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The Dominionists and the Rise of American Fascism »

Posted by: Spadecaller 1 year, 11 months ago

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Chris Hedges, a Pulitzer prize winning writer and former New York Times correspondent, compares the U.S. Christian right to 20th Century fascism. Hedges openly blasts the role of Christianity in politics and discusses how the far right Christian believers are perpetuating bigotry and intolerance.

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Spadecaller

Welcome to my profile. About me: I'm an artist of several kinds; from bull to painting. I don't spare too many words. Most ...

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Spadecaller
Dec. 22, 2007, 11:23 a.m.
Radical Christian rightists in the U.S. attack pluralism, in addition to gays, liberals, Jews, secularists, athiests, and other religions. While building a "dominion" of pseudo-Christian ideologists, their admitted goals are to establish itself as the single dominant force in America.
Dominionists are a growing and powerfull sect of Christianity that is dangerous to religious freedom and politial stability. The movement has demonstrably infiltrated the pentagon and senior military personnel.
These are 'end of worlders' or 'end of timers' who not only believe in the apocalype but see it as their dutiful mission to bring it forward.
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Spadecaller
Dec. 22, 2007, 12:35 p.m.
"Yes, religion and politics do mix. America is a nation based on biblical principles. Christian values dominate our government. The test of those values is the Bible. Politicians who do not use the bible to guide their public and private lives do not belong in office." LaHaye
These kinds of remarks are typical of these people. They have a large following and are backed by corporate wealth and power.
I support their right to believe anything they want to, and I support their freedom of speech.
But if this movement is not exposed for what it is, the reprucussions can be disasterous.
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Dionys
Dec. 22, 2007, 12:58 p.m.
Here is a beautifully written paper discussing dominionism and how it doesn't quite measure up with Christ's message. It provides a nice balance to all the dominionist nutjobs whose voices are often louder than the majority of sane Christians:
Drilling in the Cathedral
http://www.unm.edu/~religion/DrillingCathedral.pdf
It's from the Journal of Theology
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Spadecaller
Dec. 22, 2007, 1:19 p.m.
While one third of Americans are fundamentalists, this does not necessarily imply that they are all intolerant. Hedges makes the important distinction between evangelicals who concede that there are other ways to worship and serve God and radical fundamentalists (Dominionists)who seek to create an intolerant, theocratic America.
These radical Christians merely pay lip-service to traditional justice, calling for a legal system which promotes "Christian principles."
As Hedges contends, the movement preserves the appearance of law and democracy even as its leaders condemn all opponents--dismissed as "atheists," "nonbelievers," or "secular humanists"--to moral and legal oblivion.
Are they dangerous? Have they not already proved that?
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slate
Dec. 22, 2007, 1:28 p.m.
Spade,,, seems to hate the Christians that belive differntly than he does,,,,, when will wht next thread hit the front page Spade? I'm sure you can find another 300 anti-bible belt stories to beat your chest about.
And you wonder why the one that posts anti-jewish posts feels he can do so with impunity as you decry him?
Get off your high horse and look within your own religion, once you've cleaned that up, then maybe you can rant about others beliefs with a bit more gravitas.
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Spadecaller
Dec. 22, 2007, 1:52 p.m.
The supporters of the Christian right include corporations like Tyson Foods, Purdue, Amway, Wal-Mart, and Sam's wholesale, among other huge financial backers of the movement. Due to strong financial backing from right-wing extremists, and the influence of neo-conservative think-tanks, the radical Christian right has moved from the fringes of society to the executive branch, the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the courts.
As soon as anyone dares to expose their radical anti-pluralistic ideology, they routinely accuse their opponents of being "Christian haters". They often try to hide under the radar of the ethical mainstream Christians.
IN essence, these extremists have no problem pushing mainstream Christians under the wheels of the truck to save themselves.
Most of them are hatemongers, racists, sexists, and anti-Semites who have found a banner to march under. Many of us have encountered a few of them on Propeller.
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Spadecaller
Dec. 22, 2007, 2:17 p.m.
Hedges' chapters on "Conversion," "The Cult of Masculinity" and "The War on Truth" help to provide a better understanding of the fascist Christian fundamentalist. The chapter on the "New Class" is particularly interesting as it reveals the corruption which reigns among the Christian right and its callous contempt for the poor.
I remember participating in dialogue on one of these threads regarding the government's wonton neglect of the poor who were devastated by Katrina.
I don't know if anyone recalls, but there were some posters who made all kinds of excuses for the miserable way "they" (meaning black Americans) were treated.
They deserved it! Some of these nutjob suggested that God had brought Katrina down on their heads, as if they needed to be cleansed for their wickedness.
"Contempt for the poor..."
You bet ya!
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Howtogo
Dec. 22, 2007, 4:39 p.m.
Get a life Chris Hedges. As far as intolerance goes you are the pot calling the kettle black.
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Francisca
Dec. 22, 2007, 5:37 p.m.
Fascism always appears when a country isn't doing well...( because of cultural clash, demographic clash, social reason, economic problem ). Fascism is never dead, he never disappears, he always sleeps in the bottom of the heart of everyone who lives a desperate situation (no work, no home...): it's what I have learnt at school. And some politic Party utilizes this "NO-HOPE" for their own interest (see here the "Front National" with Jean-Marie Le PEN). Thus, the best way for collecting a lot of people is the Religion. It has always been like that: wars of Religions between Protestants and Catholics, between Catholics and Calvinists (Huguenots)etc...etc..
It's why I think we must not mix Politic and Religion: it has never been a success!
