Dominionism in American Politics – "Expanding the discussion behind the Headlines"
What IS Dominionism?
ShareWhat IS Dominionism? In a word – Theocracy. Think of this word as a big umbrella. Under the umbrella of Political Dominionism are numerous “franchises” or sects of radical Christian belief whose goal it is to take “dominion” over all things … Continue reading →
I cannot do justice to the people that I am privileged to work with in my research. Each one of us value each others’ area of focus and expertise. Each one of us having our own unique brushes with Christian Dominionism in some personally reforming way. Several are “walkaways”.
As walkaways, each of us brings our own horrifying memories to the table as we try to awaken the rest of you to the heinous world that Dominionism has planned for the rest of us.
Here is a comment left on my most recent post from a walkway giving a perspective of the reality that already exists in this country. You see, what we are all saying in or own unique voices is that this isn’t a science fiction story set to happen in the future…for many, this has been a reality their entire lives. And yes, right here in America.
I tell people that I believe in the promise of America, but not the reality. I also ask them what is more patriotic – expecting better out of the nation in which I live, or blindly supporting the things it does. My comments usually sets those types to screaming, but maybe it’s time they get their comfortable lives and worldview shaken.
I’ve seen the beginning of the sort of America the dominionists seek, and it’s not pretty – and it’s the inverse of the America I want to believe in. I’ve seen how the poor and disabled will fare under their control. I’ve seen how minorities will be treated. In this area, they dominate, and the things they advocate and push are destroying the lives of innocent people all over the place – and then they condemn them for their perceived failures. (Yes, they even turn on their own who fall by the wayside.)
Regarding their “Patriotism”, I think they buy into the myth of the America that never does wrong. The fact is, this country has done a great many reprehensible things throughout its existence, and not just to the minorities that exist within the borders. For some peoples, this country has been no better than a monster. Many of the people in this country live in third-world conditions, right among those who have comfortable lives and prattle about the greatness of this country. It really grinds on those in that situation to see the wealth and comfort around them, and to not only be locked out from access to things like basic medical care, adequate and wholesome food, and even safe water, but also be told they deserve what they experience or vilified because of their ancestry and heritage.”
Only someone who has been raised in the indoctrination of Dominionist Theology can convey to you the realities of how this is already wreaking havoc in our country. Dominionists believe that is you are poor, indigent or in need that it is only because you have brought this upon yourself by turning your back on God. By not being born again and accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour in the Dominionist definition of salvation. All your problems will be solved if you were only living ‘right’ by God.
This drivel is preached by the Dominionist leaders and their Sheeples who live without the want of food and shelter. Their smugness emanates from them revealing that they do not know the horrors of seeking the most basic survival needs. That because they are not saddled with these. issues, God must be shining His approval down on them – the chosen. And their lack of compassion takes it a step further as they swindle the last nickel from those in despair with promises of eternal life. After all, the more they give (they are told) the greater their chances of becoming citizens in the Kingdom of Heaven.
How are we seeing this translated into action right now, today, as we speak? Look at the reckless abandon the Republican politicians are employing – ready to throw America into a disastrous economic tailspin with the budget debates! Look at the demands for severe and crippling cuts to social programs that would cause untold suffering to the poor, disabled and elderly in America. Look at who the leaders are pushing for these devastating cuts! Who are they?
They are the ones who are comfortably perched on their sanctimonious pedestal who devoutly believe that they are the chosen and all those who will be adversely impacted by the elimination of these services simply need to free themselves from Satan’s grip and turn to Christ as a born again and work to build the Kingdom here on earth. Otherwise you are simply expendable and they cannot feel compassion because in their twisted minds – it is not they who are imposing this punishment on the “unchurched” – the “godless” – it is simply God’s Will.
A Nightmare that can be Avoided!
