Solar-Powered Bibles: Misguided Donations To Haiti or Spiritual Shysters?

Stop The Disaster Relief!
Haiti Is Saved!
With Solar-Powered Bibles!?!

I'm not making this stuff up! Our thanks to Dr. Valerie Tarico for letting us know about this latest humanitarian miracle!

From Huffington Post:

Solar Powered Bibles for Haiti:
Why Some Christians Feel Compelled to Exploit Disaster

Physicist Steven Weinberg once said, "With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion."

For solar powered Bibles or church-building to win out over food and medicine requires a religion that values conversion over compassion. But when we see this phenomenon at its worst, it is because someone in the thrall of a viral ideology has figured out some reverse alchemy that turns the precious gold of empathy into the lead of opportunism.

Dr. Tarico must have read my article about Pat Robertson and "God's Ambulance Chasers." Now I have a bona fide reference to turn to when arguing about some Christians' compassion. Even mainstream Christians are having a rough time over the "donations".

From Gizmodo

They claim that “the Proclaimer is self-powered and can play the Bible in the jungle, desert or… even on the moon!” I’m sure that it would be more helpful there than in Haiti. Because, in Haiti, a solar-powered Bible will be as helpful as the Genesis according to Eddie Izzard.

With the exception of some brave local affiliates and The Young Turks this situation has not gotten much coverage. I wonder why. Does the media think it's too lightweight? Or that any coverage would be insulting to Christians overall?

Perhaps it hasn't been covered because it would be an insult to Haitians. When the tsunami devastated southeast Asia years ago, Jerry Falwell dared to send 600,000 scriptural tracts and the response was a cold "thanks, but no thanks" by populations that were mostly Hindus and Muslims.

The maker and marketer of "The Proclaimer," Faith Comes By Hearing insists that relief groups are clamoring for it. The website shows a mass of people reaching for something being given out, but you can rest assured that it isn't an audio bible or that they're even near one.

Faith Comes By Hearing, an international Audio Bible group, is working with Convoy of Hope to provide spiritual relief in Haiti.

Unfortunately, Convoy of Hope would rather have the cash:

MSNBC:

Many agencies try to motivate donors with the mathematics of the situation. Jeff Nene, a spokesman for Convoy of Hope, a Springfield, Mo., agency that feeds 11,000 children a day in Haiti, urges cash donations that allow his group to buy in bulk from large suppliers and retailers.

“When people give $1, it translates into $7 in the field,” he said. “If they spend $5 for bottled water, that’s nice and it makes them feel good, but probably it costs us more than $5 to send it. If they give us $5, we can get $35 worth of water.”

Sending 600 "Proclaimers" to Haiti costs $92,000. I guess Faith Comes By Hearing wasn't motivated enough by the mathematics to just send cash.

Linked to the story of audio Bibles is another possible insult to the people of Haiti: Mars Hill Church ("The Cussing Pastor" Mark Driscoll). The goal of this Seattle megachurch and its crew is not to provide direct aid to the people of Haiti, but to help rebuild the churches as fast as possible. To some, this may be admirable, but to the people who are suffering for lack of food, water and medical treatment, rebuilding ministries and churches may be the furthest things from their minds. Just a guess.

Shysters?

I remember one week ago when George Bush told us to watch out for "shysters" when making donations to Haitian relief.While he certainly didn't mean people to steer clear of faith-based donations to Haiti, his comment could include "misguided" donations. We all have ideas as to what human beings need in situations like Haiti's, but I think that 99% of Americans will say that there's an order to the list: #1. Medical treatment and supplies. #2. Food. #3. Adequate shelter. Substituting any of these with Bibles, places of worship or ministers is not humane. AFTER these first three have been taken care of, yes, BUT NOT BEFORE.

Transporting, feeding, sheltering volunteers from ministries also takes money.

Update: The reaction to the donation (and the request for money to supply 3000 more - rough estimate: $460,000 or enough to feed 3200 people for one month) has been rather violent in tone, with some people sounding off on both sides:

- Maybe they can turn them into hotplates...

- Haitians aren't atheists like one outspoken DR poster. They have lost everything, including their Bibles.

- The inhuman wretches of this "church" should be marooned on an island with nothing but a pint of rum, one of their precious "proclaimers," and a pistol with one shot. The rum and pistol, in case you were curious, demonstrate that I am capable of more compassion than they could ever muster.

A good source to find out exactly what is needed is Good Intentions Are Not Enough.

There were supposed to be three videos accompanying this article, but I pulled on out at the last minute. It's a very sacrilegious take on the donation of solar-powered bibles featuring Hitler. It will probably be pulled from YouTube before long, if Faith Comes By Hearing has anything to say about it.

The first is a clip from The Young Turks which, in my opinion, is a "fair and balanced" attempt to look at the donation. The second is a gruesome look at the devastation citing a verse from the New Testament about the End Times as prophesied by Christ. It may help you decide whether or not the solar-powered Bibles are actually needed.

