According to NPR’s Fresh Air:
An emerging Christian movement that seeks to take dominion over politics, business and culture in preparation for the end times and the return of Jesus, is becoming more of a presence in American politics. The leaders are considered apostles and prophets, gifted by God for this role.
Two ministries in the movement planned and orchestrated Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s recent prayer rally, where apostles and prophets from around the nation spoke or appeared onstage. The event was patterned after The Call, held at locations around the globe and led by Lou Engle, who has served in the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders of the NAR. Other NAR apostles endorsed Perry’s event, including two who lead a 50-state “prayer warrior” network. Thomas Muthee, the Kenyan pastor who anointed Sarah Palin at the Wasilla Assembly of God Church in 2005, while praying for Jesus to protect her from the spirit of witchcraft, is also part of this movement.
On Fresh Air, Rachel Tabachnick, who researches the political impact of the religious right, joins Terry Gross for a discussion about the growing movement and its influence and connections in the political world.
Tabachnick says the movement currently works with a variety of politicians and has a presence in all 50 states. It also has very strong opinions about the direction it wants the country to take. For the past several years, she says, the NAR has run a campaign to reclaim what it calls the “seven mountains of culture” from demonic influence. The “mountains” are arts and entertainment; business; family; government; media; religion; and education.
I found the interview so interesting that I listened to it twice. If you are interested in the intersection of extremist religion and American politics you won’t want to miss it.
I have been worried about the likes of Bachmann, Perry, Palin et al for a while.
They are not just concerned citizens of the christian right, they are Dominionists out for a theocratic hegemony. They fit the bill perfectly, especially the insidious Bachmann. Her past positions and statements are Dominionist through-and-through.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominionism
“seeks to take dominion over politics, business and culture in preparation for the end times and the return of Jesus”
End times? Scary stuff.
Just listened to the whole interview. Oh. My. God.
These Dominionist groups need to be brought to the attention of the American public and exposed for the extremely dangerous total lunatics that they are. I cannot believe they are so closely linked to more than one presidential candidate! Horrifying.
What I find interesting is that the book of Revelations describes how the Anti-Christ will usher in a One-World Government and Religion in the “last days”. A system in which all people of all nations/cultures etc. will be under one governing body and one faith. This system will then persecute any and all citizens that do not pledge allegiance to it, who rebel.
Does that not sound suspiciously like Dominionism to anyone? Having control over all things the world over? Do these Christians not know their Bibles enough to realize that this movement is actually in league with the Anti-Christ, not with Jesus Christ? No where does it say Christians will have dominion over all in the last days. In fact, just the opposite. Ironic that these self-proclaimed Warriors Of God seem to have no idea they’re actually doing the work of Satan, if the Bible is to be taken seriously. Or…DO they know….?
Interesting…
I’ve often said that if there is a Devil, the invention of christianity surely represents his greatest achievement.
@Ben — Satan, Prometheus, the knowledge-bringers (and knowledge seekers, at times) are almost always punished by the gods. Or their own karma catches up to them (Loki). Some other gods (Odin) sacrificed themselves (his eye) for knowledge (the runes), and shared the knowledge with some humans.
Christianity seems like the work of a malicious prankster god, really. Who the hell else would set it up so humans are “sinful” and then tell us “DON’T SIN”?
Not to be picky Lucas, but it’s the Book of Revelation (no s) and it’s my understanding from ‘real’ biblical scholars that it was written about and for the people of that era. It has nothing to do with today, despite what fundos think and feverishly wish for. The 666 being the number of the Beast refers to Nero. It comes from the Hebrew practice called Gematria, in which words and phrases are assigned a numerical value. It was a way for John of Patmos (the author of Revelation) to let the reader know to whom he was referring, while protecting his butt from the Emperor.
@ WMDKitty
Totally agree with you there. Lucifer translates as ‘Bringer of Light’ (or illumination, or knowledge).
They literally demonised the search for knowledge!