November 12th, 2004
Recently I was asked if I was aware of the Free State Project, and here’s my response:
Yes, I am aware of that particular group and, too, of the wider “secession” movement that exists amongst the fundamentalist Christian right. Many secularists and mainstream Americans are simply refusing to believe that such radicalism can exist in our country, but it does. And, from what I’ve observed, it is this right-wing Christian-fundamentalism that the Republican Party has tapped into to amass electoral power. Moreover, I think that the Republican’s “Southern Strategy,” now infused with strands of the fundamentalist Christian-right, while electorally successful, has the potential to tear our nation apart. As an example, like with the Free State Project, here’s another right-wing organization that advocates secession:
CHRISTIAN EXODUS
ChristianExodus.org is coordinating the move of thousands of Christians to South Carolina for the express purpose of re-establishing Godly, constitutional government. It is evident that the U.S. Constitution has been abandoned under our current federal system, and the efforts of Christian activism to restore our Godly republic have proven futile over the past three decades. The time has come for Christians to withdraw our consent from the current federal government and re-introduce the Christian principles once so predominant in America to a sovereign State like South Carolina. [ http://www.christianexodus.org/ ]
The president of that organization writes the following:
Mr. Jim Taylor and Mr. Cory Burnell founded ChristianExodus.org in November 2003 as a response to the moral degeneration of our nation and the lack of any determination by the Republican Party to return our nation to its Constitutional moors.
Now, this is but one organization, but clearly the fundamentalist Christian-right sees their electoral futures tied to one party, the Republican Party. And these groups would not be incorrect in presuming that they’ve been actively courted by the Republican Party, especially by the Southern strand of that Party. Again, I’m afraid that I and of my fellow secularists have been caught with our pants down on this issue, and now need to assert the rock-solid separation between church and state that MUST exist, or we risk a “war of civilizations” (euphemistically referred to as the “culture wars”) in our own backyard.
November 12th, 2004
Bob Jones and his ilk — which compose our own American brand of radical clerics — have declared a war of civilizations against those that do not share their worldview. These radical clerics have issued fatuahs against modernity and progress, and — if it were up to them — these radical clerics and their followers would impose an authoritarian Theocracy on one of modern history’s greatest exponents of Liberty, Reason and Progress: America.
I that there are millions of conservative Christians that firmly believe in the correctness of their convictions. Well, I — and millions more across this nation — firmly belive in correctness and righteousness of our convictions, too. And, of course, both our camps stand diametrically opposed on many issues — especially in regards to the strict separation that must exist between church and state.
As I sit here, it is perfectly clear to me that the single greatest impediment to social progress, peace and “modernity” in the Arab world is a constant flirtation with Islamic Theocracy. In 2001, just before our forces went into Afghanistan, there was a lot of talk about being engaged in a war of “civilizations”; and that we would be liberating Afghanistan from the hands of a group of “strict interpreters of spiritual scriptures,” the Taliban. Well, many Americans have died — in part — to liberate the Afghan people from the clutches of an authoritarian Theocratic regime; and it would be a shame if, as our military tore down such a regime abroad, that radical clerics here erected a theocracy at home.
I’m afraid that many on my camp have not yet taken the threat of our radical clerics here at home seriously enough, and by the time that they do, it might be too late. Already these radical clerics have marshaled millions to more rapidly tare down the center pillar of our nation: the separation between church and state.
November 11th, 2004
Dr. Bob Jones III, president of the coservative-christian Bob Jones University, where until recently (1999-2000) inter-racial dating was prohibited, wrote the following letter to Mr. Bush:
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President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
The media tells us that you have received the largest number of popular votes of any president in America’s history. Congratulations!
In your re-election, God has graciously granted America — though she doesn’t deserve it — a reprieve from the agenda of paganism. You have been given a mandate. We the people expect your voice to be like the clear and certain sound of a trumpet. Because you seek the Lord daily, we who know the Lord will follow that kind of voice eagerly.
Don’t equivocate. Put your agenda on the front burner and let it boil. You owe the liberals nothing. They despise you because they despise your Christ. Honor the Lord, and He will honor you.
Had your opponent won, I would have still given thanks, because the Bible says I must (I Thessalonians 5:18). It would have been hard, but because the Lord lifts up whom He will and pulls down whom He will, I would have done it. It is easy to rejoice today, because Christ has allowed you to be His servant in this nation for another presidential term. Undoubtedly, you will have opportunity to appoint many conservative judges and exercise forceful leadership with the Congress in passing legislation that is defined by biblical norm regarding the family, sexuality, sanctity of life, religious freedom, freedom of speech, and limited government. You have four years — a brief time only — to leave an imprint for righteousness upon this nation that brings with it the blessings of Almighty God.
Christ said, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my father honour” (John 12:26).
The student body, faculty, and staff at Bob Jones University commit ourselves to pray for you — that you would do right and honor the Savior. Pull out all the stops and make a difference. If you have weaklings around you who do not share your biblical values, shed yourself of them. Conservative Americans would love to see one president who doesn’t care whether he is liked, but cares infinitely that he does right.
Best wishes.
Sincerely your friend,
Bob Jones III
President
BJIII:lw
PS: A few moments ago I read this letter to the students in Chapel. They applauded loudly their approval.
When I told them that Tom Daschle was no longer the minority leader of the Senate, they cheered again.
On occasion, Christians have not agreed with things you said during your first term. Nonetheless, we could not be more thankful that God has given you four more years to serve Him in the White House, never taking off your Christian faith and laying it aside as a man takes off a jacket, but living, speaking, and making decisions as one who knows the Bible to be eternally true.
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http://www.bju.edu/letter
November 10th, 2004
What is going on here!?
LOS ANGELES, November 9, 2004 – At 7:50 PM two armored tanks showed up at an anti-war protest in front of the federal building in Westwood. The tanks circled the block twice, the second time parking themselves in the street and directly in front of the area where most of the protesters were gathered. Enraged, some of the people attempted to block the tanks, but police quickly cleared the street. The people continued to protest the presence of the tanks, but about ten minutes the tanks drove off. It is unclear as to why the tanks were deployed to this location.
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http://www.alternet.org/election04/2004/11/002663.html
Video
November 4th, 2004
Many wonder what it will take to restore social civility to Washington, to get Republicans and Democrats mingling again. Rock-ribbed Republican Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, proffered a solution, telling us that Democrats must accept the finality of their powerlessness. “Once the minority of House and Senate are comfortable in their minority status, they will have no problem socializing with the Republicans. Any farmer will tell you that certain animals run around and are unpleasant, but when they’ve been fixed, then they are happy and sedate. They are contented and cheerful. They don’t go around peeing on the furniture and such.” Norquist assured us that he meant neutered “psychologically” and his metaphor was “facetious.” Of course: Let the healing begin. [ref]
For those that still believe that Republicans are in fact interested in “working together,” there you have it: from the mouth of one of the generals of the conservative movement in this country. They expect us to roll-over, be neutered and merrily remain in silence. Or, as some would have it, take it upon our own hands and opt for self-exile in Canada. This is not the time to roll-over; instead, find like-minded friends and neighbors, join your local Democratic party and let’s get our country back on the right track.