Just a thought.

Whipped With A Wet Noodle: The Top Ten HORROR Stories From The Christian Right's Persecution Complex

I have a black t-shirt with bright white lettering that fits my mood these days: So Many Right Wing Christians - So Few Lions. Obviously, I can't wear it everywhere. Certainly not where the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission congregates. I'd be instantly labeled "anti-Christian" even though the shirt qualifies it's remarks with "Right Wing Christians" whose actual Christianity is questionable.

I'd also be labeled a "homosexual activist" because as everyone knows, gays want to destroy Christianity - it's all part of the "gay agenda." So it was really no surprise to me to find out about the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission's "Top Ten Anti-Christian Attacks in 2009." It should be called "The Top Ten Non-Anti-Christian Attacks We Can Blame On Our Enemies, Especially Gays." It should also substitute "attacks" with something more suitable, like "Totally Unrelated Incidents and Fabrications." Stretching some of these "attacks" into anti-Christian violence makes for interesting, novel (as in fiction) reading. So to set matters straight (ugh!), I've listed the "Top Ten" with some minor addenda.

Top Ten Anti-Christian Attacks in 2009

Contact: Dr. Gary Cass, Christian Anti-Defamation Commission, 760-630-2232, 954-551-9770 VISTA, Calif., Jan. 4 /Christian Newswire/ --

The Christian Anti-Defamation Commission (CADC) has released its list of the top ten incidents of anti-Christian defamation, bigotry and discrimination in the US from last year. The list was selected by the subscribers to CADC's e-mail list and was selected from a list of twenty of CADC's top stories from 2009.

"It is arguable that anti-Christian hatred has spilled over into material forms of persecution in 2009," said Dr. Gary Cass of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission. "Christians were killed and bullied for their witness, ministers and churches threatened with violence and vandalized for standing for marriage, and Christians were fired for not compromising their faith. If these are not bona fide examples of persecution, than I wonder what more it might take?"

A helluva lot more, it seems. "Bona fide examples of persecution" would include violence against people for being Christian, just like violence against people for being gay. But the following examples don't prove anything of the sort.

10. Pro-life Pastor Reverend Walter Hoye of Oakland, CA was jailed for exercising peaceful, pro-life speech. Evidently, not that peaceful. And he wasn't jailed for his speech:

SFGate.com: Walter Hoye, 52, of Union City was the first person convicted under an Oakland ordinance barring protesters from coming within 8 feet of anyone entering an abortion clinic.

9. Rev. Fred Winters was murdered while preaching in his pulpit in Maryville, Illinois.

CBS Series, Guns In America: The man suspected of fatally shooting an Illinois pastor during Sunday services suffered from mental illness stemming from a tick bite, the suspect's family told a newspaper in an interview last August. [Lime Disease].

So who should be jailed - the suspect, or the one who gave him the gun? Absolutely no mention of any form of anti-Christian motive.

8. HBO's program "Curb Your Enthusiasm" aired an episode where the main actor urinates on painting of Jesus. When confronted HBO would not apologize.

New York Daily News: In a statement titled "Urinating on Jesus," Catholic League president Bill Donahue says, "At one point in the show, David goes to the bathroom in a Catholic home and splatters urine ["accidently"] on a picture of Jesus; he doesn't clean it off. Then a Catholic woman goes to the bathroom, sees the picture and concludes that Jesus is crying. She then summons her equally stupid mother and the two of them fall to their knees in prayer."

A Daily News poll: 40% thought it was OK - and funny.

7. The overt homosexual participation in Obama's presidential inaugural events by "Bishop" Vickie Eugene Robinson, the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington D. C., and a homosexual marching band.

Eugene Robinson is indeed an Episcopal bishop who riled the Christian Right by saying "We worship a living God, not one locked up in the Scripture of 2,000 years ago." The presence of Robinson, the Gay Men's Chorus and the marching band were supposedly meant to be somehow anti-Christian. Reasoning: Gay=anti-Christian. Or maybe it should be Gay=anti-"Christian."

6. Police called to East Jessamine Middle School in Lexington, Kentucky to stop 8th graders from praying during their lunch break for a student whose mother was tragically killed.

From Isitluck: Cops weren’t called. The kids were not targeted for praying, but for stretching their prayer time past the end of the lunch period, skipping class en masse.

Isitluck is a blog: it brought out the fact that the incident was not in any media whatsoever, not even CBN. Nothing.

5. Pro-life activist Jim Pullion was murdered in front of his granddaughter's high school for showing the truth about abortion. Reports showed that the suspect was mentally unstable, and targeted Pullion and another man for displaying pictures of aborted fetuses near the hgh school.

4. An activist judge ordered a home school mom in New Hampshire to stop home schooling her daughter because the little girl "reflected too strongly" her mother's Christian faith.

