In the midst of all our economic chaos, we can not risk losing sight of the extremist ideology underlying the Republican platform and agenda. As Americans become more and more terrified of their financial futures, the elixir of religious absolutism can quickly become "koolaid" that kills.
Go to the CADC website: http://www.christianadc.org/...
Click on "7 Reasons" for the video.
Do a little digging and you'll soon discover that the CADC ran what they called a "True Christian Vice President" campaign this past spring, petitioning both presidential candidates to select a born-again running mate as the only way to fulfill their biblical obligations.
So, maybe it's time for fed-up progressives to confront all those "moderate republicans" lurking in the wings and demand that they pay attention:
CADC's narrow world view is in direct opposition to the pluralistic principles that distinguish America from the un-enlightened regimes we currently denounce, and spend billions of dollars to transform!
While both candidates' decision to attend Pastor Rick Warren's Civil Forum earlier this summer where they were grilled on their personal beliefs in Jesus Christ, was a disturbing and unprecedented breach of the church state divide, only one candidate has completely caved to the CADC's call to action. That would be John McCain of course, whose on-going sellout to the Christian conservative elements of the Republican party, goes way further than any concessions ever given by even King George, according to Phyllis Schlafly, blessed mother of the movement herself.
In July, with his campaign languishing, McCain turned to the same Ohio Burress consortium that claims responsibility for having helped elect Bush in 2004, to get just the boost he needed.
For the full story, visit PFAW'S http://www.rightwingwatch.org/...
McCain tossed Phil and his crowd a bunch of theological crumbs at the Civil Forum, including declaring with absolute certitude that life begins at conception, and agreeing that federally funded faith-based initiatives should be allowed to require all employees to swear their allegiance to Jesus Christ.
But, of course, the icing on the cake came with McCain's September Palin appointment. According to Burress, "As much as I was opposed to (McCain), I'm for him now. . . . (T)he Palin choice . . . sealed the deal." (Source: Cincinnati Business Courier on September 12th)
How in America, can it be that a presidential candidate who valued "experience" over all else, chose as second-in-command a person with zero foreign policy experience and minimal economic credentials solely on the basis of her hard-right religious affiliation? It can be only if all the rationally minded "moderate republicans" let it be, puttng "country third," way below personal ambition and gutless partisanship.
So, while McCain sells his soul to an angry god, "moderate republicans" bury their heads ten feet under. "I'm building an army," Mr. Burress says smugly, and now this army is doing battle for their man McCain, while "moderate republicans" flank the ranks cheering them on. Their battle cry: We've got to win this election, let all else be damned!
Certainly Burress and his ilk have the first amendment right to express their condemnation of other religions as false. They can be as intolerant, arrogant, hateful and exclusive as they want. That's America.
But . . . for the marketplace of ideas to fulfill its democratic function, it is the patriotic duty of reasonable citizens everywhere to loudly raise their voices in dissent. I have plenty of "moderate republican" friends and acquaintances who claim disdain for Christian fundamentalism. So what are they waiting for . . . if not them, who? If not now, when?
Mr. and Ms. "Moderate Republican," there's no escaping it, it's your responsibility to rise up against the religious chauvinists who have hijacked your party. Either take back that GOP mantle or find the courage to walk away in protest and bring your fiscally responsible ideas to a party that bases its agenda on "reality-based thinking." (Believe it or not, we would actually welcome your help solving the most difficult issues this country has ever faced.)
The perfect storm is looming: severe financial downturn, intensifying global uncertainty and creeping home-grown religious fundamentalism. While it's comforting to acknowledge the Pew Forum's recent finding that 70% of Americans agree that others' belief systems can also be valid, history teaches us how quickly in times of economic crisis a country can go from embracing diversity to condemning it.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
