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Ayatollahs on the Prairie?: Theocracy and Secular Hysteria
Breakpoint with Chuck Colson ^ | 6/22/2007 | Chuck Colson

Posted on 06/22/2007 8:57:21 AM PDT by Mr. Silverback

In recent months, an epidemic of anti-Christian books has erupted, viciously attacking the faithful as “theocrats” and “fascists.” Conservative Christians are called evangelical mullahs, intent on replacing the government with our own “religion-soaked political regimes,” as one overheated author put it.

Good gracious! Is America really about to fall into the hands of a diabolical Christian Taliban?

Of course not. It’s a false and malicious charge, and our critics know it. I know of not one Christian leader, theologian, or scholar who wants to impose a theocracy—that is, the church running the state—because the notion is entirely contrary to Christian faith.

At the heart of Christianity is the concept of free will. We can choose good and evil. Freedom is a God-given right. This is why right-thinking Christians oppose a system of government that would force citizens to accept faith in Christ, or any religion, as a condition of citizenship. And it’s why—secular hysterics not withstanding—there are no Christian theocracies anywhere in the world today. There are plenty of Islamic theocracies, but not one Christian theocracy.

This is not to say that over the centuries Christians haven’t tried to impose their values at times, which in the Middle Ages produced bloody crusades and inquisitions.

And we see some of this utopian thinking today, on the fringes. It crops up in contemporary Christian circles from left-leaning Catholics, to mainline leaders, to evangelicals. Some want to impose actual religious values by force of law. They are called reconstuctionists, or Dominionists, and they are wrong, both theologically and politically.

Of course, reconstuctionists, who espouse the idea of building a literal Christian society as opposed to working within the system to try to change politics, represent a small fringe group which is, as Ross Douquet notes in First Things, about as politically influential as the Spartacist Youth League.

Even if Christians advocating dominion gained power, they would be doomed to failure. As Martin Luther once wrote, “It is out of the question that there should be a Christian government even over one land . . . since the wicked always outnumber the good. Hence a man who would venture to govern . . . with the gospel would be like a shepherd who should place in one fold wolves, lions, eagles and sheep together and let them freely mingle.”

But while the Church must avoid utopianism and diversion from its transcendent mission, it is not to ignore the political scene. To the contrary, Christians have a duty to advance the cause of justice and human good within the democratic system, as William Wilberforce did in his battle to eliminate the British slave trade.

America has drifted far from the vision of its founders. But our form of government, with its unique church-state relationship that respects the roles of each, continues to offer the world’s most hopeful model in an otherwise contentious history of conflict.

This is why Christians need to defend against the ludicrous charges of theocracy. You can help your neighbors understand these issues. I’ve written about them at length in my new book, God and Government.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Editorial; Government
KEYWORDS: antichristian; breakpoint; islamicimperialism; islamiclaw; theocraticrule
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We even get to hear this ludicrous assertion on FR, in one case complete with a list of areas of scientific inquiry the theocrats will ban as soon as they gain power. It must suck to live your life immersed in paranoia.

There are links to further information at the source document.

If anyone wants on or off my Chuck Colson/BreakPoint Ping List, please notify me here or by freepmail.

1 posted on 06/22/2007 8:57:22 AM PDT by Mr. Silverback
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To: 05 Mustang GT Rocks; 351 Cleveland; AFPhys; agenda_express; almcbean; ambrose; Amos the Prophet; ...

BreakPoint/Chuck Colson Ping!

If anyone wants on or off my Chuck Colson/BreakPoint Ping List, please notify me here or by freepmail.

2 posted on 06/22/2007 9:00:38 AM PDT by Mr. Silverback (A pacifist sees no distinction between the arsonist and the fireman--Freeper ccmay)
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To: Mr. Silverback
"We even get to hear this ludicrous assertion on FR..."

Yeah, a little hyperbole goes a long way. But on the bright side, it has helped a few whiners to find the motivation move on.

3 posted on 06/22/2007 9:07:23 AM PDT by Sam's Army
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To: Grizzled Bear

Ping!


4 posted on 06/22/2007 9:08:11 AM PDT by Mr. Silverback (A pacifist sees no distinction between the arsonist and the fireman--Freeper ccmay)
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To: Mr. Silverback

In recent months, an epidemic of anti-Christian books has erupted, viciously attacking the faithful as “theocrats” and “fascists.”

Don’t forget calling us bigots is on the play book.


