Palin Attended Church Event With Samurai Sword Ceremony

On June 7th, 2008 Sarah Palin interrupted her schedule of state business and spent Alaska state taxpayer money to fly up from Juneau to the Mat-Su Valley where she attended on June 8th two religious events dominated by the Wasilla Assembly of God, which is demonstrably Palin's key Alaska church.

At the end of one those events, young adults in a church Palin had attended for over two decades were presented with Samurai swords. "Warriors of old were considered undressed if they were without their sword... Swords were worn in service to the lord of the realm. Some of the most renowned swordsmen were the Samurai," intoned a church member officiating the sword ceremony, who then quoted Psalms 149 verses 6-9:

"May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double edged sword in their hands to inflict vengeance on the nations, and punishment on the peoples, and to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, and to carry out the sentence written against them."

In the lead up to the November 4th, 2008 presidential election there was an almost total failure, of not only mainstream but also alternative media and even bloggers, to inform the American voting public about the very specific and militant nature of the Christian religious tendency Sarah Palin was demonstrably heavily linked to.

In one of the two ceremonies Palin attended on June 8, 2008, known as "One Lord Sunday," a Christian supremacist gathering of Mat-Su valley area Christian church members, Palin was blessed and anointed by Wasilla Assembly of God head pastor Ed Kalnins. A second ceremony Palin attended that day was nationally publicized for footage on the Wasilla church's website that showed Palin giving a speech in honor of students graduating from the Wasilla Assembly of God's Masters Commission program.

In the speech, governor Palin effused, "It was so cool growing up in this church!" and went on to suggest the US military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan was sanctioned by God, and the governor. And Palin was prayed and blessed over by Ed Kalnins and Wasilla Assembly of God Paul Riley. But media did not delve into the nature of the Masters Commission program, nor reporters and journalists, or bloggers for that matter, bother to watch the video segment of the June 8th, 2008 Wasilla AoG video segment in full.

Anyone who did so would have noticed, later on in the ceremony, 1) a speaker addressing Palin from the stage, indicating she was still in the audience and, 2) shortly after, a ceremony in which male 3-year Masters Commission students were presented with Samurai swords, in a ceremony which mentioned the Samurai code of honor. Special note was made of the specific uses of the Samurai swords gifted to the students, such as cutting down opponents from horseback, ground-level combat, and in very close combat -- as an auxiliary blade to be plucked out for a sudden, killing blow.

The one female 3-year graduate of the program present in the ceremony was presented with a western-style broadsword that also was larger than the Samurai swords presented to the male students.

[below: 3-year graduates of Masters Commission Wasilla Alaska program given swords]

Other video to be found on the Wasilla church's web site, from a September 7, 2007 Masters Commission event at the Wasilla Assembly God, shows a national Masters Commission speaker waving a sword about from the pulpit while addressing students in the program, then playing an excerpt from the Mel Gibson movie The Patriot and suggesting to the program students that there are times when it is necessary to fight.

[below: Masters Commission national speaker Jayme Montera waves sword about during sermon, plays clip from Mel Gibson war movie "The Patriot"]

From September through to November 4th, 2008, there was an almost uniform failure, by not only mainstream media and progressive media but also bloggers, to notice such unusual and highly distinctive characteristics of Palin's religious associations. It was more than a trivial oversight; following the election, a story printed in the February 2009 issue of Charisma Magazine confirmed Palin's continuing association with Alaska religious leader Mary Glazier.

Glazier is a high level leader in a religious movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). She and Sarah Palin prayed together, both over the phone and in person, the Charisma story revealed.

On June 13, 2008 Mary Glazier told attendees at the "Opening the Gate of Heaven on Earth" conference, who represented many of the New Apostolic Reformation's top leaders, that,

There is a tipping point, at which, at which time, because of the sin of the land, the people then have to be displaced.... God is preparing a people to displace the ones whose sin is rising so that then they tip over and the church goes in -- one is removed and the church moves in and takes the territory. Now, that does not mean that the people are removed, because God removes them from the Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of Light. They are given an opportunity to change allegiances.

