God Against Obama: Dobson, Osteen, Corsi, the Evangelicals Strike Again

Evangelicals have a problem: they want to involve themselves in politics -- for instance by praying that the Obama speech at the Democratic convention is rained out, as James Dobson of Focus On the Family called for. Some evangelicals are embarrassed by such antics. What can they do? Nothing because their theology acknowledges no central authority. Evangelicals don't "do" structure. They don't do government, or bishops or tradition. They just do "me" and "I" never we. So their individualistic and narcissistic village idiots-Dobson, Robertson, Osteen etc.-are in charge by default.

The whole point of Evangelical Christianity is a consumerist-oriented do your own thing approach to Jesus. This is a departure from historical Christianity centered on a liturgical tradition that had to do with faith lived in community and beliefs defined by tradition, not the individual pastor standing in front of the congregation holding forth according to whim. But evangelical "worship" is nothing but grandstanding. It's all about the sermon and the pastor's personality. I know. I was once one such "personality," Evangelical big-time flash-in-the-pan leader egomaniac, until I got out in the mid 80s.

Evangelicals reject all traditions and structures, other than their very own personalized interpretation of the Bible, so there is no there, there to appeal to. Evangelicals can't police themselves or call one of their own a nut for the same reason that the village idiot smearing himself with excrement can't point the finger at another idiot wearing his pants on his head and call him crazy. Each has a "personal relationship with Jesus." So maybe Jesus told that guy to put his pants on his head!

Evangelicals get direct messages from God. So who needs tradition, let alone government? That is why Evangelicals are opposed to all structure. They hate government, and they hate the idea of bishops telling them what it means to be a Christian. They hate the idea of health care for all that might involve someone (other than voices in their heads) telling them what to do. And they want the "right" to own guns, raise kids on myths and own that SUV and believe that more drilling for oil will bring down the price of gas. They also want God to speak directly to them, never mind a community of faith. And God seems to tell them weird stuff. So today's crazy person is tomorrow's best selling Rick Warren or Victoria and Joel Osteen. And how can they be crazy? Look how big their churches are! They measure up to the only real Evangelical creed-the ability to make money and be successful in commercial terms.

Evangelicalism is a series of personality cults masquerading as religion. (As I demonstrate in detail 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.) That's because Evangelicals say they believe in "sola scriptura" in other words the Bible only. That works out fine until they start arguing about biblical interpretation. Each pastor and individual becomes their own pope. That turns pastors into nothing but glorified entertainers, wherein the hottest ones pull the biggest congregations. Success-measured in attendance and dollars-becomes the metaphor for spiritual wisdom. Dobson rakes in millions, so God must be on his side! Joel and Victoria Osteen have 40,000 members of their Houston "church" so they must be sane, even if co-pastor Victoria allegedly assaulted a flight attendant over a spilled drink and paid the fine to make the incident "go away."

The Historic Church by contrast never held the Bible up as a magic book that could solve all your problems but rather regarded the Bible as just one element of a liturgical tradition based on community, worship and participation. It never was about the hyped-up spoken word in the mouths of hyped-up "personalities," it was about community. It never was about grandstanding entertainment, but about a liturgy that was the same wherever you went within Christendom; up until the church split in 1054, into Western and Eastern churches and then the later fracturing of the Reformation followed by the era of Protestant chaos and lastly American-style Evangelical every-man-for-himself insanity.

So ... when some fruitcake like a James Dobson comes along and his organization calls for rainmaking to spoil the Obama speech, or the egomaniacal cult leader Victoria Osteen co-pastor of the biggest mega sect in Houston, allegedly assaults an airline flight attendant, there's not much other Evangelicals can do who are embarrassed by their pet-buffoon-of-the-moment, other than to wring their hands. That's because Evangelicalism is really just another version of American individualism and the entertainment industry wherein "freedom" is interpreted as the right to be a consumer and choose one's favorite products from ski mobiles, jet skis, a trip to the Bahamas, a new-car or joining a the local mega church of the moment. Victoria Osteen today, Rick Warren yesterday, whatever wanders in tomorrow, with a book deal and nice way of talking.