LifesiteNews.com: [The "activist judge"] proposed that the Christian girl be ordered into a government-run school after considering "the impact of [her religious] beliefs on her interaction with others." The court approved the order.

This incident was more about the pending legislation in New Hampshire that would place new restrictions on homeschooling.

3. The Federal Department of Homeland Security issued a report entitled "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate" that labeled conservative Christians extremists and potential terrorists.

Check out the actual report HERE. It's a report on hate groups of the militia/"I-wanna-kill-me-some-queers-and-n*****s" kind. Oddly enough, the only mention of "Christian" is in a passing reference to the hate/militia group Christian Identity, a violent group whose history goes back to Father Charles Coughlin the virulent anti-Semite, often called "The Father of Hate Radio." The CDRC is banking on the fact that their readership can't, well, uh, read. Or are afraid of death-by-boredom-and-confusion by reading a government document.

2. President Obama's appointment of radical anti-Christians like homosexual activist Kevin Jennings as the "safe school czar;" pro-abortion advocate Kathleen Seblius made Secretary of Human and Health Services, and Chai Feldblum, pro-homosexual and anti-religious liberty judge nominated for Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

This "incident" is so anti-gay that it defeats own purpose. Instead, it highlights its own bigotry and discrimination.

1. The Federal Hate Crimes Bill that attacks religious liberty and freedom of speech. For the first time in our history ministers are vulnerable to investigation and prosecution for telling the truth about homosexuality.

The position of this "incident" as #1 shows the chief intention of the list is to slam anything to do with protection of the LGBT community from gay-bashing. The law clearly states that religious institutions and ministers are protected by freedom of speech.

***

OK, there you have it. The Top Ten Anti-Christian Attacks of 2009. I'll bet that the Top Ten list for 2010 includes throwing away an old DVD of "Going My Way."

Warped Worldviews: The Manhattan Declaration of War and the Rick Warren Silent Declaration of Genocide

This is an act of terror and murder against an already beleaguered minority, and Warren is an accessory to it. As a powerful figure in distributing AIDS funding in Uganda, he cannot bring himself to oppose a law that would condemn someone in a gay relationship to death, and imprison him or her for touching another human being, and inciting a wave of informing on family members and friends and acquaintances in order to terrify a sexual minority. This alleged man of God cannot speak out on this - except to protect his own p.r.

- Andrew Sullivan, The Atlantic

Several weeks ago, the Christian Right finally unleashed its bigotry in a statement called The Manhattan Declaration, formally defining their role in America's culture war. Oh, it had some little "we're sorry" moments

While fully acknowledging the imperfections and shortcomings of Christian institutions and communities in all ages [In other words, they don’t intend to address the topic of pedophile priests or ministers], we claim the heritage of those Christians who defended innocent life by rescuing discarded babies from trash heaps in Roman cities and publicly denouncing the Empire’s sanctioning of infanticide. We remember with reverence those believers who sacrificed their lives by remaining in Roman cities to tend the sick and dying during the plagues [Like the onslaught of AIDS?], and who died bravely in the coliseums rather than deny their Lord.

And this gem:

We have compassion for those so disposed [to homosexuality]; we respect them as human beings possessing profound, inherent, and equal dignity;

Followed by an arrogant and totally disingenuous fabrication:

And so it is out of love (not “animus”) and prudent concern for the common good (not “prejudice”) that we pledge to labor ceaselessly to preserve the legal definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman and to rebuild the marriage culture.

The entire proclamation is sprinkled liberally with paeans to how holy and wonderful its take on religion is and how the church has been scorned for being so holy. It conjures up images of people walking with immense dignity into a light:

Because we honor justice and the common good, we will not comply with any edict that purports to compel our institutions to participate in abortions, embryo-destructive research, assisted suicide and euthanasia, or any other anti-life act; nor will we bend to any rule purporting to force us to bless immoral sexual partnerships, treat them as marriages or the equivalent, or refrain from proclaiming the truth, as we know it, about morality and immorality and marriage and the family.

Cue The Battle Hymn of the Republic.

So that you might have the full impact of the Declaration, here's the entire (and annotated) Manhattan Declaration.

Museveni's Pope?

Under the proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009, homosexual relations are specifically targeted. Anyone in a position of authority who is aware of a gay or lesbian individual has 24 hours to inform police or face jail time. ... Those who engage in "aggravated homosexuality" -- defined as repeated homosexual relations or sexual contact with others who are HIV/AIDS infected -- will face the death penalty.

Enter Rick Warren, the most popular minister in America. The man who was excoriated by MSM after he filmed a commercial supporting California's Proposition 8 but answered that he had "many gay friends. I've been to their homes for dinner. I know gay leaders." Rick Warren is now engaged in a conundrum pitting his "empathy" for gays against his extensive relationship with the African country of Uganda.

