Evangelicals Are the New Anti-Americans

From the media influence of the "birthers" to suggestions that the President wants to euthanize the elderly, a propaganda campaign against Obama is in full swing. Who, exactly, is behind it? In his book The Family, Jeff Sharlet has done a masterful job of exposing the machinations of the of shadowy evangelical group known variously as "The Fellowship," or "The Family," (or, most recently, "those nuts from Congress living in a far-right commune on C Street who counsel wayward congressmen regarding adultery.")

Recently, Rachel Maddow has helped bring the whole issue of subversive far-right evangelical religion to a wider public (and gotten some flak for it). But in the light of the Obama presidency--and the rabid right-wing opposition to it -- it's worth noting that the majority of the lies being told about our president, his programs, and the Democratic Party are originating not just from the right wing but from the evangelical right wing in particular.

Destroying the Credibility of Faith

I grew up as the son of Francis Schaeffer, the spiritual father to just about all the people in the news connected with the evangelical right. My father is the man who inspired evangelicals to get involved in politics. Today's leading anti-gay activists, Obama-haters like Charles Colson and Dobson, publications like World Magazine, and others like the late Jerry Falwell got into far-right evangelical-inspired politics because of Dad's theology of "taking back" America for Jesus. (I describe this series of events at greater length in my book Crazy for God: How I Grew Up as One of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right, and Lived to Take All (or Almost All) of It Back)

Without people like Dobson -- remember his paranoid lie-filled "letter" warning his followers about an Obama presidency? -- the lies now commonly circulated about Obama wouldn't have been given traction. When I check who's sending me the most scurrilous email (Obama is the "next Hitler," he's the "Antichrist," etc.), I find a lot of it comes from the evangelical right, now the bedrock of the anti-Obama camp. I'm a religious person, so they are my enemies too; the far-right evangelicals are doing more to destroy the credibility of faith than Hitchens and Dawkins could in a lifetime.

Here's the thing: the C Street gang and their backers represent only a fraction of the threat to American democracy that right-wing evangelicalism as a whole poses. Far-right evangelicals don't see America as just another country, but as a battleground and springboard for world conquest in the name of Christ. In that the evangelical left and right agree: from Wallis to Dobson, they all believe that God is on their side; they may differ on precise issues but they all believe in some form of American exceptionalism.

The reason for this is that intellectually lazy political players of the kind who lead the evangelical movement crave power, or to be close to power, just like the people who run C Street. These are the same folks who have been putting together the so-called National Prayer Breakfast; they are the "professional Christian" hangers-on running around Washington DC putting together Bible studies and all the rest.

If they were just interested in serving Jesus they would be called to places like Peoria or the East Village once in a while. But they're really only interested in being close to power; without having to do the hard work to actually run for electoral office or get boring bureaucratic jobs inside the government. The radical religious right are the ultimate camp followers. They're latching onto government for a free ride while decrying it. They want to overthrow the present order from the inside in the name of God.

The result is that there are two kinds of far-right evangelicals: the ones who make a public show of their animosity toward the president, accusing him of not being an American citizen, for example. They even say Obama has a secret plan to kill old people within his health care reform proposals. The other kind of evangelicals are the sort of people who run outfits like The Fellowship Foundation and the National Prayer Breakfast, and run around speaking at Evangelical colleges, think tanks, law schools and so forth, working to influence government and world affairs directly while bypassing the democratic process.

How to deal with this? A few thoughts:

First, all religious organizations should to be taxed in exactly the same way as any other business or individual; second, full disclosure of candidates' (and elected members of government, as well as government employees) connections with religious organizations of any kind need to be made; along with financial disclosures subject to exactly the same kind of tough investigation that candidates' tax returns and other financial dealings are subject to. And last, links among dozens of evangelical organizations and The Fellowship Foundation (or The Family or whatever you want to call it) should be made clear. (There are actually some people on the evangelical "left" who are tied to these groups.)

