Brad Stine's 'GodMen': Promise Keepers on steroids
Bill Berkowitz printable version print page     Bookmark and Share
Wed Dec 26, 2007 at 02:52:14 PM EST
Christian men need to embrace their 'table-tipping' side, says Christian comedian and 'GodMen' founder Stine

Christian music brings in big-time money; the release, and subsequent box office successes of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of Christ," and "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," has made Hollywood sit up and take notice. There are Christian dating services, Christian investment companies, Christian real estate brokers, a Christian MySpace, Christian comic strips, Christian bloggers and even Christian comedians.

And, there are many Christian men's groups.

How about a Christian men's group headed by a conservative Christian comedian?

He's a raunchy, raw Republican devoted to stamping out "political correctness," and he's got the chutzpah to claim on his website that he's "America's favorite conservative comedian" (quiet as it might be kept, there are a number of other conservative comedians out there). In 2004, he performed for "R: the Party," an event hosted by Jenna and Barbara Bush during the Republican National Convention in New York City.

Brad Stine is a Christian comedian who heads up "GodMen," a ministry that encourages men to let their manhood hang out.

`I'm very pro-America, very patriotic,' says Stine

In 2004 Stine told the Fox News Channel that he was "a conservative comedian -- one of two known to exist in the Western hemisphere. I'm very pro-America, very patriotic. I use my time on stage to say how great the country is as opposed to saying how bad it is."

According to OneNewsNow, a news service sponsored by the American Family Association, Stine, who is an oft-featured speaker at Promise Keeper conferences, "states he is on a 'mission' to free his fellow Christians from 'the chains of political correctness.'" "In a country with guaranteed rights to freedom of religion, its citizens are constantly trying to make faith in public spheres illegal. I am offended by that contradiction and want to talk about it as a comic," Stine told OneNewsNow.

Stine, born and raised in Bremen, Indiana, founded "GodMen" in 2006 and has since held events called "GodMen" conferences in Nashville and Franklin Tenn. They are designed to be "absolutely honest and unconstrained in dealing with the real and difficult issues men face daily that are not being addressed in church," states the website. Issues, according to Stine, that would be less likely to be addressed at a Promise Keepers event.

"We are a little bit more raw about how we approach some of these subjects," Stine explained. "We also are really trying to find this unity of our faith that can be maintained in the community as we leave -- that you're the tribe of Daytona or of Des Moines or wherever it is that we happen to be."

Getting men to 'act like men'

Stine's "GodMen" conferences aim to get men to "act like men": According to OneNewsNow, "Stine argues that many men are tired of what he calls a 'sugar-coated and watered-down' Christianity. To counter that, he says, the one-day 'GodMen' events challenge men to embrace the full character of Christ. He cites the example of what he describes as the 'table-tipping Jesus.'"

"[That's] the strong Jesus that really deals with masculinity, [an aspect] that men are oftentimes not taught," Stine explained. "We're taught one side of Jesus. He was merciful and gracious and loving and sweet and kind -- and he was all those things, and we don't deny that; we need that desperately. But there was a table-tipping Jesus," he continues. "There was a time when the season was more aggressive and that you were allowed to be angry and sin not."

Paul Coughlin, the author of "No More Christian Nice Guy" and a keynote speaker at a GodMen event in Nashville, Tennessee last year said, "I believe that being a guy is a reason to be proud -- not a problem to be fixed. Unfortunately, most Christian men have been ordered to emulate 'Gentle Jesus Meek ands Mild,' a false caricature of Christ that has robbed the church of its vital masculine energy."

At TheNewsBeasts.com -- "News-Commentary-Research/From a Christian Perspective" -- David Dansker writes: "In response to the feminization of churches a new men's movement has been gaining brawn ... Founder Brad Stine explains that a goal of GodMen is to produce 'a man who believes in honesty and integrity and strength and leadership and the knight in shinning armor.'"

GodMen is "a place where men can discuss real issues such as passivity, isolation, and pornography 'in a safe environment.' The events, which include worship, have powerful sound systems and huge video screens showing he-man videos like martial arts displays and car chases."

'Cartoonish distortion of masculinity,' says Al Mohler

In a December 2006 piece commenting on the "GodMen" movement, Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., the president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary -- the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention and one of the largest seminaries in the world -- wrote that "The Christian church is experiencing a crisis with men... The church has been feminized in style and the manly virtues are depreciated. Christianity -- a faith predicated on truths for which brave men were willing to die -- has been transformed into a spirituality of mere feeling."

In many liberal Protestant churches the pews are filled with females, many of them aging. Sermons are vapid and boring. Feminist ideologies have taken hold and the context is ideologically hostile to the XY chromosome. Men stay away and boys see the church as something men avoid.

While Mohler believes that "Christian men need ... a robust and challenging theology of manhood," he is critical of the "profanity-fest of adolescent immaturity." "The movement is largely correct in its identification of contemporary Christianity as feminized and feminine. The problem is their apparent adoption of a cartoonish distortion of masculinity as the answer."

