Ideology of Radical Christian Right Fascists »
Posted By populist 1 year, 7 months ago in Arts & EntertainmentA review of the book "American Fascists" by Chris Hedges. In it he notes that televangelists like Robertson, Benny Hill & others "rule their fiefdoms as despotic potentates" which some adherents might think isn't God's way of doing things. They travel in kingly luxury on private jets and have amassed huge personal fortunes
Read Full Story at populistamerica.com »
Submitted By:
populist
The essays we offer are unapologetically presented for you to read & analyze. Many are offered as a similar view to ours & others simply to invite ...
Also submitted:
Related Articles:
Why not submit a story?
Join the Discussion 
+ Add Comment
Comments So Far: 59
-
-
100%
Twistoflex1 year, 7 months ago
Hedges book is on my summer reading list ... after Chris Hitchens magisterial, "god is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything", which I'm reading now (I have to finish it before I go to England, shortly). Hedges is a believer (unlike Hitchens, who provides a bounty of reasonable arguments for abandoning such anachronistic and destructive doctrine). I suppose Hedges still foolishly clings to the notion that his religion can be virtuous and benevolent, despite all the historical, sociological and psychological evidence to the contrary. He would be wise to investigate further, because fascist scumbags like Robertson and his ilk are merely emulating the philosophy and practices of the cult's founder, the Herodian Roman agent provocateur and original huxster, Paul (known by his other aliases as Saul and Saulus).
The nascent movement - which had a vastly different philosophy - was thoroughly corrupted by Paul; the Nicene Councils, centuries later, adopted Paul's screed.
Reply
-
-
80%
Ciera-Marie1 year, 7 months ago
mivan4:
It's a well known fact that while Dr. James Dobson founder of Focus on the Family spoke out against gambling he was taking money from the pro gambling lobbyists.
Reply
-
-
0%
Charlson1 year, 7 months ago
James Dobson, Pat Robertson, Benny Hill, the Crouchs, Dr. James Kennedy and the late Jerry Falwell are all christian charlatans. They don't even come close to upholding the teachings of Jesus. And the saying that "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God" is so applicable with these dirt bags.
Reply -
100%
crespi1 year, 7 months ago
*grim chuckle* heh
I think that's Benny Hinn, but "Benny Hill" is very applicable for the farce aspect of these spiritual snake-oil salesmen.
Too bad the violence born from all the frothing anti-gay, anti-environmentalist, anti-education, Neocon, racist, sexist, anti-life hate preached by these un-American creeps isn't humorous...
Great Moments In Christianity-
Thanks to Dr. Dobson, if you go to Heaven, Ted Bundy is going to be sitting next to you...
Reply-
-
0%
zaph221 year, 7 months ago
Yeah, calling Benny Hill an evanialist shows how well this article was researched...
Reply
-
-
100%
elel1 year, 7 months ago
Was hoping that was a typo, I may not hear much, but never would have thought Benny Hill as a for real scary hate monger :)
Reply
-
-
50%
cushi1 year, 7 months ago
Have any of the individuals mentioned actually said they hate those people and/or things mentioned in this article? I am a Christian with deep faith in Biblical teachings and I am sure there are many others like me who do not have a message of hate toward our fellow man. I will say this about homosexuality, however. My belief, based on the scriptures, is that it is a sin. However, I do not agree with people who like to give that sin greater weight than, say, fornication or adultery. the Bible says sin is sin. Obviously, sin has varying degrees of seriousness and consequences, but the scriptures point out that none of us are perfect and all of us have fallen short of the greatness God intended for us. No group can be singled out for persecution or praise because we're all in the same boat and we all need Jesus, period.
Reply-
0%
mivan41 year, 7 months ago
NOtice, The Article is a LIE, The Author says that Dr. Dobson thinks its ok to kill Islamic infadels, notice he doesn't quote Dr. Dobson as saying that because he can't since Dr. Dobson doesn't believe that. IT'S a LIE
Reply -
0%
marlenebomer1 year, 7 months ago
Cushi -- You're looking at the mores of a Bronze Age society!
If your opinions have evolved to where women are not chattel and racial minorities can't be enslaved, and you believe women can work outside the home (ALL of which at one point were considered permitted according to your bible!), why are you of still of the belief that being gay is a sin??
Have you ever reasoned out as to *why* certain Christians single out the GLBT community, yet say it's perfectly fine for what was once considered "sins" (declaring the Earth is NOT the center of the Universe, for instance!), isn't?