Here is a 2nd offering that was emailed to me by a walkaway who prefers to only be known as “Jubilant”. Jubilant was an assistant minister in an Assemblies of God church for 37 years until gaining the strength and knowledge to walkaway from this bible-based cult. It is a dream that Jubilant actually had and felt an urgency to share with me. It is powerful and it is frightening as it occurs in a Dominionist America post-2012 in a world created by the likes of a Perry, Bachmann, Palin, Pawlenty et al.
“A Woman Rides the Beast” by Jubilant
The Woman Rides the Beast - Rev 17
They woke me up this morning at 3:26 a.m. from the lumpy couch I was sleeping on long before my son would push the snooze button for a few more minutes of sleep. Hunger pains. But this time they were different. The noise from my stomach had their dog looking at me with those kind, gentle warm eyes dogs have. “Yes, my boy, I’m hungry” I said as I rubbed his head to let him know I was ok. “But I’m getting used to them.”
Today is the day that I pack my meager belongings and go to my daughter’s house to stay for a little while. I might as well get up and get ready to go. I don’t have much to pack; just an old toothbrush, a box of baking soda in place of toothpaste, a small plastic container of baby powder that substitutes for deodorant and a brush. As I pick up my underwear I see that I have to sew part of them back together again. The socks are still holding up even though the toes have been sewn so many times that they hurt my feet when I put my shoes on. My few articles of clothing have worn thin and faded but I’m not complaining. God promises to supply my need not what I want so I am content with what I have.
I let the water run in the sink until it gets cold and debate whether to grab a cracker to ease the hunger. No, that would be one less cracker my grandchildren will have to eat. I’ll wait for whatever breakfast I am offered. Even then I will only eat enough to stave off the pain because there is barely enough to go around.
My bible…where did I put it? Oh, yes, under the couch so no one will see it. I don’t want to anger them so I hide it and don’t talk about the book of Revelation, Daniel, Jeremiah and Isaiah anymore. I tried to warn them that the bible said this day was coming but they just laughed and thought amongst themselves that I was a little bit crazy.
Life is ok for my 6 children and their families in spite of the recession that started in 2008. They still have jobs and a roof over their heads but food has become expensive since the illegal immigrants working the farms were rounded up and deported. Americans were covered by minimum wage but when the Republicans took the Presidency and Congress that was even lowered to help businesses maintain and expand their profits. The unemployed were eager for any job, including the back breaking picking on a farm, because unemployment insurance was an entitlement and that was done away with, too. Now, food prices have skyrocketed and there is no longer a snack between meals or at bedtime. It’s hitting the grandchildren harder than the adults and it hurts to tell them they have to wait until the next meal.
I hate imposing on my family but I have no where else to live. My husband died and I could not afford the mortgage and bills on my $290.00 a month social security check. I barely had enough food to eat on that amount but when they privatized SS and Wall Street tanked again, that was wiped out. I didn’t tell my kids because they couldn’t have helped me financially. I stayed in my house even though the gas and electricity were turned off until the sheriff showed up at my door one day and forced me out due to foreclosure. Tearfully I had to call my kids and tell them I had no where to go and could I stay with them. SSI, Supplemental Security Income, was also done away with a long time ago.
I’m old and have heart disease and arthritis. Aspirin is my daily medication because I can not afford health insurance. Doctors have stopped taking Medicare patients because the government lowered their reimbursement payments. The healthcare that Obama passed was killed by the conservative Supreme Court as being unconstitutional, even though Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution says otherwise.
I never thought I would see this happen in America…a Dominionist Theocracy. There were many of us screaming from the housetops about the conservative religious right but were ignored by the mainstream media. Sarah Palin opened the doors to the vilest, racists American democracy kept under ground. She pandered to the white supremacists, militias and religious dominionists. She gave a bold voice to those politicians that believed the same way she did; America under the God of the bible and its Mosaic laws.
