In contrast to Martin Luther King's widow, Coretta Scott King, and King's son, Martin Luther King III, Alveda is a fierce opponent of gay unions, who has declared that the only purpose of sex is "procreation." Once a progressive Democratic state rep in Georgia, Alveda caught the eye of conservative activists in the 1990s for her support of taxpayer-funded vouchers for private schools; it was Alan Keyes' presidential campaign manager who helped her form her nonprofit organization, King for America. Her rightward turn--including switching her party affiliation in 1998--spelled the end of her political career (she badly lost a bid for City Council President in Atlanta), but the beginning of a new career as a far-right hanger-on. She was named a fellow at a conservative think tank, appeared side by side with the likes of Newt Gingrich, worked with the American Family Association to boycott Disney for featuring gay characters in some programs, and has attended meetings of the Republican National Committee. She's also become a prominent spokesperson for the pro-life cause, claiming that abortion is destroying black culture. Wellington Boone, a clergyman from Georgia, is best known for his regular appearances at Promise Keepers rallies. But he, too, has cultivated GOP connections, appearing last May, for example, at a press conference with Bill Frist to support the president's nomination of anti-abortion right-winger Janice Rogers Brown to a federal judgeship. In his book Your Wife is Not Your Mama, he characterizes masturbation as "sex with demons" and at one televised rally against gay marriage in 2004, where he shared the platform with Focus on the Family's James Dobson, he brought the crowd to its feet with his rousing anti-gay rhetoric: "If God says in Leviticus for mankind to lie with mankind and womankind with womankind...is an abomination, I'm going to tell you, I'm in agreement with God!... We're standing with God on this one!" Rev. Herbert Lusk, known as the "Praying Tailback" when he played football for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1970s, is playing host for the event. Lusk was an associate of John DiIulio, the short-lived first director of President Bush's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, and has served as an important booster of Bush's pet program and of Bush himself, even risking his church's nonprofit status to endorse Bush from the pulpit on a live video feed to the 2000 GOP convention. Lusk's church, Greater Exodus Baptist, is also the recipient of at least $1 million in federal faith-based grants. The Christian right is an overwhelmingly white movement, but its leaders have exerted tremendous energy in recent years to create a very different public image, especially by means of courting conservative African American clergy who oppose gay marriage. Pronouncements and publications such as Concerned Women for America's "Homosexuals Hijack Civil Rights Bus" accuse gay rights advocates of exploiting the history of the civil rights movement to advance their cause. Justice Sunday III's African American-heavy lineup is the product of years of careful cultivation and spin. Most of the other speakers at Justice Sunday III--Tony Perkins, James Dobson, Jerry Falwell, and Senator Rick Santorum--are more than familiar to readers of this blog, though they promise to be in fine form. In promoting the event, Perkins has declared war on "militant atheists and their judicial activist allies," and Santorum may use the opportunity to repair relations with the Christian right, damaged by his loyalty to Sen. Arlen Specter during Specter's last, tough reelection campaign and his battle to remain chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee--Specter having been targeted for defeat as a RINO (Republican in Name Only) by the far right for his pro-choice views.
Justice Sunday, all dressed up | 9 comments (9 topical, 0 hidden)
as long as they're the "right" kind. In fact, quite a few of them are even paying $30 apiece to have breakfast with her later this month.
Democrats for Life of America $30 a plate might mean it'll be a heavy breakfast -- with ham, sausage and bacon -- but no matter. They'll walk it all off on their leisurely stroll to the Supreme Court, right alongside the Army of God.
It's most little-D democratic of all of them, I'm sure.
...or, for that matter, make a complaint regarding certain non-profit "godcasters":
Yes, as per usual, Dominion Satellite dba Sky Angel will be broadcasting Justice Sunday III on Sky Angel Two starting at 7pm on 8 January. (Among other things, this may be a chance to actually get videotaped evidence of lobbying, which can cause MOST of these groups to lose their tax-exempts.) Sky Angel, for those unaware, is the dominionist-run DBS network that has carried the previous two Justice Sunday events on their in-house channels to churches and religiocasters; normally, Sky Angel will broadcast it live and then TBN will play the taped meetings.
Again, this may be a good chance for someone with connections, or who knows a nearby satellite store that carries Sky Angel (I am hesitant to recommend anyone actually subscribe to it, as this DOES give dominionists money, but it may be worth it on an intelligence angle for groups like Media Matters or Defcon America that actively monitor religious right programming).
