The Voices of Extremism

The Religious Right in Their Own Words. Don't kid yourself for one minute - these people are demanding that America become a theocracy, that we all worship their God, and that their beliefs become the law of the land. Check 'em out - every quote is accurate and attributed. More quotes can be found at the Atlanta Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State web page. Very scary stuff.

Religious Organizations with political goals and questionable tactics -
and very successful marketing operations

It's not my purpose here to question the validity of the religious or moral beliefs of anyone, or of anyone's right to hold to those beliefs. It's none of my business and of no consequence to me if someone goes to church and worships The Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost, or pays hundreds of thousands of dollars for the guidance provided by a dead science fiction writer, or chooses to fall down naked in a field and worship a flat rock. I am neither interested in or offended by anyone else's beliefs - but I am offended by the dishonesty displayed by the owners of these pages, by their flagrant intolerance for the beliefs of others, the blatant hucksterism and marketing that's done in the name of God and faith, and by pandering to the ugliest elements of human nature - fear and hatred.

By and large these groups deny that there is or should be a separation of church and state, but they are among the first to hide behind that separation when their political activities are challenged or their finances questioned. That's hypocrisy of the first magnitude.

All of these groups advocate intolerance, judgment and condemnation, and they just plain lie. Many use snake-oil salesmanship to finance their goals. Their leaders should know better, and they're the worst kind of corrupt politicians because they aren't honest about their goals or their methods.

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ)

Founded and financed by Pat Robertson, this group mounts legal challenges to the separation of church and state. They are quick to claim that Christians are persecuted relentlessly, but many of their cases involve not the persecution of Christians, but of people who demand special treatment and privilege because they are Christians - or claim to be. The head of the group, Jay Sekulow, has a checkered past in the legal profession.

The American Family Association

A group that promotes "traditional family values" - as they define them. That definition is distinctly critical and judgmental of the "homosexual life-style" - as though there really is only one such life-style.

Capitol Resources

This "pro-family" site contains an especially offensive essay that delineates why homosexuals should be denied civil rights. The premise of the essay is that homosexuality is an "offensive and dangerous" life-style, and the author, Randy Thomasson, repeatedly equates homosexuality with prostitution, drug abuse and alcoholism. His arguments are presumptive and specious and the essay overall is a perfect example of why civil rights should be extended to include the private consensual behavior of adults.

The Center for Scientific Creation

"Creation Science" groups work hard to deny the scientific validity of the Theory of Evolution, substituting their own pseudo-science to support religious supposition. It's ironic that they deny the validity of Evolution's science, yet rely on the same science - twisted and distorted - to support their claims. They also rely on science when they use computers, fly on airplanes or use phones.

The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN)

Part of Pat Robertson's huge media empire, CBN specializes in a "Christian" outlook on the world - as Pat Robertson defines it. Could there actually be such a thing as news from a Christian viewpoint, or is news just news?
Robertson's huge media empire gives him enormous power and influence to spread half truths and outright lies. He's in constant trouble for violating the tax exempt status of his "religious" organizations, and used a $250,000 personal loan from same to found his empire. A dangerous bigot of the first magnitude.

The National Christian Coalition

The off-shoot of Pat Robertson's failed 1988 bid for the U.S. presidency. This organization is well organized and well financed, and is clearly partisan in its support of legislation and office seekers. I have been to Coalition meetings where clearly partisan political campaigning was conducted and I have seen Coalition "voter guides" that were equally partisan - all in violation of the organization's tax exempt, non-profit status.

The Claremont Institute

An arch-conservative "think tank" that is funded by wealthy Christian reactionaries and whose ideology is supported by the writing of Bruce Herschenson and Howard Ahmanson, among others. They have been under investigation by the Internal Revenue Service for possible violations of their tax exempt non-profit status.

Concerned Women for America

Founded by Beverly and Tim LaHaye, this group is unequivocally anti-gay and anti-abortion/reproductive freedom. They are scathing critics of public education and education reform, and advocates of "traditional family values" - once again, as they define them.

The Eagle Forum

Founded and led by Phyllis Schlafly, the Eagle Forum is brutally anti-gay and unflinchingly critical of any values not deemed "traditional" enough for its founder, who once called for an end to all Social Security payments to anyone who does not produce children. The "Eagle" in the title may refer to founder Shclafly's ego - it soars beyond the clouds.

Focus on the Family

James Dobson's own media empire. Dobson is an advocate of stern Old Testament methods when dealing with children or governing society, and is a powerful behind-the-scenes opponent of church/state separation.

The Family Research Council

A spin-off of Focus on the Family, FRC is led by Gary Bauer and works to promote a narrow definition of what a family should be. Again, there are issues of working beyond the limits of their tax-exempt status. Apparently there are no limits to intolerance.