I used to wonder why the religious right has to live in the Old Testament and then realized that they have to in order to justify their wars. They’ve slowly over the years infiltrated the military with their dominionist, brain washed children that all wars are God’s wars to purge the world of non-Christians so Jesus can come back and rule for a thousand years. They are God’s warriors going on a crusade. But the worst thing in the military is that these people have now risen to the top ranks in each branch. They believe that they have to listen to God and not the President. When some prophet tells them God wants them to nuke a country, they will do it on their own without listening to their Commander in Chief. But, now they have a Commander in Chief who is just like them who believes in this purging. This is why they want the homosexuals out of the military. They proselytize their “right kind” of Christianity to the point of harassment and threats. They teach females that they are to give up their positions for men, get married and be subservient to their husbands. They must also have a “Quiverful” of children to keep a supply of God’s Warriors enlisting in the military in perpetual. They want a pure, Christian military.
I can’t think about these things anymore. I fear for my children and grandchildren. I warned them but they were all wrapped up in fear and anger. They blamed the democrats for the bailouts, the economy and unemployment when it all started under Bush. They also didn’t see that this was deliberately done to wipe out the middle class for the rich, powerful, right wing Domionists to control every bit of their lives. They were so busy with the Tea Party and their smokescreens that they voted themselves into this mess. Be careful what you wish for.
I took my bible out from under the couch. I need to read the sweet things of Jesus for a while.
My Christian faith always taught me that the end time’s one world religion would be the Catholic Church because it sits on seven hills or mountains. It really doesn’t. Rome does but the Vatican doesn’t sit on any hills or mountains but is across the river from them.
It also taught that America is not mentioned in the bible during the 7 year tribulation period or Armageddon. After careful study of the book of Revelation and other books of the bible, that is not true.
But then I heard about the religious rights 7 Mountain Mandate which calls for the take over of the nation under the false teaching of dominion.
Let’s see what Revelations 17 says.
“So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.”
Revelations 17:3
“And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”
Revelations 17:5
And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
Revelations 17:18
The 7 Mountain Mandate is no coincidence. All this symbolism has meaning for us now that the bible-based cult of Dominionism has infested American politics. Whether you were raised in Christianity or not, it is now time that all Americans aquaint themselves with the lore of the Bible that these people are scripture-twisiting to fit a skewed version of the Christian faith to enable a Kingdom building agenda that will bring us all unwillingly to our knees before them.
Strong words? Yes. Stating the seriousness of this must be conveyed with clarity and directness. No time for subtleties, just take another look at the GOP contenders and their constant invocations of God and religious superiority – you will hear how they rationalize these destructive proposals.
Perhaps tangentially, I'd like to inquire as to your views on how many civilian "Tea Partiers" are aware of the real agenda of the Dominionists, and what could be done to gently inform them and turn them away from the tide.
I've read quite a bit lately on how tenacious our hold can be on our beliefs, even when presented with overwhelming evidence to the contrary. This is true even on mundane issues, so I can imagine the strength with which it reinforces passionate issues. It doesn't work, as Michael Moore has found, to rub the opposition's face in propaganda. Just given them facts and let them come to their own decision. That's the only way, I think. And using labels for concepts unfamiliar to that opposition seems likely to encourage resistance on their part.
I love that people are trying to inform, but I get agitated when the information campaign is just as likely to do more harm than good.
I understand what you are saying…so I am prompted to ask…how would you recommend getting the message out about this dangerous religious -political Movement? Please! We are all ears and I welcome help in getting this message out. Given that there were over 938 bills introduced in the U.S. just since January that are rooted in biblical principals, the message is apparently NOT getting out. People don't react to calm, reasoned delivery. Never have. But, honestly, I really would love to hear what you all have to suggest. It is unfortunate that people tend not to react until they are jolted. Unlike Moore, I am not taking a stand on strict Party lines and I have always been a registered "non-partisan". The fact that Dominionists chose to infest the Republican Party doesn't make me anti-conservative. More than most, I would cheer for the secular Rs to come back in and TAKE THEIR PARTY BACK!
