"The problem with our churches today is that the lead pastor is some sissy boy who wears cardigan sweaters, has the Carpenters dialed in on his ipod, gets his hair cut at a salon instead of a barber shop and hasn't been to an Ultimate Fighting match, works out on an Elliptical Machine instead of going to isolated regions like Rocky IV in order to harvest lumber with his teeth and generally swished around like Jack from Threes Company whenever Mr. Roper was around."  Seattle mega church pastor Mark Driscoll.

Building Empires: U.S. Evangelical Christians' Kurdish Crusade

While most Talk2Action readers are familiar with the growing influence of Christian Zionists and their close relationship with Israel, you may not be aware of the penetration of American evangelicals into Northern Iraq.

I recently had the opportunity to interview Mike Reynolds, a longtime investigative reporter who through his research uncovered the special relationship between Iraqi Kurds and a group of American evangelicals that practices "spiritual warfare," harbors a deep animosity toward Islam, and views the region as the evangelistic final frontier.

Reynolds:

In September 2003, four months after US forces defeated Saddam Hussein, 350 evangelical pastors and church leaders assembled in Kirkuk, welcomed by Kurdistan Regional Government President Massoud Barzani. During the gathering, George Grant, the American director of the Classical School of The Medes, declared that `Jesus Christ is Lord over all things; He is Lord over every Mullah, every Ayatollah, every Imam, and every Mahdi pretender; He is Lord over the whole of the earth, even Iraq!'

You can read the complete interview at Religion Dispatches: http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/religiousright/1134/med dling_evangelicals/
 

Former House Speaker drilling for power

Ten years after being forced out of Congress, Newt Gingrich passes out opinions like he's working the counter at a fast-food joint: he'll comment on just about anything, from bailouts to tax policy, from national security to energy policy, from health care to how Republicans should relate to the Obama Administration.

He can as bombastic as he ever was, after the passage of Proposition 8 -- the California initiative amending the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage -- when asked about demonstrators protesting against the passage of Prop 8, Gingrich told Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly that "[T]here is a gay and secular fascism in this country that wants to impose its will on the rest of us."

He can be a bit mavericky too: He recently chastised fellow Republicans -- especially RNC Chairman Mike Duncan -- for being obsessed by trying to tie President-elect Barack Obama to the scandal tainted Illinois Democratic Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Gingrich is as comfortable away from the cameras, giving a speech to the American Legislative Exchange Council -- a national organization that advances the conservative agenda through its corporate-sponsored legislative initiatives -- as he is in front of the camera.

One of Gingrich's major operations, American Solutions for Winning the Future, has raised more than $16 million over the past year or so.

The company whose founders helped finance the modern conservative movement is returning home to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary  

While the alleged Ponzi scheme of New York investment manager Bernie Madoff has claimed significant parts of the fortunes of celebrities, B-list millionaires, charities and foundations, another outfit has left a trail of a slightly different sort over the years: the broken dreams of middle-class wannabe entrepreneurs left only with garages full of products, motivational tapes and get-rich-quick books doing little but gathering dust.

If you watched any television at during the holiday season, you might have wondered why there seemed to be so many commercials for a company called Amway Global. Were these ads for the same company that has over the years been widely accused of running a pyramid scheme, had paid nearly $20 million in fines in a Canadian criminal fraud case twenty-five years ago, and whose image with the public in recent years soured faster than a carton of cottage cheese left standing in the sun?

Despite these controversies, and after virtually dropping out of sight in the US around the turn of the last century, Amway--currently known as "Amway Global"--appears to be heading back home. Can the company, which celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this year, stage a successful comeback in the US, or are they throwing a very desperate Hail Mary?

READ the complete story at Religion Dispatches: http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/mediaculture/1043/worse _than_madoff%3A_amway_launches_domestic_revival/?page=entire

 

Christian and secular right wing groups claw away at Obama's pick for deputy attorney general

On February 5, the Judiciary Committee heard testimony from David W. Ogden, the nominee to be the Deputy Attorney General at the Justice Department.

In its Action Alert dated February 4, headlined "Obama nominates pro-p*rn, pro-abortion lawyer for the number 2 position in the office of the Attorney General," the American Family Association's Donald Wildmon writes:  "President Obama has nominated David Ogden to be the second person in command in the U.S. office of the Attorney General! Ogden must be confirmed by the Senate. Call your two senators and tell them to vote against the Ogden nomination. Ogden is no friend of the family."

WorldNetDaily headlined its story on Ogden, "Obama's Justice pick supports porn 'rights'."

While former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, nominated by President Barack Obama to lead the Department of Health and Human Services and Obama's would-be chief performance officer Nancy Killefer were forced to resign after it came to light that the former had failed to pay $146,000 in taxes on time and the latter had failed to make quarterly unemployment tax payments to the District of Columbia for a year and a half, by the end opf the confirmation process, David Ogden, a partner at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, may very well wish that he had resigned.    

