Posted on 03/20/2010 8:40:40 AM PDT by colorcountry
Glenn Lee Beck has become a leading voice in American media and his radio and television programs have become quite popular among those who hold conservative political views.
Born in Everett, Washington on February 10, 1964, he converted to Mormonism in 1999 shortly after marrying his current wife Tania (Beck's first marriage ended in divorce in 1994). With all the emotion of a typical LDS fast and testimony meeting, Beck passionately proclaims his love for America while decrying the efforts of liberals to abandon the ideals fashioned by America's founding fathers. He regularly displays his in-depth knowledge of American history, and while he challenges his listeners to "Question with Boldness," many, myself included, wonder if he really did that when it comes to the dubious historical past of Mormonism.
Beck doesn't hide the fact that one of the people who has made a major impact on his political worldview is W. Cleon Skousen, a Mormon political thinker and author of The 5,000 Year Leap, a book Beck says "changed his life." First published in 1981, Beck wrote the foreword to a new edition that instantly became a top seller on Amazon.com.
Who is W. Cleon Skousen?
(Excerpt) Read more at mrm.org ...
Under the subtitle “The Source of God’s Power,” he (Skousen) wrote,
“Through modern revelation we learn that the universe is filled with vast numbers of intelligences, and we further learn that Elohim is God simply because all of these intelligences honor and sustain Him as such…His glory and power is something which He slowly acquired until today, ‘all things bow in humble reverence.’ But since God ‘acquired’ the honor and sustaining influence of ‘all things’ it follows as a corellary (sic) that if He should do anything to violate the confidence or ‘sense of justice’ of these intelligences, they would promptly withdraw their support, and the ‘power’ of God would disintegrate. This is what Mormon and Alma meant when they specifically stated that if God should change or act contrary to truth and justice ‘He would cease to be God.’ Our Heavenly Father can do only those things which the intelligences under Him are voluntarily willing to support Him in accomplishing” (pp.355-356).
So what?
Beck has stated numerous times that he chose mormonism because he’s an alcoholic and mormons don’t drink.
Whatever. Strange religion, bad stuff in my opinion, but I’m not interested in Beck’s religious views.
However, I appreciate tremendously the work he’s doing politically. The guy has courage.
HUMMM, I thought there was something unspoken in Becks musings, I wonder if this is it.
My Mother was brilliant.
BTW has Beck EVER said anything remotely bad about Romney?
Abortion?
From the article:
Glenn Beck often speaks of God and Christianity; how many of Skousen’s theological views he shares, I cannot say. Beck is careful not to be too specific when he discusses his religious views publicly, but if Skousen has truly had a major impact on Beck and “changed his life,” fans should be cautious before assuming Beck is speaking of the Christianity of the New Testament.
I personally don’t follow Beck closely. I am personally familiar with what his Mormonism teaches and it ain’t your mother’s Christianity.
I don’t think I would say that this man is ‘behind’ Beck. I would say that this man’s writings may have ‘influenced’ Beck.
Beck’s personal interpretation of ‘Christianity’ is of no import to me politically. Do we question Mark Levine’s or Horowitz’s politics through the venue of their Jewish faith?
That quote answers the “Are Mormons Christians” question that has been debated here in recent weeks. No, they’re not.
Interesting read. Thanks for posting it, colorcountry.
Yes, Jedidah, Beck represents a lot of our conservatives views, and is a mouth piece in the public arena as such, but for Christians it’s important to draw a distinction between Mormonism and Christianity.
Skousen wrote The Naked Communist, which is a fantastic book. The 'Communist Goals' list that was read into the congressional record in the 60's and is constantly spread around the internet was from that book.
Actually I do. I try to understand Judaism and know how belief in its tenets might effect the beliefs of its adherents.
Yep, “The Naked Communist” is a good read.
I own a copy of The Naked Communist, and often list the Communist Goals on FR. Every American should own this book.
That list alone converted me from a sort of right leaning indifference to a full on conservative. It’s done that for a number of people I’ve shown it to.
Cleon Skousen has been in the fight a long time. A good man.
“The Naked Communist” was intended to be a high school text... how time have changed, and not for the better.
If you’ll read my post, you’ll note that I think mormonism is hogwash. I have no problem drawing a huge distinction between mormonism and Christianity.
I also have no problem drawing a big line between a public figure’s political viewpoints and his personal/spiritual life.
I just a realist, and I don’t think a politician or a talk show host has to be right on religion in order to be right on politics, statesmanship, etc.
I am a committed Christian, and I know scripture well. Lord God Jehovah often uses imperfect and even wrong-headed individuals to accomplish His means. As far as I’m concerned, bringing Beck’s non-alcohol choice of “church” into the discussion is a misleading waste of time.
A friend was visiting a few months ago when I mentioned the book. They asked to borrow it. They now own a copy.
It’s an important read. Another thing I like about the book is that when Skousen wrote it he had the school student in mind. He wanted to pen this book in a way that it didn’t read like a textbook. He wanted it to be a relatively easy read for students, and he has accomplished that.
“Actually I do. I try to understand Judaism and know how belief in its tenets might effect the beliefs of its adherents.”
Interesting. For me, the political stance is what I listen to. Everyone’s faith is personal as far as I am concerned. Politically, if they fall in line on one side or another, I am more concerned with recognizing that.
I don’t care if they are Hindu, Christian, Jewish or atheist. If they are liberals, politically, I am in opposition. If they are true conservatives with belief in the constitution....I am with them.
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