My Unitarian Universalist church was just picketed this past Sunday by Flip Benham and his Operation Save America. They even came into the church, and the only thing holding them back from disrupting the service was that the city code makes disrupting a church service an arrestable offense, and the presence of a plainclothes officer inside, and uniformed outside. You can find a very biased writeup on their exploits on the "Forerunner" website. They put words in the minister's mouth that she didn't say. She was shaking – and far from being the only one present who was rattled by what was going on – but she soldiered on bravely and spoke her mind, and was beautiful. And we got through it, and they left, presumably to make plans for the following days for harassing every abortion provider in the area, including Planned Parenthood.
I'm not in the least surprised. You read what they've done to people from our church – with our "official banner" hanging right there. There are times when I feel fear being part of church activities because of the Pentecostals/Dominionists/Fundamentalists, but we refuse to let them control us and are willing to take the risk.
I just hope they don't try it with us… with the attitude around here, the sheriff might try to arrest US for not letting them take over the service.
Jubilant's story is sounding more and more like it's coming true as we communicate. The news this morning is about cuts to Medicare and other services. My father-in-law will not be able to afford to live with what they're doing. I've also read about cuts to Social Security. At the same time, the rich are reaping in record corporate profits.
I hope that the American people wake up, and realize that yes, a "church" (or denomination or organization of churches) CAN be that bad.
You are so right! That is why I am constantly amazed when people look at me like I am making this stuff up and say, "Where? I don't see it!" They are hiding in plain sight…right out in the open…and we don't even see it.
Rachael Maddow's video (linked to on DC and T2A) may help… I think more people listen to her than the rest of us combined.
After all, she has a TV show. She's supposedly in the media mainstream (at least, to a certain extent).
The next thing that people need to realize is that those jackasses aren't the exception to the rule… that the sort of thing they spew is normal for the NAR. But, the linked-to portion of the show does show how close we are to theocracy.
Yes, I am being encouraged to get in touch with her. I have tried, but it would help to have others write to her Show asking that she have me on. She is SO close to connecting the dots!
I tried to put links on her blog, and while I was able to that evening, by the next morning what I’d put was gone.
The point I tried to make was the prevalence of the dominionists… how many there are. It was not offensive, on topic, and accurate.
At the same time, there WERE some rather offensive responses and obvious support for the dominionists from a few (with the usual “Liberals hate us poor persecuted Christians!!!” thrown in).
I've seen/heard estimates that put the number of dominionists (or dominionist supporters) as much as 30% of the American people (low end estimate around 20%). They're also numerous in several other countries.
Some areas have more than others. Our county is bad, with maybe 55% dominionist. I know of northern Florida counties where the estimate reaches 90% (I thank God we don't live there).
If poverty was due to the godlessness of the impoverished, there would never have been a need for the multiple commandments to help the poor, and the severe warning in Matthew 25:25 through 35 that on the Day of Judgment we will be judged by what we did and what we failed to do for the poor.
Additionally, if poverty was due to the godlessness of the impoverished, Jesus would never have said “you will know them by their love”, and would have said, instead, “you will know them by their lack of poverty”.
Not once in the Bible is poverty mentioned as either a sin or as the fault of the impoverished. By great contrast, phrases such as “woe to you who are rich now”, are used throughout the Scriptures.
Anyone teaching anything to the contrary of the above truths is a false prophet, no ‘ifs’, ‘ands’, or ‘buts’.
Unfortunately, Jubilant's story is actually taking place right now. We've experienced some of it ourselves (I'm not kidding when I say third-world conditions), and I've met a few people in the same boat as the character – and in a sense we aren't that far off right now. The part about taking aspirin really struck home… I have to eat tylenol/advil/aleve to get to sleep because of pain, but because of the structure down here, I cannot get medical help and when I've tried the "ministries", they all accused me of just wanting to get high ("You'll get ADDICTED!!!"), their rules started making qualification difficult, and then they were so over-run with people in need of care that they stopped taking in new patients. The churches themselves are generally worse than useless for a number of reasons and I long ago gave up on them. (Refer to a reply I just made to Joe – the latest estimate I've heard was that about 30% of the American populace are dominionists and most follow that sort of thinking to one degree or another.)