According to a piece by Laurie Goodstein in today's New York Times, Lusk's church and associated charities have received more than $1.7 million from Bush's faith-based initiative. The piece also notes that Lusk claims the IRS dropped its investigation of him for violating his 501(c)(3) status in endorsing Bush from the pulpit, on behalf of his church.
by Esther Kaplan on Thu Jan 05, 2006 at 11:59:01 AM EST
Family Research Council announced today that "Christian nation" advocates David Barton and D. James Kennedy have been added to the Justice Sunday III lineup.
by Esther Kaplan on Fri Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23:55 PM EST
Justice Sunday, all dressed up | 9 comments (9 topical, 0 hidden)
|
Left Behind: Eternal Forces: Installments of Jonathan Hutson's Talk To Action expose series
on the "Left Behind: Eternal Forces" video game have been viewed by up to 1/2 million people. See our site section featuring Over 35 original articles covering the controversial "Left Behind: Eternal Forces" video game that has provoked a boycott by a coalition of religious groups and a letter writing campaign urging Walmart to stop selling the game. Media inquiries click here(image: detail from Francoise Dubois' rendition of the Bartholomew's Day Massacre reveals the actual nature of religious warfare)
Short Takes
Daily Kos: Diarist John Campanelli shows what's wrong with next-generation Religious Right leader Huck's take on gay rights. Buzzflash: Bill Berkowitz surfaces the deep...... By Frederick Clarkson (1 comment)
Beating of Jewish Soldier at Fort Benning Turns Allies Into Foes
Just over a year ago, Sgt. Brian Kresge of the website Jews in Green had nothing but praise for Mikey Weinstein, founder and president...... By Chris Rodda (0 comments)
Pugilistic Priest: Some Clergy Just Can't Deal With Being Called Out Over Politicking
Some right-wing members of the clergy are getting upset over the election of Barack Obama. I mean really getting upset. The story about the...... By Rob Boston (1 comment)
Short Takes
Daily Kos: A diarist discusses how black conservatives will be trotted out to attack Barack Obama on behalf of the GOP. Included is a...... By Frederick Clarkson (0 comments)
Discussion of SILHOUETTE CITY on Press TV
In October, Russell Michaels, host of the London-based television series CinePolitics, contacted Natalie Zimmerman (the writer/producer of SILHOUETTE CITY) about focusing an episode on...... By MichaelWWilson (1 comment)
Anti-Abortion Politics at the Center of Missouri Political Scandal
One never has to look far to illustrate the way the the so-called culture wars remain at the center of our political life, and...... By Frederick Clarkson (2 comments)
Huckabee vs Hagee
Time reports that Mike Huckabee has a book coming out - and it looks as though the fiasco of Pastor John Hagee's endorsement of...... By Richard Bartholomew (4 comments)
New Interest in Serbian Abortionist turned Pro Life Advocate
For some reason, there is a sudden flurry of interest on American websites in Stojan Adasevic, the Serbian former abortionist who became a pro-life...... By Richard Bartholomew (3 comments)
Catholic Thoughts About Proposition 8
The Catholic Right, Part Seventy-two In the wake of the passage of California's Proposition 8, I was left wondering how such a forward-thinking state...... By Frank Cocozzelli (3 comments)
Campe-ing it Up
WorldNetDaily introduces a new book by Hilmar Von Campe, aged ex-Hitler Youth member turned evangelical speaker and author: Because it has abandoned moral absolutes...... By Richard Bartholomew (4 comments)
When Liberals Become the Religious Right
After posting a Short Takes item about liberal Catholic writer E.J. Dionne's call to capitulation on reproductive rights, I went on to develop it...... By Frederick Clarkson (8 comments)
Short Takes
Mother Jones features a photo essay of students from Patrick Henry College -- which was founded by Religious Right leader Michael Farris as higher...... By Frederick Clarkson (2 comments)
Talking about the Religious Right and Left with Welton Gaddy
The interview I taped with Welton Gaddy today will air on his Air America radio program State of Belief on dozens of stations and...... By Frederick Clarkson (0 comments)
Sarah Palin, Naked Beats Sarah Palin, Naked Theocrat
[image, right: Sarah Palin with naked pancakes on head, by celebrated pancake painter Dan Lacey] Try a Google search on "Sarah Palin, naked". You'll...... By Bruce Wilson (9 comments)
