Holy War (moral, gospel, Sodom, Kingdom, grace)

[Pah]

The religious crusade against gays has been building for 30 years. Now the movement is reaching truly biblical proportions
By Bob Moser

Research article for the Southern Poverty Law Center
http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intel...le.jsp?pid=862

A quote about the early history

Falwell was plain enough about his views; in 1964, he told a local paper that the Civil Rights Act had been misnamed: "It should be considered civil wrongs rather than civil rights." His "Old Time Gospel Hour" TV program hosted prominent segregationists like Govs. Lester Maddox of Georgia and George Wallace of Alabama.

Falwell was led to politics in part by Dr. Francis Schaeffer, a rebellious fundamentalist who had begun spreading the word about "dominion theology" and who many see as the father of the anti-abortion movement.

Dubbed the "Guru of Fundamentalists" by Newsweek in 1982, Schaeffer believed that Christians are called to rule the U.S. — and the world — using biblical law. That meant winning elections.

"Dr. Schaeffer," says White, "convinced Jerry there was no biblical mandate against joining with 'nonbelievers' in a political cause."

Schaeffer was admired by a radical group of fundamentalist thinkers called Christian Reconstructionists. Led by Orthodox Presbyterian minister R.J. Rushdoony, the Reconstructionists argued that the Second Coming couldn't occur until the faithful established a "Biblical kingdom."

In 2002, [Roy] Moore [Alabama Chief Justice] wrote a lengthy concurrence in a custody case involving a lesbian mother. After describing homosexuality as "abhorrent, immoral, detestable, a crime against nature," Moore asserted that "[t]he State carries the power of the sword, that is, the power to prohibit [homosexual] conduct with physical penalties, such as confinement and even execution. It must use that power to prevent the subversion of children toward this lifestyle."

While conservative Christians have led historic crusades against a number of "evils" in America — witchcraft, alcohol, communism, feminism, abortion — gay sex was never more than a minor concern until 1969, when protests in New York City launched the contemporary gay-rights movement.

Coming more up-to-date

[Tim] LaHaye, now famous for co-authoring the blockbuster Left Behind series of end-of-the-world thrillers, wrote that succumbing to the demands of the gay-rights movement would be a mistake of apocalyptic proportions — literally.

"The mercy and grace of God seem to reach their breaking point when homosexuality becomes normal," LaHaye said. "Put another way, when sodomy fills the national cup of man's abominations to overflowing, God earmarks that nation for destruction."

The article goes on for two more web pages.

Tell me the Religious Right is not concerned with hatred. Facts would be nice to support your opinion. And then tell me, why your particular church supports the aim of the Religious Right and why you support your church in redefining society.

[Sunstone]

According to Michelle Goldberg, author of Kingdom Coming, the Christian Reconstructionist movement advocates the death penality for homosexuals (and also for abortionists, women who've had abortions, "promiscuous" women, etc.). Those fine folks believe they are called on to set up a biblical kingdom, begining with America. If they ever come to power, we should see interesting times.

[Mike182]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

If they ever come to power, we should see interesting times.

or a return to the burning times..... *sigh*

[mr.guy]

Originally Posted by pah

The religious crusade against gays has been building for 30 years.

I always presumed that the war on homosexuality was a veiled bite at feminism.
I'm frequently told that the latter was just the incubator for the former, aptly enough.

[Mathematician]

When the list runs short, attack hard. I'd like to see the Far Right attack other religions for their tax-exempt churches and women for holding power and try to get away with it.

[Green Gaia]

Originally Posted by GeneCosta

I'd like to see the Far Right attack other religions for their tax-exempt churches...

They have. A few years ago in Texas they attempted to take away UUs tax exempt status. They didn't get away with it, however.

[Mister_T]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

According to Michelle Goldberg, author of Kingdom Coming, the Christian Reconstructionist movement advocates the death penality for homosexuals (and also for abortionists, women who've had abortions, "promiscuous" women, etc.). Those fine folks believe they are called on to set up a biblical kingdom, begining with America. If they ever come to power, we should see interesting times.

We should buy this lovely group of people their own island to live on. Preferably one that has man-eating dinosaurs.

[Booko]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

According to Michelle Goldberg, author of Kingdom Coming, the Christian Reconstructionist movement advocates the death penality for homosexuals (and also for abortionists, women who've had abortions, "promiscuous" women, etc.). Those fine folks believe they are called on to set up a biblical kingdom, begining with America. If they ever come to power, we should see interesting times.

Yes, and I suppose they're all going to toss they're computers, since the father of modern computing was gay. sheesh

[Booko]

Originally Posted by mr.guy

[/color]I always presumed that the war on homosexuality was a veiled bite at feminism.
I'm frequently told that the latter was just the incubator for the former, aptly enough.

I think of it more like this:

In the 60s, there was a big push for full rights for blacks. Women and gays helped in that effort (not that the gays were exactly out of the closet).

In the 70s, women figured it was their turn to do something besides just make the coffee, so they insisted on equality also. Gay helped in that effort.

In the 80s, gays figured it was about d**ned time they got treated as equals.


I don't think the war on homosexuals has anything much to do with feminism, as much as it has to do with male inadequacy on the part of certain people who are vociferous in their efforts to spread a message of hatred.

[Mykola]

Not another homosexualist thread...

Well, okay - I hate to interfere with your everlasting homosexual discussion, so just a small hint --

Mmm... 2 hints:
1) Not all the people who use the word 'Christian' in the names of their religious or social organizations are really Christians, rather the opposite.
2) Not all the people who call themselves Christians are really Christians.