It was an eye-opener when I started going around the people the churches taught me were horrible monsters, the liberals, atheists, and academics. For the first time I encountered people who tried to help me cope with my health issues and find ways to function in spite of them, rather than telling me I was just lazy or "you can do more than you think" or "you just want a 'pity party'). From them I learned that there WERE people who cared about the poor, and who didn't accuse them of laziness or "bad work ethic" or whatever. For the first time, I encountered people who let me work at my own pace and didn't demand that I give them 200% all the time, even when it wasn't possible. I even learned that some academics ARE Christians (and many are privately quite religious); they care about what Jesus did and taught rather than using Him as a weapon and means of controlling others.
That was when I returned to school, and after learning to think for myself (and learned the truth about what is going on), I am now proud to call myself a progressive liberal. I am also Christian, but I dislike that word because of all of the evil that is connected to it.
Walkaway and Jubilant, thank you for sharing your experience. I am fortunate to live in an urban area of the Northeast where nearly everyone is content to live & let live. Without you people like me wouldn’t have any perspective on this threat.
Other than reading, educating myself and supporting political candidates who believe in a separation of Church & state, I’m not sure what to do. myself
A Walkaway – where do you live (state, not details)? If you are NOT in the South, please let us know. Everyone thinks that's the only place, but it's everywhere. There are Dominionists EVERYWHERE. I grew up in a non-religious household though I became a Methodist as a pre-teen. Even that was not good enough for the Dominionists who surrounded us and dominated our town – outside of Chicago! Religious values for too many of them did NOT include racial equality, gender equality, peace, or any other Christian attribute – these are Old Testamentarians for whom Jesus is JUST a 'get out of jail free' card to be played. Faith values? Nope – capitalist accumulation with a cross on it. Anyone who does not believe A Walkaway get serious – they are everywhere, they want to harvest your soul to put another rung on the ladder to heaven, and they will NOT take "no" for an answer. Be very afraid.
"A Walkaway" certainly understands that Dominionists are indeed everywhere. You are so right in pointing out that these are NOT mainstream Christians and they are absolutely out to "harvest souls", as many as possible in their quest to establish a Kingdom on earth. As insane as that sounds, those are their words – not mine.
When I was in Sicily in 2008, I saw a dominionist church… big enough to be a megachurch (in the Siracusa area). I remember thinking to myself that the people there didn't know what sort of problem that church could cause.
I've heard of them in just about every nation in Europe. Talked with several walkaways from European Dominionist churches too… their stories are no different.
The fact is, I haven't actually begun to tell what life is like in a dominionist-dominated area like this. Non-Dominionists are already being persecuted locally because of their beliefs – one of the members of our church was thrown out of a hairdresser's salon that she'd been going to for years (maybe decades) when the owner learned she attended a UU church that accepted atheists. Another person reported that he was told he wasn't welcome in a restaurant because he didn't appreciate the owner's lies about and hostility towards President Obama. They've violated our space and tried to convert us many times… we even had a woman (Marguerite Perrin look-alike) who with a companion tried to invade and convert our church (it didn't fly and they left). I'm starting to hear stories of violent reprisals and threats against people who oppose them (in the last year or so). And, of course, there are the things that have happened to us – workshop torched, pets poisoned, and racist graffiti spray-painted on our driveway – things we know of and were obvious. (I've been told it's because of the things I say and write). If I go into public, there is a 50/50 chance I will get proselytized or "witnessed to" … even in the stores and at places like yard sales (when I could afford to go by them). Shoot, based on past experiences, there is a one in four (or better) chance one of my neighbors will start ranting or preaching if I just go out into our yard!
