About the Author, Leah L. Burton
I began this effort in 2007 solely to fight for freedom and purge America from the very real march of the theocrats. God’s Own Party? is more than just another blog on the internet, it represents thousands upon thousands of hours donated by dedicated volunteers who contribute their time, energy and personal experience to the demanding research and writing on the assigned topic - Christian Dominionism in American Politics.
Fourth generation Alaskan, born in Ketchikan (aka “NoWhere,”) while still the Territory of Alaska, in 1957, daughter of an Alaska State Trooper father and a devout Christian (Dominionist) mother. Alaska, vast in land mass but very much a “small town” in its social relationships, allows one to meet and become involved in politics from the ground up, if desired. Due to my father’s involvements and associations, I met many of Alaska’s political “pioneers” before his retirement in 1993, capping his honored public service career to the people of Alaska by serving as Commissioner of Public Safety in the Executive Cabinets of Republican Governors Jay S. Hammond and Walter J. Hickel.
Further molding my expanding views, our family spent a “tour” overseas when my father took a position with the Agency for International Development in Vietnam for two years, placing our family in Taipei, Taiwan. Living overseas during that time, when the Vietnam War was coming to an end was life-changing. We are all challenged to accept how integral our relationships are with respect to the rest of the world and that our actions impact other countries, states and even neighboring counties, cities and towns. It is a natural inclination to think regionally – not globally. As a result of that overseas experience I developed a world view that lead to greater comprehension and understanding of how we all fit into a global reality, a view that stretched far beyond the boundaries of my remote Alaskan sense of ‘self’.
Over the years I have worked with my hands as a carpenter; benefited from the rewarding challenges of being a single mother and now Nana; studied Social Psychology at the University of Alaska; became a citizen activist and later a paid lobbyist on Social Justice issues in Alaska spanning two decades; worked within the system as a government employee determining eligibility of clients seeking social services; invited and joined organizations, and served on boards whose goals were a bi-partisan effort to secure America’s status as a pluralistic society.
I learned at an early age that respect is earned and goes where it is due, regardless of a persons position or status. It is not an entitlement, it must be earned. In later years while working at the State Capitol, for example, I totally valued the opinions of the clerks at the customer counter just as importantly as those of the Governor’s office – and all others in between.
In 2009, I had the unique opportunity to stand up and speak out by coming forward and testifying against then Governor Sarah Palin’s nomination of Dominionist and Alaska State Defense Force militia member Wayne Anthony Ross for the position as State Attorney General – successfully contributing significantly to his defeat.
Beyond my work here I am also privileged to work with the California Council of Churches by invitation as a Consultant on the dangers of Dominionist extremism and how it is a threat to mainstream Christianity and our democratic republic. CCC is a non-profit organization that represents the interests of over 1.6 million mainstream Christian members in California, spanning 51 denominations. We collaborate on providing information to mainstream Christian groups, organizations and congregations about Dominionism and the importance of maintaining separation of church and state.
Political Christians have infested conservative politics in America in every camp, but none more completely than the increasingly Christianized Republican Party. This goal to achieve dominion is precisely why they are called Christian Dominionists and there is no denying that religion is insinuating itself into the political landscape in America with the dangerous goal of attaining theocracy.
I am also a frequent guest speaker and radio guest on the topic of Dominionism in American politics which is finally realizing increasing awareness at a time when American politics is getting deeper and deeper into religious territory. If it wasn’t obvious in the past, the months of 2012 GOP primary battle should leave no doubt in anyone’s mind about the influence it is wielding – and this is just a precursor to 2016.
We no longer enjoy simple non-sectarian partisan politics. Democrats vs. Republicans - has become – Freedom vs. Theocracy.
