Rev. Haye- one of 2 religious freaks whispering in Smirk's ear

[donsu]

http://www.rollingstone.com/features/nationalaffairs/featuregen.asp?pid=2771

It might seem unlikely that the commander in chief would take his marching orders directly from on high -- unless you understand the views of the Rev. Timothy LaHaye, one of the most influential leaders of the Christian right, and a man who played a quiet but pivotal role in putting George W. Bush in the White House. If you know LaHaye at all, it's for his series of best-selling apocalyptic novels. You've seen the Left Behind novels everywhere: aboard airplanes, at the beach, in massive displays at Wal-Mart. In the nine years since the publication of the first novel, the series has sold 60 million copies. Next to the authors of the Bible itself, who didn't get royalties, LaHaye is Christianity's biggest publishing success ever.

-snip-

LaHaye's books, and his quirky interpretation of biblical prophecy that stands behind them, revolve intensely around Iraq, because LaHaye believes that Armageddon will be unleashed from the Antichrist's headquarters in Babylon. Since the 1970s -- when Iraq began a reconstruction project on the ruins of the ancient city, near Baghdad -- LaHaye has said that Saddam Hussein is carrying out Satan's mission. In 1999, LaHaye wrote that Saddam is "a servant of Satan," possessed by a demon, and that he could be "the forerunner of the Antichrist." Ultimately, says LaHaye, before Christ can return to Earth, Iraq, led by the Antichrist, must engage in a world-shaking showdown with Israel.

-snip-

That day, behind closed doors, LaHaye grilled the candidate. He presented Bush with a lengthy questionnaire on issues such as abortion, judicial appointments, education, religious freedom, gun control and the Middle East. What the preacher thought of Bush's answers would largely determine whether the Christian right would throw its muscle behind the Texas governor.

-snip-

When the meeting with Bush ended, LaHaye gave the candidate his seal of approval. For Bush, it was a major breakthrough, clearing the decks for hundreds of leaders of the Christian right, from TV preachers and talk-show hosts to Bible Belt pulpit pounders, to support the Bush-Cheney ticket in 2000. "Bush went into the meeting not totally acceptable," recalls Paul Weyrich, the grandfather of the religious right, who has known LaHaye for thirty years. "He went out not only acceptable but enthusiastically supported."
-snip-
-------------------------

this article ends by saying: But the idea that Bush, in going to war against Iraq, might have been moved not by politics but by an apocalyptic vision is terrifying to some. ................


(the other whispering religious freak is Rev. Moon)

[colonel odis]

1. is bush so hard up for friends he has to hang with the likes of them? n/t

[JanMichael]

2. Read "A Handmaid's Tale" to see what LaHaye wants the US...

...to become.

He's dangerously close to being a Christian Reconstructionist (I know that the article says he is but I'm not sure if he's a Rushdoony freak) like House Republican Leader Tom Delay.

Aw hell, of course he's one.

[celestia671]

3. Link?

Is there a link to that? Or is it a book?

[elfwitch]

4. book...

The Handmaids Tale
by Margaret Atwood
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/038549081X/qid=1076351183/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/103-7507284-2666226?v=glance&s=books

A classic. Alas, it is no longer required reading.

[JanMichael]

7. It's the blueprint for what's happening today.

Not in ever detail but close enough to be pretty damned scary. Margaret Atwood actually used American Christian Reconstructionists as her model for the fundamentalist takeover of the US. Even had a staged attack by Islamic Terrorists!

Definately read the book, the movie is "ok" but not nearly as good.

[On the Road]

5. Oh Dear God, That's Frightening

Believe me, I know these people. When I was a teenager, I used to be one of them.

They will blow the world up in a second if they think it's what God wants them to do. They have a violent, black-and-white worldview in which negotiation = giving into evil.

The worst thing about it is their view of Biblical prophecy is completely ass-backwards. They know nothing about how the prophecies were originally seen. In order to preserve their views, they've had to cut and paste whole chapters and apply them to completely different contexts.

"Babylon," for example, is clearly meant to apply to Rome in the book of Revelation. Invading Iraq on that basis is tragically misguided even if you accept their premises.

[noonwitch]

9. I was a 16 year old fundie, too

It pissed my mother off far more than drugs, sex or even pregnancy could. I was involved in Young Life, which really didn't push the apocalypse in it's message, but some of the churches I attended with friends were a whole other issue. These people want the world to end, because they think that they will benefit and all their enemies will be burning in hell. The extreme fundies get much satisfaction out of this line of thinking.

I agree about Revelation referring in a large part to the roman empire. I would further suggest that the apostle John consumed some interesting fungi while exiled on Patmos, where he allegedly wrote the Revelation.

[Cronus Protagonist]

6. So who else would the Christian right put their support behind?

They would NEVER support a Democratic candidate. So the outcome of the meeting the article notes is and was completely predictable.

"ANYBODY BUT BUSH" Buttons, Stickers & Magnets

[Az]

8. LaHaye and Reed

These were the 2 primary influences of W during the elections. Ralph Reed brought the religious right to the economic right. He was at the very center of the Enron debacle having taken a contract to work as a consultant for Enron. He delivered the religious right to the energy cartels in exchange for the Judiciary branch of our government.

[OneBlueSky]

10. fundamentalists are scary people . . .