Piety Or Pocketbook?: Religion, The Economy And Voting In Election 2008
Political junkies continue to pore over the results from last week's election. One question that has been on many minds is to what extent...... By Rob Boston (2 comments)
After the election
Some observations I've made, now that the election has been over for several days (admittedly based only a few samples- but I think that they are telling): Unlike when Bush won (when conservatives were...... By ArchaeoBob (0 comments)
Shorter Dobson - Post-Election Special
James Dobson devoted two half-hour radio shows to his post-Obama victory thoughts along with a cadre of six other religious conservatives. Here is a brief summary of their discussion... ...... By tacitus (5 comments)
Katherine Harris & Ken Malone, October 3, 2008
(what this story is really about): this post is an adjunct to a larger story, Katherine Harris, Sarah Palin Linked To Same Prayer Warfare Network which explores the fact that both Katherine Harris and...... By Bruce Wilson (1 comment)
Ignorance and Arrogance
Ignorance results primarily from two sources: poverty and privilege. Either denied an education or entitled to power, this isolation that enables ignorance breeds arrogance, and our society suffers from both.In an interview on American...... By Jay Taber (3 comments)
Imagining a Witchcraft-Fighting Vice President
Other recent Talk To Action stories on this subject Katherine Harris, Sarah Palin Linked To Same Prayer Warfare Network Palin's Movement Urges 'Godly' To 'Plunder' Wealth of 'Godless' Palin's Spiritual Warfare Network Partners With...... By Bruce Wilson (1 comment)
Spiritual Mapping and Spiritual Warfare - Muthee and the "Transformations" Franchise / 1
Palin's Churches and the Third Wave Series By The New Apostolic Reformation Research Team Introduction A video starring Thomas Muthee as a prayer warrior and witch hunter was released in 1999. "Transformations" was the...... By Ruth (0 comments)
Spiritual Mapping and Spiritual Warfare - Muthee and the "Transformations" Franchise / 2
Palin's Churches and the Third Wave Series By The New Apostolic Reformation Research Team Part Two (continued)part one part three A video starring Thomas Muthee as a prayer warrior and witch hunter was released in 1999....... By Ruth (1 comment)
Spiritual Mapping and Spiritual Warfare - Muthee and the "Transformations" Franchise / 3
Palin's Churches and the Third Wave Series By The New Apostolic Reformation Research Team Part Three (continued)part one part two There are Transformations networks connected to Sentinel Group and "prayer warriors" under the authority of Wagner's...... By Ruth (0 comments)
Rev Andrew Weaver: A Fighter for Justice to the End
In the world of the intertubes the word "friend" has taken on a whole new meaning. A friend can be someone you've never met, never even talked to except through the medium of the...... By mick arran (0 comments)
Setting Priorities
Two of the people with the most on-the-ground experience in dealing with white christian nationalists in the United States -- Devin Burghart and Eric Ward (both currently with Center for New Community's Building Democracy...... By Jay Taber (0 comments)
Christianity was Hijacked
Kevin Annett's documentary film Unrepentant tells the story of the Canadian holocaust. For those unfamiliar with the systematic mass murder of indigenous people in Canada by the United Church of Canada and the Canadian...... By Jay Taber (0 comments)
IMAGINE: Media as a Sanctuary for Dissent
"The media should be a sanctuary for dissent. It is our job to go to where the silence is."-Amy Goodman ...... By eileen fleming (0 comments)
Berlet, Clarkson and Maley on the Radio
The syndicated radio program Writer's Voice , which originates at WMUA, the radio station at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, recently featured Dispatches contributors Chip Berlet, Leo Maley, and me in an hour...... By Frederick Clarkson (0 comments)
Reconquering a Continent
When it comes to threatening behavior, mainstream media's cover-up of Governor Palin's violent friends is a much bigger story than her abuse of power. Of particular interest to Native Americans -- according to Dr....... By Jay Taber (0 comments)
Power of Moral Sanction
With the question of how to effectively oppose the rise of fascism in the United States now in vogue, I thought it apropos to revisit this essay from 2002, The Power of Moral Sanction....... By Jay Taber (0 comments)
Where's the Action?