Later in the speech, Mary Glazier described how she had been present at the inception of Sarah Palin's political career and that Palin was in her personal prayer group :

There was a twenty-four year old woman that God began to speak to about entering into politics. She became a part of our prayer group out in Wasilla. Years later, became the mayor of Wasilla. And last year was elected Governor of the state of Alaska. Yes! Hallelujah! At her inauguration she dedicated the state to Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

On January 7, 2009, both Mary Glazier and another key Third Wave and New Apostolic leader, Dutch Sheets, appeared at the church most closely linked to Sarah Palin, the Wasilla Assembly of God, where Palin was re-baptized and attended for over two and a half decades. During the church service Sheets declared that Glazier "was the lady who brought us into the state [Alaska]." On June 7, 2009 another New Apostolic Reformation leader, International Coalition of Apostles member Lance Wallnau, gave a talk at the Wasilla church, in which he outlined the "Seven Mountains Mandate."

The July 12-14, 2008 Opening the Gate of Heaven on Earth conference that featured a number of speeches and sermons -- on the plans of leaders of the New Apostolic Reformation to take control of society and government through their "Seven Mountains Strategy."

These efforts to take control of religion, family, education, arts and entertainment, media, government, and business are clearly defined in their publicity and in numerous conferences on their efforts. In an October 16, 2005 Wasilla Assembly of God church event, in a speech given shortly before he blessed and anointed Sarah Palin, Thomas Muthee quite plainly laid out the need to take over the seven "kingdoms" in the short sermon, or speech, Muthee gave before the anointing of Sarah Palin.

Loren Cunningham is credited as one of three evangelists who supposedly received the Seven Mountains idea as a vision from God. Cunningham is founder of the global evangelizing organization Youth With a Mission, which owns the increasingly notorious "C Street House" where GOP Senators John Ensign and Tom Coburn enjoy cut-rate rent and Bible classes, and swap personal secrets such as news of Ensign's recently disclosed extramarital affair.

For another informed take on Sarah Palin's religious and political leanings, see Alaska native Leah Burton's recent book Theo Palinism: The Face of Failed Extremism

For further reading, see:

Palin Ties To Militant Religious Movement Confirmed

Palin Pastors, Ensign C Street House Owner Promote Same Infiltration Plan

Fighting Demons, Raising the Dead, Taking Over the World

Prosperity, Spiritual Warfare, and the "On-Demand" God

The New Christianity: What the Mainstream Media Has Missed

and [website section with collection of stories]

Palin's Churches and the New Apostolic Reformation

Comments

[jennyjen]

I am more afraid of religious zealots attempting to obtain political power than I am of any terrorist. The scariest aspect is that they do not believe in the separation of church and state.

Why are we agnostics continually confronted with the rhetoric that is on this thread?

This is a terrific post. I wondered why the Republicans were able to cause so much trouble for Obama with the ridiculous charges of "palling around with terrorists" and the muslim accusations while Palin was allowed to get away with this. After reading this thread I understand now.

[robjh1]

Much to do about nothing. Separate of church and state.

"and we are not saved..."

[susanhb]

Interesting article Mr.Wilson, but do you see from some of the comments how backwards most people are in this country? I would bet you that some if the "indignant" replies were from pretty progressive readers in everything else but their precious religious faith.
After all most of the immigrants that came here were very religious and even claimed that was one of the reasons (besides poverty) that brought them here. Most of the european countries are pretty good at the separation of church and state and religion is a private matter in mainly secular political spirit.Perhaps with the spanish and italians(old ladies in lace kercheifs and the pope) as an exception to the rule.
So in other words you got the "faith freaks" on the boats here from all over the world.What r u gonna do? Send in a cheerleader in high heels with a corsage pinned to her bosom and Hallleluyah! Hate to tell you but that combo is going to be a great seller for many of your countrymen! Until I came here 40 years ago, faith was part of my life,church as I knew it was a comforting spiritual place to go to in times of sadness and in happy times to celebrate.When I encountered what is called religion here and believe me I searched thoroughly it scared me! So the swords are not surprising­.Commercia­lly Samurai and evangelical combined will sell better.

