More on the IRD
John Dorhauer printable version print page     Bookmark and Share
Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 09:15:56 AM EST
I have come across a most interesting and compelling piece of, dare I say it, evidence.

It is an internal document of the IRD entitled "2001-2004 Executive Summary." It does not make clear to whom it is addressed. I came across it on the website http://www.theocracywatch.org/internal_document_ird.html.

Everywhere I go and talk about the issues confronting our churches in the wake of a decades long attack on Mainline denominations, someone invariably asks for proof. It is one of the latest strategies developed by the countless allies in this ongoing attack, and clearly a stated talking point (though, of course, there is no proof of that - just the evidence of its consistent and repetitious occurrence every where I go).

There are now websites dedicated to asking that question of those of us who present this material: prove what you say is true.

We who write on this site, and speak in other places, are challenged to present clear and incontrovertible evidence. We are cajoled, we are teased, we are ridiculed.

The simple truth is, as I have written before on this site, those predisposed to a certain conclusion will never see the proof they need. And, as in most court cases demanding proof, through good deductive reasoning we are able at best to piece together facts in evidence and formulate a theory that either becomes credible or does not. While juries who sit in courts of law must look at the evidence objectively, those about whom we write on this site do not. They will continue to cry for more proof, and never be satisfied that it has been found.

Fair enough. But those who do read and listen with an objective eye and ear are finding the evidence credible, and are taking steps to protect and insulate themselves from attack.

And so, we continue.

I have come across a most interesting and compelling piece of, dare I say it, evidence.

It is an internal document of the IRD entitled "2001-2004 Executive Summary." It does not make clear to whom it is addressed. I came across it on the website http://www.theocracywatch.org/internal_document_ird.html.

I will be referring to pieces from this document in the coming weeks.

It is a funding request for $3.6 million, and an eleven page summary of both past accomplishments and future goals that justify the request.

"Now is the time to translate those victories into real influence for conservatives within the permanent governing structures of these churches."

This is what we have been arguing all along: an independent, well-funded outside agent has taken upon itself the training of activists to infiltrate and undermine denominational structure, theology, governance, leadership, and direction.

"Our total program for influencing the governing church conventions of three denominations will cost over $3.6 million for the next four years."


"Even in the churches most denominated by liberalism, there are fresh troops appearing."

"The battle is clearly joined. Now, more than ever, it is necessary to redouble the IRD's efforts."

"Beginning in 2001, we will emphasize training conservatives and moderates for the debates on marriage and human sexuality. We intend to conduct invitation-only training seminars and consultations for church leaders covering biblical, theological, scientific, psychological, and sociological aspects of human sexuality. Participants will develop pro-marriage arguments for discussions in churches, including effective media strategies."

There is much more to read about in this document, and to comment upon.

This document shows clearly the intent of this organization to conspire with and train activists throughout mainline churches to foment dissent, to radically alter their governing bodies, and to oust leaders from their current positions - and to do all of that on behalf of power brokers with deep pockets.

In the coming weeks, I will be writing more about this internal memo and what it reveals to us about an organization that has infiltrated all of our denominations and has sent their trained activists out to do their dirty work.




Display:
The Episcopalian piece was especially good.

by Don Niederfrank on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 10:50:28 AM EST
Parent
And in turn I thank Jim Naughton. And Andrew Weaver, Frederick Clarkson, John Dorhauer, Harriet Warnock-Graham, Stephen Swecker, Chuck Currie, Dan Schulz, Max Blumenthal, Bruce Prescott.... and everyone I'm forgetting who has researched, written, and worked on these and related subjects.

The list is far longer.

by Bruce Wilson on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 12:33:22 PM EST
Parent

You can download a PDF file of "Following the Money here - http://www.edow.org/follow/- and as for the article, anyone taking money from Ahmanson who also supports the wacko Discovery Institute (the Flintstones approach to the Bible) is wacko by association  - William.

by williambrandes on Thu Apr 12, 2007 at 07:24:46 AM EST
Parent
For leaving a generous trail of bread crumbs.  It's a practical, even crucial, touch.

by Bruce Wilson on Thu Apr 12, 2007 at 10:37:03 PM EST
Parent





The simple truth is, as I have written before on this site, those predisposed to a certain conclusion will never see the proof they need.

