr. María M. Hermida, President, Magda Hermida Ministries
Rev. Yolandita Colon, Exec.Justice Pastor, Maranatha Minneapolis Church, Minnesota Chapter Director of NHCLC
Jimmy Evans, Founder and CEO, MarriageToday
Linda Harvey, Host Mission America
Patrick A. Trueman, President, CEO, Morality in Media
Steven Frakes, Pastor, Mount Zion Bible Church – Pensacola, FL
Jeff Pollard, Pastor, Mount Zion Bible Church – Pensacola, FL
Ted Baehr, Movie Guide
Rev. Lydia Gonzalez-D’Ross, Oklahoma City Chapter Director, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
Rev. Eve Nunez, V.P. of Networking, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
Steve Noble, Host, Called2Action Today
Pastor Carlos Ortiz, V.P. Southeast Region, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
Gene Pierce, Executive Director, Ohio Faith & Freedom Coalition
Dr. Steve Kern, Senior Pastor, Olivet Baptist Church – Oklahoma City, OK, Candidate Oklahoma Senate District 40
Jacob Aranza, Senior Pastor, Our Savior’s Church-Broussard, LA
Jim Garlow, Founding Director, Pastors Rapid Response Team
Bud Hansen, Jr.,Secretary, Papal Foundation
Janet Parshall, Nationally Syndicated Talk Show Host
Joy Allen, Advisory Board, Pennsylvania Catholics Network
Deal W. Hudson, President, Pennsylvania Catholics Network
Ted Meehan, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Catholics Network
John & Patsy Radcliffe, Advisory Board, Pennsylvania Catholics Network
Raymond Rivera Martinez, Presidente, La Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal MI a nivel mundial
Daniel A. Rodriguez, PhD, Professor of Religion and Hispanic Studies, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA
Sonja Corbitt, Founder, PursuingtheSummit.com
Dr. Moses Mercedes, President, Radio Amor and NHCLC Board Member
Rev. Paul Blair, Reclaiming America for Christ
Barbara B.Henkels, Co-Founder, Regina Academies, Philadelphia
William J. Murray, Chairman, Religious Freedom Coalition
Matt C. Abbott, RenewAmerica.com
Stephen Stone, President, RenewAmerica
Rev. Paul Blair, Renewing America for Christ
Richard Wilson, Pastor Revival Outreach Center
Rev. Dale M. Glading, President, Risk Takers for Christ, Inc.
Dave Roever, Vietnam veteran, Founder & President Roever Foundation
Tony Calatayud, National Director Salem Espanol
Dran Reese, Salt and Light Council
Jose L. González, President, Semilla
Chris J. Montelongo, Administrator
Tabernacle of Praise Christian Center, Board of Directors, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
Daniel de Leon, Senior Pastor, Templo Calvario Church
Erwin Guevara, Pastor, Victory Christian Center – Boca Raton
Dave Welch, Exec. Dir., TX Pastor Council
Dr. Gary M. Benedict, President, The Christian and Missionary Alliance
Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt, PhD, Founder, The Pray In Jesus Name Project
Rev. Andrew S. Doan, Sr. Pastor, The Solid Rock Church – Winter Haven, FL
Timothy F. Johnson, Ph.D., Founder/ President, The Frederick Douglass Foundation
Fmr Vice Chairman, NC Republican Party
Steven W. Fitschen, President, The National Legal Foundation, Velasquez Group Productions
Rev. Michael and Rev. Jennifer Derrick The River of WNY
Dr. Tony Evans, The Urban Alternative
Morton Blackwell, Chairman, The Weyrich Lunch
Father James F. Kauffmann, Pastor, Saint Benedict Parish
Andrea Lafferty, President Traditional Values Coalition
Rev. Abraham Hernandez, V. P. Northeast Region, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
Mike Valerio,Helen and Mike Valerio Charitable Trust
Harold Velasquez, President/CEO, Velasquez Group Productions
Dr. G. Antonio Smart, Pastor, Victory Baptist Church of Tampa
Rev Louis P. Sheldon, Founder and Chairman, Traditional Values Coalition
C. Preston Noell III, President Tradition, Family, Property, Inc.
Tom Peterson, President and Founder, VirtueMedia, Inc.