[mikesw]

Next service in Wasilla?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kGsQPncKzg

[EternalRevolt]

The Christian Samurai movement is non-violent, at least according to this (free preview available):
http://www.amazon.com/Way-Christian-Samurai-Reflections-Servant-Warriors/dp/0977223469/

Other Christian Samurai works and references appeal more to the servitude, self-sacrifice, dedication and constant drive to improve oneself, not the violent aspects of being a soldier. The "enemy" to be feared and fought against is spiritual, not material. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12

Regarding the samurai, their swords are cool, their military exploits are engaging, but to learn the level of servitude and sacrifice required read the Hagakure and the Book of Five Rings, which are free online. It is those virtues that are extolled as being good resources for modern Christians.

As for the particular beliefs of this church on the idea, I do not know. Be careful though, for to categorically call Japanese people, or even an honored piece of their ancestry as being completely brutal and bloodthirsty is insulting, not to mention to make generalizations about one church or belief system based on one small sub-group is a logical fallacy. You can find a rotten apple among any ideological, political, or religious group.

[Bruce Wilson - Huffpost Blogger]

"Be careful though, for to categorically call Japanese people, or even an honored piece of their ancestry as being completely brutal and bloodthirsty is insulting" - where did I say anything remotely resembling that ?

"You can find a rotten apple among any ideological, political, or religious group." - If you follow the various links I've included in my story, you will discover Sarah Palin's church is part of a global religious movement.

As far as the "Christian Samurai" go, you don't seem to have read my article that you're commenting on.

Allow me to quote my own story:

"

"Some of the most renowned swordsmen were the Samurai," intoned a church member officiating the sword ceremony, who then quoted Psalms 149 verses 6-9:

"May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double edged sword in their hands to inflict vengeance on the nations, and punishment on the peoples, and to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, and to carry out the sentence written against them."

"

That's not metaphorical or allegorical. Would you care to disagree ?

[eternalrevolt1]

I did watch the entire video and read your entire post. The "insulting" comment was meant more for some of the people making comments, although none of us can be too careful in avoiding stereotyping.

"If you follow the various links I've included in my story, you will discover Sarah Palin's church is part of a global religious movement."

Yes, but just because the movement calls itself "Christian" does not meant that they are Christian. Save for the Vatican and the Roman Catholic Church, no Christian denomination claims the right to regulate who in fact is teaching consistently with their denomination (or religion's) belief. The RC Church has declared militant movements to be schismatic or heretical. The AoG doesn't make such claims, so one can operate and appear legit, even using a recognized denominations name.

I do disagree with your interpretation of the preachers' interpretation of Psalm 149, and so would many biblical scholars: http://www.spurgeon.org/treasury/ps149.htm
In it's literal sense, it is historical. In interpretation for modern readers, it's allegorical.

Again, I cannot vouch for this particular movement, denomination, or assembly; I'm not condemning or defending them. My points are:

1) There is a non-violent Christian Samurai movement which draws from the lessons of the Samurai to give perspective to modern Christians.

2) Such actions of one movement cannot typify or even imply similar ideas among all Christians.