Should he denounce the upcoming legislation as an attempt at genocide? Should he stress morality and compassion? Or should he, by proclamation or silence, agree that Uganda should have the most extreme punishments for homosexuality in the world?

So far, by Warren's silence, Uganda, is winning.

In the scheme of history, it was not so long ago that a high-ranking clergyman decided to keep silent about a genocide: Pope Pius XII, by his stubborn resolve to keep the Vatican's part of the agreement with Germany (the Reichsconcordat of 1933), effectively sealed the fate of millions of people by not speaking out against the Holocaust he knew was happening.

Think Progress:

On Meet the Press yesterday, Warren reiterated, “As a pastor, my job is to encourage, to support. I never take sides.” He has, however, said that abortion is a “holocaust” and pushed for the passage of California’s Prop. 8.

From a press release issued today:

The fundamental dignity of every person, our right to be free, and the freedom to make moral choices are gifts endowed by God, our creator. However, it is not my personal calling as a pastor in America to comment or interfere in the political process of other nations.

Warren has repeatedly emphasized that his assistance to African nations concerning AIDS would only take place if that nation promoted abstinence-only programs. Since those programs would need to be sanctioned by the country's department of education (which is part of the "political process" in countries like Uganda), Warren's statement is totally false. "I never take sides" is an incredible lie that can be proven quite easily. Even his "outreach" statements (like the speech to Muslims last Easter) are one-sided since they tend to glorify his work.

Interestingly enough, he has not as yet signed the Manhattan Declaration. As Andrew Sullivan pointed out, he could be hesitating because it may not "protect his own p.r."

And if nothing else, Warren's image is about p.r.

To date, over 150,000 people have signed the Declaration. It is now time to look at those people who signed the initial document and consider who didn't. Below is the list of the initial signers. It's interesting that they fall into various categories:

• People famous for being hand-in-hand with the Christian Right (Chuck Colson, Leith Anderson, Tony Perkins, Dinesh D'Szousa)
• People connected to organizations or institutions strongly anti-abortion and/or anti-gay (Gary Bauer, Jim Daly, James Dobson)
• And people whose institutions obviously need the publicity (Maggie Gallagher)

1. Dr. Daniel Akin President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Wake Forest, N.C.)
2. Most Rev. Peter J. Akinola Primate, Anglican Church of Nigeria (Abuja, Nigeria)
3. Randy Alcorn Founder and Director, Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM) (Sandy, Ore.)
4. Rt. Rev. David Anderson President and CEO, American Anglican Council (Atlanta)
5. Leith Anderson President of National Association of Evangelicals (Washington, D.C.)
6. Charlotte K. Ardizzone TV Show Host and Speaker, INSP Television (Charlotte, N.C.)
7. Kay Arthur CEO and Co-founder, Precept Ministries International (Chattanooga, Tenn.)
8. Dr. Mark L. Bailey President, Dallas Theological Seminary (Dallas)
9. Most Rev. Craig W. Bates, Archbishop, International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church (Malverne, N.Y.)
10. Gary Bauer President, American Values; Chairman, Campaign for Working Families
11. His Grace, The Right Reverend Bishop Basil Essey The Right Reverend Bishop of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America (Wichita, Kan.)
12. Joel Belz Founder, World Magazine (Asheville, N.C.)
13. Rev. Michael L. Beresford Managing Director of Church Relations, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (Charlotte, N.C.)
14. Ken Boa President, Reflections Ministries (Atlanta)
15. Joseph Bottum Editor of First Things (New York)
16. Pastor Randy & Sarah Brannon Senior Pastor, Grace Community Church (Madera, Calif.)
17. Steve Brown National Radio Broadcaster, Key Life (Maitland, Fla.)
18. Dr. Robert C. Cannada, Jr. Chancellor and CEO, Reformed Theological Seminary (Orlando, Fla.) Galen Carey Director of Government Affairs, National Association of Evangelicals (Washington, D.C.)
19. Dr. Bryan Chapell President, Covenant Theological Seminary (St. Louis)
20. Most Rev. Charles J. Chaput Archbishop, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Denver
21. Timothy Clinton President, American Association of Christian Counselors (Forest, Va.)
22. Chuck Colson Founder, The Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview (Lansdowne, Va.)
23. Most Rev. Salvatore Joseph Cordileone Bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland, Calif.
24. Dr. Gary Culpepper Associate Professor, Providence College (Providence, R.I.)
25. Jim Daly President and CEO, Focus on the Family (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
26. Marjorie Dannenfelser President, Susan B. Anthony List (Arlington, Va.)
27. Rev. Daniel Delgado Board of Directors, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference; Pastor, Third Day Missions Church (Staten Island, N.Y.)
28. Patrick J. Deneen Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis Associate Professor and Director, The Tocqueville Forum on the Roots of American Democracy, Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.)
    
