One of the challenges in writing about the Religious Right and what to do about it is the matter of terms and definitions. That's why from time to time I revise and update this post, from my homebase of Talk to Action from which this is adapted, for your consideration.
From the earliest days of Talk to Action, we have often written about how unfair labels and terms of demonization are not only inaccurate and opposed to basic standards of scholarship and journalism; but conflict with the basic values of all people of good will -- and tend to be politically counterproductive as well. The purpose of this post is not to go over all that again. I simply want to highlight some useful resources on basic definitions and usage for those who are interested in trying to get it right.
In that regard, I want to highlight a new addition to the canon, Rachel Tabachnick's important new essay Spiritual Warriors with an Anti-Gay Mission: The New Apostolic Reformation, published in The Public Eye, which features fresh and definitive usage of some important terms. Here are a few excerpts.
In the United States, among the most significant and far-reaching parts of the NAR infrastructure is its “prayer warrior” networks. Today, all 50 states have a network under the authority of a statewide apostolic leader. The prayer warrior networks regularly distribute guides in preparation for elections, “educating” participants on political issues. They also sponsor training events and conferences and serve as a link between individuals and various NAR ministries.
To date, the most highly publicized of NAR’s calls to prayer or “solemn assemblies” took place in Houston in the summer of 2011. Texas Gov. Rick Perry aggressively promoted it at a time when he was a leading contender for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination. The rally attracted 30,000 people and was broadcast to churches around the world. Several familiar figures from the Christian Right appeared on stage with Perry and leaders of the NAR. The result was that apostles and prophets who had for years remained under the radar were suddenly subjected to scrutiny from the media, including an interview with me [Rachel Tabachnick] conducted by Terry Gross on the NPR program Fresh Air.
Exposed to this scrutiny, NAR’s leaders publicly distanced themselves from some of their more radical ideology. Webpages were removed and websites were amended to explain that the NAR’s apostles are either not Dominionists, or that the term simply means to gain influence in society. Peter Wagner himself [the founder and leader of NAR] granted two unprecedented interviews with mainstream media outlets in October 2011. He explained to Terry Gross, for example, that the NAR respected religious pluralism and that Dominionism was not about ruling: “In terms of taking dominion, we don’t—we wouldn’t want to—we use the word dominion, but we wouldn’t want to say that we have dominion as if we’re the owners or we’re the rulers of, let’s say, the arts and entertainment mountain.”
Compare that explanation with what Wagner said about Dominionism at an NAR conference in 2008:
“Dominion has to do with control. Dominion has to do with rulership. Dominion has to do with authority and subduing and it relates to society. In other words . . . what the values are in Heaven need to be made manifest here on earth. Dominion means being the head and not the tail. Dominion means ruling as kings. It says in Revelation Chapter 1:6 that He has made us kings and priests—and check the rest of that verse; it says for dominion. So we are kings for dominion.”
Here are some useful glossaries and some important discussions of terms and usage.
Political Research Associates has an extensive glossary.
Southern Poverty Law Center has a glossary of terms related to the racist right.
Religious Right Watch (the site of one of the founders of Talk to Action, Scott Isebrand) has a short glossary (with lots of links) down the right column.
Rachel Tabachnick posted a glossary of terms related to "Strategic Level Spiritual Warfare" as used by the New Apostolic Reformation; here at Talk to Action in 2010.
Chip Berlet posted an extensive discussion of the definition of "dominionism" here at Talk to Action in the wake of media controversy in 2011.
Knotty problems of usage come up in relationship to religiously motivated violence. I attempted to sort through the problems related to the use of such terms as "faith-based," "Christian militia," and "Islamic terrorism" in a 2010 essay at Religion Dispatches.
The Religion Newswriters Association has a helpful Religion Stylebook for journalists.
Sara Diamond's 1989 book Spiritual Warfare: The Politics of the Christian Right included a pioneering glossary that remains useful today.
A Moment to Decide: The Crisis in Mainstream Presbyterianism by Lew Daly, (an investigative report on Religious Right "renewal" groups and their efforts to neutralize the Presbyterian Church USA also contains an extensive and still useful glossary, although it was published in 2000.)
If there are other relevant glossary and usage resources that I have not mentioned here -- please do tell us about them in the comments.