If there were only one religion in England there would be danger of despotism, if there were two they would cut each other’s throats, but there are thirty and they live in peace and happiness.Voltaire
This is the last article in this series. I hope it has been of interest and enlightening to all who have read it. One thing I have learned through all my research is that you can never let your guard down with these people. When you do, you get presidents like George W. Bush, or congressmen like Tom DeLay or Governors like Sanford. So I think we have established that the Religious Right has had a profound influence our culture and the American dialogue, most of it not pleasant. I think if you were to go back and review all the posts in this series, you would be able to say a great deal more influence than they should have. Part of the answer as to why they have inserted themselves so “incestously” into our political landscape is because they learned the lessons of the 60’s. They adopted the organizing element of protests of the 60’s from radicals of those days who have migrated toward conservatism and are happily applying the same skills they used in the 60’s to work with the religious right and to facilitate an alignment of Evangelicals and a few Conservative Catholics. The alignment is termed as a “cobelligerent” alliance for the purpose of fighting the Right to Life and the GLBT issues in our society. However it should be noted that similar to Progressive Evangelicals, their are probably many more Progressive Catholics that take a softer view of these issues. Change.org summed this “co-belligerent’ agreement(link below) as:
If you take a few dozen Catholics, mix them up with a large pack of conservative evangelicals, throw in a former Nixon official who went to jail for obstructing justice, and add the woman who is the leading activist trying to keep marriage rights away from LGBT people, you get what’s now better known as the Manhattan Declaration. If that sounds like a recipe for disaster, it is. It’s the right-wing’s new call to arms that is not only reviving the buzzword “culture wars,” but is a sign that conservative religious leaders will stoop to the lowest levels imaginable to make sure that LGBT people are pushed back into the closet and that women’s rights are sent back to the days of back alley abortions and “Mad Men” housewives.What is the Manhattan Declaration? It’s a statement put forward by upwards of 150 religious leaders — from Catholic bishops including the Archbishop of New York, to conservative political legends like Dinesh D’Souza — that says conservative religious folks are called by God to go nuclear in order to prevent abortion, same-sex marriage, stem-cell research and a host of what they call “fundamental truths.”
These two groups(Evangelicals and Conservative Catholics) drew up a document called the Manhattan Declaration facilitated by First Things, a publication and activist group founded by John Richard Neuhaus(a former Lutheran 60’s activist) and other theocons. While the Manhattan Declaration was just finished last November, it has been in the works since the 90’s. The men responsible for the theocon movement’s continuation from the 70’s to present are Richard John Neuhaus and Michael Novak(also on the board of the Institute for Religion and Democracy). The Manhattan Declaration is what people might expect, opposition to abortion, gay marriage/homosexuality and for religious liberty. The religious liberty piece of this declaration is somewhat confusing since this country was founded on that premise and it is written into our Constitution, in the First Amendment. Perhaps they are referring to religious liberty in the sense that all people should practice religious freedom as they see fit? but I highly doubt that one. Without being able to question any of the people who wrote this declaration, it is hard to imagine exactly what they mean in this section. They do, however, manage to quote Doctor Martin Luther King Jr from his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” in this section of their declaration:
Going back to the earliest days of the church, Christians have refused to compromise their proclamation of the gospel. In Acts 4, Peter and John were ordered to stop preaching. Their answer was, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Through the centuries, Christianity has taught that civil disobedience is not only permitted, but sometimes required. There is no more eloquent defense of the rights and duties of religious conscience than the one offered by Martin Luther King, Jr., in his Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Writing from an explicitly Christian perspective, and citing Christian writers such as Augustine and Aquinas, King taught that just laws elevate and ennoble human beings because they are rooted in the moral law whose ultimate source is God Himself. Unjust laws degrade human beings. Inasmuch as they can claim no authority beyond sheer human will, they lack any power to bind in conscience. King’s willingness to go to jail, rather than comply with legal injustice, was exemplary and inspiring.Because we honor justice and the common good, we will not comply with any edict that purports to compel our institutions to participate in abortions, embryo-destructive research, assisted suicide and euthanasia, or any other anti-life act; nor will we bend to any rule purporting to force us to bless immoral sexual partnerships, treat them as marriages or the equivalent, or refrain from proclaiming thetruth as we know it, about morality and immorality and marriage and the family. We will fully and ungrudgingly render to Caesar’s what is Caesar’s. But under no circumstances will we render to Caesar what is God’s.
