Though I am new to your community, I have been reading your blogs off and on for almost a year and rather closely these past few months of the election and felt this connection needed to be made. I have been reading about this "cultish" extremist Christian movement (note: I intentionally use this inflammatory term and argue below that such usage has become justified and warrented, since it is integral to appreciating their modus operandi and agenda) for an equally long time, and following the rise of the Christian right for far longer and like everyone here on Daily Kos, and elsewhere, was greatly disturbed to hear during the debate:
Romney vowed to defund PBS if elected president during the event moderated by PBS NewsHour Executive Editor Jim Lehrer. He said, "I'm sorry, Jim, I'm going to stop the subsidy to PBS. I like PBS. I love Big Bird. I like you too."
But it was reading HuffingtonPost this morning, when Rick Santorum
(someone already linked to Christian Dominionism) rose to Romney's defense, that my suspicion crystallized:
"I've voted to kill Big Bird in the past," he said when asked about his position on the issue. "So, I have a record there that I have to disclose. That doesn't mean I don’t like Big Bird. I mean, you can kill things and still like them, maybe to eat them, I don’t know."
To be honest, with my admittedly suspicious mind as an atheist, it was during the debate on Wednesday evening that I first suspected there was
a hidden "clarion call" for supporters of this cult far and wide in Romney's wholly unnecessary
(almost non-sequitur) admission of his ill intent to end PBS, something non-believers of the cult found so out of place. In other words, I have this sneaky suspicion that supporters of this cult have a rather strong hatred for PBS, no matter what Romney and Santorum might claim to the contrary, a hatred that is now rearing its ugly head. Why? Probably because PBS, from the broad perspective: is a powerful
secular educational force, and from a specific perspective, was behind expository documentaries shedding light upon the rise of the religious right, and the religious right, in true cultish nature, does not want to be exposed, because, like all cults, they can only achieve their strategic objectives clandestine:
e.g.:
With God On Our Side
Three years in the making and featuring more than one hundred interviews with leaders and grassroots activists, WITH GOD ON OUR SIDE captures the spirit of the ever-growing Religious Right and addresses the persistent questions the movement raises: How does a free society draw the line between church and state while preserving a place for religious conviction in public life? How do media images of the Religious Right differ from the reality? And finally, when politicians and religious activists join forces, who holds the reins?
Bill Moyers ~ Full Show: The Resurrection of Ralph Reed
While Romney, Ryan, Rubio, and Eastwood got the lion’s share of attention during the Republican Convention this week, three one-time college Republicans who are now the party’s real power-brokers — Karl Rove, Ralph Reed, and Grover Norquist — were busy doing what they do best: leveraging their political, religious, and financial resources to back pro-corporate, anti-government objectives at the core of the conservative agenda.
The true surprise at the Tampa convention was Ralph Reed’s resurrection. When the former head of the Christian Coalition was discovered to have raked in millions of dollars from the super lobbyist — and eventually convicted felon — Jack Abramoff, Reed wound up in political purgatory. But outraged by the election of Barack Obama, and responding to what he describes as God’s call (via Sean Hannity), Reed returned to start the Faith and Freedom Coalition with the aim of toppling Barack Obama from the White House. To succeed, Reed needs to win the allegiance of many of the trusting Christian followers he had duped and double-crossed while working with Abramoff.
What is Christian Dominionism and is it fair to call this movement a "cult?"
Introduction
As an introduction, Kossack cberlet wrote an excellent non-inflammatory highly informative piece on this movement several weeks ago (Inside the Christian Right Dominionist Movement That's Undermining Democracy) and cautions us to:
... choose our language carefully, but let's recognize that terms such as Dominionism and Theocracy, when used cautiously and carefully, are appropriate when describing troubling tendencies in the Christian Right that are helping push the current political scene toward confrontation and intolerance.
And yet, in spite of cberlet's caution, I do choose to use the term "cult" even though "Dominionism," as cberlet explains, is not one singular thing. He breaks it down, in the broadest of senses, into two distinguishing "hard" and "soft" factions, but since the "hard" faction has a very clear, specific, and stated agenda to establish "dominion" over earth and how they plan to do this
(see "seven mountains" below), and since it is this cultish faction that seems to have targeted PBS, I wish to give this emerging dominant faction the harshest of names, so that there is no mistaking its nature and intent,
and thus expose why PBS has been targeted by it... because, from the evidence amassing, there does seem to be an unmistakable cultish characteristic to this religious right movement, but please do note, as explained below, this is NOT in accordance with Christ's biblical teachings, as I understand them to be. And it is with this distinction in mind, let me begin with a discussion of the worldwide rise of the cultish movement within Christianity, and how we might distinguish this from true Christian ministries, which seem to provide a positive
healing empowering inspirational force for many, and I would not wish to rob them of this. I respect all religions that care equally for humanity, earth, and earth's creatures.