Evangelicals can't criticize other Evangelicals' idiocy. After all with a few exceptions, they are all waiting for Spaceship Jesus to take them away, have declared evolution a lie, are anti-culture, art and life, and don't believe in global warming, are still saying that Iraq was behind 9/11, and want to attack Iran with what is left of our overstretched military that their born-again, Evangelical Low IQ frat-boy in the White House systematically has put at risk.

Since the Evangelical right wing movement cannot speak with a prophetic (let alone single) voice, because it has become the consumer/entertainment culture, it's left with turning itself into a public joke and/or nuisance much as a spoiled three-year-old at a birthday party will insist on getting attention by throwing pieces a birthday cake across the room. So Evangelicals have played spoiler and (with a few notable exceptions such as Richard Cizik) led the charge against the environmental movement, against doing anything about global warming, against reforming health care, against caring for our military and now against Senator Obama. They are the people turning the anti-Obama screed Obama Nation into a national best seller, and never mind it's by the same proven opportunistic "Swift Boat" liar -- Jerome R. Corsi -- who was totally discredited for his lies in the hatchet hate job he did on John Kerry.

The Evangelicals are accustomed to supporting liars. They supported George W. Bush again and again because he played footsie with them on abortion, Jesus, and gays. And now most Evangelicals are out to stop Obama, America's best chance for a fresh start in a world grown understandably sick of us.

The Evangelical mask is wearing thin. Sure, there are some Evangelicals who want change but for the most part the fools that put George W. Bush in the White House are now reduced to trying to get Jesus to rain out Obama. That's because they have no answer for the America they have betrayed.

Evangelicals are reduced to throwing fistfuls of "cake" instead of answering uncomfortable questions such as: why have you Evangelicals supported the torture of prisoners of war? And why have you Evangelicals led the charge on defending a rape-the-earth Republican Party in hock to the oil companies?

With no answers, better to just try and rain on the other guy's parade.

Frank Schaeffer is coauthor of HOW FREE PEOPLE MOVE MOUNTAINS-A Male Christian Conservative and a Female Jewish Liberal On A Quest For Common Purpose and Meaning. He is also 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

Comments

[Selbourne]

I understand Rev. Dobson says he prayed to the Lord to use His control of His weather to intervene in this election. Rev. Dobson hoped the Lord would disrupt Barack Obama's acceptance speech. Now tha the Lord has answered His servant's prayer, I wonder whether Rev. Dobson will accept His decision to disrupt the Republcan National Convention instead as an indication of His will. Will Rev. Dobson accept the decision and switch his support to the Democrats.

[research]

Fake Christians!

The Gospels Jesus is Peace, Tolerance, Forgiveness and Charity.

Jesus is a liberal!

[realpolitic]

This author sounds angry, but I am angry too. I am angry how the relatively small, but very focused, subset of the population, the evangelicals, have hijacked the national dialogue, steering it far to the right. I am angry that they have two or three issues they seem to care deeply about and care little for the collective welfare of the population or peace. I am angry they use religion to smear Democrats, that they are so easily led in a herd-like way by a few charismatic preachers. I thought the American creed was to think for oneself. I am angry at their anti-science bias. When the influence of the evangelicals diminishes, we, as a country, will be better off.

[lewes17266]

"God's work" is a very lucrative family business. The holymen have a safe platform to continue "God's work" from - our media. The very people who should be bringing the frauds to justice are the ones offering them the welcome mat. Televangelists bilk faithfuls and claim to be able to heal and prophesy and then are welcome guests on network news programs. Gordon Robertson, the holyman son of Pat Robertson, got caught in an adulterous affair and never stopped healing on the 700 Club and never stopped telling others to confess their sins and repent. That "media blackout" has never been lifted and gullibles go on believing the miraculous claims are real and continue listening to the frauds tell them how God has lifted His "veil of protection" over our land for voting for Democrats. THAT should make you angry.