I find the reference to Dr. King a bit offensive as the Evangelical leaders on the right ridiculed him and refused to offer their support during the Civil Rights era. In fact, it was the progressive Christians, Catholics, Jews and Mainline Protestants, who stood with Dr. King and his SCLC during those trying times. Not one of the Evangelical leaders who wrote this declaration stood alongside Dr. King. You would have found William Sloan Coffin, Rabbi Herschel, Rabbi Davis, or Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwermer who gave their lives alongside James Chaney on the backroads of Mississippi, but not a Falwell or a Dobson or a Robertson. I also find it offensive that they write “or any other anti-life act”, yet continue to support the death penalty. I am not sure how they see it, but the death penalty is an anti-life act. So, while we have moved on to a new era of “change and hope”, you can see the Religious Right is never going to stop pushing their brand of religion on the rest of the nation and the world.
The Religious Right has insinuated themselves into politics, family issues, global issues, education, business, entertainment/the airwaves, media/the arts, religion and they have been successful(wildly) at it, working for years to achieve their goal. They have cultivated some extremely wealthy laymen like Erik Prince, Peter Coors, Phillip Anschutz,Howard Ahmanson, Rupert Murdoch(ABCFamily and NewsCorp), and the wealth alone of the Evangelists that have built their empires. They experienced 8 long years with direct access to the President of the United States and a myriad of public offices, sometimes syphoning off government funds for their outreach programs of which there are thousands around the world. However now that we have a Democratic party President, we have all experienced the increased rhetoric of anit-government, socialism, the taking away of freedom and Constitutional rights, just as Neuhaus and his band of theocons did during the Clinton administration(see First Things website link provided below) when they tried so hard to convict President Clinton on any scandal they could dream up. And that was not the extent of their meddling in political affairs during that time.
While they can continue to meddle in all aspects of the global neighborhood, I would like to believe it is possible they will not succeed in their quest for global domination. But, it is up to all of us to be aware of even the smallest nuances in our daily lives. Do background research on people who are making claims that seem off kilter for any reason. We should be suspicious and should cultivate suspicion of any and all who promise to save us from the exigencies of freedom. Learn the code words these people use to signal their intent to others within their belief or social systems. After all, we have that modern advantage of the Internet that “Al Gore invented for us” and while I insert a bit of humor in here, it is an invaluable tool for research. Speak up when someone makes outrageous claims or even what might seem logical claims with no basis for their reasoning. These people are no smarter than the rest of us and alot of times they will be using the “talking points” of the movement without any idea of the meaning of their rhetoric. If you are a regular member of a church, look for the signs of a takeover by conservatives in your parish/demonation. Are they fairly new to the congregation? Is their rhetoric against the philosophical beliefs of the denomination? Are they working to turn others in the congretation to their way of thinking, either outright or behind the scenes? Do they call meetings of members without the pastor/priest’s attendance? These are all signs of an effort to “SteepleJack” a church and they have the backing of the Institute for Religion and Democracy pushing their efforts. Learn the names of the players in this organization, it is widespread and huge, however it is not difficult to learn the various institute names and their outreach programs. It will definitely allow you to gain a better perspective into why a media outlet has brought a particular person on to defend or “prosecute” a particular issue, that person is going to give them the answer they want. They are chosen for a specific reason.