What is the nature of this worldwide cultish movement?
Let me begin with a lengthy quote from a website, and although this probably exceeds the fair use limit of three paragraphs, I highly doubt they mind, as they want all the exposure for their ideas they can get:
Cultwatch: Attack of the Super Apostles!
(Cultwatch helps people of all belief systems. This article is aimed at a Christian audience and so contains discussions of specific Christian beliefs. People who are not Christian may not find it Interesting.)
Cultwatch Introduction
Cultwatch is a New Zealand based Christian ministry to the cults founded in 1989. We help all people regardless of their belief system. An important part of the mission we believe God has given us is to warn people of cultic dangers. Cultwatch has been referred to as an authority in numerous media in New Zealand and overseas, including newspapers, magazines, radio and TV. The New Zealand Government and law enforcement agencies have used Cultwatch in a consulting role. Cultwatch receives enquires from all around the world regarding cultic matters. Cultwatch is an incorporated charitable trust (a not for profit organization).
Warning Introduction
It all started several years ago as Cultwatch began receiving isolated reports of the same Mind Control techniques usually found in the cults being used in certain New Zealand Christian churches. The reports were concerning enough for Cultwatch to start an investigation. Since then these reports have increased in frequency and intensity. Numerous people have independently reported that the techniques detailed in the Cultwatch web site are becoming common place in more and more Christian churches both in New Zealand and around the world. Our research has confirmed that certain Christian Pastors have turned to Mind Control as a technique for growing their church. We have copies of their tapes, sermons, seminars, courses, and other documentation, that provide solid evidence of their deliberate employment of Mind Control (see the Cultwatch web site to learn more about Mind Control). Unfortunately these Pastors have done significant damage to individual Christians.
However something was puzzling us. During our investigation we began to notice a disturbing trend relating to the spread of these underhanded techniques. These were not isolated instances; instead their spread seemed to be carefully orchestrated. Were there masterminds behind this phenomenon?
Was someone, or some people deliberately promoting these unchristian practices?
The Warning
False apostles are rising up in New Zealand, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and in other countries. They plan to subjugate (to bring under control and governance as a subject, to conquer) Churches and their leaders. From what we can tell these "Super Apostles" aim to build a fiefdom (a medieval feudal estate) of churches with themselves as the lords, second only to God himself (the King). What these self-proclaimed apostles lack in solid Biblical Doctrine they make up with cultic Mind Control techniques (also known as spiritual abuse) and hyped prosperity preaching."
The Super Apostles claim that the Biblical ministry of an apostle has been forgotten, and God has called them to restore it. Of course it is presumptuous of the Super Apostles to think that this God ordained ministry has died, but that is what they claim. The Super Apostles are in effect promoting a false apostolic ministry.
Now a biblical model of an apostle can be found in Paul, a hard working humble man who was not rich, except in his incredible passion for the gospel and correct doctrine. Paul was an apostle who knew the bounds of his authority, for example in 2 Corinthians 8:8 where he refrained from commanding the Corinthians to give money.
However these Super Apostles do not follow Paul's example. They are rigorous self-promoters who see power and wealth as important goals. They demand that you cede (to yield typically by treaty) to their authority. Church members must sign "covenants" stating that they will obey the church leadership. Church leaders themselves must "submit" their lives to the Super Apostles. To not submit is to rebel against God's will and condemn you to a barren Christian life outside the protection of the Super Apostles magical "umbrella of authority". For those who do not yield it is claimed God will leave them to fend for themselves when the enemy comes. Also rebels will suffer a life of physical poverty, not to mention terrible accidents and diseases. To reject the Super Apostles themselves is the greatest sin. Do not even suggest that they are wrong; the spiritual repercussions could be horrendous!