Robert R. Reilly, Former President, Voice of America
Rev. Nicholas Woodbury, Director, Latin America Mission
Bradlee Dean, President, You Can Run But You Can Not Hide International/The Sons of Liberty Radio
Dr. Tony Serna, ND & Master Trainer, Wellness Center
Joseph Farah, Chief Executive Officer, World Net Daily and World Net Daily Books
Susan Carleson, Chairman/CEO, American Civil Rights Union
Robert Knight, Senior Fellow, American Civil Rights Union and, Drafter of the Defense of Marriage Act
Micah Clark, Executive Director, American Family Association of Indiana
Gary Glenn, President, American Family Association of Michigan
Diane Gramley, President, American Family Association of Pennsylvania
Peter LaBarbera, President, Americans For Truth About Homosexuality
Donna Rogers, Founder of Angel of Love and Light Ministries
Janice Shaw Crouse, Ph.D., Senior Fellow Beverly LaHaye Institute, Concerned Women for America
Richard Viguerie, Chairman ConservativeHQ.com
Janet L. Porter, President, Faith2ACTION
Ken Klukowski, Director, Center for Religious Liberty, Family Research Council
Robert Fischer, President, Fischer Furniture, Inc
John Kirkwood, Pastor, Grace Gospel Fellowship
Dr. Warren Guy, DDS, PhD, Pediatric Dentist
Matt Barber, Vice President, Liberty Counsel Action
Lucinda Hodges, LifeCare SouthShoreCenter Manager
Rep. Sally Kern, Oklahoma, House District 84
Gregory Quinlan, President, Pro-Family Network
Ann Quest, Founder, Unity Quest
Dr. Randy Rebold, National Director, Pastors & Patriots Initiative
Now, I don’t know about anyone else, but I do believe that the vast majority of American people will completely resent this band of miscreants who are clearly attempting to intimidate the justices of the Supreme Court into handing down a ruling that will serve no other purpose but to set civil rights back at least 50 years, as well as prohibit any further movement forward for America’s gay population.
Born and bred in fear, ignorance, and an irrational lust for power, these groups and individuals still wield a heavy hand in our political realm. Knowledge and education is the key to thrwarting their movements and their bid for a theocracy. In actuality, this is not about religion or the love of God – it’s about power and oppression.
Crooked Crosses 
I consider them traitors and any violence they may attempt to be treason. I’m worried about the Opus Dei members on the Supreme Court, but I hope that equality before the law is upheld. It’s tough to say where this will go. We may be facing the start of the violence I’ve been worried about every since President Obama was re-elected (and the violent rhetoric you could hear against him in the public around here suddenly stopped).
As we all know, their end goal is taking over the US and changing this country into a theocracy (with themselves at the head). The violence around here has been ramping up slowly… and drive-by shootings of non-“Christians” has already begun in Florida… a woman we know had her home shot up because she’s pagan (I’m told they screamed F’ing Witch! at her house just before opening fire).
LikeLike
It’s a scary thought, but I’m afraid that’s where it’s headed.
LikeLike
I stand in solidarity to the defense of marriage too, which is why I SUPPORT MARRIAGE EQUALITY! How is banning people from marriage defending marriage?
LikeLike
MAJORITY of the people being the operative words. Fundamentalists are not the majority. Many Christians support marriage equality. This group misrepresents Christianity, the teachings of Jesus and the words of the Bible.
LikeLike
“As a nation, we have lost our moral compass.”
When did we ever have it?
LikeLike
A second civil war, huh? Wasn’t it first Jesus, then Thomas Hobbes and Thomas Paine, and then Abraham Lincoln who said (to quote President Lincoln’s variation), “A house divided against itself cannot stand”? Jesus’ meaning was different from all the others’ meaning: the house of demons and of unrepentant evildoers (the latter being the temple rabbis in Mark 3:25) will fold and crumble against the force of the Holy Spirit, as they attack everything that is said to be against the Holy Spirit already, as well as everything that they do not allow themselves to reinterpret as justified before the Lord. Looking at Mk. 3:28-29, three and four verses later: ‘”I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemes of men will be forgiven. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin”‘ (NIV). Therefore, they cannot win. Also, look at Mt. 22:23-33, Mk. 12:18-27, and Lk. 20:27-40. What could that teaching in all three gospels mean, other than that gender appropriation is earthly and will die out in those following the Lord upon their resurrection and entrance into truer life, but should be squashed out now anyways because ‘”He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all to him are alive”‘ (Lk. 20:38, NIV)? I have purposefully neglected to cite the verses that make my main point — those who are truly listening and who truly care about all of the Lord’s Word as well as what I have to say will be diligent enough to read the verses for themselves with my argument in mind. Such people, unfortunately, are not those Christian Right activists mentioned in the article.