The best-selling conservative evangelical author hammers away at Carter, rips a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, and keeps Iran in his crosshairs  

The fact that Mike Evans' new book "Jimmy Carter: The Liberal Left and World Chaos: A Carter/Obama Plan That Will Not Work," -- released on January 20 -- currently ranks #44 on Amazon.com's "Bestsellers in Books," is a tribute to both Evans' media savvy and his supporter's zeal. Thus far, the book has received 62 reviews, with 59 reviewers giving it five-stars.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Carter's new book, "We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land: A Plan That Will Work" -- also released on January 20 -- checks in at #495 on the Amazon listing. The book's 25 reviews are split between those who really like the book (8) and those who'd prefer it be returned to pulp (11). This, despite the fact that Carter has had the distinct advantage of appearing on a number of television and radio talk shows.    

In a recent article, Evans stated that Carter's "solution is straightforward; Israel should embrace the Quartet" -- a plan for dealing with the Middle East crisis crafted, after Hamas' parliamentary victory three years ago by the UN, the U.S., the European Union, and Russia. "The plan," writes Evans, "is backed by a group simply known as The Elders, an idea formulated by British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson and musician Peter Gabriel to create a world council of elders to tackle issues such as peace in the Middle East." Carter is a member of The Elders' Middle East team. "How," Evans wants to know, can Carter and friends "ask the Jewish people to embrace a group known as The Elders?" in light of the virulently anti-Semitic book, "Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion."  
   

Despite feeling dispirited and the mood being 'grim,' the anti-abortion movement marches in D.C. and pledges to soldier on

It is less than a week into the Obama Administration, and anti-abortion activists are seething about the president's early actions. Their collective anger, however, didn't prevent tens of thousands from marching in Washington on January 22 -- the 36th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision -- in the annual "March for Life."

On January 22, Obama issued a statement saying that:

"On the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we are reminded that this decision not only protects womens health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters. I remain committed to protecting a womans right to choose."

If Barack Obama "keeps his promise" to sign the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), he "will press the reset button on the pro-life movement and reverse decades of legislation, regulations not built on the firm foundation of personhood, but misguided laws built on sand shifting in the political wind," said Brian Rohrbough, President, American Right To Life.

Jill Stanek's BornAliveTruth, in concert with Operation Rescue, premiered a new anti-abortion film, "22 Weeks" in Washingtonm on the eve of the "March for Life."

For an interview with the filmmaker and more on the anti-abortion movement see my latest RD News Round-Up column at Religion Dispatches  http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/religiousright/1022/oba munism_the_traditional_values_coalition_coins_a_term/?page=entire

After spending a year exploring life in digital Islamic communities, the Understanding Islam through Virtual Worlds project has some good news to report

Not being particularly technosavvy, I was recently introduced to a virtual world called "Second Life." For an explanation, I turned to my technosavvy son-in-law, David Gosselin, aka Goose. Via a short phone call, Goose explained that "Second Life" was a free 3D virtual world where users socialize and connect. That info was enough for me to decide to pursue an interview with Josh Fouts, who along with Rita King, have been working on a project called "Understanding Islam through Virtual Worlds."

Here is an excerpt from my intro to the interview -- which appeared yesterday at Religion Dispatches:

In these times of rockets and bombs exploding in Israel and the Gaza Strip, Islamophobia alive and well in the homeland, an uptick in anti-Semitism in Europe, a lively Rapture Index, and the economy still in a shambles, it may be worth your while to step away from these realities and enter conversations that haven't yet gotten as much attention and support as they may deserve.

Dozens in Egypt, Morocco, Italy, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, France and the United States gather to protest the recent attacks in the Gaza Strip; American University in Cairo launches a Virtual Newsroom with James Glassman, the US Undersecretary of State of Public Diplomacy, in conversation with eight Egyptian political bloggers who covered the 2008 US presidential campaign; people from around the world join in a pilgrimage to Mecca and witness a burning synagogue depicting Kristallnacht. These are some of the gatherings and events that Josh Fouts, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs and Chief Global Strategist of Dancing Ink Productions, says are "example[s] of the rich, textured opportunity that 3D immersive spaces like Second Life offer for people to express their concerns about present day issues."

.... On January 29, Fouts and King will present their findings at the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs in New York City. "Our findings are a trilogy consisting of policy recommendations for the Obama Administration; a broadcast quality `machinima' mini-documentary; and a graphic book (written in the style of a graphic novel)," Fouts noted in an e-mail interview during which we had the opportunity to talk extensively about the project.