Authority is a key word for this clandestine movement. Everyone must be under authority. That is, under their authority. Now of course apostles did have authority in Scripture, but these new apostles claim that authority as their own, and a great deal more too. Under the catch cries of "Church Governance" and "The Church is a theocracy not a democracy" they employ standard cultic Mind Control methods. They practice "enforced giving", where tithes and offerings of church members are recorded. Members who do not give the "correct" amount are disciplined and held back from leadership. People are banned from going to other churches and working for Para church organizations not under the apostle's control. They control relationships, ordering people to stay away from friends and family outside the movement. Some even demand Christian members seek permission to marry each other. They run a reporting structure where members watch other members, and confidential information is passed up through the leadership pyramid. Some members have even had their rooms searched. People who wish to live in cities where there is no branch of the Super Apostle's church are told not to go. Time control sees endless compulsory meetings. Failing to attend a meeting is noticed and the member is spoken to Breaking sessions are employed where leaders "character assassinate" a member until they break down. Church members are given the impression that they can only be saved by being part of the Super Apostles church. Churches outside the "kingdom" are fallen and dead. Not all of these apostles state this so blatantly, but this is the impression they cultivate within their churches. However some do allude to this in the public arena, so confident they are that God is on their side.
"The term 'Local Church' is an important phrase in their onslaught. They claim that no Christian work can be outside of the Local Church. Para church organizations are in error for not being controlled by a 'Local Church'. Of course what they really mean is that no Christian work can legitimately exist outside of the control of a Super Apostle. The idea that those Christians under the Super Apostle's control cannot work outside of a 'Local Church' has already lead to an increased disunity in the Body of Christ. Carried through to its logical conclusion this exclusive doctrine will result in extreme disunity since no one will work together. Also their concept of the Local Church will lead to turf wars analogous to those seen in medieval Europe as the lords of that time fought to increase their fiefdoms at the expense of others. Already this sort of behaviour has been reported."
How do they justify their stance? The Super Apostles look to pragmatism as their justification for practice, rather than Scripture. What works becomes standard operating procedure; hardly any consideration is given to whether it contravenes Scripture. Where a practice is questioned Scriptures are taken out of context, or twisted, to give the illusion that the Bible allows these methods.
(Note: There is additional information on the nature of these cults on the
website with regards to
Finances,
Recruitment, and that their defining nature is
Control, but this should give you an adequate framework see the true nature of the Dominionism movement for what it is, namely, a
cult.)
What is Dominionism?
With this Super Apostles "cult" framework in mind, let us explore the extremist elements of this Christian Dominionism movement to see the emerging pattern.
The Daily Beast has an informative piece by Michelle Goldberg, which is actually what first alerted me to this cult:
A Christian Plot for Domination?
Put simply, Dominionism means that Christians have a God-given right to rule all earthly institutions. Originating among some of America’s most radical theocrats, it’s long had an influence on religious-right education and political organizing.
...
Now, however, we have the most theocratic Republican field in American history, and suddenly, the concept of Dominionism is reaching mainstream audiences. Writing about Bachmann in The New Yorker this month, Ryan Lizza spent several paragraphs explaining how the premise fit into the Minnesota congresswoman’s intellectual and theological development. And a recent Texas Observer cover story on Rick Perry examined his relationship with the New Apostolic Reformation, a Dominionist variant of Pentecostalism that coalesced about a decade ago. “[W]hat makes the New Apostolic Reformation movement so potent is its growing fascination with infiltrating politics and government,” wrote Forrest Wilder. Its members “believe Christians—certain Christians—are destined to not just take ‘dominion’ over government, but stealthily climb to the commanding heights of what they term the ‘Seven Mountains’ of society, including the media and the arts and entertainment world.”
Dominionism and the "Seven Mountains" agenda
From the Texas Observer piece referenced above on Rick Perry:
Rick Perry's Army of God
The New Apostles talk about taking dominion over American society in pastoral terms. They refer to the “Seven Mountains” of society: family, religion, arts and entertainment, media, government, education, and business. These are the nerve centers of society that God (or his people) must control.
Dominionism Theology
Kossack cberlet explains:
Dominionists want to impose a form of Christian nationalism on the United States, a concept that was dismissed as eroding freedom and democracy by the founders of our country. Dominionism has become a major influence on the right-wing populist Tea Parties as Christian Right activists have flooded into the movement at the grassroots.