It would seem the objective of action is at hand. Organizing for that step can take multiple forms, but one that is essential to any political success is generating a list of supporters and...... By Jay Taber (5 comments)
Dispatches from the Religious Left -- on Grit TV
Following the dramatic launch event for Dispatches from the Religious Left: The Future of Faith and Politics in America, held at Middle Collegiate Church in NYC, Laura Flanders invited several of us to appear...... By Frederick Clarkson (1 comment)
Remembering Iran-Contra
For those too young to have watched the live TV coverage of the Iran-Contra scandal, the notion of murderous felonies being coordinated out of the White House basement might seem fanciful. With the new...... By Jay Taber (1 comment)
The Problem With Militias
Sarah Palin supports the militia movement? Public Good Project's Paul de Armond explains why that's a problem. ...... By Jay Taber (0 comments)
Assemblies of God, Palin, and me
I spent eight years of my life as a Pentecostal in the Assembly of God. It's as odd and alien a sect to most people as Mitt Romney's Mormonism. ...... By whaleman42 (2 comments)
Dispatches from the Religious Left -- Now Available!
At least it is now "in stock" over at Amazon.com. It should also be widely available in independent bookstores and chain stores as well. I will not clutter this site with too much news...... By Frederick Clarkson (0 comments)
Transcript for Mary Glazier Video
Transcript of Audio "Opening the Gate of Heaven on Earth: Receiving the New Prophetic Wind for Increase" Conference, June 12 - 14, Everett, Washington Description of Conference at: <a href="http://freshpublishing.com/global-harvest-ministries-c-192-p-1-pr-33372.html ">http://freshpublishing.com/global-harvest-ministries-c-192-p-1-pr-33372.html Mary Glazier Alaska...... By Ruth (0 comments)
"Seven Mountains" and the "Joel's Army" plan for takeover
In yesterday's post, I went into some of the initial detail on a statement given by Thomas Muthee in the infamous sermon where he "annointed" Sarah Palin and also claimed to literally run a...... By dogemperor (0 comments)
Christian Fascism
[also see: Brent Bozell's Newbusters Insults Christian Conservatives - editor] Sarah Palin's propulsion into politics was fueled by religious intolerance, organized through malicious harassment, and targeted at democracy. Her use of the power of...... By Jay Taber (0 comments)
Politics of Thuggery
Much as most Americans prefer politics as entertainment, or at most as an informal seminar, the reality is that the politics of thuggery -- especially as practiced by the GOP -- is anything but...... By Jay Taber (0 comments)
Thomas Muthee's "Seven Mountains" and coded messages
Today's diary is--and yes, I know, this is a shocker--NOT going to be about Sarah Palin. At least, not directly. This is more towards some of her supporters...and especially in light of Palin throwing...... By dogemperor (2 comments)
New Model for Change
With American society in free fall, some activists are now reviewing the effectiveness of political organizing models they've used in the past. We suggest they include in their discussions two of our reports on...... By Jay Taber (0 comments)
Promoting Murder in America
Contrary to public opinion, promoting murder is not protected by the Constitution. Nor is it protected by tax exempt status, as in the case of charitable trusts and organized religions. The only place we...... By Jay Taber (0 comments)
War of Ideas
<h2> Attacking the Truth</h2> Robert Parry talks about the role of right-wing US foundations in funding the attack on truth in media. ...... By Jay Taber (0 comments)
Vigil Land
I receive on average half a dozen e-mails from Bay Area activists* daily. Almost all of these unsolicited notices are for vigils held at various locations in Berkeley, Oakland, or San Francisco. In addition...... By Jay Taber (0 comments) More Diaries... |
BlogsBartholomew's Notes On ReligionChip BerletMax BlumenthalThe Panda's ThumbFrederick Clarkson Chuck Currie DefCon father Jake Stops The World John Gorenfeld Religion Clause Chris Mooney Religious Right Watch The Revealer Jesus Politics Majority Report Radio Blog Mainstream Baptist Orcinus Dispatches from the Culture Wars Ex-Gay Watch The Wall of Separation Blog From The Capital:a blog on religious liberty issues and the separation of church and stateOrganizationsAmerican Booksellers Foundation for Freedom of ExpressionACLUAnti-Defamation LeagueAmerican Library AssociationChristian Alliance for ProgressCitizens ProjectDefCon: Campaign to Defend The ConstitutionFaithful America People For the American wayInstitute For Democracy StudiesInterfaith AllianceJews On First: Defending the First AmendmentAmerican Fundamentalists Americans United for Separation of Church and StateBaptist Joint Committee on Religious Liberty The Clergy and laity Network Political Research Associates Theocracy Watch Media Matters for AmericaMilitary Religious Freedom FoundationMontana Human Rights NetworkNational Center For Science EducationReligious Coalition for Reproductive ChoiceThe RevealerSouthern Poverty Law CenterTexas Freedom NetworkCrossLeft: Organizing the Christian LeftTheocracy WatchTruth Wins Out" |
||||||||||||||