And, of course, the obverse as well.  Those predisposed to a certain conclusion will always see the proof they need.

I run into both of these most often in interpersonal relationships within the parish, but it seems to be widely operative in the Church and in our corner.  It is always a struggle to be the reality-based people (ala Chris Hedges) on the way to being the faith-based people (ala Jesus).  

I assume you'll be at Synod.  I hope our paths can cross there.  
God's peace this Eastertide,

by Don Niederfrank on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 10:05:43 AM EST


My only caution about using a grant request as evidence is the gilded lily factor.  While grant requests may be accurate about their goals, there is some possibility of exaggeration about accomplishments.  Hard data about the number of training sessions, numbers of attendees and contacts in an activist network can be useful.  How willing or effective all of those listed as recruits are may be another story.

by Rusty Pipes on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 12:50:34 PM EST
I would love to get my hands on that kind of information. That would be very helpful.
Shalom, Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer "Time makes ancient good uncouth; we must onward still and upward who would keep abreast of truth." from Lowell, "The Present Crisis"
by John Dorhauer on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 10:27:26 PM EST
Parent



WWW Talk To Action


Cognitive Dissonance & Dominionism Denial
There is new research on why people are averse to hearing or learning about the views of ideological opponents. Based on evaluation of five......
By Frederick Clarkson (375 comments)
Will the Air Force Do Anything To Rein In Its Dynamic Duo of Gay-Bashing, Misogynistic Bloggers?
"I always get nervous when I see female pastors/chaplains. Here is why everyone should as well: "First, women are not called to be pastors,......
By Chris Rodda (203 comments)
The Legacy of Big Oil
The media is ablaze with the upcoming publication of David Grann's book, Killers of the Flower Moon. The shocking non fiction account of the......
By wilkyjr (111 comments)
Gimme That Old Time Dominionism Denial
Over the years, I have written a great deal here and in other venues about the explicitly theocratic movement called dominionism -- which has......
By Frederick Clarkson (101 comments)
History Advisor to Members of Congress Completely Twists Jefferson's Words to Support Muslim Ban
Pseudo-historian David Barton, best known for his misquoting of our country's founders to promote the notion that America was founded as a Christian nation,......
By Chris Rodda (113 comments)
"Christian Fighter Pilot" Calls First Lesbian Air Force Academy Commandant a Liar
In a new post on his "Christian Fighter Pilot" blog titled "BGen Kristin Goodwin and the USAFA Honor Code," Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan......
By Chris Rodda (144 comments)
Catholic Right Leader Unapologetic about Call for 'Death to Liberal Professors' -- UPDATED
Today, Donald Trump appointed C-FAM Executive Vice President Lisa Correnti to the US Delegation To UN Commission On Status Of Women. (C-FAM is a......
By Frederick Clarkson (126 comments)
Controlling Information
     Yesterday I listened to Russ Limbaugh.  Rush advised listeners it would be best that they not listen to CNN,MSNBC, ABC, CBS and......
By wilkyjr (118 comments)
Is Bannon Fifth-Columning the Pope?
In December 2016 I wrote about how White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, who likes to flash his Catholic credentials when it comes to......
By Frank Cocozzelli (251 comments)
Ross Douthat's Hackery on the Seemingly Incongruous Alliance of Bannon & Burke
Conservative Catholic writer Ross Douthat has dissembled again. This time, in a February 15, 2017 New York Times op-ed titled The Trump Era's Catholic......
By Frank Cocozzelli (65 comments)
`So-Called Patriots' Attack The Rule Of Law
Every so often, right-wing commentator Pat Buchanan lurches out of the far-right fever swamp where he has resided for the past 50 years to......
By Rob Boston (161 comments)
Bad Faith from Focus on the Family
Here is one from the archives, Feb 12, 2011, that serves as a reminder of how deeply disingenuous people can be. Appeals to seek......
By Frederick Clarkson (177 comments)
The Legacy of George Wallace
"One need not accept any of those views to agree that they had appealed to real concerns of real people, not to mindless, unreasoning......
By wilkyjr (70 comments)
Betsy DeVos's Mudsill View of Public Education
My Talk to Action colleague Rachel Tabachnick has been doing yeoman's work in explaining Betsy DeVos's long-term strategy for decimating universal public education. If......
By Frank Cocozzelli (80 comments)
Prince and DeVos Families at Intersection of Radical Free Market Privatizers and Religious Right
This post from 2011 surfaces important information about President-Elect Trump's nominee for Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos. -- FC Erik Prince, Brother of Betsy......
By Rachel Tabachnick (218 comments)