At the apex of hard Dominionism is the religious dogma of Dominion Theology, with two major branches: Christian Reconstructionism and Kingdom Now theology. It is the latter's influence on the theopolitical movement called the New Apostolic Reformation that has been linked in published reports to potential Republican presidential nominees Perry, Bachmann or Palin. All three of these right-wing political debutantes have flirted with Christian Right Dominionism, but how far they have danced toward the influence of hard-right Dominion Theology is in dispute. It would be nice if some "mainstream" journalists actually researched the question.
Dominionism Extremists
Kossack cberlet further explains:
"While differing from Reconstructionism in many ways, Kingdom Now shares the belief that Christians have a mandate to take dominion over every area of life," explains religion scholar Bruce Barron. And it is just this tendency that has spread through evangelical Protestantism, resulting in the emergence of "various brands of `dominionist' thinkers in contemporary American evangelicalism," according to Barron.
The most militant Dominion Theologists would silence dissenters and execute adulterers, homosexuals and recalcitrant children. No...seriously. OK, they would only be executed for repeated offenses, explain some defenders of Christian Reconstructionism. Even most Christian Right activists view the more militant Dominion Theologists as having really creepy ideas.
Dominionism World Conquest
Goldberg clarifies:
For believers in Dominionism, rule by non-Christians is a sort of sacrilege—which explains, in part, the theological fury that has accompanied the election of our last two Democratic presidents. “Christians have an obligation, a mandate, a commission, a holy responsibility to reclaim the land for Jesus Christ—to have dominion in civil structures, just as in every other aspect of life and godliness,” wrote George Grant, the former executive director of Coral Ridge Ministries, which has since changed its name to Truth in Action Ministries. “But it is dominion we are after. Not just a voice ... It is dominion we are after. Not just equal time ... World conquest.”
Dominionism and Taxes (and Slavery)
Yes, slavery... just to illustrate how extreme this cult's views range.
Goldberg clarifies:
Bachmann is close to Truth in Action Ministries; last year, she appeared in one of its documentaries, Socialism: A Clear and Present Danger. In it, she espoused the idea, common in Reconstructionist circles, that the government has no right to collect taxes in excess of 10 percent, the amount that believers are called to tithe to the church. On her state-senate-campaign website, she recommended a book co-authored by Grant titled Call of Duty: The Sterling Nobility of Robert E. Lee, which, as Lizza reported, depicted the civil war as a battle between the devout Christian South and the Godless North, and lauded slavery as a benevolent institution. “The unity and companionship that existed between the races in the South prior to the war was the fruit of a common faith,” the book said.
Dominionism and the End of Times (understanding their agenda)
This explains why they don't care about environmental issues, like global warming, or about investing in the US infrastructure, or about investing in Education, etc...:
The Evangelicals Engaged In Spiritual Warfare
(Note the source of this is NPR: National Public Radio)
An emerging Christian movement that seeks to take dominion over politics, business and culture in preparation for the end times and the return of Jesus, is becoming more of a presence in American politics. The leaders are considered apostles and prophets, gifted by God for this role.
The international "apostolic and prophetic" movement has been dubbed by its leading American architect, C. Peter Wagner, as the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). Although the movement is larger than the network organized by Wagner — and not all members describe themselves as part of Wagner's NAR — the so-called apostles and prophets of the movement have identifiable ideology that separates them from other evangelicals.
And just so we have some comparison:
Dominionism and their desire to kill the Social Safety Net
To explain the inexplicable, namely: how can a Christian justify not supporting the Social Safety Net?
NPR: Interview Highlights
Rachel Tabachnick (co-founder of the blog NAR Watch):
On the issues of the international "apostolic and prophetic" movement
"[Their issues are] anti-abortion, anti-gay rights — but they also have ... the belief that government should not be involved in social safety nets, that the country is becoming socialist, if not communist ... — all of what we've come to call 'Tea Party issues' of very small government. In the case of the apostles, they believe this because they believe that a large government that handles the safety net is taking away what is the domain of the church and of Christianity."
(Note: emphasis mine.)
And just provide a contrasting perspective:
Dominionism's history with the PBS
This is just one example that illustrates why they are not happy with PBS, or more specifically, why they are not happy with the PBS charter, namely, because they seek to destroy the separation of church and state:
Alabama Public Television Execs FIRED for Refusing to Air Dominionist Propaganda
Allan Pizzato, Executive Director of Alabama Public Television, was given the 2011 CEO Award for Non-Profit Businesses by the Birmingham Business Journal. Evidently, Allan was making a pretty good job of keeping Alabama Public TV afloat, despite having his state grant cut by 50% over the past four years in these austere times. It's amazing - the guy kept it going, and even managed to reinstate Capitol Journal, APT's political roundtable.