`Wussification'

Given Stine's mission it is no coincidence that his new CD is called "Wussification." Stine states, "The wussification of America is killing us by teaching us to censor ourselves from what we believe. That's why I want to see political correctness die in my lifetime, but first...I want to watch it suffer."

Recorded live at The Clarion at Brazosport College in Lake Jackson, TX., his website describes the CD as "a no-holds-barred laugh riot that attacks political correctness at every turn. From lambasting witches for being over-sensitive to Brad's frustration with Christianity's own form of political correctness, Stine once again infuses his one of a kind style of comedy with equal inspiration for his Christian tribe in an album that is guaranteed to become a classic."

One of his DVD's, "Put a Helmet On" was taped during a live performance at the late Rev. Jerry Falwell's Thomas Road Baptist Church, in Lynchburg, Va, in January, 2003.

According to the bio on his website, the comedian "models his approach to comedy after legendary practitioners that he has known and loved over the years," including George Carlin. "I always enjoyed Carlin for turning the tables on culture. He is an excellent writer that has endured for decades." Other comedic "touchstones" include Brian Reagan, Paula Poundstone, Jim Gaffigan and Monty Python.

Stine has appeared on several stand-up comedy shows including A&E's "Evening at the Improv" and MTV's "Half Hour Comedy Hour," and has been a guest on a number of news programs including FOX News' "Hannity & Colmes," CNN's "Paula Zahn NOW" and "Glenn Beck," and the NBC Nightly News. He has also been interviewed on National Public Radio and has been featured on FOXNews.com and in Newsweek, the New Yorker, USA Today, and several other newspapers nationwide.




Display:
As a Christian and a man, I find Stine's whole schtick to be ridiculous. To me, toleration is the greatest strength that a man or woman for that matter can show. All of this "table tipping" is nothing than testoserone addled, fear based, posturing. It shows me just how far from the teachings of Jesus Christ, Paulite Christianity has strayed.

by Frank Frey on Fri Dec 28, 2007 at 11:28:48 AM EST

There is not a thing stopping men from feeling good about themselves unless it is that they expect the world to come to them instead of making their own happiness, not praying, hoping, and blaming. We are guaranteed the pursuit of happiness but you must pursue it! It is evil to make up scapegoats in the vain hope that that will boost self-respect. It won't work. If there is anything wrong with this country it is that it is filled with crybaby males. Stine is making money off them and that will diminish their self-respect not enhance it. Stine and his many ilk are the ones that bad mouth our country and then pretend they can change you (and it) if you take their snake oil. Pathetic. dci
off
by lackawack on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 02:04:53 PM EST


WWW Talk To Action


Baptist Professor Opposes Gay Concentration Camp
When voices of profound conscience rise to the occasion, something changes. If we didn't hear that voice or notice the change, it could be......
By Frederick Clarkson (11 comments)
Books That Should Never Have Been Written
Recently I finished James Robison's book on economics, politics and American history.  I thought to myself that the book should never have been written......
By wilkyjr (4 comments)
HeavenUp: Christian Competitor for Facebook?
There may not be an IPO in its immediate future, but if Chris Burkhart and Wes McKinsey, who both grew up as sons of......
By Bill Berkowitz (0 comments)
Templeton Foundation, Christianity Today, and the Promotion of NAR Prophet Heidi Baker
This is the third article in a series about the May cover story on Heidi Baker in Christianity Today. Heidi Baker is being virtually......
By Rachel Tabachnick (0 comments)
Flame of Love Project: Margaret Poloma and the Templeton Foundation Mainstream the NAR
"I wonder what new doors to evangelism might be opened in sophisticated, tolerant, politically correct America if Christians started expressing their faith by encouraging......
By Bruce Wilson (4 comments)
Resolve To Stop Wasting Time: Congressional Republicans Promote Yet Another Pro-Prayer Statement
Americans don't agree on much, but one thing pretty much everyone can agree on is that Congress is not a very popular institution right......
By Rob Boston (0 comments)
We Can Add New Teachings To The Bible, Says New Apostolic Reformation Leader Peter Wagner
[NAR leaders have ties to major U.S. politicians including Sarah Palin, Rick Perry, and Newt Gingrich and have led politicized prayer events attended by......
By Bruce Wilson (11 comments)
How Big of a Liar is David Barton? You Ain't Even Gonna Believe This One!
A couple weeks ago, many people were introduced to Christian nationalist pseudo-historian David Barton when Jon Stewart had him on The Daily Show to......
By Chris Rodda (5 comments)
Christianity Today Promotes NAR Prophet Heidi Baker
Part Two It was a pivotal moment in American evangelicalism when Christianity Today featured a New Apostolic leader on its May cover.  More shocking......
By Rachel Tabachnick (1 comment)
The Barton Lies: New Book Exposes `Christian Nation' Advocate's Long List Of Distortions
Last month I wrote about Religious Right pseudo-historian David Barton's new book The Jefferson Lies, which attempts to prove that Thomas Jefferson was an......
By Rob Boston (7 comments)
Christianity Today Should Retract or Correct Cover Article on New Apostolic Leader Heidi Baker
The cover story of the May issue of Christianity Today features Heidi Baker, a significant leader in the "apostolic and prophetic" movement or......
By Rachel Tabachnick (5 comments)
Quietly Dramatic Developments in the War on Women
Amidst all the noise, there are some quietly dramatic developments unfolding in Washington, DC that may change the course of the battle over access......
By Frederick Clarkson (1 comment)
Fighting the Wrong Battle in North Carolina
As North Carolina voters prepare to vote on an amendment that would constitutionally prohibit recognition of same-sex marriages (along with civil unions and domestic......
By Arlene Stein (1 comment)
Capitol Circus: Religious Right Leaders Plan D.C. Prayer Rally For `Evil' America
On May 8, a group called Come Pray With Me plans to hold a prayer service in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol. This......
By Rob Boston (7 comments)
Pseudo-Historian David Barton's New Jefferson Book is a Load of Crap -- and a Bestseller
Anyone who saw Jon Stewart's interview of Christian nationalist pseudo-historian David Barton on The Daily Show last night probably noticed something missing -- there......
By Chris Rodda (16 comments)