[G Katz]

Please read Wilson's article--Palin Pastors, Ensign CStreet House Owner Promote Same Infiltration Plan.
Quotations from the the Reclaim 7Mountains of Culture video:
"In every city of the world an unseen battle rages for dominion over god's creation and the souls of people. And this battle is fought on 7strategic fronts, looming like mountains over the culture to shape and influence its destiny. Over the years, the church slowly retreated from its place of influence on these mountains leaving a void now filled with darkness. When we lose our influence, we lose the culture. And when we lose our culture, we fail to advance the kingdom of God...."
"The mountain of government, where evil is either restrained or endorsed. The mountain of education where truths or lies about God and his creation are taught. The mountain of media where information is interpreted through the lens of good or evil. The mountain of arts and entertainment where values and virtue are celebrated or distorted. The mountain of religion where people worship God in spirit and truth or settle for a religious ritual. The mountain of family where either the blessing or curse is passed on to successive generations. And the one mountain they all depend on, the mountain that fuels and funds all the other mountains, the mountain of business, where people build for the glory of God or the glory of man. Where resources are consecrated for the kingdom of God or captured for the powers of darkness. "

[G Katz]

Adding another quotation from the Reclaim 7Mountains of culture video that explains the importance of the Business mountain:
"Where resources are consecrated for the kingdom of God or captured for the powers of darkness. Those who lead this mountain, control what influences our culture. The last fifty years, we've seen the most rapid moral decline in history. The culture we inherited from our forefathers is disentegrating before our eyes. What kind of world are we leaving for our children and grandchildren? As long as the business mountain is held by enemies of the gospel, funding for the other mountains will always be constrained, and any efforts to advance the kingdom of God will be hindered. Imagine, God's people reclaiming their cities and government. In the arts and entertainment, in the media, in education, in the family, in religious influence. But only limited by their imagination and not by a lack of finances. It's possible, but first, we must take back the mountain of business. God's move to take back this mountain has already begun. Thousands and thousands of business leaders in every major city across the nation are filling the ??? to learn from business leaders and hear the gospel of Christ. 90% of people working in the marketplace believe in God. 78% believe spirituality and business mix. 70% say that because of their faith, they find meaning and purpose in life... A vast army of God waiting to be truly engaged in the battle..."

[Trueheart]

Bruce Wilson:

Is Sarah Palin breaking any laws by participating in this religious ceremony?

You got these videos from the Wasilla Assembly of God website. http://www.wasillaag.net/
These people aren't hiding in the dark shadows. The site is very accessible and they invite the public to download videos of services, lectures, etc.

If you watch this video of a Masonic initiation, you will see that a sword plays a major role in their ritual. The men in my family have been members of the Freemasons for generations. The USA was founded by men who were members. This is part of mainstream America, whether you want to believe it or not. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyuhhH2g5lY

[Bruce Wilson - Huffpost Blogger]

I did not suggest Palin broke any laws.

And, your statement that the Wasilla Assembly of God is completely open to the public is incorrect. In September 2008 the church removed 2-3 years of archived audio and video from its website archive.

The removed footage included Thomas Muthee proposing the "Seven Mountains" theocratic agenda, then blessing Palin and calling on God to protect her from witchcraft.

And, were it not for Max Blumenthal's visit to the church, when Muthee returned for a September 2008 service, no one outside of the Wasilla Assembly of God would have heard a Blumethal's recording, of a Russian pastor at the event who declared, "We stomp on the heads of the enemy!"

Lastly, are you suggesting the Wasilla Assembly of God is practicing a form of Freemasonry ? Frankly, that's absurd.

[Trueheart]

I tried to reply to this, but it hasn't posted.
The website IS open the public.
Many small sites remove archived files from public access and require registration. It's pretty commonplace.

I saw Thomas Muthee blessing Palin on television.
I'm not about to tell anyone that they can't practice witchcraft. It has its risks and consequences, but it is a matter of choice. Same thing with thinking about stomping on the heads of your enemies.

Assembly of God is Masonic? No. Never said or implied that. The Freemasons are a well-established piece of America like the Lions, Rotary, VFW. They also use a sword in their rituals for symbolic reasons.

[mikesw]

The Japanese katana replicas.
The rock band instruments on stage.
The TV podium and monitor speakers.
The young, relaxed MC.

Its all about trying to be cool...