[realpolitic]

Most evangelicals seem to believe that Jesus was a gun totin', tax cut for the rich lovin', warmongering Republican. Where they got such an idea- who knows?

[JimReed]

I think they got that idea from the warmongering Republicans. American history tells us the nation reacted to the problem of teenage pregnancy and cross border abortions by making abortion legal. Christianity reacted by becoming political, and the warmongering Republicans responded by offering them promises for votes. Now everyone is in too deep to admit it was just a big mistake.

[lisakaz2]

Love this sentence: "because they have no answer for the America they have betrayed."

It seems to me this is only partly why they hate O-bama. Seems to me they are projecting their cult of personality, as you call it, onto him. They hate the competition and that his version of God is a lot more measured and compassionate (sensible) than their capitalist, hedonistic messiah (it fits Colin Campbell's term self-illusory hedonism from "The Romantic Ethic and the Spirit of Modern Consumerism" very well).

But if they hate government so much, why the power trip to control it and everyone who isn't a member of their church(es)? They could easily be left alone if they left the rest of us alone but they insist on controlling the public sphere. They just got more power hungry from the ego feeding personality wave?

[muffler]

They are such loving people. They pray for rain on his children and family as well as everyone in Hawaii. Honeymooners, locals etc. What is wrong with these them. Oh if they pray for rain and it doesn't ahppen does that mean their God is false?

[MHainds]

Frank,
This is about as angry as I have seen you write. Your exceptionally lucid, experienced take on this subject is amazing.
If I printed this off and passed it around I would be ran clear out of my community.
I am guessing that you are suffering (to a lesser degree) the same fate as Salman Rushdie: ostracism, alienation, and perhaps even threats?
Just the fact that I am exercising my right to support Obama openly in Alabama has caused me a large amount of grief - and a broken car window. Down here, many people have forgotten that in a Democracy, people are allowed to make choices based upon facts and reality, rather than ideology.
You are a brave man.

[prettytexasgal]

This is indeed a very angry post. I consider myself an Evangelical Progressive. I'm more interested in the Sermon on the Mount than I am in right-wing politics. I have experienced some very painful and hurtful situations at my church. Apparently seeing this dynamic, the pastor finally, during the 2004 campaign, said in a sermon that the Bible does NOT say whether you should vote Republican or Democrat. Being on a roll, he went on to state that it doesn't say you can't read Harry Potter, either. I wondered which comment elicited the most angry emails. I sent him a grateful one. I am certain there were people who left the church due to that.

[ShawnMichel]

It is impossible to reason with a book, which is what happens when anyone tries to reason with a fundamentalist--regardless of stripe: Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, atheist, capitalist, socialist, the White-Lighties of the New Agers (aplenty here on Huffpo), and on and on and on. They have their dogmas; they have their little apostolic creeds, they have their Kool-Aid, and that's that.

In many ways, these aren't really people: they're automatons. Robots. Cogs. Isn't it funny how their hyper-individualism reduces, ultimately, to its very antithesis? But it does. Fundies haven't the courage of truly independent thought; they must kiss the mouldering robes of their various and sundry gurus and gods and holy books; they must lean against their religions, in order to negotiate their meaningless consumptican lives.

That Dobson and Osteen and Corsi, whose fanatical book has already been demonstrably proved to be false, are so popular only speaks to the utter moral and spiritual degeneracy that has taken over this nation. These idiots and fascists and hatemongers wouldn't have their pulpits if millions weren't listening to them. Perhaps we should be turning out attention to the sheep instead, and dealing with them.

[moonwatcher]

If it does rain in Denver, most people in Denver will be thrilled. They have been having a drought. They had about three days of rains about a week ago but not much all summer. When our family was there Cherry Creek Park looked pretty dry. I doubt that Dobson, Parsley or any other religious right fanatic has any thing to do with whether it rains or not. It often rains in the mountains in the afternoon. If it does rain I imagine most will bring umbrellas. If Americans can watch a football game in snow with freezing temperatures, I imagine the Democratic Convention can make do. Who do these people think they are? God.