We have moved on to a new era in politics with the election of President Barack Obama, however one thing you can always count on, the Religious Right will always try to make a comeback, they have over and over again. Remember this, they are working from a “revisionist historical vision” when they frame theoconservatism as a recovery operation. They simply ignore or distort the complicated religious views of our founding fathers as well as their [justified] fears of religiously inspired tyranny and sectarian violence. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison were all either deists or liberal Christians inclined to doubt the divinity of Jesus Christ and the possibility of revelation. The US Constitution, in itself, is famously silent about God, as are the the essays that make up the Federalist Papers. One exception is two passing references by Madison, in fact in article 11 of the 1797 Treaty of Tripoli signed by Washington and endorsed by Adams, unamimously ratified by the Senate it clearly states that the United States was not founded on the Christian religion:As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.
Revisionist history is a favorite pastime of the Religious Right and the Republican party as a whole, however no matter how hard they try to change it, the written word is out there for us to seek and understand. How terrible would it be to have the theocons/religious right come to power and destroy all of our historical documents. Those of us in the here and now would surely be aware but generations to come would never know the true history of the United States of America, rather it might be taught as the “misunderstood” past.
http://gayrights.change.org/blog/view/the_manhattan_declaration_and_the_rights_return_to_the_culture_wars
http://www.manhattandeclaration.org/home.aspx
http://www.firstthings.com/article/2007/11/001-the-end-of-democracy-the-judicial-usurpation-of-politics-30
That they’ve co-opted Dr. King is offensive and desperate.
Would they have given their lives like James Reeb?
They have no shame. Or morals for that manner. Which is why they’re in the RR.
I was Protestant for the majority of my life, attended Sunday School while the Parents went home for coffee, converted to Catholicism in 1971, six months after I married. My “drop-you off-for-Sunday-School-parents” were appalled. Why? It’s been nearly 40 years; I’m convinced my mother has been spinning in her grave since the day she died several years ago.
At the time I converted, it was what I needed — at the time. As the stay-at-home-mom, I sincerely believed it was my responsibility to raise our children in the faith. Not for my spouse or my in-laws, but for the children.
Now, after all the years, I believe in something, but I’m not sure what, not the simplicity of Protestantism or the complexity of Catholicism. My oldest has had all 3 grand kids Baptized, but the family only occupies a pew on Christmas and Easter; my youngest is unofficially Methodist. Their father goes to Mass every week, but I assume because he believes his dad will curse him to Hell or strike him dead if he doesn’t.
It’s personal. It’s spiritual. It’s doing the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. It’s being comfortable in ones own skin. Love a neighbor, extend a hand, show respect, and treat others the way one would want to be treated.
It doesn’t take much. It doesn’t require Bible bashing. It doesn’t require disrespect or belittling. It requires nothing more than the respect we expect in return.
Exactly, boomer. I have total respect for the Buddhists, agnostics, and atheists, as well as mainstream church members that we have here on the Planet, because I’m about 99.99% certain that every one of us has thought long and hard about these issues and has come to his/her own conclusions honestly. That’s all any of us can do. I don’t think the Deity expects anything but that. Or, if there is no Deity, then that’s about all we can legitimately expect form each other!
It’s the self-righteous judgmental religionists or the in-your-face, you’re-a-moron atheists that can get under anyone’s skin. As you said: anyone can “love a neighbor, extend a hand, show respect.”
Boomer
It does not matter what you believe as long as you are comfortable with it. You can be a Buddhist, An Atheist, A Catholic, A Methodist, A UCC, A Unitarian, a Muslim, a Christian as long as you don’t fall into the fanatical side of whatever religion you worship under.
And……….as long as your religion does not have plans to take over the United States and become a church/state. That is what I find so disturbing about these people. Ralph Reed said in his book, After the Revolution basically that if they Unite Christians can pass any law, change anything they want and take control of this country. And he ended with “and that’s what we intend to do”
When you have some time, read this. It is long but will give you some insight as to their goals and how to achieve them. You will see a chilling reference to what they are attempting to do to Obama today, chilling.
http://www.yuricareport.com/Art%20Essays/The%20New%20Messiahs%20Excerpts.htm
Sue, this has been…I can’t even describe it…beyond helpful! Thanks many times over for the hours you put into this series. I know you must be drained! (At the same time I really do look forward to your investigation into the attitudes of the RR and Mainline Christians toward Israel.)