Why is it that those who once used the bible to justify denying the rights of women, racial and religious minorities are considered bigots and uneducated are embrassed when it comes to denying people rights based on gender identity and sexual orientation??
Reply -
0%
scott42611 year, 7 months ago
I have known I am gay since I was very young. I can't explain why or how. I can tell you that I didn't CHOOSE to be gay, but I came to realize that this is a part of who I am and I grew to accept it. I don't consider this to be "a lifestyle," because my sexual orientation is a tiny part of who I am as a person. It simply is. I don't obsess about your heterosexuality because it is a tiny part of who you are. I just don't spend much time on it.
One read the Bible, one must always take into consideration who is speaking, to whom it is addressed and the purpose for which it was recorded. Reading Leviticus 18, the supposed prohibition against homosexuals in verse 22 should be kept in context with the rest of the chapter or the whole book of Leviticus: no pork, no lobster, no shrimp, no oysters, no eating rare meats. No sex during menstruation? Calling for the killing of all divorced people who remarry? Not even the most fundamentalist Christian believes any of that other stuff!
Reply
-
-
0%
Dionys1 year, 7 months ago
All of the individuals mentioned in the article have said things along the lines of what was mentioned in the article. I believe it was Fallwell who said that God willed 9/11 because New York is so full of homosexuals, abortionists and various other sundry sins. I believe he also said the same thing about the Tsunami - only targeted Islam in addition.
That said, I want to be clear as you are in reminding people that this is a small representation of Christians in America. My (Catholic) church welcomes everyone. Homosexuals serve in the parish in various positions and while they are not "in your face" like some groups, they aren't (and shouldn't be ashamed) of who they are as God made them. We also run a yearly festival to promote environmentalism as we believe that as stewards of the earth we are here to protect it from harm (rather than use it into oblivion as the Christofascists believe). I could mention many other examples.
Reply-
0%
marlenebomer1 year, 7 months ago
Be prepared to have the Vatican through your local bishop put the hammer on allowing gays and lesbians from serving in your parish, Dionys.
We have a local campus church which was open and welcoming to us, but when the bishop pushed out the priest who had been there for decades, the new priest came down and threw out all the progressive reforms, and turned it into a dogmatic and patriarchal parish, just as the former Nazi from Rome decreed.
Reply
-
-
0%
Dionys1 year, 7 months ago
To address your comment regarding the Bible and homosexuality, I'd suggest you read more closely and consider what you're saying. The only thing mentioned in the Bible about Homosexuality is in Leviticus. The Sodom and Gomorrah story refrences inhospitality as the sin, not homosexuality.
If you take Leviticus (which I'll point out is a *Jewish* text, predating Christ) to regard homosexuality as a sin, then you must also take the other parts of Leviticus and hold them to the same level. So you shouldn't wear clothing made from two types of textiles (Leviticus 19:19). You shouldn't sow two different types of seeds in your field (19:19) - so no grass seed mixtures on your lawn. Et cetera.
Consider Christ's actions in the Gospels as your guide if you are truly to be a "little Christ." He embraced the unclean. He reached out to the poor, the hungry, the marginalized of society and regularly engaged with those rejected by the status quo.
Reply-
0%
marlenebomer1 year, 7 months ago
Let's not forget Dionys, the fact that the *word* "homosexual" wasn't even *coined* until the late 1800's, which means that this person's version of the bible is inaccurate and error-filled!
There are loads of web sites out there who can refute the bigots who interpreted a word meaning "soft" into "effeminate", which in turn became "homosexual" because of the cultural prejudices inherent in those interpreting ancient languages which have no equivalent in Old English, let alone the 21st century!
Reply
-
-
100%
smeejay1 year, 7 months ago
i couldn't agree more, except that benny hill, who starred in his self titled " The Benny Hill Show" for over 25 years is not Benny Hinn. as pointed out above though, while the "comedy" of Benny Hinn's hocus-pocus faith(?)healing is just as side splittingly funny as Benny Hill's, the harm these people do to the feeble minded is irreparable.
Reply-
92%
foksipayne1 year, 7 months ago
My hubby and I thought to do a comedic video on that subject. If we ever do, I will post it in Humor for all to read!
;)
Reply
-
-
-
67%
Neophile1 year, 7 months ago
I've always gotten those two confused. They're both so funny (yet disturbing) to watch.