29. Dr. James Dobson Founder, Focus on the Family (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
30. Dr. David Dockery President, Union University (Jackson, Tenn.)
31. Most Rev. Timothy Dolan Archbishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of New York, N.Y.
32. Dr. William Donohue President, Catholic League (New York)
33. Dr. James T. Draper, Jr. President Emeritus, LifeWay (Nashville, Tenn.)
34. Dinesh D'Souza Writer and Speaker (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.)
35. Most Rev. Robert Wm. Duncan Archbishop and Primate, Anglican Church in North America (Ambridge, Pa. )
36. Dr. Michael Easley President Emeritus, Moody Bible Institute (Chicago)
37. Dr. William Edgar Professor, Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia)
38. Brett Elder Executive Director, Stewardship Council (Grand Rapids, Mich.
39. Rev. Joel Elowsky Drew University (Madison, N.J.)
40. Stuart Epperson Co-Founder and Chariman of the Board, Salem Communications Corporation (Camarillo, Calif.)
41. Rev. Jonathan Falwell Senior Pastor, Thomas Road Baptist Church (Lynchburg, Va.)
42. William J. Federer President, Amerisearch, Inc. (St. Louis)
43. Fr. Joseph D. Fessio Founder and Editor, Ignatius Press (Ft. Collins, Colo.)
44. Carmen Fowler President and Executive Editor, Presbyterian Lay Committee (Lenoir, N.C.)
45. Maggie Gallagher President, National Organization for Marriage (Manassas, Va.)
46. Dr. Jim Garlow Senior Pastor, Skyline Church (La Mesa, Calif.)
47. Steven Garofalo Senior Consultant, Search and Assessment Services (Charlotte, N.C.)
48. Dr. Robert P. George McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence, Princeton University (Princeton, N.J.)
49. Dr. Timothy George Dean and Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School at Samford University (Birmingham, Ala.)
50. Thomas Gilson Director of Strategic Processes, Campus Crusade for Christ International (Norfolk, Va.)
51. Dr. Jack Graham Pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church (Plano, Texas)
52. Dr. Wayne Grudem Research Professor of Theological and Biblical Studies, Phoenix Seminary (Phoenix)
53. Dr. Cornell "Corkie" Haan National Facilitator of Spiritual Unity, The Mission America Coalition (Palm Desert, Calif.)
54. Fr. Chad Hatfield Chancellor, CEO and Archpriest, St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Yonkers, N.Y.)
55. Dr. Dennis Hollinger President and Professor of Christian Ethics, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (South Hamilton, Mass.)
56. Dr. Jeanette Hsieh Executive Vice President and Provost, Trinity International University (Deerfield, Ill.)
57. Dr. John A. Huffman, Jr. Senior Pastor, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church (Newport Beach, Calif.); Chairman of the Board, Christianity Today International (Carol Stream, Ill.)
58. Rev. Ken Hutcherson Pastor, Antioch Bible Church (Kirkland, Wash.)
59. Bishop Harry R. Jackson, Jr. Senior Pastor, Hope Christian Church (Beltsville, Md.)
60. Fr. Johannes L. Jacobse President, American Orthodox Institute; Editor, OrthodoxyToday.org (Naples, Fla.)
61. Jerry Jenkins Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Moody Bible Institute (Black Forest, Colo.)
62. Camille Kampouris Editorial Board, Kairos Journal
63. Emmanuel A. Kampouris Publisher, Kairos Journal
64. Rev. Tim Keller Senior Pastor, Redeemer Presbyterian Church (New York)
65. Dr. Peter Kreeft Professor of Philosophy, Boston College (Mass.) and at the Kings College (N.Y.)
66. Most Rev. Joseph E. Kurtz Archbishop, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville, Ky.
67. Jim Kushiner Editor, Touchstone (Chicago)
68. Dr. Richard Land President, The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the SBC (Washington, D.C.)
69. Jim Law Senior Associate Pastor, First Baptist Church (Woodstock, Ga.)
70. Dr. Matthew Levering
    Associate Professor of Theology, Ave Maria University (Naples, Fla.)
71. Dr. Peter Lillback President, The Providence Forum (West Conshohocken, Pa.)
72. Dr. Duane Litfin President, Wheaton College (Wheaton, Ill.)
73. Rev. Herb Lusk Pastor, Greater Exodus Baptist Church (Philadelphia)
74. His Eminence Adam Cardinal Maida Archbishop Emeritus, Roman Catholic Diocese of Detroit
75. Most Rev. Richard J. Malone Bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, Maine
76. Rev. Francis Martin Professor of Sacred Scripture, Sacred Heart Major Seminary (Detroit)
77. Dr. Joseph Mattera Bishop and Senior Pastor, Resurrection Church (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
78. Phil Maxwell Pastor, Gateway Church (Bridgewater, N.J.)
79. Josh McDowell Founder, Josh McDowell Ministries (Plano, Texas)
80. Alex McFarland President, Southern Evangelical Seminary (Charlotte, N.C.)
81. Most Rev. George Dallas McKinney Bishop, Founder and Pastor, St. Stephen's Church of God in Christ (San Diego)