For both Catholics and Protestants, it’s coming to the point of extreme division between the right and Progressive elements of the faith community. It almost feels as though there are two conflicting churches in almost every denomination. In my own case, the easy way to deal with these awful conservative Catholics (and I can say that as an “insider” I guess 😉 ) would be to jump ship and walk away from the whole mess. But then the stubborn side of me emerges and I find myself saying: “I refuse to allow you people to tell me that I can’t call myself Catholic!” Which ends up NOT being the easy way to deal with ’em!
Even now Rachel Maddow is doing a story on the C Street scandal of ethical violations by the guys who live there, since their rent is heavily subsidized by the “Family,” and this violates the rules on gifts for congress people. The townhouse on C Street is identified as a “church” and gets the tax breaks attached to that status. But is, of course, really a VERY upscale boarding house, complete with maid service and meals.
So…it looks as though you and the Planet will have enough fodder for many more posts and articles when it comes to the RR!
Kes
After all the research and reading I have done, I am sure you are feeling a bit put out with the conservative elements of the Church. One thing I must say is even though I have known a few conservative Catholics, never have I experienced them like the rabid right. I can understand their stand on abortion, while I am pro-choice I would still like to see abortion be a last resort thing and I do think we are moving that way. The GLBT thing though I just do not discus with them. They will not change my mind and I can’t change theirs so it is best to leave it alone.
I think Notre Dame did the upstanding thing last year with the controversy and President Obama speaking. A religious right church or school would never have done that.
Sue, I am beyond put out with the conservative elements of the Catholic church, I can tell you! But there are elements of hope. 59,000 Catholic nuns (who are often in the vanguard of progressive action in the Church) supported HCR in defiance of the high and mighty bishops. Yes!
And thanks for reminding me about Notre Dame and their refusal to buckle to pressure on the invitation to President Obama to speak there. (And that was a helluva speech, now that I recall it. He addressed the issues of the protesters head on, as he always does.)
I know a bunch of nuns who have spent whole lifetimes trying to make life better for people who are sick, in prison, abused, and/or in need of education. They’re unsung heroes. And I know there are loads of Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and Protestant folks just like ’em. We just have to support each other and refuse to let the RR types hijack religion and warp it in their image.
Kes, What you said about being–and remaining–Catholic really resonates with me. I have felt that to a lesser degree as a Jew in regards to the Israelis, although they are not at all synonymous. (But there is still a very close relationship, certainly liturgically!)
A few month ago, I was feeling so discouraged about this country, and I thought any HCR would never pass. And at the same time, the Supreme Court had just ruled on Citizens United. I think I shared here that I had tried to convince my son to move to a better country.
He was having none of it, and he had several good reasons why he wasn’t leaving, but his bottom line was exactly what you said: This is MY country. Why should I give it up to the assholes?
I have come around to his position, but I still worry about his future here. And I am glad that there are many, many people like you in the Church. You are one of their most precious assets.
Cher, I’m really touched by your words. They mean so much to me.
I have the same worries about my kids’ futures here (even had an anxiety dream about ’em last night!), but I think your son has a point. If all the thinking and feeling humans move elsewhere, what will be left but vicious idiots? (Guess that’s pretty harsh…coming from a purported Christian…however… 😀 )
Judaism needs Cher. America needs Cher’s son. Otherwise, the “other” guys are gonna have it all!
Thanks, my friend.
Well, I am determined to get to bed early tonight, so I will say goodnight, and hope someone hears form Bito. So we can ALL sleep well.
Good night, Cher. Sweet dreams. I’m going to be signing off in about five minutes, too.
Like you, I won’t really rest until I know what’s happening with b’ito. Prayers continue.
Wonderful summation, Sue! This entire series has been awesome, and we thank you for it all!
Thanks, Choice Lady. I enjoyed much of the writing and research on this. I love to dig and research takes alot of digging to get to the truth.