LikeLike
I’m starting to understand how/why the Presbyterian church of my childhood became something completely different by the time my son was a teen. I’m glad he had enough early childhood influence from people who believe other things to have made his own mixed-up, conglomo-faith that serves his soul without the dogma and guilt.
I first predicted a second civil war the night Reagan was elected. I’ve been watching it come for 30 years. Until the last ten years I hadn’t realized it would be a holy war, It’s going to be uglier and bloodier than I had ever imagined. I no longer discourage my son from swordsman practice. I support him as best as I can in everything he wants to do while he is still free to do it. I’m truly scared for him.
LikeLike
Thirty plus years ago the Assemblies of God (mother to dominionism) were training their “ministry” students (in the local “Bible College – now ersatz university) how to invade and take over other churches. They were taught specific things to say and do – and what NOT to say and do, in each denomination. I used to hang out with the students being so trained when I belonged to that cult and we’d discuss what they’d been taught and how to implement it. They pointed out the “professors” who were teaching them that. Recently I talked with a friend who’d been in their “ministry” training, and it’s gotten worse over the years. As late as the late 90s, they were also teaching them how to disrupt and harm groups (such as UU churches) that they hated. Even then, they were emphasizing lies and hatred for LGBT people, the poor, and so on.
LikeLike
I neglected to add: some of the students were being trained specifically to invade and try to influence the Presbyterian church. They’d train one team (always in multiples of two) to go after the Episcopal church, another for your church, a third for the Methodists, and so on. A student might be trained for a couple of different denominations… and as I remember one specific denomination would take up about a semester’s worth of time. It was very detailed and specific.
Southern Baptists also started attending that school in droves in order to get their “ministry” educational credentials. Considering how that denomination has shaped up, I see a real pattern here.
I grieve to admit I helped and supported that horrific behavior when I was a member of that cult.
LikeLike
Wow! So it really was a specific, TARGETED and coordinated effort to take over Christianity in America. That is downright SINISTER. I’ve been watching my local church move farther and farther to the right, but I hadn’t really believed my own eyes. I guess I didn’t want to believe it. Even though I’m an atheist now, I still had a soft spot for the Presbyterian church. I guess because it was a big part of where I grew up. They were accepting of everyone, didn’t protest abortion or harass women at clinics and were just kind to everyone. They had the only food pantry in town, besides the Mormons, of course, and they served anyone in need, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation.
The food pantry is still run the same way, but the church has become a bastion of the far right. They protest at abortion clinics, they don’t allow same-sex marriages, the happy little youth group formerly known as “Senior High” is now called “Soldiers for Christ.” Where there was once a proper choir singing hymns to people dressed in church attire as they sat in quiet prayer, they now wear shorts and flip flops, listen to contemporary prerecorded Christian rock, and stand there, swaying, crying and holding their arms up toward the ceiling like they do at, well, the Assembly of God, AKA “Holy Rollers.” So it looks like at least some of those takeovers you mentioned actually worked. How sad for those who desire something more traditional, positive and uplifting for EVERYONE.
That being said, please stop feeling guilty. You didn’t yet understand what you now know. It wasn’t your plan, and it’s not your fault. Besides, guilt is a wasteful emotion. All it does is slow you down by depressing you so that you can’t get stuff done. Then you feel more guilty for not getting stuff done. It’s just a horrible downward spiral and it can be very difficult getting out.
LikeLike
That is a point that a lot of people seem to miss… that for decades, what we face today has been in the works, and that this isn’t some movement that just fell together or sprang up out of nowhere.
Not only do you have the Assemblies and their long-standing attempts at taking over churches (and businesses and government agencies and schools and so on – look up the Full Gospel Businessman’s Fellowship International, and Maranatha Ministries and the problems they caused on campuses around the nation). They’ve been trying to convert everyone they can. And yes, they’ve been highly successful. The last mainstream church we attended (Episcopal) – on the last evening we went there, the priest had invited the “Intelligent Design” crowd to take the pulpit and they preached forcing their religion in the primary and secondary schools. That same night I was told I couldn’t accept evolution and call myself a Christian (I was told NOT to claim so if I accepted evolution) and a church lay leader (in the diocese) advocated murdering all of the gay people by stoning. We’d been seeing the takeover as it happened and I even warned the priest, but he couldn’t accept that the Assemblies “college students” were deliberately targeting his church, even though he admitted that he expelled between 8 and 12 a year from the church for “stealing sheep” – getting people to leave his church and go to an Assemblies (or Assemblies offshoot).