None of this excellence counts for anything when you cross swords with a Christian Dominionist, though. The sword-crossing seems to originate with Rodney Herring, a chiropractor from Opelika who managed to get himself appointed a Commissioner (TEN LONG YEARS) by ex-Governor Bob Riley. When Herring and his ilk are calling the shots, it's not about DOING YOUR JOB well, it's about letting PUBLIC television be used as a Propaganda Machine for the Tea Party and its pet 'historian', David Barton. Who is David Barton?
Barton is a largely self-educated historian whose academic credentials are a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oral Roberts University and an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Pensacola Christian College.---PFAW
It is unknown how Pizzato reacted when presented with a request to air the rantings of some Theocracy advocate from Texas, but we can guess. See, Pizzato knew how to do his job, and that job included working within the bylaws that govern public broadcasting.
"Under bylaws enacted in 1985, PBS stations are required to present programs that are noncommercial, nonpartisan and nonsectarian. The rules were put in place to ensure balance and fairness among PBS-affiliated stations, which rely on government funding, private-sector grants and sponsorships, and contributions from viewers."---Washington Post, 2009
And this, my friends, is how Allan Pizzato and his Chief Financial Officer Pauline Howland wind up being
"ordered to clean out their desks and escorted from the building on Tuesday, and the two executives were not allowed to speak to staff or explain the change on the premises."--Weld for Birmingham
Let the Inquisitions begin! Let the stake-burning commence! Let decent, hardworking people lose their livelihoods simply because they dare to take a stand for the Constitutional separation of Church and State. I don't know about you, but this sort of thing really brings out the Caligula in me.
Dominionism Extremist and Mitt Romney
Mitt Romney Better Move to Right, Says Emboldened Tea Party
The stunning Texas victory of Ted Cruz, a young Tea Party-backed Republican over an establishment candidate vying for a Senate seat, has already so emboldened the insurgent conservative movement that activists are warning Mitt Romney he had better get on board.
"These guys [newly elected Tea Party candidates]" are going to force Romney to the right," said Amanda Shell, a spokeswoman for Tea Party group Freedom Works. "That is our entire mission."
Dominionism, Paul Ryan, and the Separation of Church and State
Paul Ryan Claims Prayer in Schools is a States' Rights Issue - Carloz's column on Newsvine
Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan attended a fund-raiser in Utah yesterday and was asked about school prayer. His reply was curious.
“That's a constitutional issue of the states, moral responsibility of parents, education,” Ryan said.
Let’s dissect this a bit. First off, Ryan’s claim that school prayer is “a constitutional issue of the states” is inaccurate. State legislators can, of course, pass school prayer laws if they want, but it’s a waste of time. If a law mandates or compels young people to take part in prayer or religious worship, the courts will strike it down.
THE MATRIX: Morpheus
"And standing there, facing the pure horrifying precision.
I came to realize the obviousness of the truth."
And in closing, let me contrast, with the truth:
What is the truth about the separation of Church and State in the United States of America, according to the Founding Fathers?
~~~ JOHN ADAMS ~~~
(Treaty of Tripoli)
"As the government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion."
~~~ THOMAS JEFFERSON ~~~
(Letter to Dr. Thomas Cooper, February 10, 1814)
“Christianity neither is, nor ever was, a part of the common law.”
~~~ THOMAS JEFFERSON ~~~
(his personal epitaph engraved in stone)
"…that our civil rights have no dependence on our religious opinions."
~~~ JAMES MADISON ~~~
(Writings, 8:432, 1819)
“The civil government … functions with complete success … by the total separation of the Church from the State.”
~~~ GEORGE WASHINGTON ~~~
(Letter to the United Baptist Chamber of Virginia, May 1789)
"If I could conceive that the general government might ever be so administered as to render the liberty of conscience insecure, I beg you will be persuaded, that no one would be more zealous than myself to establish effectual barriers against the horrors of spiritual tyranny, and every species of religious persecution."
And I will include this one too, just because:
~~~ JOHN F. KENNEDY ~~~
"I believe in an America where the separation of Church and State is absolute."
And last, but not least:
~~~US CONSTITUTION ~~~
~~~ First Amendment ~~~
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."
And last but not least, what we all can do to fight this movement, is: