I had a dear friend over for dinner last night.  Time has done its typical relentless march and before we knew it, a year had passed since we last got together.  In our effort to catch up on what was happening in each others lives, as you might well imagine the topic of my research and writing came up (and stayed up) for a fair portion of the evening.

It started out with Palin and what my opinion is as to why she resigned; then on to the GOP and what does it matter seeing as how they lost by a landslide; then my friend said, “I don’t have time to follow all this, and there aren’t that many of them anyway!”  How disheartening… So where was I going to begin without turning our evening into a lecture series?  It is a tough one.  But I had no choice.

One of the biggest problems for us, and a positive for the extremists, is our disbelief and overwhelm.  They rely on us essentially ignoring the information and activities right in front of us for a variety of reasons; 1)  we really don’t want to hear about it because it is too disturbing; 2)  if we were to pay attention to it – just what are we supposed to DO with this information? 3)  our lives are so busy we don’t have time to pay attention to all this nonsense – and as she said – there aren’t that many of them anyway.

I hear her!  As I sit here writing today, it is perfect outside, 70s, sunny and I can think of a hundred other things I would rather be doing than having to write about these extremists.  And granted, my devotion to informing others about these fanatics requires considerably more time than is necessary for the rest of us to be modestly informed and stay aware.  I am really not expecting everyone to become an activist.  I am hoping that people will at minimum recognize the face of Dominionism when it is right in front of them and not dismiss it.

For example, this friend of mine has a main business partner that she works along side everyday that is a born-again, evangelical extremists and attends services faithfully at a local dominionist church.  She avoids conversations with him but doesn’t recognize that he is exactly the type of ‘c’hristian that belongs to these indoctrinated congregations.

I explained to her that he is the embodiment of what I am talking about.  I have met and spent time with her business partner so I am not making a generalized statement based on stereo-types.

She was raised catholic and remembers a conversation not long ago where he had never heard of “lent” and chalked it up to “oh, those Catholics”.  I pointed out that this is typical.  Often times these born-agains have a myopic view of the Bible as taught to them from repeated specific versus – over and over again – without understanding context, NOR having any other concept of how their beliefs fit into a world view of Christianity or (god forbid) other religious ideologies!

It is a faith of rhetoric and rote memorization.  That is an equation for dangerous blind followers and total immersion.  What does this produce?  People like her partner who can’t defend his beliefs other than pointing to the (revised Zondervan Publishing version, NIV) Bible and saying “it’s all in there”, yet lacking the knowledge of what that really even means.  In a word?  Brainwashing!

Their own movement places the numbers at approximately 30-35% of the population and growing.  They go on to proudly claim that the leadership in their movement – who are the only ones truly in “the know” – consist of about 3-5% of THAT population, but they aim to emulate the “jihadists” and grow that to 10% where they will cause a “tipping point” and create a Christian State.  Okey-dokey!

Which brought me to the next point in our conversation last night, which is that many in the congregations aren’t even aware of the fine points of the End Times/Apocalyptic agenda pursued by the leadership/salesmen…yet they are equally as responsible in their contributions and complicity.  The Sheeples…

The population of the United States currently stands at 304 million people.  So when we do the math – they claim a following of any where between 91 – 106 million.  Our numbers are far more conservative and have placed their Sheeple numbers between 50 – 80 million.  Either way, this is a substantial number of people who subscribe to this “faith”!

“There aren’t that many of them” will echo in my head for the rest of the afternoon while I mow my lawn and wonder what can I do differently?  What can WE do differently?  It is not enough to reach one person at a time…

I gave her a signed copy of “TheoPalinism – The Face of Failed Extremism” as she was leaving…and she readily accepted and looks forward to reading it.  It does carry an introductory message to this craziness and I wish I could afford to mail it out randomly and get it in as many hands as possible…but with that idea off the table I am open to others!  I am ALL ears my friends…please share your thoughts.

It’s Sunday, the ‘churches’ are full, Palin is picnicking in Fairbanks and everyone is speculating about where this li’l Warrior Princess is going to end up next.  Round and round and round she goes….keeping the mystique alive.

So while perusing today’s latest articles, I stumbled across one about how Barbara Walters is replacing that horribly annoying Palin BFF-wanna-be, Hasselbeck, with none other than Carrie PreJean (Malibu Barbie).  While I am not a fan of the view because it drives me crazy to listen to people all talking at the same time, this is not a departure from the ridiculously immature face of Hasselbeck.  (Notice how Palin reluctantly embraces Hassel in the photo, could she be further away?)  But it did prompt a thought…

How many times do you think Sarah Palin will appear on The View?  How long do you think it will be before Caribou Barbie trounces Malibu Barbie and takes a position as a co-host, even if it is only for a few months?  (Notice they are both guest speakers at the “Values Voters” Conference).  It cannot be argued that Palin would actually draw bigger ratings on The View, and reach a much larger audience than if she were on Fox…

Hey…I’m just sayin’….

And, am I alone in feeling not only hugely insulted by this parade of low-intellect cultural representatives – but frightened by the fact that these network people are doing this because there really ARE that many people out there in this country who think that PreJean and/or Palin and/or Plumber Boy Joe have anything remotely intelligent to contribute as political figures?

It must be the same core population that allows for a Rush Limbaugh mouthpiece to be viewed as a legitimate source of political news and who actually makes millions regurgitating total nonsense and misinformation.  The same millions in this country who aren’t embarrassed – but on the contrary – proudly parade the Limbaugh/Coulter duo across their stage binding them in ideology to the Republican Party.  The same population that saved enough out of the collection plate to buy an oxymoronic book by Glen Beck titled, “Common Sense” and making it a NY Times Bestseller! (Emphasis on ‘moronic’)

There has been much written about the “dumbing-down of America”, but nothing has put it into such crystal clear focus as the brainwashing of masses of people into thinking that they are part of a “Great Commission” whose mental giants are the likes of Palin, Huckabee, Limbaugh, Coulter, Hasselbeck, PreJean, Plumber Boy, and the list is exhaustive!

All they have to do is carry the Bible (the scripture twisted version); drape a flag in the background; and holler out intolerant sanctimonious tripe – and voilá!  Instant authority!   And notice how the men are plain-looking to downright unattractive, but all the girls are cut from the Barbie Doll cloth.  It is becoming undeniably apparent that we can’t shake our heads at the absurdity of it all now.

As difficult as it is for me to acknowledge – there really ARE that many simple, and I mean simple, sheeples in this country – and they are crowning their – GULP! –  idols.

As a baptized Christian and life-long Lutheran I would like to wish everyone a Happy Easter in this time of religious schizophrenia in America.  On this day in particular, It is embarrassing to witness groups who apparently consider themselves to be the “real” Christians, resorting to playground mud slinging.  

Over the years, my Bible studies have taught me to “not judge, lest ye be judged”, love thy neighbor as thy self (even when they are different from you and your beliefs), live in a manner that honors Christ, and that vile emotions of hate and intolerance are truly antithetical to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Clearly, these teachings of love, compassion and goodwill toward ALL men AND women, has been “scripture twisted” by some very outspoken Phalse Prophet organizations who have chosen to take actions “in the name of God” to control, slander, subdue and even attempt to eradicate anyone who does not subscribe to their self-inflated sense of religious superiority.  

The following is an excerpt from an article that speaks to the confusion of Christians in America as we see our churches across the country infiltrated by neopentecostal Christian Nationalist/Dominionists.  

This Easter, Smaller Percentage of Americans Are Christian
by Frank Newport
April 10, 2009

PRINCETON, NJ — The percentage of Americans who identify with some form of a Christian religion has been dropping in recent decades, and now stands at 77%, according to an aggregate of Gallup Polls conducted in 2008. In 1948, when Gallup began tracking religious identification, the percentage who were Christian was 91%.

http://sas-origin.onstreammedia.com/origin/gallupinc/GallupSpaces/Production/Cms/POLL/r23235jxbuuc7z7_ywneqq.gif

I find this a sad statement.  I pray that my young adult daughter, for example, does not continue to be repulsed by religion as she watches her mother visciously attacked by these “christian” representatives such as the vile reports on:

http://www.conservatives4palin.com/2009/04/feminist-life-coach-leah-burton-runs-to.html,

http://thomasalamb.blogspot.com/2009/04/leah-burton-palin-is-dominionist.html,

http://texas4palin.blogspot.com/2009/04/ross-i-dont-talk-like-that-i-dont.html

http://alaskapride.blogspot.com/2009/04/radical-feminist-author-and-so-called.html 

in response to my testimony Governor Palin’s choice as Alaska’s Attorney General.  