John Hagee Ministries

Satan, Satan, everywhere Satan. Hagee is a powerful speaker and unrelenting in his preaching that all evil is because of the "Prince of Darkness." If you lie, you're a slave of Satan. If you're addicted to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes or sex, you're a slave of Satan. Be sure and check out his page - apparently Hagee and his publisher think Hagee is a modern prophet. What does the Bible say about "false prophets"?

Binny Hinn Media Ministries

Hinn bills himself as the heir apparent to the late Katherine Kuhlman. His "laying on hands" healing has caused some controversy in the past, and he has admitted that perhaps he wasn't as careful in his claims as he should have been. A very slick marketing expert, regardless of his ministerial skills - or lack thereof.

The Internet Center for Creation Science

Another organization that depends heavily on modern science, i.e., the Internet, but denies science is valid when it comes to the origins of man. An old, ignorant refrain. The concept of "Creations Science" is in itself a first-rate oxymoron.

The Institute for Creation Research

One of this group's senior employees got himself elected to the Vista, California school board, along with a Religious Right majority. One of their first actions was to turn down a half million dollar federal grant that would have provided meals to needy public school children. I guess these zealots assumed that as long as children's souls are protected from government food, their empty bellies need not be a concern. They lost control of the Vista school board through a recall, thanks in no small part to Barbara Donovan, a remarkable and determined woman.

Dr. D. James Kennedy and the Coral Ridge Ministry

"The Christian community has a golden opportunity to train an army of dedicated teachers who can invade the public school classrooms and use them to influence the nation for Christ." - D. James Kennedy, "Education: Public Problems and Private Solutions," Coral Ridge Ministries, 1993. Dr. Kennedy is a long-time opponent of church/state separation and an unrelenting critic of public schools. He recently made the claim that there are 90,000,000 Americans who are illiterate (he didn't say if the numbers included toddlers and infants), and that only 7% of high school seniors are capable of reading and comprehending a newspaper article or doing simple calculations. Such statements are hog wash, but if they were true, Kennedy would have legions of followers.
In a sermon broadcast Nov. 16, 1997, Kennedy attacked "New Age" beliefs including, but certainly not limited to, meditation. According to Kennedy, any time anyone sits in "their stupid lotus position" and invokes a "mantra" they are invoking demons and false gods. Ah, but what aboout Kennedy's "mantra" - "amen"?
Kennedy criticizes the "materialism of our age." Check out his marketing pages for excellent examples of the evil he decries.

NACE/CEE The National Association of Christian Educators/Citizens for Excellence in Education

"We are a great threat to public schools. We may have to get rid of them." - Robert Simonds, founder of NACE/CEE, in a speech delivered March 6, 1993 in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania.
Simonds provides the authority for many of the most bizarre statements and actions of lunatic fringe groups throughout America, groups and individuals who relentlessly attack public education and public school teachers and administrators, and make asinine claims including the statement that public school teachers are levitating kids in class. Simonds’ delusional, paranoid ramblings are dangerous primarily because ignorant, frightened people accept them as gospel and use them to rationalize dishonesty and intolerance. If you have any doubt about Simonds’ intent, consider the following quote:
"America is now groaning! Atheistic secular humanist's [sic] should be removed from office and Christians should be elected. We can all then rejoice continually as our children and our nation will be more safe. Government and true Christianity are inseparable!" - Robert Simonds, How to Elect Christians to Public Office, 1985

The Promise Keepers

Cofounded by then-University of Colorado football coach Bill McCartney, this is a fundamentalist Christian men's group advocating that men meet in stadiums to profess their faith in their God and support each other in their roles and obligations as men. I have no objection to that, but I do know that a lot of my non-Christian friends and I don't need mobs to help us keep our promises.
Coach McCartney is a gay-basher of the first magnitude, and relies on the Old Testament book of Leviticus to support his hatred of gays (Lev. 18:22). McCartney apparently has his own way of interpreting the Bible, because Leviticus also calls an abomination the eating of shell fish (Lev. 11:10) and snails (Lev. 11:29), as well as touching a pig (Lev. 11:7). Wasn't football originally played with a pig bladder, and later with footballs made of pig skin? It would seem that McCartney's entire professional life was based on an abomination - if he takes the Bible seriously.
Claiming that the Promise Keepers do not have a political agenda, McCartney ignores the fact that a recent national gathering of his group was held on federal property in Washington, D.C., leaving U.S. taxpayers with the bill for cleaning up after them and providing security for the meeting. A similar gathering occurred in Sacramento, California on state property, again leaving the taxpayers with a bill for security and cleanup. If the Promie Keepers do not have a political agenda, why do they hold many of their meetings on distinctly public and political property?
MMMcCartney claims he receives no pay from the Promise Keepers, but recently released tax records indicate he made more than $61,000.00 in one year.The Promise Keepers tried to explain this away with the ludicrous claim that while McCartney’s expenses are paid by the group, he receives a $4,000.00 “honorarium” each time he speaks for the group. Hypocrisy never goes out of style.