[deadcustodian]

Having now perused the many facets of Pastafarianism (and being both a scientist and a specialist in the anthroplogy of religion), I believe that there is great scope for women in this religion. Clearly the FSM has aspects of both male and female, with both “noodly appendages” and two round meatballs which clearly represent the Breasts of the Great Mother Goddess. Given this inclusion of diversity, I feel that Pastafarianism has MORE to offer budding students than ID, which is notably narrow in its outlook.

Everyone, I have an announcement to make. I would prefer it if everyone serves the Flying Spaghetti Monster instead of God. I am saying this publicly to you all, because I don't want to accidentally suggest secretly to anyone that we should serve the Flying Spaghetti Monster, because, according to Deuteronomy 13:6-10, if I entice you secretly with other gods, I will be stoned to death, and that would be horrible. Thank you, that is all.
Praised be the FSM!
Ramen

http://www.venganza.org/

[nothingmusic42]

Ramen

[jalyn]

I've attended service similar to these in the past. These are students who have probably completed some missions training, being offered a "sword of the spirit" in a figurative way where carrying God's armour, the sword represents the word of god, and they are basically receiving their call to share the word of God to others, to to others who want to receive.

I don't don't believe that they are actually going to use them in any battle. This is all figurative and they know the batlle is the Lord's, the Lord Jesus who said, He didn't come to fight this world but to save it .
I don't believe this is in any way shape or form a violent group of warriors buiding some army. These kids have no intention of fighting back with these newly gifted swords. It just means they have in their possession the Spiritual sword, one of sharing God's Word to those who would hear it.

Not sure, but these young adults are probably graduating and being presented a gift as a symbal of being truthful, obeying the Word of God.

[mikesw]

Correct!

In Mark (24:12-18) Jesus brandishes a medieaval Japanese sword and says: "take this katana, for I have come to the world with it, so you might be truthful and obey the word of god".

[Bruce Wilson - Huffpost Blogger]

That's a classic dodge. If you read my piece through you'll discover that Palin's personal prayer group leader told top leadership of the New Apostolic Reformation, on June 13, 2008, that God was "preparing a people" to "displace" unbelievers from "the land". It was not a metaphor.

[Trueheart]

You may not be able to read this as a metaphor, Bruce Wilson, but I am among those don't have much difficulty in doing so. There's no way an outsider who doesn't believe in a particular faith can analyze its teachings.

Why don't you take the Roman Catholic Church apart for its meddling in international politics? I mean, there are many who have found that organization to be a formidable foe. Did you know that the RC protected pedophiles from prosecution in our courts? That they eat symbolic flesh and drink symbolic wine in their ritual of Mass, and perform exorcisms to cast out satanic demons.? That they believe in a heavenly afterlife and angels? That they believe in a virgin birth and raising of the dead? Oh yes, and this is the church that Ted Kennedy belongs to. So what? It's his right to follow his faith.

[rich misty]

"There came a day in 1985 (my dad had died in 1984) that I began to take another look at my commitment to the both the far right of Republican Party and the Religious Right. I came to realize that I was in bed with a group of people who were profoundly anti-American. They were professional haters. They wrapped themselves in the flag and "loved America," but it was an America in their imaginations only and cast in their image: white, middle-class, straight, born-again, homophobic and tinged with racism, not to mention misogyny."

Frank Schaeffer: Republican Disaster -- The (Unspoken) Anatomy of The Meltdown

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=republican+disaster&aq=0&oq=republican+disa&aqi=g1

[lvnlyfe]

Excellent! Have you read Crazy for God by Frank Schaeffer? I could not put it down!

[bushgirlsgone]

You librals spin so much you must get dizzy!


What these fine people know is when Jesus our Lord and Savvier, the only living son of the Lord returns he’ll be just like a samurai. He will lift up a mighty his sword unto the Lord – a sword better than the ones in Kill Bill 2 , heck he’ll make the Hatrai Hanso swords look like pieces of turds. Jesus will dress like a ninja and use throwing stars to smite his enemas. He’ll jump out of the shadaws just like David Carradine, except he won’t do no preverted things like what he done -- he'll go thru a room of you librals like butter snapping your necks like toothpicks. Amen.