We can all agree to disagree on limitless issues and perspectives, but today…I do not have chocolate, boiled eggs or a sanctimonious crown…simply a sense of peace and gratitude that I was never taught through my Christian upbringing to hate…and for that I give praise.

Happy Easter everyone…and I DO mean EVERYONE!

The following is a Chapter from my new book about why we DO have to pay attention to this character and all she represents:

          ”I can’t tell you how many people say to me, “Oh c’mon!  No one is going to take her seriously!  We don’t need to hear anymore about her.” 

And oh how I know!  I honestly understand this sentiment more than you can imagine!  After all, in the process of writing this book (TheoPalinism – The Face of Failed Extremism) I have imposed on myself the task of researching this woman, and her fellow theocons, beyond any point of pleasantness. 

I truly share your desires to have her never darken our political doorstep again, but that would be very wishful thinking.  The reality of her presence as a “rising star” in the Theo-Republican Party is here to stay, at least for the next few years, and to ignore that fact at this juncture would frankly – be irresponsible.  She is NOT going away.  I am sorry to have to be the one to break this to you…

            This book is, indeed, in large part about her and the manner in which she views her responsibilities as an elected official.  But as importantly, it is an introduction to the machine behind her.  It goes without saying that without the help of some very skilled writers, politicians and like-minded theocrats, this woman could not have enjoyed the international spotlight predicated purely on her own merits – and of that I am certain! 

But – it is so much more than the political machine. It is more about her appeal to the theocon zealots that she excited and ignited, and now we must acquaint ourselves with her, and her “followers” (as they have become), whether we like it or not.  I am using the term followers rather than supporters intentionally as that is truly what they are.

            This book will not address the details of her supportive base and their apocalyptic religious connections, views and perceived mandates from God, but it will reference it as the undercurrent of her actions. 

I can assure you that there will be a sequel to this book containing a detailed discussion of the origins of their fanaticism.  Within that book we will investigate how the theocon agenda is threatening our democracy if continued to be left unchecked and ignored.  I agree that it sounds so totally fantastic and unbelievable that our rational mind tries to reject it as unrealistic and unattainable. 

This book, on the other hand, will be relegated to an overview of this specific individual, Sarah Palin, who is part of a much bigger movement, and who is now a necessary evil for us all to contend with. 

Present-day political transformations within the Republican Party, is rendering the State of Alaska’s political landscape virtually unrecognizable under the stewardship of a blatant Theocratic Governor, and has left the residents of the state, Secular Republicans, Democrats and Non-Partisan, ALL twisting in the winds of embarrassment and frustration”.

As you can see I abandoned my posts here in mid-November to go back to the drawing board and re-write my book.  I hastily released it in an effort to make it available prior to the election so it deserved my undivided attention.  The outcome is more than I had hoped for in light of my ongoing research for the second book.

What is coming into the light has enabled me to begin seeing through the “nonsense” fog that exemplified Palin in her breif, but seemingly inocuous, interviews.  Where at first, I along with most of the audience, also mistook her ramblings as pure nonsense.  

Don’t misunderstand…I am not suggesting that the woman has a command of the english language, Journalism degree or not! But I have learned that some of her nonsense has origins that scare the hell out of me!  Specifically?  Her religious beliefs.  Here are some terms that I will be discussing in great length for some time to come that are important for us all to acquaint ourselves with:

- Dominionism

- Joel’s Army

- End Times

- New Apostolic Reformation

I will add more over time.  It is extraordinarily important for each and every one of us to learn what we can about these and take them dead seriously!  This is not a fiction novel in the making, it is a reality that noone of us want to see in a position of power and control in our government – and hoo boy! did we come close!