Operation Rescue National

One of the largest, oldest and most vicious of the anti-abortion organizations. See founder Randall Terry's quotes in "Voices of Extremism" if you have any doubt that he would make the U.S. a reactionary theocracy - and deny any and all of us the right to reproductive choices, including all abortions, birth control and sexuality education.

The Rutherford Institute

Another of the "non-profit" organizations dedicated to religious conformity, this group specializes in suing public school districts to promote religious indoctrination using public tax dollars. They have no qualms about diverting hundreds of thousands of public tax dollars from the class room to the court room.
Paula Jones, the young woman who has sued Bill Clinton for sexual harrasment, was for a long time backed by the Rutherford Institute. It's ironic that contributions to Rutherford are tax exempt because of the religious, non-profit nature of their organization, while contributions to Bill Clinton's defense fund are not tax deductible. The American taxpayers are subsidizing Paula Jones, regardless of any merit to her claims - or damages she may have suffered.

The Traditional Values Coalition (TVC)

Led by the Rev. Lou Sheldon, himself a gay-basher of amazing ignorance, TVC advocates that gays be denied basic human rights. Sheldon has been implicated in questionable fund-raising activities for the Republican party, and he loves to hide behind the wall of separation when he's under investigation or criticism. When he's spreading his hatred across the land, he hides behind that very same wall.

The Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN)

If professional wrestling ever needs a new home, it need look no further than TBN. Founded by Paul and Jan Crouch, this family owned and operated fundamentalist evangelical network has been under investigation by the FCC for violating restrictions on the ownership of broadcast facilities - TBN probably controls more television and radio stations than any other religious enterprise, and is constantly seeking to add new stations.
Hellfire and brimstone ministers including John Hagee and Rod Parsley have homes on the airwaves here, and TBN sermons include the driving out of "demon spirits," Satan-baiting, and intolerance. Mix in plenty of home-spun gospel music and no small amount of faith healing, along with Paul Crouch's occasional anti-Semitic comments, tape it all on one of the most ornate, gauche sets in television history, and you have the secret of TBN - God's business requires little intelligence and no tolerance, but it does take big money.
It obviously pays big money too - just look at the diamond rings, cuff links, jewelry and gold watches on display. And be sure to notice the wigs, elaborate hairdos and expensive clothes everywhere.
God's work apparently doesn't require originality, either. One of the most popular TBN "gospel" songs is a rip-off of the Beatles' "Long and Winding Road." It has the same title, the same melody and similar lyrics. Of all the songwriters to plagiarize, Lennon-McCartney ought to be among their last choices, but I guess good music is the best kind to steal.
As of November 6, 1997, TBN was in the midst of another "Beg-A-Thon" to raise money to acquire more broadcast facilities world-wide. A clever marketing ploy seems to be working - if you pledge to give them $2,000.00 and give them a list of your debts, they'll have a huge bonfire at the end of the event and your debts will disappear. That's right - give them the money you could use to feed your kids, make your house payment or otherwise reduce your debts, and they promise that God will perform a miracle to get you out of financial trouble. They call it "seed money." What they don't promise is that if the miracle doesn't work they'll return your "pledge."The bonfire approach is something Paul Crouch is proud of. It seems a few years ago he hosted a "devil music" event wherein a large stack of "Satanic" music was blown up. KISS albums were easy to spot, but albums by other groups were included. Crouch boasted that those records "weren't played no [sic] more." Of course, the groups whose music he blew up did go on to sell tens of millions of additional albums.
It would be nice if TBN would open its books and records for public scrutiny. I'm sure a lot of us would like to see the kind of success that's achieved with their "seed money" jubilee, and what kind of cures result from the "healing" sermons broadcast on TBN. And I suspect all kinds of auditors would like to see the financial "miracles" at work on TBN's finances.

Way of Life

A fundamentalist Baptist organization founded and run by David Cloud, who seems to have a passion for attacking the Catholic Church and trying to initiate a running feud with James Dobson's Focus on the Family. Dobson so far has been wise enough to avoid the controversy that Cloud would stir up, but Way of Life does provide "history" books showing what terrible infidels Catholics are and have been. It's wonderful to see Christian forebearance and tolerance at work - but you won't find a trace of it here.