Who Is The Mystery Man Behind Prop 8?

Who is funding California's Prop 8, the country's most controversial ballot measure? The Mormons' donations are well known, and are a source of outrage among the church's more moderate elements. But little attention has been focused on two of the proposition's biggest individual donors: Elsa Broekhuizen, the mother of Blackwater founder Erik Prince, and Howard F. Ahmanson Jr., the reclusive theocratic millionaire who inherited $300 million from his philanthropist father at age 18.

When I profiled Ahmanson in a 2004 article for Salon.com, I became the first journalist in 20 years to interview him. Yesterday I resurrected my reporting for The Daily Beast, updating it to cover Ahmanson's recent machinations, particularly his role in Prop 8. As I wrote, Ahmanson few Americans have heard of Ahmanson -- and that's the way he likes it. His extreme politics and eccentric personality reveal the draconian underside of a ballot measure billed by its proponents as "pro-family."

During a 1985 interview with the Orange County Register, Ahmanson summarized his political agenda: "My goal is the total integration of biblical law into our lives."

Though Ahmanson's rhetoric has softened over the years, his politics are derived from the radical Christian Reconstructionist theology of R.J. Rushdoony, a far-right theologian who advocated replacing the US Constitution with biblical law. "God's government prevails," Rushdoony wrote, "and His alternatives are clear-cut: either men and nations obey His laws, or God invokes the death penalty against them." Those eligible on Rushdoony's long list for execution included disobedient children, unchaste women, apostates, blasphemers, practitioners of witchcraft, astrologers, adulterers, and, of course, anyone who engaged in "sodomy or homosexuality."

Rushdoony was the father Ahmanson never had, bringing him to radical right-wing Christianity not long after the anxiety-ridden, Tourette's-afflicted scion of wealth checked out of the Menninger Clinic. Ahmanson bankrolled Rushdoony's religious empire; in return, Rushdoony made Ahmanson a board member of his think tank, Chalcedon, which to this day advocates theocratic revolution in the United States. Ahmanson and his wife were at Rushdoony's bedside when he died in 2001.

(Read the full story on Ahmanson here).

My article is accompanied at the Daily Beast by a new video by Michael Wilson, creator of the brilliant documentary, Silhouette City. Wilson also co-produced my video documentary about Sarah Palin's belief in spiritual warfare, "In The Land Of Queen Esther."

On November 2, Wilson went to San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium to cover "The Call," an 80,000-strong Pentecostal rally for Prop 8. The Call organizer, Lou Engle, gathered his troops together for several days of fasting and prayer to stop what he called the "sexual insanity" of Prop 8 opponents. The rally culminated with Engle imploring his fervent crowd to become martyrs, to be willing to lay down their lives for the cause.

(Click here to see Wilson's video.)

The defeat of Prop 8 would be a nightmare for the Christian right. As Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council said of the ballot measure, "It's more important than the presidential election... We will not survive [as a nation] if we lose the institution of marriage."

But behind the Christian right's panicked pleas for preserving "traditional marriage" lies a more deep-seated fear. California's rejection of Prop 8 would represent a decisive repudiation of the theocratic fantasy outlined by Rushdoony and mainstreamed by Jerry Falwell, James Dobson, Lou Engle and countless evangelical minions. Ahmanson has spent what he could to keep his mentor's dream alive, but the movement's nightmare may arrive nonetheless.

Comments

[Granmapat]

I previously posted a comment about being from West Michigan and knowing about the families of big bucks DeVos Prince Republican ties and I just want the rest of the country to know how much they have influenced politics with their money which I think is very wrong!!

[Granmapat]

I am from West Michigan and know about the Prince and DeVos families. Betsy Devos married Dick DeVos who is heir to Amway Corp. Betsy is also the daughter of Elsa Broekhuizen and brother of Eric Prince who owns Blackwater. They are extreme wealthy religious right. Elsa gave many dollars (650,000)to the prop 8. Dick DeVos ran for Governor of Michigan and lost to Granholm. He also today stated that he will not run in next election for Governor because politics has become dirty and he wants to protect his family. I believe that he will not run because politics might find that his family is the dirty one and will find out about the contract to Blackwater because of big family funds to Bush. . He is one of the biggest donaters to the Bush and Republican party. He and his wife are constantly funding for vouchers for education to promote the Christian Reformed faith in GR in schools. You be the judge as to their agenda for the country.

[zeptepi]

The fallout from the passage of Proposition 8 will unleash a firestorm to be reckoned with. Throughout the country this election, were many slickly crafted propositions, designed to chip away at freedom and equality, and remove rights from USA citizens. Most of them were funded by right wing conservatives. They want to reinterpret and possibly rewrite our constitution. Sarah Palin will probably be their leader in 2012. Watch out, and don't underestimate them.

[bdaved]

The "total integration of biblical law into our lives" would, I presume, include Leviticus 13, regulations for skin diseases and mildew. Is this what Mr. Ahmanson does when he gets a zit?