Respect for Others? or Political Correctness?
The term "political correctness" as used by Conservatives and Republicans has often puzzled me: what exactly do they mean by it? After reading Chip Berlin's piece here-- http://www.talk2action.org/story/2016/7/21/04356/9417 I thought about what he explained......
MTOLincoln (253 comments)
Fear
What I'm feeling now is fear.  I swear that it seems my nightmares are coming true with this new "president".  I'm also frustrated because so many people are not connecting all the dots! I've......
ArchaeoBob (107 comments)
"America - love it or LEAVE!"
I've been hearing that and similar sentiments fairly frequently in the last few days - far FAR more often than ever before.  Hearing about "consequences for burning the flag (actions) from Trump is chilling!......
ArchaeoBob (214 comments)
"Faked!" Meme
Keep your eyes and ears open for a possible move to try to discredit the people openly opposing Trump and the bigots, especially people who have experienced terrorism from the "Right"  (Christian Terrorism is......
ArchaeoBob (165 comments)
More aggressive proselytizing
My wife told me today of an experience she had this last week, where she was proselytized by a McDonald's employee while in the store. ......
ArchaeoBob (163 comments)
See if you recognize names on this list
This comes from the local newspaper, which was conservative before and took a hard right turn after it was sold. Hint: Sarah Palin's name is on it!  (It's also connected to Trump.) ......
ArchaeoBob (169 comments)
Unions: A Labor Day Discussion
This is a revision of an article which I posted on my personal board and also on Dailykos. I had an interesting discussion on a discussion board concerning Unions. I tried to piece it......
Xulon (180 comments)
Extremely obnoxious protesters at WitchsFest NYC: connected to NAR?
In July of this year, some extremely loud, obnoxious Christian-identified protesters showed up at WitchsFest, an annual Pagan street fair here in NYC.  Here's an account of the protest by Pagan writer Heather Greene......
Diane Vera (130 comments)
Capitalism and the Attack on the Imago Dei
I joined this site today, having been linked here by Crooksandliars' Blog Roundup. I thought I'd put up something I put up previously on my Wordpress blog and also at the DailyKos. As will......
Xulon (331 comments)
History of attitudes towards poverty and the churches.
Jesus is said to have stated that "The Poor will always be with you" and some Christians have used that to refuse to try to help the poor, because "they will always be with......
ArchaeoBob (149 comments)
Alternate economy medical treatment
Dogemperor wrote several times about the alternate economy structure that dominionists have built.  Well, it's actually made the news.  Pretty good article, although it doesn't get into how bad people could be (have been)......
ArchaeoBob (90 comments)
Evidence violence is more common than believed
Think I've been making things up about experiencing Christian Terrorism or exaggerating, or that it was an isolated incident?  I suggest you read this article (linked below in body), which is about our great......
ArchaeoBob (214 comments)

More Diaries...




All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective companies. Comments, posts, stories, and all other content are owned by the authors. Everything else © 2005 Talk to Action, LLC.