And this all is just scratching the surface…
It's hard to get people to believe that they are as bad as they are. I even had a person witness an attempt to (offensively and deceptively) proselytize us in our own church booth… the witness said she couldn't believe it even though she saw it, and later "didn't remember it" (even though other witnesses backed us up). America has been infected with this idea of "Church person = good person" and only by inundating them with evidence and testimony will they begin to wake up and see the dire threat facing this country.
I know that it is as bad as you are reporting. Your voice is extremely valuable in this battle against extremism and we are all benefiting from those of you who come forward with your own stories. I receive emails from walkaways that are too afraid to even post on my site (or any other) for fear of retribution from the followers of this bible-based Christian cult. As "Churchlady" says above – take this seriously! They have spent tremendous amounts of time and money to spread their cancer into every corner of our culture.
We welcome any and all insights from those of you who are willing to share your perspectives in order to expose these extremists who are NOT Christians.
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“A Walkaway commented on Independence Needed Now More Than EVER – God’s Own Party?:
Perhaps tangentially, I'd like to inquire as to your views on how many civilian "Tea Partiers" are aware of the real agenda of the Dominionists, and what could be done to gently inform them and turn them away from the tide.
I've read quite a bit lately on how tenacious our hold can be on our beliefs, even when presented with overwhelming evidence to the contrary. This is true even on mundane issues, so I can imagine the strength with which it reinforces passionate issues. It doesn't work, as Michael Moore has found, to rub the opposition's face in propaganda. Just given them facts and let them come to their own decision. That's the only way, I think. And using labels for concepts unfamiliar to that opposition seems likely to encourage resistance on their part.
I love that people are trying to inform, but I get agitated when the information campaign is just as likely to do more harm than good.
I understand what you are saying…so I am prompted to ask…how would you recommend getting the message out about this dangerous religious -political Movement? Please! We are all ears and I welcome help in getting this message out. Given that there were over 938 bills introduced in the U.S. just since January that are rooted in biblical principals, the message is apparently NOT getting out. People don't react to calm, reasoned delivery. Never have. But, honestly, I really would love to hear what you all have to suggest. It is unfortunate that people tend not to react until they are jolted. Unlike Moore, I am not taking a stand on strict Party lines and I have always been a registered "non-partisan". The fact that Dominionists chose to infest the Republican Party doesn't make me anti-conservative. More than most, I would cheer for the secular Rs to come back in and TAKE THEIR PARTY BACK!
My Unitarian Universalist church was just picketed this past Sunday by Flip Benham and his Operation Save America. They even came into the church, and the only thing holding them back from disrupting the service was that the city code makes disrupting a church service an arrestable offense, and the presence of a plainclothes officer inside, and uniformed outside. You can find a very biased writeup on their exploits on the "Forerunner" website. They put words in the minister's mouth that she didn't say. She was shaking – and far from being the only one present who was rattled by what was going on – but she soldiered on bravely and spoke her mind, and was beautiful. And we got through it, and they left, presumably to make plans for the following days for harassing every abortion provider in the area, including Planned Parenthood.
I'm not in the least surprised. You read what they've done to people from our church – with our "official banner" hanging right there. There are times when I feel fear being part of church activities because of the Pentecostals/Dominionists/Fundamentalists, but we refuse to let them control us and are willing to take the risk.
I just hope they don't try it with us… with the attitude around here, the sheriff might try to arrest US for not letting them take over the service.
Jubilant's story is sounding more and more like it's coming true as we communicate. The news this morning is about cuts to Medicare and other services. My father-in-law will not be able to afford to live with what they're doing. I've also read about cuts to Social Security. At the same time, the rich are reaping in record corporate profits.
I hope that the American people wake up, and realize that yes, a "church" (or denomination or organization of churches) CAN be that bad.