Reply -
-
-
-
0%
scott42611 year, 7 months ago
In the New Testament, the references by Paul accompany his belief that woman should be veiled and that they should be silent in the church. It is also important to remember that the Bible was written in Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament) and that the words in your personal Bible depend on which translation you happen to have. It is also important to remember there is no record of Jesus mentioning homosexuality anywhere in the four gospels. He did say that we are not to judge each other and that we'll have to answer to God for how we treat each other (Matthew 7:1).
God will be the one who judges me. I am comfortable with that and I know He loves me as I am.
Reply
-
-
0%
1-2-Oscar1 year, 7 months ago
Evidently neither author Stephen Lendman nor Netscape contributor populist are aware that Pat Robertson inherited many millions from his father, the late Sen. A. Willis Robertson. The younger Robertson used some of that money to found his communications empire.
But I don't suppose that knowledge would have changed a word written by either of those two gentlemen. Their purpose is NOT to accurately inform.
The misidentification of evangelist Benny Hinn with comedian Benny Hill is typical of the close research these clowns do. Anyone who believes ANYTHING from this source is a fool.
Reply-
67%
marlenebomer1 year, 7 months ago
Then why is ol' Marion so worried about his riches he bought a diamond mine in an African country ruled by a dictator??
Why did Marion lobby Congress to keep sanctions from being imposed on his host?
Why is Marion constantly shilling for money, when its clear he has millions to spare and won't be broke for decades?
Why is Marion being a hypocrite when he helps campaigns which oppress GLBT citizens, calling it "special rights" when he then demands "special rights" for fundamentalist Christians??
Reply -
100%
Ciera-Marie1 year, 7 months ago
1-2-Oscar:
He has preached from his show that our special forces should assinate world leaders that stand up to President Bush.
Also, He may have inherited that money but trust me he has made millions off the backs of working people spreading fear.
At the same time he happens to own a diamond in Africa. Guess who works the diamond mine? 10-13 year old African boys. Why does a Christian leader need a diamond mine? Why do they need personal jets? Mac Hammond of a local mega church here in the Twin Cities has one. He also is on national TV. He's in financial trouble. See the post above mine about the diamond mine.
Reply
-
-
0%
WCFIELDS1 year, 7 months ago
That's one frightening picture of Chuckles the clown adorning this fine piece of journalism.
Reply -
33%
militantveg1 year, 7 months ago
Paul attacked fornication AND homosexuality: "This is God's will--your sanctification, that you keep yourselves from sexual immorality, that each of you learn how to take his own wife in purity and honor, not in lustful passion like the gentiles who have no knowledge of God." (I Thess. 4:3-5)
Christians must not associate with the sexually immoral. (I Cor. 5:9-12, 6:15,18). Paul condemned homosexuality (Rom. 1:24-27) and incest (I Cor. 5:1). He taught that fornicators, idolaters, adulterers and robbers will not inherit the kingdom of God. (I Cor. 6:9-10)
Christians must train themselves for godliness, practice self-control, lead upright, godly lives (Gal. 5:23; I Tim. 4:7; II Tim. 1:7; Titus 2:11-12). They must ALWAYS pray constantly. (I Thess. 5:17)
My problem isn't with Christians unable to follow Paul, but with the hypocrisy of saying "I believe," and ignoring what Paul taught when it suits them. Why not just be secular, like everyone else?
Reply-
0%
hoppy1 year, 7 months ago
Hey Ed,the're all going to Hell anyway.God is just letting them burn themselves.
Reply -
-
83%
foksipayne1 year, 7 months ago
millitan
Who says a homosexual cannot love their partner with purity?
I know that many go galivant around putting notches on their belts, but we straighties do very much the same, well some,not me.
I think that one can feel the same type of love for the same gender, that another can feel for the opposite.
Reply
-
-
100%
JohnBryansFontaine1 year, 7 months ago
B&N REVIEW:
John Bryans Fontaine, a believer in Viable Liberalism, 02/27/2007
Customer Rating for this product is 4 out of 5
A Brillant Expose, marred by P.C. Stalinism
Having finished finished Hedges' book 'American Fascists', I would agree that Dominionists do present a real threat to our country's Freedom and Democracy, However, Hedges would appear to deny these individuals their rights of free speech under the First Amendment. While Hedges accurately views the Dominionists as proto-Nazis/Fascists, he never once mentions the vast differences between the Weimar Republic and present-day America. According to the book, all that would take the US to turn into a Theocracy is another 9/11. All through 'American Fascism', ( other than an incessant drum-beat for gay-rights issues ), is the P.C. Stalinist impulse to suppress those who Mr. Hedges is so opposed to.