82. Rt. Rev. Martyn Minns Missionary Bishop, Convocation of Anglicans of North America (Herndon, Va.)
83. Dr. C. Ben Mitchell Graves Professor of Moral Philosophy, Union University (Jackson, Tenn.)
84. Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr. President, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, Ky.)
85. Dr. Russell D. Moore Senior Vice President for Academic Administration and Dean of the School of Theology, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, Ky.)
86. Most Rev. John J. Myers Archbishop, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, N.J.
87. Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann Archbishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Kansas City, Kan.
88. David Neff Editor-in-Chief, Christianity Today (Carol Stream, Ill.)
89. Tom Nelson Senior Pastor, Christ Community Evangelical Free Church (Leawood, Kan.)
90. Niel NielsonPr esident, Covenant College (Lookout Mt., Ga.)
91. Most Rev. John Nienstedt Archbishop, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
92. Dr. Tom Oden Theologian, United Methodist Minister; Professor, Drew University (Madison, N.J.)
93. Marvin Olasky Editor-in-Chief, World Magazine; Provost, The Kings College (New York)
94. Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted Bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
95. Rev. William Owens Chairman, Coalition of African-American Pastors (Memphis, Tenn.)
96. Dr. J.I. Packer Board of Governors' Professor of Theology, Regent College (Canada)
97. Metr. Jonah Paffhausen Primate, Orthodox Church in America (Syosset, N.Y.)
98. Tony Perkins President, Family Research Council (Washington, D.C.)
99. Eric M. Pillmore CEO, Pillmore Consulting LLC (Doylestown, Pa.)
100. Dr. Everett Piper President, Oklahoma Wesleyan University (Bartlesville, Okla.)
101. Todd Pitner President, Rev Increase
102. Dr. Cornelius Plantinga President, Calvin Theological Seminary (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
103. Dr. David Platt Pastor, Church at Brook Hills (Birmingham, Ala.)
104. Rev. Jim Pocock Pastor, Trinitarian Congregational Church (Wayland, Mass.)
105. Fred Potter Executive Director and CEO, Christian Legal Society (Springfield, Va.)
106. Dennis Rainey President, CEO, and Co-Founder, FamilyLife (Little Rock, Ark.)
107. Fr. Patrick Reardon Pastor, All Saints' Antiochian Orthodox Church (Chicago)
108. Bob Reccord Founder, Total Life Impact, Inc. (Suwanee, Ga.)
109. His Eminence Justin Cardinal Rigali Archbishop, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia
110. Frank Schubert President, Schubert Flint Public Affairs (Sacramento, Calif.)
111. David Schuringa President, Crossroads Bible Institute (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
112. Tricia Scribner Author (Harrisburg, N.C.)
113. Dr. Dave Seaford Senior Pastor, Community Fellowship Church (Matthews, N.C.)
114. Alan Sears President, CEO, and General Counsel, Alliance Defense Fund (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
115. Randy Setzer Senior Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church (Lincolnton, N.C.)
116. Most Rev. Michael J. Sheridan Bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs, Colo.
117. Dr. Ron Sider Director, Evangelicals for Social Action (Wynnewood, Pa.)
118. Fr. Robert Sirico Founder, Acton Institute (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
119. Dr. Robert Sloan President, Houston Baptist University (Houston)
120. Charles Stetson Chairman of the Board, Bible Literacy Project (New York)
121. Dr. David Stevens CEO, Christian Medical and Dental Association (Bristol, Tenn.)
122. John Stonestreet Executive Director, Summit Ministries (Manitou Springs, Colo.)
123. Dr. Joseph Stowell President, Cornerstone University (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
124. Dr. Sarah Sumner Professor of Theology and Ministry, Azusa Pacific University (Azusa, Calif.)
125. Dr. Glenn Sunshine Chairman of the History Department, Central Connecticut State University (New Britain, Conn.)
126. Joni Eareckson Tada Founder and CEO, Joni and Friends International Disability Center (Agoura Hills, Calif.)
127. Luiz Tellez President, The Witherspoon Institute (Princeton, N.J.)
128. Dr. Timothy C. Tennent, President, Asbury Theological Seminary (Wilmore, Ky.)
129. Michael Timmis. Chairman, Prison Fellowship and Prison Fellowship International (Naples, Fla.)
130. Mark Tooley, President, Institute for Religion and Democracy (Washington, D.C.)
131. H. James Towey, President, St. Vincent College (Latrobe, Pa.)
132. Juan Valdes, Middle and High School Chaplain, Florida Christian School (Miami, Fla.)
133. Todd Wagner, Pastor, WaterMark Community Church (Dallas)
134. Dr. Graham Walker, President, Patrick Henry College (Purcellville, Va.)
135. Fr. Alexander F. C. Webster, Ph.D., Archpriest, Orthodox Church in America; Professorial Lecturer, The George Washington University (Ashburn, Va.)
     