[ObamanextPresident]

This is a joke, right?

"Jesus will dress like a ninja and use throwing stars to smite his enemas."

Are you kidding?

[dali partin]

You had me going.

[Leah Burton]

Alriiiiighty-then! Is everyone else feeling the "Christian" love from this woman who is professing her devout faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior?

She very aptly lays out the argument that a large percentage of these dominionist cult members are indeed factually challenged. This type of vitriolic regurgitation is classic from these folks and confirms the violent intolerance of all who are not the "chosen ones" such as they see themselves. I couldn't have scripted a better example of exactly what we are talking about.

They consistently lack the ability to engage in intelligent debate, and always revert to playground dirt kicking and foot stomping. For those who see themselves as sanctimoniously superior and "chosen" - they sure expend a tremendous amount of anger toward the rest of us that they are certain will be "Left Behind"!

[nothingmusic42]

um, i believe the poster was using sarcasm....

[madtom]

CULO.

[madtom]

Don't you have a bridge to go hide under and scare people?

Take your cult gibberish to Free Republic.

[lvnlyfe]

LOL...good one!

[Leah Burton]

We agree...this really is scary, and those that scoff at this are complicit by inaction and disinterest. These extreme evangelical sects count on that very reaction. As Americans we have become so complacent about what we view as our right to vote and participate that it does not occur to us that a huge part of our system is citizen involvement.

The more outrageous this seems to the mainstream public, the more comfortable and brazen they become. They rely on the fact that we have such an enormous uninformed electorate - why worry about being confronted? And if you don't take them seriously...look again at how close Palin got in 2 MONTHS of campaigning!

This all makes for a volatile and dangerous combination. Their religious extremism and our indifference.

[mdlw]

Thank you and Mr. Wilson for the good work you are doing. I stumbled upon Mr. Wilson's blog during the campaign and posted his site everywhere. Then I found Ms. Burton's blog from the immoral minority.

I feel threatened by a cult that wants to do away with the freedom of choice in all things.

The State of Alaska's Medicare/Medicaid program has recently been taken over by the Federal Government because of over 200+ deaths from lack of services to the aging and disabled. The cult wants to do away with social services. And the photo with Palin having our America flag draped over a chair with her elbow propped should be considered as a message.

[ReealOne]

Yeah, it IS scary how close Sarah Palin came to being VPOTUS in just 2 months of campaiging. We MOST DEFINITELY MUST take this seriously.

ANY "so-called church" where they teach the young children to be warriors who are rockin' 'n chopin' for Jesus, should have their tax exempt status revoked, and put on a terrorist watchlist. No wonder Sarah was so easily throwing around the word "terrorist" during her campaign, and igniting so much hatred, because she sees herself as some type of a warrior.

I weep for the children of Wasillla, AK.

[dali partin]

We also have to accept something. Most of us live by the assumption that religion is personal and not part of public discussion. However, that assumption is being "played" to allow people who believe the exact opposite to stay under the radar.

[ThanksMatt]

Exactly, and that is why it is so important that as many people as possible speak up and bring them into clear daylight.

[fouroclock]

Scary? hmmm.... I think our energy is much better served watching islamic terrorists who say either we join them or die. These people are only trying to persuade us to their point of view. If we disagree, that's our choice, but they're not going to kill us if we disagree. I take them seriously but they do not scare me.

[dali partin]

I think the point being made isn't that the former governor of Alaska is going to murder us in our sleep. The point is that having people in positions where they create laws is dangerous. It is dangerous because there is no line between personal belief and public policy, and it's explicitly stated.

[ThanksMatt]

There is no either this or that. Both are equally important to monitor: Domestic terrorism which is on the rise as well as Islamic terrorism.
I regard infiltrating all levels of society and government with the stated goal of taking it over to impose their own belief on everybody as Domestic Terrorism.