5 posted on 06/22/2007 9:08:46 AM PDT by PeterPrinciple ( Seeking the truth here folks.)
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To: PeterPrinciple

Well Rosie O’Donnell said that “radical Christianity” is as big a threat to America as “radical Islam”.

Rosie has millions of fans out there who agree with this nonsense reasoning.

How “radical Christians” are as big a threat as radical Islamists is beyond me. I’m just saying that there is a core group of radicals / liberals / anarchists who believe this nonsense clap trap.

In Rosie’s case, because she is openly lesbian and lets everyone know it, Christians will naturally be repelled by that. Since “radical Christians” aren’t into the celebration of diveristy, Rosie considers them “homophobic” and worthy of contempt. Nothing that Christians can do, in charitable works, helping people in any way, will make up for their lack of celebration of sexual diversity in the mind of the Rosie O’Donnells of the world.


6 posted on 06/22/2007 9:20:31 AM PDT by Dilbert San Diego
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To: Mr. Silverback

For those who haven’t seen it from me yet . . . the following speaks to the topic of this thread:

Please check out this thread I posted the following on at post #1,593:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1850240/posts?page=1593#1593

PLEASE—ONE AND ALL—GET

THE GATHERING STORM: UNDERSTANDING PROPHECY IN CRITICAL TIMES

Mal Couch, General Editor various authors

The first chapter is: “GLOBALISM AND THE NEW WORLD ORDER”
Therein Kerby Anderson outlines well the sweep and goals of THE NEW WORLD ORDER.

He notes most chillingly how three institutions are under [Qx: WHOLESALE RUTHLESS] attack by the NWO (pp15-25):

1. THE FAMILY
2. THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
3. NATIONAL GOVERNMENT—NATIONS—SOVEREIGN NATIONHOOD (p22)
Because each of these institutions are in the way, blocking the NWO.

He cites: Ashley Montagu (p22) “speaking to a group of educators declared that, ‘The American family structure produces mentally ill children.’6 From his perspective, the traditional family that teaches things as loyalty to God and to country is not producing children mentally fit for the global world of the twenty-first century.

(p23) “Not only do globalists oppose the traditional family, [Shrillery’s push for younger and younger compulsary kindgergarten should leap immediately to mind—Qx] but they also believe that the Christian church and a sense of national identity are contrary to their vision.”

“Globalists feel that the Christian church threatens their global program because of its belief in the authority of the Bible. Most other religious systems (as well as liberal Christianity) pose little threat. But Christians who believe in God, in sin, in salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone, stand in the way of the globalist vision for a one-world government and a one world religion.”

“Paul Brandwein even went so far as to say that, ‘Any child who believes in God is mentally ill.’7 Belief in a personal God to which we owe allegiance and obedience cannot remain if globalists are to achieve their ultimate vision. (p23)
“National governments also threaten globalism. If the goal is to unite all peoples under one international banner [predicted in several places in the New Testament—Qx], any nationalism or patriotism blocks the progress of that vision. Globalist and architect Buckminister Fuller once said that, “Nationalism is the blood clot in the world’s circulatory system.’8 (p23)

“Dr Pierce of Harvard University speaking to educators in Denver, Colorado, said, ‘Every child in America who enters schools at the age of five is mentally ill, because he comes to school with allediance toward our elected officials, toward our founding fathers, toward our institutions, toward the preservation of this form of government.’9 Their solution, therefore, is to purge these nationalistic beliefs from school children so they will come to embrace the goals of globalism.” (p24)

“All over the country programs on Global Education, Global History, and Global Citizenship are springing up. Children are being indoctrinated into a global way of thinking. Frequently these programs masquerade as drug awareness programs, civics programs or environmnetal programs. But their goal is just the same: to break down a child’s allediance to family, church and country, and to replace this allegiance with the globalists’ vision for a one-world government, a wone-world economic system, and a one-world religion. These then are the three institutions the globalists believe must be modified or destroyed if they are to achieve their globalist vision. . . .”

GOD HAVE MERCY ON US AND GIVE US WISDOM, COURAGE, DILIGENCE AND PROTECTION IN THE COMING MONTHS AND YEARS of THE GATHERING STORM.

Please get the book and read it. At least copy and paste the above and email it to all who might be moved by it.

CERTAINLY PRAY AND WORK FOR YOUR COUNTRY, FR, THE ROBINSONS, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR GOD as never before.