136. George Weigel, Distinguished Senior Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center (Washington, D.C.)
137. David Welch, Houston Area Pastor Council Executive Director, US Pastors Council (Houston)
138. Dr. James Emery White, Founding and Senior Pastor, Mecklenburg Community Church (Charlotte, N.C.)
139. Dr. Hayes Wicker, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church (Naples, Fla.)
140. Mark Williamson, Founder and President, Foundation Restoration Ministries/Federal Intercessors (Katy, Texas)
141. Parker T. Williamson, Editor Emeritus and Senior Correspondent, Presbyterian Lay Committee
     
142. Dr. Craig Williford, President, Trinity International University (Deerfield, Ill.)
143. Dr. John Woodbridge, Research Professor of Church History and the History of Christian Thought, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield, Ill.)
144. Don M. Woodside, Performance Matters Associates (Matthews, N.C.)
145. Dr. Frank Wright, President, National Religious Broadcasters (Manassas, Va.)
146. Most Rev. Donald W. Wuerl, Archbishop, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.
147. Paul Young, COO and Executive Vice President, Christian Research Institute (Charlotte, N.C.)
148. Dr. Michael Youssef, President, Leading the Way (Atlanta)
149. Ravi Zacharias, Founder and Chairman of the Board, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (Norcross, Ga.)
150. Most Rev. David A. Zubik, Bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
151. James R. Thobaben, Ph.D., M.P.H., Professor, Bioethics and Social Ethics, Asbury Theological Seminary (Wilmore, Ky.)
     

There are a great deal of institutions represented that appear to be so miniscule as to seem innocuous. However, therein lies the danger of this group: they may seem small, but, given the right occassion, will make valiant attempts of bigotry that could prove to be ... fatal. ALL of these people and their organizations deserve the utmost scrutiny from now on. Of course, while some of them may seem to be beyond reproach (like archbishops), remember that titles can cover a host of hypocrisies.

The Manhattan Declaration: The Christian Right Declares Global Warfare, Giving Africa The Gift Of ...Fear

The Christofascist Manifesto!
plus - As Part Of A Double Feature -
Homophobia Is Alive And Thriving In Africa

Christofascists might have a reason to celebrate the holidays very, shall we say, enthusiastically this Christmas: the anti-homosexuality bill of Uganda is still on the table before the Ugandan parliament and, despite strong opposition from human rights groups and progressive churches, looks as if it might pass. If it does, you will hear choruses of "Hallelujah" coming from strongholds of homophobia like the Southern Baptist Convention and Family Research Council, because, after all, they encouraged the bill from its very beginning.

Of course, the climate in Uganda is so thick with fear and loathing of anyone gay that whole communities are already going door-to-door to "root out" homosexuals and turn them in to authorities. Passage of the bill would create a gay genocide unparalleled in history.

From Queerty.com

U.S. conservatives have successfully recruited a significant number of prominent African religious leaders to a campaign seeking to restrict the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. The flagship issue … is the ordination of LGBT clergy by mainline Protestant denominations– particularly the Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches– in the United States….

As a direct result of this campaign, homophobia is on the rise in Africa– from increased incidents of violence to antigay legislation that carries the death penalty….

Right Wing Watch:

"We need to stand up against the U.S. Christian Right peddling homophobia in Africa," said Kaoma, who in recent weeks asked U.S. evangelist Rick Warren to denounce the bill and distance himself from its supporters.

“Africa’s antigay campaigns are to a substantial degree made in the U.S.A.”

A progressive think tank - Political Research Associates - just declared this week in the report "Globalizing the Culture Wars: U.S. Conservatives, African Churches and Homophobia" by Rev. Kapya Kaoma, a scholar This short report is MUST READING for those who wish to keep informed about the ugly, steadfast goals of the Christian Right in Africa, especially demonizing and criminalizing homoseuality.

“Rick Warren shows one face in the United States where he says he loves gays, and another face in Africa, which is on the verge of pogroms against this community,” said Reverend Kaoma. “We need to hear his voice loud and clear on this issue that gays and lesbians are entitled to full human rights.”

Rick has souls to win and money to make (in order to win those souls). He's not going to collar Uganda, Rwanda and every other African nation to preach to them what they don't want to hear. Even though he professes "love" for everyone, that love extends just so far - as far as the grasp for a nation's wallet and as far as the clutch of a significant number of souls.