Above all, ordinary American s-- and especially religious people who seek faith rather than power -- need to understand that the evangelical right is basically unpatriotic and anti-American. They feel alienated from the diverse, pluralistic country that America has become, and are working to undermine it both here and abroad. They resent the system that allowed Obama to succeed, and they worship what they believe is "God-given" free-market capitalism.

In effect, the radical right movement in America, having failed at the ballot box to find a successor to their boy in the White House, George W. Bush, is regrouping in the Senate and Congress and working hard to undo the Obama presidency.

The sooner Americans wake up to the fact that what Jeff Sharlet describes in his book is only the tip of the iceberg the better. The right-wing evangelical enterprise is anti-democratic from top to bottom.

This essay first appeared on Religion Dispatches. Sign up for the free RD newsletter here

Frank Schaeffer is the author of Crazy for God: How I Grew Up as One of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right, and Lived to Take All (or Almost All) of It Back and the forthcoming Patience With God: Faith For People Who Don't Like Religion (Or Atheism)

Follow Frank Schaeffer on Twitter: www.twitter.com/frank_schaeffer

Comments

[conguy777]

God is holy as well as loving.

[conguy777]

Evangelicals new anti americans.
1. God is holy.
2. God is righeous
3. God is love.
4. God is a God of grace. What does that mean?

This world system is hated by God and this world will one day face God's wrath.
God loves people and those who trust in Jesus are saved by mercy and grace and not by works.
God is patient and tolerant and good but He also hates and judges sin.

[Newcreation]

As an evangelical, I take exception with a broad sweeping generalization about an entire group of people being unpatriotic and antiamerican. That's low. I love my country deeply. My husband is a veteran and put his life on the line for this country.

Our concerns about President Obama are not unfounded. We have Henry Kissinger saying the President will lead us into a new world order. What are we supposed to think about that? A new world order is global governance with a world leader. It would undermine the sovereignty of this nation. I haven't forgotten his "people of the world" speech.

Redistribution of wealth, population control and nuclear disarmament ( with stipulations), are goals of the globalists. All these things seem to be part of the President's plan. The globalists promote euthanasia/abortion ... Mr. Emanuel has said medical services to those who cannot be "participating citizens" should not be guaranteed, so shouldn't we be worried about the elderly/disabled?! Someone said that was taken out of context, but that is what he SAID. There are good reasons for concerns.

[devans00]

From the article
"Ordinary Americans...need to understand that the evangelical right is basically unpatriotic and anti-American. They feel alienated from the diverse, pluralistic country that America has become, and are working to undermine it both here and abroad. They resent the system that allowed Obama to succeed..."

Now if they'd just be honest about their motivations, they'd get a lot more respect. Instead, everything has to be about "right" and "wrong".

[LouisRatz]

Collusion and corruption between religious and civil leaders is not new. It was less than two hundred years ago that this nation allowed slavery with the full support of many pulpits. Now I suppose we are asking if leaders, under the robe of their religion, are willing to let the planet overheat, or simply deny any strategy for low income families to afford health care -- mostly, to abdicate any sense of their role as leaders, not just leaders of the ideas or ideals they hold, but of actual people in their diversity, their struggle, their pursuit of happiness. Well, of course the answer is yes, they will. They will even when an alternative is offered to them in the most moderated, non-confrontational terms possible. You articulate their motives and behavior so well, but I don't know yet what the strategy is to change their heart. Or do they just despise you now?

[FrankfromPA]

As a person who left the Religious Right camp during the 2008 election, I agree that the hatred that some of these people have for Obama is true. When I started actively campaigning for Obama last year, I no longer felt welcome at my conservative church. My faith was questioned because I had become a Democrat and was supporting a pro-choice candidate. I ended up leaving and now attend a progressive Episcopal church.