CBS' "Go-to Catholic guy" Steps Down, Admits Fathering Out-of-Wedlock Child
A powerful, cultic religious order whose founder and clergy are accused of sexually abusing minors; admissions of children born out of wedlock... As is often the case, Talk To Action articles written years ago......
Bruce Wilson (4 comments)
Wagner & Rushdoony
In his 2008 book Dominion! - How Kingdom Action Can Change The World, C. Peter Wagner advocated burning books and artwork in the manner of Girolamo Savonarola and traced his movement's dominion theology through......
Bruce Wilson (5 comments)
Jim DeMint to speak at Oak Initiative event
One of the more prominent leaders in the New Apostolic Reformation is holding a conference in June--with a United States Senator as one of the keynote speakers.   Rick Joyner of Morningstar Ministries is......
Christian Dem in NC (0 comments)
Transcript of 1992 John Hagee anti-United Nations/Environmentalism Sermon
This is a transcript of a sermon on a cassette tape I own, titled "Capital Punishment/Environmentalist Agenda/New World Order", that was given by San Antonio Cornerstone Church pastor and Christians United For Israel head......
Bruce Wilson (2 comments)
The Tale of Two Colsons
The tale of two Colsons, one immersed in sin and one redeemed, is the mainstream press's favorite way of approaching the life of Chuck Colson, who died last Saturday. One needs to stress that......
JSanford (0 comments)
Richard Land under investigation for plagiarism
For almost a quarter century, Richard Land has been one of the most prominent voices of the religious right.  But now, the president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission......
Christian Dem in NC (1 comment)
Bryan Fischer, tax protester
Earlier today, American Family Association policy chief Bryan Fischer pretty much shredded whatever pretense he has of being mainstream--or at least what passes for mainstream on the religious right.  On today's edition of Focal......
Christian Dem in NC (1 comment)
Agree to disagree
This entry is in reply to a comment (or a string of comments) under the Bill Berkowitz's article Kirk Cameron's Christian Revisionist Growing Pains. ......
dscribner (6 comments)
Harry Jackson calls for Christians to form "fifth column"
Harry Jackson, the New Apostolic Reformation "apostle" leading the effort to roll back gay marriage in DC, published a revealing column in Charisma magazine.  He argued that in order to launch a second......
Christian Dem in NC (8 comments)
KONY 2012 video blocked for copyright violations?
Invisible Children's KONY 2012 video, viewed over 80 million times, now appears to be blocked on Youtube, accompanied by an attached message that says, "This video contains content from DigiSay Limited and Scripps Local......
Bruce Wilson (2 comments)
CBN told people to go to a minister first if they suspect child abuse
From at least 1996 until this past week, CBN had a teaching paper on its Website that suggested that if you're a victim of child abuse and molestation, you could feel guilty about......
Christian Dem in NC (5 comments)
CBN takes down paper saying child abuse victims can "consent" to being abused
Just confirmed--that horrible teaching paper has indeed been taken down. It's only a start, though--CBN needs to issue a full apology for putting this out for so long. Keep calling, keep the pressure on.......
Christian Dem in NC (4 comments)
How do we open the eyes of folks on the Religious Right?
Having come from a background in the Religious Right, I have a lot of friends who still hold to that worldview.  I want to educate them, but I'm not always sure of what to......
dscribner (47 comments)
So, This Is Godly American Exceptionalism: David Bartons Long Term Plan To Remake America
He was, he says in a letter of May 15, 1817, often "tempted to think that this would be the best of all possible worlds if there were no religion in it."– President John......
AlBratt (0 comments)
So, This Is Godly American Exceptionalism?
"I Like Your Christ. I Do Not Like Your Christians. They Are Unlike Your Christ.–Gandhi"**************David Barton’s Long Term Plan To Remake AmericaDavid Barton’s Long Term Plan To Remake AmericaBy Kyle Maytyla, RWW, 3-16-12"Back in......
AlBratt (0 comments)

More Diaries...




All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective companies. Comments, posts, stories, and all other content are owned by the authors. Everything else © 2005 Talk to Action, LLC. Powered by Scoop