I am going to try to find this book. It will help me to understand how works this fascinating, marvellous, wonderful America!
But, Spadecaller: is your fear or your anger not a bit exaggerated? (sorry)
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Bkumm
Dec. 22, 2007, 5:56 p.m.
ANY group that appeals to people in desperate circumstances and offers them a 'magic bullet' way out will find converts. The problem with "Fascist Christianity" (I wouldn't call it that exactly) is that it cloaks a grab for political, economic and religious power in the garb of religious freedom.
There was was another state where this has happened. At one time the Ottoman Empire was arguably the greatest on Earth. Technologically advanced, religiously moderate and prosperous beyond belief. Then several weak emperors came to power in a row and the religious loonies took over. Within a hundred years and fifty the Ottoman Empire was the 'sick old man' of Europe.
Free inquiry and liberty can not exist under the iron fist of religious imperialism.
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Bkumm
Dec. 22, 2007, 5:59 p.m.
I would also like to be clear that I think every person has the right to say and do as they see fit as long as it is not a danger to the society as a whole. In other words, if it does not interfere with my liberty, do as you will.
These folks don't want me to have that liberty. They want to take it away and I'll fight them to the end to preserve it.
I would also like to say that I don't hate Christianity or any religion. I'm certain that there are good aspects about any religion and I think people should be free to worship as they will. These folks don't want that either.
You have been warned.
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GoldStandard
Dec. 22, 2007, 6:14 p.m.
Spadecaller-
I've witnessed your postings over the last several days which attack religious extremism. I have no problem with that. I don't support organized religion.
The problem is that your target has been limited to Christianity, while scarcely mentioning the modern destruction wrought by Islam. Why? This isn't a case of one group being evil while the other is just "misunderstood".
ML2007Comment has been removed: Retracted by user
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Obaku
Dec. 22, 2007, 7:01 p.m.
Those that scheme to make the government support and advance their religious beliefs and agendas, are in factr working to undermine the Constitution of the United State3s of America, and the rule of law.
That makes them traitors.
Plain and simple.
Those that demand that others sacrifice their blood and treasure for them, rather than defend themselves, are cowards.
Those that insist on a 'truth', for which they neither have, nor claim, any evidence, are liars.
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Spadecaller
Dec. 22, 2007, 7:08 p.m.
These articles about religious intolerance often flush out some of the perpetuators of it. For those who wonder why I do not reply to eyesopen's comments, this should explain it.
Submitted 6 days ago by AlphaGnosi: "SNL: Adam Sandler's Happy Hanukkah Song! (3rd version)"
These are some of the comments on what was suppose to be a cheerful thread:
AlphaGnosis: "I didn't know you were Jewish, spade."
Spadecaller: "101%"
eyesopen: that explains your constant arrogant posts on other subjects,
Spadecaller: "what explains it?"
(No reply from eyesopen)
http://music.propeller.com/story/2007/12/16/snl...
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1-2-Oscar
Dec. 22, 2007, 8:20 p.m.
No day is complete until Spadecaller posts his daily slam on Christianity. Innuendo, unsupported allegations, slander, and guilt by association are the tools of more than one hate group, including those who hate Christians.
I am comforted by the knowledge that the Christians I know are decent people, whose principal characteristic is a genuine love for their fellow men. The posting of daily attacks suggests that Christians, generally, are power-mad control freaks who have no respect for the rights of others. For the overwhelming majority of Christians such attitudes are entirely alien. But it is relatively easy to cherry-pick the statements of a few and imply that they are widely shared. Easy, but false.
In the spirit of the holiday I wish each and every one of you the best, and hope that you and your families enjoy a Merry Christmas.
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Spadecaller
Dec. 22, 2007, 8:30 p.m.
baddad:
It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.
Mark Twain
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Ciera-Marie
Dec. 22, 2007, 8:51 p.m.
Spadecaller and Shadowolf:
Mark Twain was a very, very wise man.
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Spadecaller
Dec. 22, 2007, 9:12 p.m.
Elie Wiesel's statement, "...to remain silent and indifferent is the greatest sin of all..." Wiesel is the author of 36 works dealing with Judaism, the Holocaust, and the moral responsibility of ALL people to fight hatred, racism and genocide.
Because I don't hide my views or my religion, I can stand up for what I believe, enjoy some friendships, watch who remains silent in the face of hate, and meet those who think it is me they hate.
Propeller can be a great place to learn about ourselves.
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RLaitres
Dec. 22, 2007, 9:41 p.m.
How fascism would come to America was predicted decades ago by the novelist Sinclair Lewis. It was that it would come to this country as a cross wrapped in a flag. Is this not what is now happening? It it is, it is the fruit of our own ignorance.
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Spadecaller
Dec. 22, 2007, 10:02 p.m.
"A destruction, an annihilation that only man can provoke, only man can prevent."

Elie Wiesel
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Klarissa
Dec. 22, 2007, 10:02 p.m.
one hundreth of one hundreth or our population and you just have to give them media coverage.
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TRUTH2008
Dec. 22, 2007, 10:07 p.m.
THIS CHRISTIAN NEOCON RIGHT WING FASCISM IS FOR REAL. 75% OF GERMANY'S PROTESTANT PASTORS SUBMITTED TO HITLER'S RULE IN 1933. 2 DVDs ON THIS.
Gerhard Kittel author of Kittel's widely used Theological Dictionary of the New Testament was one of Hitler's prized theologians. Kittel was imprisoned after WWII by the Allies.
http://www.amazon.com/Theologians-Ericksen-Susa...
Bonhoeffer was one of the few to resist Hitler.
http://www.amazon.com/Bonhoeffer-Eberhard-Bethg...
http://www.bonhoeffer.com/
http://www.bonhoeffer.com/bkgrnd.htm
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Spadecaller
Dec. 22, 2007, 10:15 p.m.
"I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented."

Elie Wiesel
I share that same oath.