What angers me the most is how spirituality in some of these churches has become so twisted by conservative ideology. Many of the people who attend these churches have no idea that they are being used as pawns by their Republican and Religious Right puppet masters. Many are sincere people who have had their faith perverted and now have difficulty distinguishing the differences between their religious and political views. They listen only to Fox News and conservative Christian radio.

My hope is that many people who read this blog will not try to lump all Christians into this category. As Frank put it, they are only the loud minority. In a lot of ways, what we are seeing here in America is very much like what we are seeing in other parts of the world with other faiths. It is usually the loud violent zealous minority that typically brings attention to, and often shame upon, a religious faith. Their actions should not be construed to reflect the values of the faith that they have perverted.

[JimReed]

Frank,
That loud minority is influencing Christianity as a whole. Look at the exit polls. After the torture revelations, the evangelicals voted for Bush in an even higher percentage than the first time, and they voted for Palin almost as much. It is great to hear you and Frank S voice concerns here on huffingtonpost, but it is not worth much until a few brave clergymen start to speak from the pulpit about these issues. Until that time, the good of Chritianity is insignificant compared to the bad. I can understand the concerns because it would rip Christianity apart, but that is really the only hope for the religion. Ask yourself, do you feel you have more in common with progressive athiests, or Christian zionists?

[FrankfromPA]

Jim,
Your point about the need for "brave" clergymen to speak out against this insanity is a very valid one. And yes, having people like Frank Schaeffer and me write about our experiences on the Huffington Post is "preaching to the choir" - if you don't mind the analogy :) I can only hope that influential conservative clergy will someday speak out against this lunacy and would survive the certain backlash long enough to sway enough people to make a difference. I have found that I have a great deal in common with the many progressive Christians who are concerned about social justice because of our faith.

[tan8277]

Mr. Schaeffer as a proud Charismatic Christian I was thoroughly impressed with your recent appearance on Maddow's show. Your clarity of thought and passion is needed. It would be great if your words were a part of a 24 hour news cycle. Keep up the good work.

[Onedakini]

Thank you for appearing on the Rachel Maddow Show. Thank you, yes, bravo!

You were articulate and inspiring - yours is a voice that I've despaired I would never hear - someone strongly and clearly speaking directly about the malevolence and hatred of the Right wing. Their loathing, fear and ignorance is truly frightening. I've been flummoxed as to why Obama keeps trying to find common ground with those who have clearly stated they want him to fail, even if it mean taking down America to do it. I hope the administration is listening.

Thank you so much for saying it finally.

[Texdude]

Bravo Mr. Shaeffer. As another commenter said, I also stopped what I was doing to watch your interview on Rachel Maddow's show. Your powerfully and clearly articulated the danger of this madness. You do need to go on to other media and share your views.

[mbwest]

I'm new to this site, and I was just wondering, how far do this C-street religion reach? Does it include top Ceo's of major corps., how can we find out who are the people involved? would really like to see someone come up with a list of whose who in the C-street religion. Is this possible?

[JohnFromCensornati]

Start here.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-rodda/c-street-and-the-military_b_254265.html

[rob48]

misreading the "mobs".......do not generalize. Free speech-whether it be loud or sung or whispered has a right to be heard. I agree some have been rude but the "twist" or "spin" put on via our non-professional journalists who pick sides rather than report the news....adds fuel to the angst. Of course if some "crazy" acts out you all will be pointing fingers and saying "see, we told you...they are crazy and therefore are wrong".
I am an educated, indepedent voter, business owner and not happy with the current administration and my freedoms and my liberties.­........Th­ese people (mobs) are voicing similiar concerns but you aren't listening. They are truly scared. They are patriotic americans and not unAmerican as Mr. Schaeffer said on Maddow tonite. He is off base. I usually agree with his Christian analysis of people but this time -HE is way off..........I am an non-christian but those folk that have "christian pasion" have the right to it under our constituti­on......Th­e direction of this country--p­rogressive is not pleasant to me.