7 posted on 06/22/2007 9:31:34 AM PDT by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: Quix

“Dr Pierce of Harvard University speaking to educators in Denver, Colorado, said, ‘Every child in America who enters schools at the age of five is mentally ill, because he comes to school with allediance toward our elected officials, toward our founding fathers, toward our institutions, toward the preservation of this form of government.’9 Their solution, therefore, is to purge these nationalistic beliefs from school children so they will come to embrace the goals of globalism.” (p24)”

Sheese...not another “Harvardhead” : )


8 posted on 06/22/2007 10:29:01 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker ( Hunter/Thompson/Thompson/Hunter in 08! "Read my lips....No new RINO's" !!)
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To: stephenjohnbanker

The founders of the Bible College Harvard started out as must be shreaking in their graves and doing a whirling dervish in outrage.


9 posted on 06/22/2007 10:37:03 AM PDT by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: Quix

Harvard Square is like a banana republic. You have to experience it first hand to believe it : )


10 posted on 06/22/2007 10:56:26 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker ( Hunter/Thompson/Thompson/Hunter in 08! "Read my lips....No new RINO's" !!)
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To: Mr. Silverback

bump


11 posted on 06/22/2007 10:58:57 AM PDT by VOA
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To: stephenjohnbanker

I can imagine . . .

especially with the likes of Scuba Teddy so close at hand and running the place.

They really think there are above God.


12 posted on 06/22/2007 11:53:09 AM PDT by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: Mr. Silverback
This is not to say that over the centuries Christians haven’t tried to impose their values at times, which in the Middle Ages produced bloody crusades and inquisitions.

From what I’ve studied the crusades were the nonmuslim response to a Jihad intended to take over the known world.

Hey Muhamad, if you don’t start nuthin’ there won’t be nuthin’!

13 posted on 06/22/2007 4:10:29 PM PDT by Grizzled Bear ("Does not play well with others.")
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To: stephenjohnbanker; Quix

I have a two word message for Dr. Pierce and the rest of Harvard: Molon Labe.


14 posted on 06/22/2007 10:21:05 PM PDT by Mr. Silverback (A pacifist sees no distinction between the arsonist and the fireman--Freeper ccmay)
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To: Mr. Silverback
Conservative Christians are called evangelical mullahs, intent on replacing the government with our own “religion-soaked political regimes,” as one overheated author put it.

Or to put it another way, replacing the left's "religion" with things like personal responsibility and lower taxes.

15 posted on 06/22/2007 10:23:06 PM PDT by GOP_Raider (FReepmail me to join the FR Idaho Ping List.)
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To: Mr. Silverback

Harvard has been severely marginalized over the past 30 years. Their business school has been eclipsed by Wharton and Stanford, as well as others. I am a Harvard Business School dropout : )


16 posted on 06/22/2007 10:25:45 PM PDT by stephenjohnbanker ( Hunter/Thompson/Thompson/Hunter in 08! "Read my lips....No new RINO's" !!)
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To: GOP_Raider
Excellent point! And of course, the Left also seems to see things this way:

Methodist President who claims he is a born-again Christian, mentions God in his speeches and is pro-life--EVIL THEOCRAT RUNNING A RELIGION-SOAKED REGIME.

Southern Baptisit President who claims he is a born-again Christian, mentions God in his speeches, carries a humongous Bible to church in a demonstrative mannner, has a team of Christian ministers come to the White House to get him on the straight and narrow path, is unswervingly pro-abortion and pushes other liberal policies--WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.

17 posted on 06/22/2007 11:22:06 PM PDT by Mr. Silverback (A pacifist sees no distinction between the arsonist and the fireman--Freeper ccmay)
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To: Mr. Silverback

Those words have no meaning in my limited vocabulary.

They don’t look Greek but they are to me.

Thx for the ping.


18 posted on 06/23/2007 7:11:36 AM PDT by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: Quix; Mr. Silverback; All

MOLON LABE:

COME AND TAKE THEM.

... Available in paperback currently, “Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae” by Steven Pressfield.

Or the recent fictionalized movie, “300” was also on the battle at Thermopylae.


19 posted on 06/24/2007 7:14:16 AM PDT by Joya
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To: stephenjohnbanker

I would like to see a major political campaign based on the premise that the removal of all Ivy League grads from our government should be our immediate top goal. It would be seen as kookie by many but I would just like to see the reaction of the Ivy Leaguers just the same!


20 posted on 06/28/2007 3:57:30 AM PDT by mdmathis6
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