[lrgphd]

I was and am a strong opponent of Prop 8, and the victories for anti-gay bigotry certainly tempered an otherwise wonderful night. But I think that there are some people who need to look in the mirror on this one, and not all of them are in the pro 8 movement. The teacher in San Francisco who took her elementary school class to her wedding was incredibly reckless, and she gambled with other people's lives and freedoms. The crowing of the SF mayor also provided fodder for pro-8 ads. The pro-8 forces distorted the meaning of the proposition, but people in the gay rights movement provided fodder for the pro-gay forces. I don't think there is any legitimate or psychologically supportable reason to deny gay Americans the right to marry, and I even think that children and adolescents need to learn that gay Americans exist. Certainly teenagers who discover they are gay need options and resources other than the large number of them who become suicidal. But the stunt pulled by that teacher with her elementary school class was beyond stupid, and it provided an excuse for the hate-mongering that followed. This was a close one, and I hope it gets struck down, but those who believe in equal rights need to use a little common sense in how they pursue them....

[equalground]

Thank you. As one who recently changed sides to be a strong supporter of Prop 8, the lack of discipline and the accurate or misunderstood intentions of the gay movement contributed to my decision. Demonstrating a willingness to misuse or show an intent to misuse power is alienating supporters, who disagree with you but have supported you. Many of those being alienated are those who themselves suffered from abusive power and are very able to recognize potential abuse of power. They are the ones you ask, how could they be against us. They never had the luxury of being tempted to misuse power as quickly as the gay movement. And, the gay movement has this luxury because they are standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to express my personal disappointment and frustration. I hope it is helpful in making the course correction you are encouraging and that such a correction will be a sincere correction and not simply a discipline of guile.

[kelly]

equalground. now that black people have power they abuse it. in fact, now that woman have power they abuse it too.. uh, that doesn;t make any sense. you're comment is ridiculous. if gay people are given the same rights as you and me, they will abuse it? everyone should have the same rights and have to abide by the same laws. period. let's not give woman the same rights as men because they might abuse it. lord, get a life. give everyone the same rights.

[AllanF]

Max, THanks for stellar work, as always.

A big homo in Calfornia.

[Anthony K]

Does it matter what puppet masters were ultimately at the genesis of this movement? The votes were cast from the populace, and I'm fairly certain that most of those voters didn't have these people in their minds at the time. The fact is, the damage is done. Separate but equal lives. Only in a democracy can we vote away the rights of others.

[ReHoover51]

no, that is NOT true, today! You can not vote away someones rights. all state and federal constitutions have caveats that do not allow for discrimination of any kind. This proposition should have never come to light, except that those insanely dangerous radical christians force their will on us. this law will NEVER stand and will NEVER be amended to our constitution.
i am not gay, but i am a civilized human being that sees the reality of the churches hold on people (remember these church people are also aligned with the 11,000 cases of child molestation, and geo bushes illegal war granted to him by g*d to murder 1000s and 1000s and 1000s of innocent men women and children??? are you people insane????).
to actually say, or imply, what is stated above: "Only in a democracy can we vote away the rights of others." is a lie and a very dangerous way of forcing people to accept unfair laws.
george bush is a perfect example of using force and lies and manipulation of laws to take away our freedom and he will pay for it after he is thrown out of the white house.
Again, let me state it clearly, this amendment is unconstitutional and the persons responsible for pushing this on us, are liars, and dangerously insane uncivilized humans and should be held up to ridicule as often as possible..

[j-racqoon70]

EVERYONE, look in the mirror. THERE is the person to blame!

[gas man]

Well it looks like prop 8 passed! great! It is time that the gay and lesbian agenta is not shoved down our throats. I have no animosity or anger towards gays or lesbians, I just don't believe their ideals should be espoused. Where is this country going with the liberal agenda? Look at all the societies in the past that collapsed for lack of maroles and guidelines. As a country we need to turn around soon and this is a good first step.

[karots]

Who the he-ll are you to judge anyone? I thought it was ONLY God that had the right to judge. Should his "minions" not grace everyone with "forgiveness and mercy" ?

Few things make me more sick than Fundies. And you are trying to hide it, but you are failing to do so.

[rudedog224]

God has the right to judge, but Christians have the right to fight for what they believe. Many Christians believe in a nation that opposes homosexuality as well as adheres to biblical law as strongly as those who believe a nation should not have any religious beliefs behind its law and core values. It is hypocritical to tell a Christian that he or she cannot try to infuse religion into politics while expecting that same Christian to accept your view on what should or should not be infused into our political structure. Our nation was founded on the shoulders of Christian ministers and preachers, with over two thirds of the signers of the Declaration of Independence being preachers or ministry school students. The Constitution is the foundation of what would become the Most Powerful nation in the world. Those who supported prop 8 and who feel Christianity should remain active in governing, have to look no further than to the rhetoric of past presidents of, where Jesus' name was invoked in speeches, and to Congress, where prayer sessions were routine. When you criticize those who want the Bible to be the rationale for our government, you might as well criticize John Locke, who, in his books on government, make hundreds of references to the Bible to back up how we should be governed. What we refer to as Christian fundamentals trying to "throw Christian values" in our faces, are actually individuals trying to revert our nation to how it was

[dontomas]

Oh yes we need good "maroles" in our country and I am sure folks like you will keep up to effort.
Most societies collapsed not for lack of "maroles and guidelines" but for failure to adapt to changing conditions due to strict adherence to past ideologies, superstitions and closed minds.