[mikesw]

Let he who is without sin cast the first Japanese throwing star!

[sunflower68]

Great post, Leah, especially your comment that "those that scoff at this are complicit by inaction and disinterest." I cannot help but think of Yeats's "The Second Coming..."
"The best lack all conviction, while the worst / Are full of passionate intensity."
While the majority of people who can see the vitriol and logical fallacies laugh off and all but ignore these fringe groups, they become stronger.
You also say that "The more outrageous this seems to the mainstream public, the more comfortable and brazen they become."
I agree, and it's because they believe they are being persecuted so they have to stand even firmer in their beliefs.
WE are the ones who need to be vigilant.

[Trueheart]

Who is this "mainstream public?"
I think just the opposite is true: The more we marginalize and alienate a group or subculture, the stronger they become in their beliefs. Confrontation of any religious group based on their belief system IS persecution. The more this amorphous "mainstream" holds these groups up to ridicule, the more they feel like martyrs to their cause.

Tolerance is a very good defense against small-mindedness. When I was a kid there was a horrid, nasty old woman at the end of the street who scowled at all the neighbors and threatened us kids with a broom. My cousin started referring to her as "The Nice Lady," and began to smile at her whenever he saw her, ignoring her crabbiness. By the end of a year, that former witch was smiling shyly back, and actually passing the time of day with her neighbors.

[wadenelson1]

In the Garden of Gesthemane Peter pulled out his sword and cut the ear off one of the Roman soldiers sent to arrest Jesus.

Jesus told Peter to put down his sword. And in an inexplicable act of mercy, Jesus healed the soldier's ear. Did Jesus need one single Roman who realized the power He commanded? The power over life and death itself? We don't know, the bible doesn't tell us. But, assuming the story is true, that one soldier would never be the same.

For the rest of his life his buddies would want to look at his ear, touch it, tug on it, and hear the story of how this guy Jesus miraculously re-attached it, making the bleeding stop and the pain go away.

It's no different with the Taliban or these Christian fundamentalists. They believe they need physical weapons of warfare. Handguns. Rifles. . Assault Weapons. RPG's

We have two weapons with which to defeat them and their beliefs. One is humor. The other is the Word of God itself.

Jon Stewart can do more damage to these fundies in a half hour than a Predator drone.

It's one of the reasons we must protect free speech, including that speech which many Americans might consider politically incorrect. Including Danish cartoons of Muhammed, and so forth. Because we don't ever want THEM telling us what we can and can't say, sketch, or write. That would be giving up one of OUR mightiest weapons.

Sarah, en guarde!

[mdlw]

Great post. And, if I may add, separation of church and state.

[wadenelson1]

Agreed. We'll use it when we need it.

One other point. If we were to lose OUR sense of humor and get all intense about combating these folks and their nutty beliefs, that would be just as bad as losing the battle.

>Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise--why destroy yourself? Ecclesiastes 7:16 NIV

[ObamanextPresident]

What you say is exactly true. What we must be guarded against are things such as the "seven mountain mandate" presented by Lance Wallnau on YouTube. One of the mountains is the media and they are working diligently to get their people in at the top of the mountain. If that is ever accomplished there would be no Jon Stewart or Keith Olberman or Rachel Maddow or Democracy Now. This is exactly why we all must stay informed and push back.
Go to Bruce Wilson's website. It is amazing.

talk2action.org

[lvnlyfe]

Excellent points!! TheoPalinism.com is another great source. And yes, talk2action, as well as dailykos are wonderful sites to read about this crazy stuff.

[WilliamP]

Wow, is this what people do at church? There is no way that watching something this boring every Sunday morning could bring eternal happiness in heaven.

And by the way, it's pronounced "wakizashi," not "wakashi." "Wakashi" is Japanese for "boiled."

[wadenelson1]

What is Japanese for half-baked? ;)