More at ReligionDispatches,org:
http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/mediaculture/990/virtua l_islam%3A_peace%2C_love%2C_and_some_understanding/?page=entire

Religious Right attacks Obama's broad Civil Rights agenda

It took less than a day for both the editor at Covenant News and the American Family Association's Rev. Donald Wildmon to lose that "We are One" feeling, and get all dyspeptic over a bunch of agenda items listed in the category of "Civil Rights" posted at WhiteHouse.gov (http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/civil_rights/) by the Obama Administration.

The editor of CovenantNews.com wrote:

The White House policies published on its new website confirms that Barack H. Obama intends to use his office to promote and maintain the sexual deviant criminal behavior of homosexuality (with malice aforethought).

 

... Civil officials who approve of homosexuality, make the civil government a vile cesspool from which the abominations vomit out across the land. By displaying such a contempt for the administration of Justice by promoting this criminal behavior, "such civil officials are not only the source of the defilement, they are the criminals, and a hostile enemy authorizing the destruction of the society in which we live."

In an American Family Association Action Alert, the Rev. Wildmon stated that "This is only the beginning of Obama's plans to reshape society. His view is that unborn babies aren't worth protecting and that homosexuals deserve special rights."

Wildmon urges his followers to "Take Action!" and "Send an e-mail to President Obama. It will go directly to the White House."  

Big ups to Obama. Covenant News and the Rev. Wildmon? Not so much!

 

[Ed: for a more complete description of Rick Warren's speech at the Anaheim Angels April 17, 2005 Saddleback 25th anniversary celebration, see this Talk To Action story

As interviewed for an April 17, 2005 story by the ASSIST News Service, on Saddleback Church's 25th anniversary, held at Southern California's Anaheim Angels stadium, during which "Purpose Driven" author and founder of Saddleback Church Rick Warren unveiled his global P.E.A.C.E. Plan, Watergate scandal felon and former Nixon hatchetman turned evangelical leader Chuck Colson told ASSIST News that Richard Nixon would have loved Warren's P.E.A.C.E. Plan, and Colson stated that George W. Bush approved of the plan as well:

When asked if he thought that Nixon would support Warren's PEACE Plan, Colson replied, "I think he would love this. The whole idea that people taking the initiative to rebuild communities and do the good work in the community was something very close to Nixon's heart. It's also very close to George Bush's heart. I've gotten to know President Bush quite well and this is the kind of thing that he really just loves to see happen; people getting out to do the things that are needed and not waiting for the government to do it."

Several Religious Right groups have demonstrations planned for Inauguration Day; others are busy selling product and raising cash for the long slog against Obama

In politics, commerce, and fundraising, timing, if not everything, is essential. Next week's inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama is providing all sorts of opportunities for conservative organizations to market their messages and peddle some goods at the same time.

On January 8, the Christian Defense Coalition (CDC), an organization headed by Reverend Patrick J. Mahoney, announced that they had received permission to display what it calls a pro life vigil -- 25 large signs showing the development of life from conception to birth -- along the parade route during the Presidential Inauguration.

Repent America, another Christian conservative group, is planning "a massive evangelism effort in Washington, DC. [where] church groups and individuals [will] ... hand out tracts and engage in one-on-one witnessing efforts during" Inauguration Day activities, according to a report by OneNewsNow, the America Family Association-sponsored news service.

Over at the PatriotShop.US, a division of the Tennessee-based online publication, The Patriot Post, commerce is king during the run-up to Obama's Inauguration.

While the Christian Defense Committee is holding its vigil, Repent America is passing out flyers and looking for converts, and The Patriot Post is flogging its merchandise, another group, Our Country Deserves Better PAC, is seeking cash.    

The Rise of Palin, death of Weyrich, Hollywood's Philip Anschutz, Attacking Obama, Whither the Religious Left?, Rick Warren

"A 2008 Berkowitz Baker's Dozen," is a selection of 13 articles from the nearly 100 news stories, op-ed pieces, and columns I wrote in 2008. The "Baker's Dozen" contains stories that were published at Talk2Action, BuzzFlash, Media Transparency, Religion Dispatches, Inter Press Service, Right Web, Z Magazine, Dissident Voice, Smirking Chimp, and Alternet, and some venues too strange to even mention.  The list puts the year's events in perspective, and are arranged chronologically.

Some stories were ahead of the reporting curve (an April piece about the early vicious attacks from the Right on Obama); some were about issues that are rarely reported (a January piece about how Philip Anschutz, a conservative Christian theater and film mogul who is aiming to transform Hollywood); some provided historical analyses of the conservative movement (a March piece about the Heritage Foundation's 35th Anniversary & a recent piece on the death of Paul Weyrich); and others monitored the ongoing activities of the Christian Right (early work on the same-sex marriage battle in California and one on Bush's attempt to use his faith-based initiative as a legacy builder).

The List at the jump: