"Unfriending" America: The Christian right is coming for the enemies of God -- like you and me

[BigOleDummy]

""You've got a friend in Pennsylvania!" was the theme of the state's ad campaign to promote tourism in the 1980s. That was a veiled historical reference to the Society of Friends, better known as the Quakers, the liberal Christian sect to which William Penn, for whom Pennsylvania is named, belonged. But since the early 2000s there has been a quiet campaign in the Keystone State and beyond to unfriend anyone outside certain precincts of Christianity — and most Quakers would almost certainly be among the outcasts.

That campaign got a lot less quiet this April, as many leaders of the neo-charismatic movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation, who have been hiding in plain sight for a generation, began ramping up a contest for theocratic power in the nation and the world. Their first target is Pennsylvania."

More at : https://www.salon.com/2023/06/17/unfriending-america-the-christian-right-is-coming-for-the-enemies-of-god--like-you-and-me/

Very good article.

[anciano]

1. The historical Jesus was one of the world's great teachers....

He was non-political and espoused such virtues as compassion, humility, and moderation. Today's Christian right is the antithesis of everything he actually taught.

[John1956PA]

2. A great article. Thanks for posting. n/t

[chia]

3. "they insist that they aim for a utopian biblical kingdom where only God's laws are enforced..."

Can confirm from observing many online conversations during the Trump years and after that's what many of the most ardent MAGA believe. They've opening talked about things like the death penalty for homosexuality, fornication and adultery for a long time, but what I've noticed in the past few years, roughly after Jan 6 is their open hostility towards anyone who doesn't toe their theological line. It's far beyond simple disagreement on social mores or morality or what have you, and gone much more to the "don't make me get my gun, you barbarian libruls!" Even if much or most of the language is armchair warrior crap, there will be a subset of this subset willing to make things happen. MAGA Christianity is so wrapped up in social power and gun fetish that it's a whole new religion.

[chia]

5. Having now read the entire article, near the end I found this, which supports my previous comment:

"Since the 2022 elections, there has been a noticeable uptick in the threatening rhetoric of NAR leaders and the political figures associated with them, both on the prayer calls and in public. Their politics appear to be animated less by "conservative" political philosophy or even strong religious values than by a vengeful vision of purging those who refuse to be converted and are deemed to be demonically possessed enemies."

Great article, definitely keeping, it has a lot of links to follow, as well.

It's alarming, seeing the different "calls" in the different states, but I keep reminding myself that they're not replacing their numbers as they die off.

[usonian]

4. They are projecting their weakness and fear.

From "Othello" (the opera)
Credo in un Dio crudel che m'ha creato simile a sè.
Iago, of course.

I believe in a cruel God, who created me in his image.

As always, the fools have created a God in their own miserable image.

Surprises in store for them.

[Major Nikon]

6. Seems like a natural progression

As organized religion in the US is declining, the fanatics are going to enjoy increasing influence over a decreasing congregation.