Rick began to see his calling as being fulfilled in what former U.S. Congressman Tom DeLay described as taking over Pearland, Texas's school board, city and county governments.  DeLay concluded this statement to the National Christian Coalition meeting by saying Rick is now going to take over the state of Texas.  Tom then admonished the crowd to "take back America for the Lord."

Scarborough's book relied heavily on history revisionist William Federer's work, AMERICA'S GOD AND COUNTRY.  Federer. who once led the invocation at a Houston John Birch Society meeting, has a name among the right wing crowd. His book and another author Scarborough quoted frequently are promoted through John Birch Society catalogues.  Rick also uses anti-separation of church and state advocate David Barton who serves on his board of advisors. Barton's works are also encouraged by Bircher catalogues.

Tim LaHaye is another source in Scarborough's work.  LaHaye was once shown on public TV praying for God to unseat Jimmy Carter as President.  LaHaye's anti-public school writings, documented by John Birch Society articles, are a favorite among the religious right.  For information on homosexuals in the nation, Rick refers to The Report.  This inflammatory group has been widely refuted regarding its claims about homosexual influence and conduct.  Two sources for Christian positions on God and country Rick used were authors George Grant and Gary DeMar.  Both authors are linked to hard-line Reconstruction groups.  Reconstructionists advocate a theocracy instead of a constitutional democracy.

Several religious right figures endorsed the book in its Foreword and back cover.  Paige Patterson of Southwestern Seminary, Jerry Falwell, the late pastor Adrian Rogers and Ronnie Floyd, a pastor in Arkansas, are listed as well as the head of Southern Baptist's literature board at the time.  Rick likes to brag about his relationship to controversial one-time Congressman Steve Stockman (p. 233).  Stockman received national acclaim for the fax he sent on the day of the Oklahoma City Federal Building bombing. Stockman is tied into gun owner extremists.

Other works claim Rick was instrumental in getting Stockman elected. Even more controversial than Stockman is theocracy advocate and long-time friend Dr. Steven Hotze.  Hotze created a video that was shown in Houston area churches on how to take over a political party.  Hotze accomplished the feat and faced a lawsuit for his actions.  Hotze fell from grace with the crowd after his alleged DWI and dropped off the scene for a while.  He later resurfaced hosting a rally for presidential candidate Mike Huckabee in Houston.

Rick writes referring to the nation as a "Christian Nation" (p. 37).  The concept implies that the United States government is to favor the Christian faith, contrary to the First Amendment.  Rick says that the 1962 Supreme Court ruling on school prayer was the downfall of America (p. 65).  This is a common religious right position.  Scarborough takes the step further by saying, "The separation of church and state is a lie" (p. 83).  To the Texan, the Supreme Court kicked God out of the U.S. government (p. 97).

In his book, Rick makes a ridiculous claim that prisons are safe environments at taxpayer's expense (p. 182).  I live in an area where Texas prisons are the largest employers.  Believe me, that it is no picnic to be in one.  Rick encouraged churches to participate in civil politics because anti-Christians control the country.  He desires a return to Middle Ages-type governments in which the church directly controls the state. Rick bragged that Pearland political leaders consulted with local pastors before making decisions in that Texas city (p. 218).  He concludes with instructions on how to take over a precinct (p. 243). He then announced his personal founding of a Pastor's Roundtable that gained political clout in electing officials to office (p. 237).  Rick's concept of civil duties is certainly foreign to what Baptists used to hold as Christian responsibility.  His theocratic tendencies are evident.

East Texas pastor Rick Scarborough has his own web site called www.VisionAmerica.org.  On that site, Rick claims to work closely with James Dobson's Focus on the Family.  On the web page, Rick says that the state regularly tells preachers what to preach and how to practice religion.1  His headquarters and offices are in Lufkin, Texas.

On an AM radio broadcast, Scarborough claimed he was a persecuted martyr.  He was called to stay involved to "weed the garden."  Rick claims that Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a mortal enemy and part of an evil system in the government.2  Rick listed James Kennedy, Peter Marshall, Tim LaHaye, Tim Lee, Paul Pressler, Ralph Reed and Paul Weyrich as being on his board of directors.3  The activist has shared time with separation opponents Star Parker and David Barton in local patriotic rallies around Houston.4

Word has it that this sort of activism and controversy has had an unsettling impact on the congregation he led in Pearland.  Rick continues his crusades traveling around the nation leading conferences on political participation.  A story later came out about an alleged sweetheart deal made by a city insider that allowed the church to acquire a parcel of land. The land was then sold for a huge profit.5  The Houston Chronicle carried several articles about the alarming link between Rick's congregation and city hall in Pearland.  Rick seems to have gotten a taste of political power and it is a hunger that is not going away.  In Pearland, Rick had his way in politics at first.  His hand of endorsement paved the way for some elected officials.  Word has it now that after a short influence, his hand later became a kiss of defeat.

Prominent Southern Baptist pastors have served as advisors to Rick's activities.  Houston pastor Joel Osteen once served on the host committee for a Texas Pastor's Policy Briefing.6  Joyce Meyers has served as a leader and speaker at Scarborough-hosted events.  She has publicly stated she despises the idea of separation of church and state. Joyce is one of the ministries being investigated by Senator Glassen.  Rick has allowed his name to be used as one of the ministers who opposes this investigation.7  Rick was once featured at the Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Scarborough has continued to support controversial former Congressman Tom DeLay. Rick encouraged Delay's reelection.  He said of his friend Tom, "I believe the most damaging thing that Tom DeLay had done in his life, is to take his faith seriously into public office, which make him a target of all those who despise the cause of Christ."  Texas Senator Cornyn was at the Conference where this statement was made.8

In 2006, Rick organized the meeting to expose the war on Christians and the Values Voter Conference.  Rick expressed his view that there was an assault against Christians and used the meeting to encourage Republican Party candidates.9  Rick's influence is growing.  He noted that his own governor in Texas had keynoted several of the events he planned with pastors.    

For more information on Rick, you can scroll down to my article I posted called "Scarborough's New Crusade."  

Jerry Falwell once gave what was left of his Moral Majority over to Scarborough.  Then, Jerry started up another one of his many movements.  With the passing of Falwell it might be that the torch for pastoral leadership has landed in Rick's hand.  He is a willing receiver of the baton and hopes to pursue the race.  As to whether or not the money will flow into his treasury to pay for this venture is the story that waits to be told.  Rick has tagged along with Judge Moore, Terri Schairo, Naval Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt, as well as Tom Delay, and Rick is connecting his movement to saving the Supreme Court.  Whether or not the support will come to keep him afloat remains to be seen.

Endnotes:  
1    www.VisionAmerica.org  Aug. 2000.
2    Heard by author over Houston AM Radio station in 1999.
3    Jerry Falwell, ed, NATIONAL LIBERTY JOURNAL, pg. 6.
4    Penetrating America's Heart Conference, Encourager Church.  Houston, Texas, Sept. 25-27, 2000.
5    "Profaning the Pulpit," CHURCH AND STATE, Mar. 2000, pg. 14.
6    Vision America, 2019 State Street, Houston, Texas 77007, Nov. 2001.
7    See CHURCH AND STATE, July 2008.
8    CHURCH AND STATE, May 2006, pg. 5.
9    Jereme Leaming, "Fright Plan," CHURCH AND STATE, 2006.    

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