You are so right! That is why I am constantly amazed when people look at me like I am making this stuff up and say, "Where? I don't see it!" They are hiding in plain sight…right out in the open…and we don't even see it.
Rachael Maddow's video (linked to on DC and T2A) may help… I think more people listen to her than the rest of us combined.
After all, she has a TV show. She's supposedly in the media mainstream (at least, to a certain extent).
The next thing that people need to realize is that those jackasses aren't the exception to the rule… that the sort of thing they spew is normal for the NAR. But, the linked-to portion of the show does show how close we are to theocracy.
Yes, I am being encouraged to get in touch with her. I have tried, but it would help to have others write to her Show asking that she have me on. She is SO close to connecting the dots!
I tried to put links on her blog, and while I was able to that evening, by the next morning what I’d put was gone.
The point I tried to make was the prevalence of the dominionists… how many there are. It was not offensive, on topic, and accurate.
At the same time, there WERE some rather offensive responses and obvious support for the dominionists from a few (with the usual “Liberals hate us poor persecuted Christians!!!” thrown in).
Sounds like a lot of crazy-assed stuff! Very scary to know that they exist among us.
I've seen/heard estimates that put the number of dominionists (or dominionist supporters) as much as 30% of the American people (low end estimate around 20%). They're also numerous in several other countries.
Some areas have more than others. Our county is bad, with maybe 55% dominionist. I know of northern Florida counties where the estimate reaches 90% (I thank God we don't live there).
If poverty was due to the godlessness of the impoverished, there would never have been a need for the multiple commandments to help the poor, and the severe warning in Matthew 25:25 through 35 that on the Day of Judgment we will be judged by what we did and what we failed to do for the poor.
Additionally, if poverty was due to the godlessness of the impoverished, Jesus would never have said “you will know them by their love”, and would have said, instead, “you will know them by their lack of poverty”.
Not once in the Bible is poverty mentioned as either a sin or as the fault of the impoverished. By great contrast, phrases such as “woe to you who are rich now”, are used throughout the Scriptures.
Anyone teaching anything to the contrary of the above truths is a false prophet, no ‘ifs’, ‘ands’, or ‘buts’.
Absolutely correct according to what I believe.
Unfortunately, Jubilant's story is actually taking place right now. We've experienced some of it ourselves (I'm not kidding when I say third-world conditions), and I've met a few people in the same boat as the character – and in a sense we aren't that far off right now. The part about taking aspirin really struck home… I have to eat tylenol/advil/aleve to get to sleep because of pain, but because of the structure down here, I cannot get medical help and when I've tried the "ministries", they all accused me of just wanting to get high ("You'll get ADDICTED!!!"), their rules started making qualification difficult, and then they were so over-run with people in need of care that they stopped taking in new patients. The churches themselves are generally worse than useless for a number of reasons and I long ago gave up on them. (Refer to a reply I just made to Joe – the latest estimate I've heard was that about 30% of the American populace are dominionists and most follow that sort of thinking to one degree or another.)
It was an eye-opener when I started going around the people the churches taught me were horrible monsters, the liberals, atheists, and academics. For the first time I encountered people who tried to help me cope with my health issues and find ways to function in spite of them, rather than telling me I was just lazy or "you can do more than you think" or "you just want a 'pity party'). From them I learned that there WERE people who cared about the poor, and who didn't accuse them of laziness or "bad work ethic" or whatever. For the first time, I encountered people who let me work at my own pace and didn't demand that I give them 200% all the time, even when it wasn't possible. I even learned that some academics ARE Christians (and many are privately quite religious); they care about what Jesus did and taught rather than using Him as a weapon and means of controlling others.
That was when I returned to school, and after learning to think for myself (and learned the truth about what is going on), I am now proud to call myself a progressive liberal. I am also Christian, but I dislike that word because of all of the evil that is connected to it.
A Woman Rides the Beast ("Who is like the Beast? Who is able to make war with him?")