[JohnFromCensornati]

"They are truly scared"

This nonsense is your one and only post? These people are accusing BHO of lying about his place of birth and they're spreading lies about euthanasia. They are to be feared. They are nuts.

[Texdude]

Too bad your mobs are depriving everyone else of free speech by shouting them down and chanting meaningless tripe. What liberties and freedoms is the "current administration" taking away from you? Did you complain about the previous administration wiretapping telephone conversations and collecting emails of MILLIONS of Americans?

You have a right to disagree with the government and to be against their policies. Sorry Charlie, but mobs threatening other folks are NOT patriots and not good Americans. Mr. Shaeffer hit the nail on the head perfectly tonite.

[minimalist syntax]

your "scared mobs" are spreading lies and fomenting hate against the president of this country. What freedoms and liberties of yours are now threatened, that were secure under Bush?

I am a Christian, but not an evangelical Christian-- what do you mean by "Christian passion" which is apparently something that only evangelicals have and have a right to?

[Roverredux]

Mama always told me to beware of "cardboard christians" These far right wing loons are about as fake as you can get.

Frank, just saw you on Maddow. I had to stop what I was doing and pay attention. Your passion was amazing and believable. Please keep it up, you are the voice in this wilderness we need to hear right now.

[carolinhouston]

HuffPost's Pick

Frank, a couple of things. First, you are talking mostly to people who already agree with you. Your words need to be heard by the far right-wing manipulees who fall prey to this kind of movement. Second, I read it all over the blogosphere, and I am sorry to see it here--the sentiment that all people of faith who are not seeking power fall into the same category. We do not. As an AA pastor, trust me, we do not at all share the thoughts of this moment. I, for one, believe Jesus was a socialist. He taught his followers to pay taxes. He taught them to respect the government. He never said anything about taking over the world, but that we should be "salt" and "light" in the world. He said we were to care about people, to feed them, clothe them, heal their wounds, even to love the ones who misuse and abuse us.

[PNOGUY]

The New Testament also teaches that the main duty of government is to "bear the sword" and to punish evildoers. Funny, those are the very things that our current administration is afraid or unwiliing to do.

[minimalist syntax]

The New Testament of the Bible is not a guide book to government and/or politics in any way whatsoever -- instead, it is a place to encounter Christ.

[JohnFromCensornati]

The Old Testament is a dandy "place" to encounter homophobic, misogynist, xenophobic, genocidal Jehovah.
Did you know that He's the same guy as JC?

[sansom]

RE: "the far-right evangelicals are doing more to destroy the credibility of faith than Hitchens and Dawkins could in a lifetime."
This couldn't be more true. It was the evangelical hypocrisy that drove me away from religion. I've read Hitchens and Dawkins and although I appreciate their ideas, I am not an atheist, and barely an agnostic. I still enjoy a spiritual life, but have divorced myself from Christianity and organized religion thanks to the far-right Christianist wing-nuts.

[minimalist syntax]

There are plenty of Christians and Christina denominations that are not far-right wing nuts. Why reject them as well?

[JimReed]

They need to make it clear they are separating themselves from John Hagee and his zionism Christianity. If they don't separate themselves from the Republicans, then we have to lump them in with the Republicans. We can know by the fruits.

[JohnFromCensornati]

Why not join the Greek Orthodox religion? They are not far-right Christianist wing-nuts. They just hate gay people like far-right Christianist wing-nuts. You could easily repress that reality. It's somebody else's problem.

[minimalist syntax]

You know I have not repressed that reality.

[brainypirate]

Ay-men, Frank!

They have made America an idol and they worship the trinity of the The Bible, The Constitution and The Wealth of Nations. Un-Christian and paradoxically anti-American too.

Ironically, the way that we Christians can best serve the USA is to stop worrying about the nation and to focus on the people around us: How can we bring healing, justice, peace and charity into our communities?