Reply -
0%
hoppy1 year, 7 months ago
Well,stop giving to their mansions, Hummers, private jets,Turkish baths in Hawawi,and all in the name of "god"
Reply -
25%
Vehre1 year, 7 months ago
Why is it that not subscribing to secular humanism is a mark of "fascism" to the author of this article? Is the failing of these religionists that they believe in God or that they are not lefties?
Why the war on religious believers these days? What happened to freedom of conscience?
Some of you should read your own comments, full of gross and unsupportable generalizations, dissembling, and name-calling, and then ask yourselves where the groups you hate so thoroughly learned intolerance for the opinions of others.
I have no sympathy for the preachers bashed in this article, they are perfect examples of who Christ meant when He said, "They draw near me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." But when you equate all religious people with these characters, you invite demonization in reponse.
Reply-
88%
Ciera-Marie1 year, 7 months ago
Vehre:
A lot of our comments are supportable. All you have to do is Google them and you'll find out loads. It's public record.
The problem I have with these supposed leaders of faith is they are not living the word. They say one thing and do another. They are not the best examples of faith there are. Serously, do they really need designer custom made suits? A diamond ring upgrade?
Remember sometimes the only bible people read is us.
Reply -
0%
marlenebomer1 year, 7 months ago
The demonization by the religious reicht is against *anyone* who opposes not only their narrow-minded worldview (ie "liberal" churches) but their agenda of theocratic rule over the US, Vehre!
The so-called "war on Christians" was another in a ongoing series of lame attempts by the reicht to garner sympathy by the gullible who buy into the reicht's rhetoric that they're being "persecuted" by the evil secularists.
Nothing could be further from the truth! See the other posts when it comes to why open-minded, freethinking people are being demonized by these modern day fascists...
Reply -
100%
foksipayne1 year, 7 months ago
Vehre
If they were honestly religious believers then they would practice the belief, instead of hiding behind all their BS.
Reply
-
-
0%
mcgrievysr1 year, 7 months ago
Most of the televangelists mentioned in the article are "Doctors" of theology who graduated from the Rev. Jim Bob Smith School of Fundraising or, worse yet, from Regent. Their interpretation of scripture is fast and loose and makes no sense to educated people. All of that being said, I am not interested in hearing from any religious figure who abandons, "And the meek shall inherit the earth", or,"And the greatest of these is love". These people are seriously dangerous. Of course, I'm in deep doodoo if the Good Lord is not merciful.:-)
Reply -
100%
scott42611 year, 7 months ago
One thing that should be clear to everyone: these dominionists do NOT represent mainstream Christianity. But people like them and their followers are very quick to judge my faith (I am an Episcopalian) as not really being Christian at all ....never mind that we don't park our brains at the door...never mind that we take very seriously Jesus' teachings of taking care of the least among us, treating others as we wish to be treated...in short, loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. Doesn't that sound like followers of Christ?
Reply-
50%
mcgrievysr1 year, 7 months ago
scott4261----"One thing that should be clear to everyone: these dominionists do NOT represent mainstream Christianity".
What's scary, Scott, is that these people are beginning to have a major influence on the masses. They are influencing many of the uninformed in our society and if it weren't for the religious right, we would have had a different president in each of the last two elections. I agree that Christians should be more compassionate and less judgmental than the followers of these charlatans are. But, hey, they're on a mission.
Reply
-
-
0%
SultanME1 year, 7 months ago
'Giving' means giving for nothing, what Christians do is Give in return for converting to Christianity, thats not giving, thats getting MORE than you give.
Just another peice of Hypocrisy.
Reply -
100%
elel1 year, 7 months ago
Those "preachers" and people like them scare me, anything of the "fundamental" nature in religion scares me too. Seriously, I've heard some of these "teachings" "preachings" "lectures" "brainmushings" what ever you want to call them, and excuse me, but they are no better than a Hitler, a Stalin or any other despotic ruler of bygone years. Lets really hope they never get the powers they are craving. Religion is fine if you care to follow it, but KEEP IT OUT OF Government!
Another thing, this is not about persecuting the religious, I think it is more about protecting those of us that do not care to be of a "religion" or believe religion should not be a factor in government, other than to protect it.
Reply -
Add a Comment
Please keep your comments relevant to this story.
To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br /> tags.