I am glad you have no anger towards gays or lesbians (gays kind of cover both) or its ok for you to use the word "queer" which I am sure you have used before. Clever play on words "I just don't believe their ideals should be espoused" (as in married). Anyway, one step at a time I guess, today Obama, tomorrow who knows, perhaps a complete accepting and open society where no one is governed by the ideals of any one faction of the society.

Oh, by the way, just in case you think I have self interest, I am hetrosexual not that is any big deal.

[Realistoday]

You say " maybe tomorrow who knows, perhaps a complete accepting and open society where no one is governed by the ideals of any one faction of the society". This is a great utopian ideal but the problem is you will be stepping upon other's rights in pursuit of this. I have read some utopian books and invariably most people in these types of utopian societies grow up brainwashed until they start thinking for themselves. As for the relevance of this to the current topic. You might claim that Christians are just brainwashed but then again the gay rights movement can be said to be brainwashed too. Both are trying to get their ideas out there and firmly believe that theirs is the only way. The support of Prop 8 is also just a voicing of the popular vote. Why must people acknowledge something in a way that most do not want acknowledged? We already know of the homosexual existence, why must they also be accepted in a religious way through the use of the word "marriage"?

[Realistoday]

On a side note--I just do not understand why it is so important for the homosexual community to be recognized under the word "marriage". It is a religious word because it came from religious beginnings that gradually became infiltrated in common secular society. In addition, it is not as if marriage is some great ideal upheld in the US which is demonstrated by the 50% divorce rate. Why must you fight for something that isn't what you are clearly seeking? Approval. You can't get approval from those who oppose you by covering yourself in a word that they choose to use for a specific purpose. Why is approval so important? But I do acknowledge that it is wrong to hate someone because they have different ideas from you.

[BlueMist602]

IT IS TIME TO START HITTING THE HATERS...what do they value, maybe it is time for them to start losing some of what they hold dear. Maybe they need to start to feel some of the pain they are inflicting. It is time for the community to rise up and go on offense. The community continues to face setbacks and keeps facing wave after wave of persecution from the religious right, it is time to go on the offensive. The blatant hatred and discrimination against the GLBT community needs to stop. It is unacceptable!!! It is now time to fight back and fight back HARD!

[Ohbrite]

To gas_man: Nobody is shoving anything down your throat. If you're troubled by gay marriage, not to worry: Your marriage will be completely unaffected if gay marriage were to exist in the universe.

Also, the hidden contempt you show when you say "gay and lesbian agenda is not shoved down", or that you don't believe "their ideals should be expoused" means you are acting out of hatred of gay and lesbian people. Just be honest with yourself and the reader. Your writing is based on hate.

Your statement that the ideals of gay and lesbian people (whatever the word "ideals" mean in this case) should not be expressed is laughable. You expect millions of Americans to shut up just because you don't like to hear what's being said?

[Realistoday]

Do you expect millions of Americans(Christians) to shut up just because you don't like to hear what they are saying and fighting for? Your reasoning against Christians is the same they can use against you. Your reasoning therefore goes both ways.

[JohnBisceglia]

Will we EVER as a community get ANGRY ENOUGH to do something besides hold signs, chant, and donate millions to organizations?

"How's That Working For You"?

As ALL of these ANTI-LOVE, ANTI-FAMILY amendments and propositions continue to keep LGBT U.S. citizen's legal status as SUB-Americans, don't you feel good as U.S. tax-payers, knowing that your own state and country says your family and children are worthless in the eyes of the law while they take your money? Angry yet? No?! Then keep paying your taxes and acting like everything is OK; keep playing by the rules, even though these "rules" do not even INCLUDE you or your children!

Self-respect and self-esteem...............anyone?

[bigsur420]

if america can finally get over the racial barrier and vote in the first black president,.....don't you think that we can allow gay people to get married as well??? Love is Love whether its between man&woman, woman&woman, or man&man.....i believe its the time that americans need to stand up, work together, and put all of this petty bulls*** behind us, and work for a better future.....until then, we will stay a divided country.....

[Ozohead]

Amen to that.

[oxford]

As proven by these people, Chris Hitchens is correct that "Religion poisons everything". Nuff said.

[Dissident Dexter]

Hate in the name of a god that doesn't exist. Shameful.

[Chaucea]

*stunned shock*

wow, i had no idea just how insidiously evil this was...

[grecogrant]

yes I am ashamed I did not fight harder..can we pass a law on churches and church people?
one tihng I know ,if calif loses prop 8, we will be back with something else..federal civil unions.
don't know ?but I stay clear from those people (after I let them know how I feel)