From Christianity Today

Christian leaders reaffirmed their conservative stances on abortion, same-sex marriage, and religious liberty with a 4,700-word declaration released Friday. Signed initially by 125 evangelical, Catholic, and Orthodox leaders, the Manhattan Declaration calls Christians to adhere to three primary convictions, even if this requires civil disobedience. Charles Colson, who helped draft the declaration, said the statement brings Christian leaders together on the issues of abortion, marriage, and religious freedom in the face of growing pressure.

From The Manhattan Declaration:

Because the sanctity of human life, the dignity of marriage as a union of husband and wife, and the freedom of conscience and religion are foundational principles of justice and the common good, we are compelled by our Christian faith to speak and act in their defense. In this declaration we affirm: 1) the profound, inherent, and equal dignity of every human being as a creature fashioned in the very image of God, possessing inherent rights of equal dignity and life; 2) marriage as a conjugal union of man and woman, ordained by God from the creation, and historically understood by believers and non-believers alike, to be the most basic institution in society and; 3) religious liberty, which is grounded in the character of God, the example of Christ, and the inherent freedom and dignity of human beings created in the divine image.

Notice:

1. "equal dignity and life" do NOT include homosexuals, women, pro-choice people, leftists (commie-pinko's), socialists, or anyone the church sees fit to make an outcast.

2.) marriage as a societal institution has not been around in the same form as it exists now. This section leaves out the possibility of arranged marriages.

3. If religious liberty is "grounded in the character of God," then it is only CHRISTIAN liberty which is espoused. And that brings up the question as to WHO has signed the manifesto? Were Hindus, Muslims, Rastafarians, Shinto, Buddhists, Mormons, Jews, Zoroastrians invited to sign?

A hypocrisy creeps into the Manhattan Declaration fairly early on:

This same devotion to human dignity has led Christians in the last decade to work to end the dehumanizing scourge of human trafficking and sexual slavery, bring compassionate care to AIDS sufferers in Africa, and assist in a myriad of other human rights causes – from providing clean water in developing nations to providing homes for tens of thousands of children orphaned by war, disease and gender discrimination.

It is only at this juncture that the "Declaration" mentions AIDS and pointedly makes it a scourge of Africa. It conveniently jumps over the lack of compassion and dehumanization of homosexuals in regards to AIDS. That may be because, with the help of Rick Warren, they may be able to claim more converts while imprisoning more homosexuals in The Dark Continent.

The most hypocritical gag-me-with-a-spoon comment slips in later (but we all knew it was coming, didn't we?)

And so it is out of love (not “animus”) and prudent concern for the common good (not “prejudice”), that we pledge to labor ceaselessly to preserve the legal definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman and to rebuild the marriage culture.

OK, let's face it: this declaration is a shout against the winds of change. And it is also a threat:

"We will stand here and make your lives as miserable as possible if everyone doesn't kneel down to us and convert RIGHT NOW!" (It says, with the stamp of a patent leather shod foot)

or...

"Don't make us call our friends in Africa to deal with you."

The Mirror of The Culture War: Biden vs. Palin

Or Good vs. Not-So-Good

I know that some of this ground has been covered before, but after the Biden-Palin debate, I wanted to revisit it, research it, and emphasize it. I believe that Obama picked Biden for his forthrightness and knowledge of foreign affairs. I also believe that Palin was hastily chosen as a "sign" to the Right Wing Christians. The rallies for McCain-Palin have proven that the radical right needs to vent its frustrations, and not in any respectful way. The rhetoric that McCain and Palin (especially) has used in the campaign, the tone of the campaign's ads, the accusations and implications have given rise to a kind of "mob mentality." Now it has come as a shock to McCain (Palin is clueless) that if you pander to Right Wing Christian leaders, you will inherit their flocks of simple-minded sheep. When he had to correct an elderly lady's impression of Obama as an "A-rab" McCain realized that the victim of his attacks on Obama was not Obama, but the millions of people to whom he was reinforcing negative images.

The difference in the make-up of each side of the campaign has been noted before, but I think it came out strongest at the Biden-Palin debate. It was the culture war come alive. It was the distrust towards intellectuals (or for anyone overtly intelligent for that matter) that exhibited itself in 2000. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that it REALLY became blatant in 2004. It was the culture war, not politics, that gave rise to the term "swiftboating".

(Pew Research - Todd Gitlin*, October 8, 2008)

French philosopher Ernst Renan famously said that a nation was a daily plebiscite. In America, we have a quadrennial plebiscite: who are we? And that’s to be determined in a month. Remember that America was defined from the start as the fruit of an ideology, not a nationality. Therefore, America is particularly prone to culture wars. There is no American nationality. So the question of what holds the nation together, of who belongs here, of what this stands for, is a matter open to debate. America is a way of life, in other words, a culture.

Right Wing Christianity is trying to make itself the sole American Culture. I pity America if it does.

*Todd Gitlin is professor of journalism and sociology at Columbia University, where he also oversees the Ph.D. program in communications.