You may email Leah at: leah@godsownparty.com
Hey! I read the article on IHOP-KC which is kind of old but I would like anyone who’s interested in what I have to say to contact me ( Jennifermarlin@live.com). I moved to Kansas City IHOP at age 19 and stayed till 23. Moved back to MN where I grew up at 23, alone, broke and totally different than when I moved there. Am now 27 and trudging through college working full time trying to make up for lost time, still broke. The place totally brainwashed me and now I am an liberal agnostic/loosely christian person who would LOVE to hear from anyone who left IHOP and became liberal or just secular or whatever. Thanks.
Leah, I am truly sorry to read that you will no longer be writing a regular post. I Learned from you and talk2action aboutDominionism. Have told as many others as i think would be interested about your site.
I will still be reading what you post on PoliticusUSA, because that too is a site I read.
You live in Wassilla so I will also say, stay safe. Don’t trust that town,simply because of the lying, cheating,done and the Pimp of alaska. “Have you seen Todd?”
good luck in what ever you do.
Your post and photo of a General Boykin as a knight of Malta is incorrect.,whatever he is wearing has no connection with the Knights of Malta. The Holy See recognises only the SMOM and I would suggest he is part of one of more than 28 so called “false orders” that are not orders of chivalry, nor are they acknowledged by the Alliance Orders of St John.
Tony…the fact that you have given us a laundry list of options as to how to label this man in the context of Catholic hierarchy is in itself evidence that there is a tiered system…not reassuring.
So you’re thinking that the Dominionists are, in a sense, giving up on the Senate for at least a couple of years, and concentrating of regrouping and remessaging in hopes of drawing more sheeple into the fold for the next go around. What are they going to do when, unlike DeMint’s prediction, the US economy has greatly picked up in four years. Pulling DeMint out of the Senate limits how much damage he can do to the Obama agenda. Do they really think Mr. Obama is going to self-destruct and take the country with him? Given Mr. Obama’s history, I would find that highly unlikely. Or are they more concerned about the winds of social justice blowing through this country? Washington State surely threw down the gauntlet, with a number of states supporting. I certainly don’t think DeMint is just doing a “Palin” ie: bailing so he can make more money. I agree, this is a calculated move. I’m just wondering what’s up.
I will be very interested in your take on Jim DeMint leaving the Senate and going to the Heritage Foundation. Are the Dominionists shifting gears, regrouping, giving up on the Senate?
Hope all is well with you,
Elizabeth
Many states run by Republicans (including mine). No balance here and it will be a problem. We need to really work hard in upcoming elections.
Yes we do. And I just started writing about a disturbing reaction that we are seeing to the realities of wins and losses and that is – far too many do not want the euphoria bubble to burst so we will have to keep putting this out there. I too, am very glad that Romney did not get in bringing with him a whole cabinet of Bush,Jr. ghosts. But as uncomfortable as it is to have the facts pointed out that Republicans still had significant wins and hold a substantial number of seats nationally, statewide and locally…these are facts we must acknowledge. Election cycles now run 2 years and that means every congressional seat is already planning their campaign.
I am so glad to see that you are not one of those and are cognizant of the hard work that lies ahead of us…beginning today. Thank you!
EUREKA! This is exactly what I have been screaming here in Texas for years. I’m a former Republican will never be credited for “taking the GOP back” because I will never support a candidate who thinks the Texas GOP 2012 Platform is anything other than bat shit crazy.
Great to hear from you! I honestly know that all of Texas has not lost its mind and that intelligent people are there, like you, that are ignored as talk about the insanity in Texas is the end-all. Texas was the very first state that adopted biblical reference in its Republican Party platform in the 1990s and it has spread like a virus since then. Hang in there! Keep screaming…we know you are there and are grateful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXpJxikvCeM&feature=related
Enjoy yourself.
We celebrated the 2012 event Eidul Adha and the Hajj to the House.
Best wishes 2 Paul.
Sr. Ali.
Just a note. Your 2012 Guide to ReBiblicans lists Rep Jeff Denham as running for re-election in Californias 10th Congressional District. Jeff Denham is the Teapublicans Rep for the 19th District.