What an incredible series and a well thought out finale! Three cheers, Sue for a remarkable exploration into the Religious Right! I will be linking to your series again and again.
Part of me wants to believe that the majority in the nation has finally smartened up after the RR and Bush nearly destroyed this nation. But, as you say, they are like cockroaches, you can spray them with poison, seal every crack, hire exterminators…but they will always keep coming back.
You are so right, we can never grow complacent and assume the American public is smart enough not to be fooled into supporting them. Any more than we would have assumed that the public is too smart to believe a health reform bill would create death panels.
You said it in a nutshell Adlib, death panels, kill granny, gubmint out of my healthcare but let me keep my medicare, socialism, socialism, socialism.
The sad thing about this is if you were brought up in the religion, unless you really open your mind to other things, you will always believe in the back of your mind someday you will be on the freeway and cars are going to start crashing with no one in them, the inevitable Rapture……I heard it all and believed I was in serious jeopardy for about awhile, then I opened my mind and read for myself.
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Thanks Tiger. I have enjoyed doing it despite several “go arounds” with writer’s block. But I do intend to spread the gospel, as the religious right says.
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Yes, unfortunately I had not paid alot of attention to this Monsanto thing, but I also have not seen much coverage on this food technology issue except for on Free Speech TV. So keep up the good work, I am being educated. Food and water are the two resources we cannot live without and the mainstream media has not covered it very well at all. But then it does not have the sensational impact of a Tiger Woods story.
Applause, applause, Sue, for an excellent summation of the series.
Economically speaking with the global economy and global corporations, the Religious Right will never succeed in total control, imho.
Education in the US is already lacking, and in order to compete globally, children must learn science and math.
The corporations may be playing along currently with the RR because they are Republicans and Republicans favor corporations, but once the corporations begin to suffer by the RR “dumbing down” of America, things will change and it might not be that far off in the future.
The corporations need American consumers, and a strong middle class, and unless wages start to rise for middle class Americans, corporations will continue to lose money.
And the only way for middle class Americans to be able to purchase products, is for the middle class to be educated so that they can get better and higher paying jobs.
I hope that makes sense!
I would agree with you to some extent, except for the “low-value voter” who follows Palin because of her foreign policies. Then asked exactly what that is, “umm I can’t think of it right now”. Or they vote for someone because they are good looking, or they are against abortion, never mind they are a war monger…..
I truly hope America wakes up, but like Adlib said in his post yesterday, we seem to be a nation of followers of the fad at the time. I realize there are alot of bright people(like people here at POV)but there are also alot of low-value, low-information people who get the same opportunity to vote as all of us.
Time heals wounds and it would not surprise me to find alot of voters soon forget the horror that was George W Bush. The broken economy is already the fault of this new administration and their voices are loud. Low value voters do not look further than the ballot.
Oops I forgot to ask you how the “procedure” went, the actual was not as bad as you thought, right?
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Everything is fine and the procedure was a snap and I put myself through all the worry and anxiety for nothing!
I think I slept through it, but am not sure!
And the prep stuff wasn’t as horrid as I thought taste-wise – it tasted like Alka-Seltzer.
I had such a good nap, I think, that I actually feel really good now especially after eating and having coffee!
Thanks for asking and thanks for all your encouragement!
I plan to head right to a Peets Coffee right after my “procedure” next week.
There’s something about being told you can’t that only makes the lack thereof worse. 🙂
That’s the truth!
Hooray! My husband has had three, and I had one, and it’s not fun, but it’s not awful, so I’m glad it’s over and you’re fine. Sue – definitely do coffee, but you will be ravenous, too! Something about not eating anything for a day before really gets to those of us used to three squares.
Best to you as well. Happy javaz is good!
Thanks CL!
Not supposed to remember any of that, except I made my daughter and son in-law go through the Starbuck’s drive through for coffee! 😆
Hey, j’avaz, glad to hear that everything went well. I’ll bet food and coffee never tasted better.