Then there is the IRD – the Institute for Religion and Democracy. They too also are trying to convert the mainstream churches and train people to do so… their target is the social Gospel and they want the churches to stop helping the poor and suffering and promoting justice (especially economic justice).
People don’t realize just how close we are to loosing our freedom and seeing the nation destroyed from within. These people have even stated outright that they want to do away with the constitution (at least as it is now) because it provides for things like equal rights, separation of church and state (they can’t force people into their churches or tax them for their preachers), LGBT rights, help for the poor, and so on.
LikeLike
Quite frankly, this is all absolutely chilling! It’s just so calculated and, honestly, downright evil!
I have a friend who is a young, enthusiastic college senior studying journalism. She is still idealistic, writes an award winning opinion column and believes fully in the fourth estate principles. She is not yet tainted by the Mainstream Media’s corporate “ethics.” Perhaps she will be part of the next generation of journalists to speak truth to power? I have suggested this might be the story that wins the Pulitzer for her, and she’s excited. We shall see what happens. Would you be interested in corresponding with her for her article(s)?
LikeLike
I’d recommend this blog, anything by “Dogemperor”, Talk2Action ( http://www.talk2action.org/ ), Leah’s blog ( http://godsownparty.com/blog/ ) and a few other sites to her – especially going to back posts. (I haven’t heard from my friend “Dogemperor” in a long time, but there are back posts on LiveJournal, Daily KOS, and other sites by her and she would be a great source of info.) As far as communicating… I’m trying to keep a bit of disconnect between my identity and what I use on the internet, because (1) I was internet stalked (with death threats) for several months by a dominionist who got enraged when I wrote that one could be Christian and accept evolution is reality, (2) we’ve experienced so much reprisal from the “Good Christians” for things I’ve written under my real name, and (3) the real threat of violence from them. I also had a person ask to communicate privately with me for a book about religion, but the person turned out to be a dominionist mole. I learned that the mole was using a false name, and as far as I know, no book was ever published by the person.
So I’m a bit cautious and uncomfortable about communicating privately with someone I don’t know, or using any directly identifiable information.
If someone I know knew that person and vouched for them, it would be different.
LikeLike
OK. No problem. I understand. I was hesitant to ask for exactly this reason. I’ll send her off to do the recommended reading and see if she can figure out how to “make friends,” long distance, electronic friends, of course, with someone currently on the inside. What college is teaching these classes? It would make it easier for her to haunt their message boards to make “friends” and stuff.
LikeLike
Calichef – please give her my email address: lyrical@sbcglobal.net You are right, it is chilling. I spent decades monitoring and tracking organized hate groups. When looking into the Christian Identity religion it led me to the Reconstructionist and Dominionist views. It didn’t take long for me to realize that these were all intertwined. Then…I started researching the prevalence of these religious groups, and I have to tell you, it is frightening. It explained what I had been seeing happen in my church, and why I left.
When I really got frightened was when I realized their impact on our political landscape. Now, I understand what A Walkaway is saying. When delving into the neo-Nazi, white supremacist groups I had my share of stalkers and death threats – but, the ones we all took most seriously came from those adherents to Christian Identity. Violence is nothing new to religious organizations – let’s face it, the Bible is filled with heinous acts. These people are zealots and fanatics and they justify their actions by claiming that they are doing “God’s Work.”
LikeLike
We have a C.I. group somewhere within a mile or so of our home, plus Klan and within a couple of mile radius, at least a dozen dominionist/reconstructionist churches. Maybe even a small skinhead group (I’ve seen youths that seemed to fit the bill, but it might have been an act).
The C.I. group(s) used to be listed with the SPLC, but I don’t know what happened – they’re not on the list any more. I’ve been told it’s still active but trying to stay out of sight (maybe the leaders left but the members stayed in the area?). Ditto for the Klan (I was told they are running out of a dominionist/Reconstructionist church).
LikeLike
The Christian Identity movement suffered a few very severe blows when we managed to get the goods on many of the leaders and a number of them were put in prison with very long sentences. They are still out there, but very small in numbers. Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them in a dominionist or reconstructionist type setting.