[MsAnn]

I agree! But, what if it does rain the day of his speech? Will that prove Dobson's god IS god? Well, if that's all power as Dobson's god can muster, I'm not that impressed... can his god draw Mary, the blessed virgin, in the clouds - pretty powerful magic there - or make a status weep? lol not impressed! Anyway, I'll be watching to see if it rains that day and then will wait to hear the drivel from Dobson. What can I say, I'm easily amused.

[castlerider]

I've watched Joel osteen here in Houston, and have enjoyed many of his sermons.
I have to say I've never heard him state anything really rightwinger or political in any way, and this is a basic reason I like the guy.
However, I've been told by some that when his wife gets on, the IQ quotient drops seriously. I haven't heard her. It seems she threw a brat tantrum on that plane, and showed her "unholy" side.
Really embarassing.

If I ever did hear Joel say something political, or against Obama like that idiot Dobson, I would never listen to another word he said.
Other then this, I agree with what you say, and would like to thank you for a great post.

[lewes17266]

I agree with your comment. I do not think Joel Osteen is like Robertson or Hagee or most of the others. I do not think Joel Osteen preaches prejudice or hate or exploits gullibles for power or profit. I think he has become wealthy as a best selling author.
I really do not like that showtime style of worship though, not at all. I cannot help but be suspicous of tv preachers though. I think it is wise to guard one's heart.

[JimReed]

He should speak out against preemptive war and torture. He has the audience, and if he could say something to help the nation it would be more than worth that percent of his audience that tunes him out for speaking on a controversial topic that is ripping the nation apart.

[pinkfirefly8]

can't have it both ways Jim Reed. Give him credit for keeping neutral.

[hooboy]

You said, threw a brat tantrum on that plane

No she threw her name and the stew caught it and with the help of a tratior lawyer, tried to retire.

[as if]

I have to agree: not sure why you added Osteen to the list. He is one of the most reasonable men I have ever heard speak, and I've never heard him make any statements about how his church-goers should vote.

[CactusTom]

America has always represent the best and worst of mankind. The founding father were for the most part intellectual devotees of the 18th century enlightenment period, yet men who found their nation economically entangled by slavery. Thus their high ideals often clashed with a difficult reality. To further complicate the virtuous elements of the nation, large numbers of the dregs of the old world migrated to America from which spring a significant primitive element"backward, superstitious and anti intellectual.

[PJay1]

Thank you, Frank Schaeffer, for speaking out against this hypocrisy again and again.

These words by you just jumped out at me:

"Evangelicalism is a series of personality cults masquerading as religion..."

Bingo!
And they're some of the ones who refer to the support for Obama as a cult movement.

[Bob66106]

My two cents: If he would substitute religion for evangelicism it would have been the whole truth, and put a period after cults.

Religion is a series of personality cults. For fun and edification watch or watch again "Life of Brian." Sooo true.

[PJay1]

I agree that organized religion often does more harm than good.

Spirituality and religion are not synonymous.

[cygnusdei]

Christianity is like the color spectrum from violet to red. I think trying to fit all evangelicals into the cartoon-like 'evangelical' description is not useful nor accurate. I went to Joel Osteen's church quite a few times - if anything, they stick to the 'feel good', self-empowerment message to a fault. There was no hint of political agenda whatsoever.

Resorting to labels can deceive you.

[CactusTom]

All religions start out as cults. Most simply fade away, but a few morph into powerful institutions as did Christianity once it was adopted as the official religion of the Roman Empire. Apparently evangelicals, with much help via today"s mass media technology, have devised a loose system of forever remaining in a cult status. Not much tradition surrounding evangelicals, but it sure makes for outstanding, and troublesome, flexibility at the intersection of political ideology and religion. Republicans (the super rich segment) have figured out how to exploit these redneck, Jesus freaks, true believers who have a knack for turning logic upside-down and thus when it comes to politics they actually end up coned by Republicans (the top one percent whose wealth equals that of the bottom ninety percent) into voting against their own self-interest. Strange, indeed?