In the premillenarian-dispensationalist style of dominion theology preached in pentecostal circles since literally the late 1940's-early 1950's, Russia and its leadership have always been seen as Gog and Magog (aka the Antichrist and the homeland of the Antichrist).

Yes, this fun strain of Red Terror has actually been in place in these churches since the 1950s, and in part is probably responsible for "dominion theology" crossing over politically.  (There were several initiatives, including a failed bid to amend the Constitution to declare the US "under the authority and law of Jesus Christ", that were specifically proposed to differentiate the US from the "Godless Communists" of the USSR.)

One of my own memories growing up--one which still gives me nightmares to this day--is of leaders of the church I walked away from almost going into orgiastic displays over the end being near and the "Rapture being at hand" during an especially tense moment at US and USSR relations where it appeared a nuclear war could break out.  Oliver North (yes, the same one as in Irangate) later came to the church and claimed that Irangate was essentially a Mission from God to run the "commies" out of Nicaragua (and at that time the Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship International was actually running support packages to the Contras).

Of note--during this time, it was also actively promoted, both in religious and political circles, that the Democrats were in fact "pinkos" and--in premillenarian dispensationalist eyes--literally in league with the Devil himself.  (People have wondered how the Republican party and dominionist movements came together--well, at least in the Assemblies of God traveling-preacher circuit, it was because it was actively being claimed that Democrats were closet Communists and that Communists were Satanists.  This was even going on during Carter's time in office, if not before that.)

The fall of the Iron Curtain did little to dissuade the premillenial-dispensationalists; in fact, a new conspiracy theory came up that the Russians were actually faking the fall of Communism and that, when we were complacent, they would throw off their disguises and say "Fooled you!", thus launching the Armageddon Scenario.

(The Armageddon Scenario, for those unfamiliar with this particular bit of premillenial dispensationalist theory, is that Russia will invade Israel at some point and that this is to be the Last Battle.  This has not changed once in the sixty-plus years this has been promoted in the pentecostal community.)

I am afraid to note that, even fully ten years after not only the fall of communism in the USSR and the breakup thereof, this conspiracy theory is still actively promoted.

During Gulf War I, a new strain of this came about--the claim that the Russians were actively supporting Saddam Hussein because Hussein, with assistance of the Russians, would invade Israel (yes, it's starting to sound like a bad version of Steve Jackson's "Illuminati", isn't it?).

This has actually been brought back up in Gulf War II, along with another piece of the Great Russian Conspiracy Theory being promulgated.  

After the European Union came into being, a new version of the Russian Conspiracy Theory started taking shape in premillenial dispensationalist circles--that the Russians secretly controlled, or even overtly controlled, the European Union as puppetmasters.  

(This is actually an extension of another part of the Russian Bugaboo Story that dates all the way back from the beginning of the Cold War--that the USSR secretly controlled the United Nations.  This, too, is still being actively promoted and is one reason why dominionist groups have as a large part of their political platform either cutting back dealing with, or pulling out of, the UN.  One might even legitimately argue this could be a reason Bush has refused in general to deal with the UN on issues like Iraq.)

In the "USSR Controls the UN" or its later "Russia controls the EU" flavours of the Russian Conspiracy Theory, it's taught that Russia is secretly controlling those organisations in an effort to bring about a "one world government" under the rule of the Antichrist.

During Gulf War II (and even to an extent before that), it was taught that Russia (using the EU) was still secretly controlling Iraq and other countries so that (with the assistance of the EU, the United Nations, and Iraq) it could take over Israel and start Armageddon.

Iraq has played a role in this in part because of the location of the historical Babylon within Iraq's borders.  (Interestingly, Babylon and its role in Armageddon was originally seen as symbolic, but is increasingly seen as literal in premillenial dispensationalist writing.)

So yes, in other words--the whole "THE RUSSIANS ARE OUT TO GET US ALL!" thing has literally been around since the days of "Duck And Cover" in the premillenial dispensationalist set, and in part it can be seen as the need to have a Really Big Enemy--in a way, they've never quite accepted that the Cold War ended fully ten years ago, the only large Communist country left (China) is largely a capitalist dictatorship in Communist drag, and about the only country left that has both the means and desire to start the end of the world--is the United States itself. :P

by dogemperor on Mon Dec 26, 2005 at 05:07:22 PM EST

John Q. Voter loses his job, has been exposed to these conspiracy theories, and instead of looking at Republican economic policies, has been led to believe that the Democrats are in league with the Devil.  And votes accordingly.  

What's interesting about this, is that the extreme right's strategy combines both emotional reinforcement (the perverse pleasure of believing in conspiracies and indulging in feelings of paranoia) and a rationalization for economic woes.  This is a powerful combination: like food spiked with dope, one gobbles it because it makes one high, and rationalizes it as being nutritious.  

We are going to have to fight this particular fire with an even hotter fire: emotional and rational at the same time.  And here I would argue that the central message of Christianity: love of God and of one's fellow humans: is more powerful than the false prophesy of paranoia.  What we need is a compelling case that combines the core values of faith with a more complete and well-reasoned rational explanation for our political and economic predicaments.  But if we put dry reason forward first, we will lose: we have to lead with the power of feelings that are more nourishing of the heart and soul; that by their depth and breadth expose the falsehood of paranoia and fear.  

This is not an easy task.  It is easier to push a boulder down the hill than up.  But I don't see another way.  

by gg on Tue Dec 27, 2005 at 03:00:10 AM EST

I, perhaps alone, don't think it was a coincidence.

by JoshNarins on Mon Jan 09, 2006 at 05:52:24 PM EST