Most of the followers of CI were sheeple who were easily led by the criminal elements who utilized the “religion” for nefarious purposes. The leaders who were put away were largely members of the Phineas Priesthood – a very violent group.
As the neo-Nazi, Klan, and skinhead groups took some big hits a few years back, many of the members went underground, formed small cells, or dropped out completely. However, there were quite a few who either joined up with the anti-immigration movement, or even worse, the Tea Party. Interestingly, several of the candidates in the past couple of elections had staff members and coordinators staight out of the neo-Nazi camps. Every time that they were spotted, the candidate quickly divorced himself from them – all but Ron Paul, that is.
LikeLike
I’m going to direct her straight to this thread. Thank you for being willing to have a correspondence with her. Your knowledge of this topic is exactly what she needs to be able to research for this article, or series of articles. Thanks again!
LikeLike
I need to warn her about the very real dangers any attempt like that would encounter. First, they don’t trust outsiders, and you have to be an insider to encounter what really goes on. They’re paranoid about the “gov’ment” catching on to what they really teach… when I belonged to that cult I had to be introduced to students by someone who knew me from the church before they’d start telling what really went on – and even then after the introduction (by a student who went to the same “church” I did) they watched me for a while.
I was hanging out there for a few months (in my spare time) before I started learning what was really going on – and I was strictly charged to NEVER tell anyone what I knew. They had me so brainwashed that I approved of the things they were learning.
Also, there is a very real danger that their brainwashing will catch her.
I’m serious.
A few years ago a journalist went into such an environment to do undercover work. Even though he’d prepared himself and knew the sort of brainwashing techniques they used (had a team working with him as I remember), he found that they’d changed his thinking… not by persuasion but through brainwashing (or thought control). He had to have help ridding himself of the programming he encountered – JUST FROM ONE INTENSIVE WEEKEND. Their thought control techniques are well known for changing people’s personalities… to one that is more amenable to control and coercion. They know what they’re doing, and it is VERY effective. The damage their brainwashing does can last for years in people – I’m still fighting some aspects of it, and it’s been about 31 years now since I walked. Shoot… my memories of a large part of the time I was in that cult were repressed until about 5 years ago, when I had a massive flashback to how they caught me (through a technique called “missionary dating” or “flirty fishing”).
I don’t have the link to the journalist’s account of what happened, but someone else here might.
If she gets into this subject and investigates them, she’s going to be in real danger and from many different directions (and in different ways). Even rape is a real possibility… long story but some of the preacher-wannabes have been known to practice “proposal through pregnancy” (thus forcing the young woman to marry him even if she doesn’t like him). It’s a problem even those churches have admitted to (years ago), although they still teach the minister-wannabes that having a young family will greatly increase their chances of finding a church to lead and encourage them to marry as soon as possible.
She will need to be very careful, and should work with a team – and educate herself very thoroughly about their techniques and their thinking before she goes in. I would even suggest that she makes friends with law enforcement people – find someone who doesn’t buy their stuff. Yeah, they’re that bad.
LikeLike
Wow. OK. Um… perhaps she won’t ask me about it. If she doesn’t I guess I’ll let it go. I think we’re past the tipping point already, anyway.
LikeLike
I know it sounds extreme, but I think that the others here would vouch that I’m not exaggerating.
I hope someone DOES go after this and the public finally wakes to the danger right next door, but the more you learn, the scarier it becomes.
LikeLike
Yes – they ARE that bad. I have known people who were mainstream Christians, just as liberal thinking as I am, and once their church was steeplejacked by the dominionists, it’s amazing how fast they changed. It didn’t take long before they moved into that extremist realm.
And…they prey on children. They know that if you control the children you control the world. These people are patient and they have been working their plan for years. This is one of the intital strategies set out – it has gone through some changes but you’ll get the picture:
Click to access 24yearplanbrochure6page.pdf
LikeLike
I’m shocked; no Westboro Baptist Church member signatures? I realize they are usually not so eloquent, but the message of hate, fear, and ignorance is generally the same.
LikeLike
I don’t know why you’d be shocked that the Westboro folks weren’t included, they are never included in this sort of thing because the other groups feel that Westboro’s participation would delegitimize their cause. If they WERE invited, they’d just reject the invitation because the other participants aren’t “righteous” enough.
LikeLike
FYI – the Assemblies of God have been known to join and assist Westboro in some of their protests.
LikeLike