Just got home from doing the egg decorating thing with my favorite 3rd grader. Still no word from our b’ito?
No word from b’ito but I would imagine he’s extremely tired and hopefully sleeping.
My husband made me scrambled eggs with toast when we got home with the much-needed coffee and you are so right!
Nothing ever tasted better, especially since someone else cooked it and then cleaned up!
dr’graz is a real gem!
I’ll be hitting the hay earlier than normal tonight since I barely slept last night and then was up before 3:00 this morning!
It’s such a relief that it’s over and that everything is fine, and tomorrow will be a Good Friday!
(why do you suppose they call the day Our Lord was crucified Good Friday?)
God bless dr’graz! (Although I know you would do the same for him!)
Like you, I’m hoping b’ito is getting some much-needed rest.
I guess it’s called Good Friday because — like so much of life — all the good results usually come as the result of a lot of work and misery. I wish that weren’t true, but I guess you and b’ito are living proof today that a lot of the time it is!!
Kes, thank you, but what I went through today was nothing compared to b’ito and so many others.
I felt bad for being so freaked about such a common procedure knowing that b’ito and so many others are going through much worse.
Oh, the staff at the clinic from the nurses to the doctor were so very kind to me today and supportive and assuring, and do you think it would be appropriate to send a card thanking them?
Here’s what i consider good news:
Tony Perkins urges conservatives to stop giving money to RNC
“Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council and an influential social conservative, is urging his members to stop giving money to the Republican National Committee, POLITICO has learned.”
http://newstrust.net/stories/1177961/toolbar?ref=ll
And here’s a pretty encouraging comment too:
“Perkins is angry cause the Tea Party does not give a flying hoot about abortion, LOL… The Christian right is finally irrelevant to the GOP, at least some good came out of the Tea Potty”
Politico had me laughing, The Family Research Council, a “social conservative group”. I call it like it is a Religious Right pit of bigots.
But a good idea not to contribute to the RNC.
This almost sounds like an April Fools joke Cher.
Sue this was such an excellent series and excellent ending. I learned so much.
The religious right will never get it correct. This is not a Christian nation and was always intended to be a secular nation based on the 18th century humanist movement. While some moral values of the humanist movement run parallel with Christianity, the Bible and Jesus simply did not give the Founding Fathers any sort of blueprint that was used to create a liberal democracy. In fact much of our system is built on distrusting human nature and that’s where the concept of checks and balances came from to frame the Constitution.
KQ – I could not agree with you more. I shared some interpretation of scripture with Khirad one night here showing how they can twist things around to fit their agenda or how they just ignore the obvious to fit their agenda. They are incredulous, it is a good thing I don’t interact with them much.
But Jefferson used a common formality in a letter using “God” – that must negate everything else he ever said, right?! 😆
Sue, thank you for your important work on this great series. It is infuriating, depressing, and at the same time energizing to hear about the work of the RR!
I especially appreciate your recommendations on how to combat them. The internet is indeed a really valuable resource for exactly this kind of tracking. I am not sure they can take this much further– it would mean that Americans are stupid, crazy, and fascistic. Many are, but I mean a larger group. I am not sure, but the way to prevent it is for all of us to remain vigilant! It CAN happen here, as anywhere. Couple that with AdLib’s post yesterday about our childishness, and add in the lazy, corporate media, and we have a potent mix that should keep us very wary of the RR and any corporate and legislative connections.
I enjoyed this series, if that’s the right word– you know what I mean– thanks again!
Cher, yes that is the “right” word. Thanks. I do plan to tackle other issues where the RR is wrong but not base the articles on just their structure. And thanks. As I am sure you found out with the Hate in America series, it is so immense with so many different facets, it could never be covered in one post.
Absolutely, and I bet, like me with the Hate series, you couldn’t even cover it all in a series! I could have posted at least 2 more parts, but I was burnt out by then.
You got it, in fact I think my next will be on the RR and Mainline Christians in relation to support of Israel. I am gathering notes on that now. But just as a separate article, not a series.