"The Governor" Rides Ronald Wilson Reagan ("We win, you lose.")
Walkaway and Jubilant, thank you for sharing your experience. I am fortunate to live in an urban area of the Northeast where nearly everyone is content to live & let live. Without you people like me wouldn’t have any perspective on this threat.
Other than reading, educating myself and supporting political candidates who believe in a separation of Church & state, I’m not sure what to do. myself
A Walkaway – where do you live (state, not details)? If you are NOT in the South, please let us know. Everyone thinks that's the only place, but it's everywhere. There are Dominionists EVERYWHERE. I grew up in a non-religious household though I became a Methodist as a pre-teen. Even that was not good enough for the Dominionists who surrounded us and dominated our town – outside of Chicago! Religious values for too many of them did NOT include racial equality, gender equality, peace, or any other Christian attribute – these are Old Testamentarians for whom Jesus is JUST a 'get out of jail free' card to be played. Faith values? Nope – capitalist accumulation with a cross on it. Anyone who does not believe A Walkaway get serious – they are everywhere, they want to harvest your soul to put another rung on the ladder to heaven, and they will NOT take "no" for an answer. Be very afraid.
"A Walkaway" certainly understands that Dominionists are indeed everywhere. You are so right in pointing out that these are NOT mainstream Christians and they are absolutely out to "harvest souls", as many as possible in their quest to establish a Kingdom on earth. As insane as that sounds, those are their words – not mine.
When I was in Sicily in 2008, I saw a dominionist church… big enough to be a megachurch (in the Siracusa area). I remember thinking to myself that the people there didn't know what sort of problem that church could cause.
I've heard of them in just about every nation in Europe. Talked with several walkaways from European Dominionist churches too… their stories are no different.
Florida. I've heard similar stories from rural California and other areas.
You honor me, and Jubilant's story terrifies me!
The fact is, I haven't actually begun to tell what life is like in a dominionist-dominated area like this. Non-Dominionists are already being persecuted locally because of their beliefs – one of the members of our church was thrown out of a hairdresser's salon that she'd been going to for years (maybe decades) when the owner learned she attended a UU church that accepted atheists. Another person reported that he was told he wasn't welcome in a restaurant because he didn't appreciate the owner's lies about and hostility towards President Obama. They've violated our space and tried to convert us many times… we even had a woman (Marguerite Perrin look-alike) who with a companion tried to invade and convert our church (it didn't fly and they left). I'm starting to hear stories of violent reprisals and threats against people who oppose them (in the last year or so). And, of course, there are the things that have happened to us – workshop torched, pets poisoned, and racist graffiti spray-painted on our driveway – things we know of and were obvious. (I've been told it's because of the things I say and write). If I go into public, there is a 50/50 chance I will get proselytized or "witnessed to" … even in the stores and at places like yard sales (when I could afford to go by them). Shoot, based on past experiences, there is a one in four (or better) chance one of my neighbors will start ranting or preaching if I just go out into our yard!
And this all is just scratching the surface…
It's hard to get people to believe that they are as bad as they are. I even had a person witness an attempt to (offensively and deceptively) proselytize us in our own church booth… the witness said she couldn't believe it even though she saw it, and later "didn't remember it" (even though other witnesses backed us up). America has been infected with this idea of "Church person = good person" and only by inundating them with evidence and testimony will they begin to wake up and see the dire threat facing this country.
I know that it is as bad as you are reporting. Your voice is extremely valuable in this battle against extremism and we are all benefiting from those of you who come forward with your own stories. I receive emails from walkaways that are too afraid to even post on my site (or any other) for fear of retribution from the followers of this bible-based Christian cult. As "Churchlady" says above – take this seriously! They have spent tremendous amounts of time and money to spread their cancer into every corner of our culture.
We welcome any and all insights from those of you who are willing to share your perspectives in order to expose these extremists who are NOT Christians.