Thank you! We will review what we wrote and make certain that it is correct. We try very hard to make certain that we are as accurate as possible, but there is always that ‘human factor’ that rears its head. I really appreciate that you took time to gives us that heads up.
Scott, it is confusing, to be certain. However, after the redistricting, it appears that Denham is now in the 10th District. I will offer this:
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California's_10th_congressional_district_elections,_2012
While his House.gov website shows him representing the 19th District:
http://denham.house.gov/about-me/full-biography
And so does Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Denham
His new campaing website shows him running in the 10th District:
http://www.denhamforcongress.com/
As do all of the current lists that I have. They also show Robert Murray running in the 19th:
http://murray2012.com/
I hope this helps. If you find anything further, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
Their not winning, their stealing elections to force their theocracy on all.
Here is a link to back up my comment.
“Mountains of evidence on election tampering documented in book on election integrity movement”
http://www.freepress.org/columns/display/3/2012/1947
Dear Leah,
I have just discovered your web site and, perhaps an hour ago, saw a link for http://www.theocracywatch.org. I’m stunned by what I’ve been reading and can see that you are pursuing a very important cause. I am a NY Times bestselling author who now coaches writers (usually first time) and work with a non-profit I co-founded called Hope Partnership Nepal. I became interested in helping impoverished women and children during a two year adoption process that resulted in the adoption of my wonderful daughter, Jenee. She is now 8 years old and the light of my life. I had never seen such poverty up close and the experience changed my life. I returned to the States in 2006, started working at an adoption agency, but was laid off in December 2008 due to the recession. I have long been quite distressed about the Religious Right, usually yelling at the television until Facebook gave me more of a forum. I gather a diverse friendship pool of atheists, agnostics and Christians on all places on the continuum. I am a Christian with a solid foundation in scripture and a liberal view of social issues. I have been increasingly alarmed by what I am seeing and now that I can view your site, I can put the pieces together. I intend to join your group after I send this email. If there is anyway I can help (I am also a single mother and I’m barely getting by) as a writing coach or someone who can further spread the word, please let me know. I am flabbergasted to recognize that this power hungry group is trying to do so much damage to the reputation of my faith and to undermine my beloved country.
This website is invaluable, very informative. It is frightening that there are people out there who are dedicated to establishing a theocracy in this country, and that they have made political inroads. It is also sad what this religious cult does to individuals and families. There is a dominionist blog which you might be interested in, I will elaborate on it if you are interested. Thanks again for the work you are doing.
Hi Leah,
You haven’t posted in awhile so I’m hoping you and yours are ok, just busy on other projects. Our projected move to S. Oregon fell through so we’ll be in the area for the immediate future. Lets do lunch.
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth! This is what has kept me so busy…and yes, let’s do lunch soon. http://godsownparty.com/blog/2012/09/launching-leahs-list-vote-with-your-wallet/
Quotes about Love I’d state, a number of this was a little a lot more than my private brain, however all in all, i enjoyed reading this page
We have place on your a way to my personal stumbleupon account.i emailed that 1 publish of your own to some numerous close friends linked with my own.
I have just come upon your website, as I was googling the order of nouns who educated me (SHCJ). That education has always served me well, and they (even today) seem to have stepped out of some rigid boxes.
But, after some events involving local parishes, I became what they refer to as a “recovering” Catholic. I know that term applies only to my general dislike of organized religion, but not of my basic faith in God.
I was somewhat wistful as I read through the Google pages, and discovered that some of the young women I knew back then, had left the convent. Wistful, because they were so bright and substantive in their thought, that I really was not surprised.
But then, I found this link and was DELIGHTED. A retired professional now, but liberal, devout, and a strong advocate, I smiled to myself.
I have only skim read the site, but I want to say that I will be a frequent visitor….after I get through the deliriously happy realization that it is not “one or the other”, but “both/all/and”.
Blessing to each of you who are working so hard……and thank you for what I believe was a “link” in grace!!
Respectfully,
Madelaine