Christian fundamentalists are particularly scary people, because they have the ear of the "leader of the (formerly) free world" . . . these people's perception of reality is seriously warped, and having the president in their corner is definitely cause for concern and yet another reason that Bush must be defeated in November . . .

[Az]

11. Fundies discard the social contract

This is what makes them scary. They are not playing by the same rules as you or I. This absolute belief can turn positive things such as love and compassion into weapons of hatred and violence. All you need do is disconnect the love and compassion from the person and reattach it to some noncorporial thing such as a soul and you have everything you need to turn a pacifist into a killer.

When you are fighting to save someones imortal soul what matter does their physical body represent. When death is just a change of state of existance what consequence is there. Hard core religious beliefs can substantially alter one's perceptions of the world around them. So much that they are no longer operating as part of the societal contract at large.

[ThoughtCriminal]

12. Satan could not design a more perfect religion

A Doomsday Cult - a frighten-ly popular one that wants to make sure we all drink the Kool-Aid with them.

A religion that twists the scripture to promote hate, intolerance and bigotry.

[SoCalDem]

13. Lots of crap on LaHaye here.. Follow the money and his "friends"

bookmarked link from the old DU..
Lots of stuff here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/cgi-bin/duforum/duboard.cgi?az=show_thread&om=20856&forum=DCForumID35&archive=


SoCalDem (20220 posts)
Apr-19-02, 01:32 AM (ET)
The Mother Lode for you researchers...VRWC
LAST EDITED ON Apr-19-02 AT 01:33 AM (ET)


All the think(stink)tanks & phony organizations and links to their "members"

http://www.seekgod.ca/cnporganizations.htm


The Council for National Policy
Selected Organization/Media/Project Index

With CNP Members who are involved/connected in some manner.

~A vast number are/have been members of the Republican party or served in the Reagan administration--these are too numerous to mention in this section. I undoubtedly have missed names with the various groups and many groups are mentioned in individual bios that are not listed here.

A SMALL SAMPLE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


A ~ F

Accuracy in Media ~ Reed Irvine, Joseph Coors, Beverly Danielson, William E. Simon, Joan Hueter, Cliff Kincaid, Dr. Robert H. Krieble, Richard M. Scaife, Harry G.A. Seggerman, Steve Stockman, Dr. Edward Teller, Jon Basil Utley, Outreach Working Group on Central America

Accuracy in Academia, Inc ~ Reed Irvine, Les Csorba,

Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty ~ "Each member of our board believes in the importance of the Acton Institute's work to promote the compatibility of faith and freedom." Provides a list of links to "Christian environmental organizations" that includes, Cathedral of St. John Divine, the headquarters for the Episcopal Church, the Temple of Understanding and home for New Ager Madeline L'engle. Actons Board and Advisory Board include: "Father" Rev. Robert Sirico; Mrs. Betsy DeVos Dr. Edwin J. Feulner, Jr., William E. Simon, George W. Strake, Jr

Advance - George F. Gilder

Agency for International Development ~ John R. Bolton

Alert ~ Dr. Robert J Billings, William Billings,

American Center for Law and Justice ~ founder- Dr. "M.G." Pat Robertson, Jay A. Sekulow,

American Civil Rights Union ~ Hon. Edwin Meese III

American Coalition for Traditional Values ~ Dr. Timothy LaHaye, Ben Armstrong, Gary Jarmin

American Conservative Union ~ Alan Gottlieb, John M. Ashbrook, Jeffrey Bell, Morton Blackwell, Jameson Campaigne, Jr., L. Brent Bozell, III, Jesse Helms, M. Stanton Evans, David Keene, Grover Norquist , Rep. Louis (Woody) Jenkins, Ralph E. Reed, Jr., Ronald E. Robinson, Beverly LaHaye, Major F. Andy Messing, Jr., Lawrence D. "Larry" Pratt, Dr. Charles E. Rice, William A.Rusher, Thomas S. Winter

American Enterprise Institute (AEI) ~ William E. Simon, Olin Foundation, Castle Rock Foundation, Sarah Scaife Foundation, Bradley Foundation, Scaife Family Foundation, Alan Keyes, Lewis E. "Lew" Lehrman, James C. Miller III, William J. Olson

American Family Association, Inc. (AFA)/AFA Report ~ Patrick A. Trueman, Rev. Donald Wildmon, Tim Wildmon

American Freedom Coalition ~ Alan Gottlieb, Robert Grant, Lynn Francis Bouchey, L. Brent Bozell, III, Thomas F. Ellis, Lt. General Daniel O. Graham, Gary Jarmin, Dr. Mildred Faye Jefferson , Dr. W. Cleon Skousen, Major General John K. Singlaub, Steven A.F. Trevino, Richard Viguerie,

American Institute for Free Labor Development (AIFLD) ~ J. Peter Grace,

American Political Action Committee ~ Alan Gottlieb,

Americans Against World Empire ~ Jon Basil Utley, Otto Scott, Peter B. Gemma Jr.,

American Security Council ~ John W. Chalfant, Major General John K. Singlaub, Lt. General Daniel O. Graham, Brig. General Albion W. Knight, Dr. W. Cleon Skousen, Hon. Helen Marie Taylor

American Sovereignty Action Project ~ Cliff Kincaid, Ronald E. Robinson, Floyd Brown,

American Spectator ~ George F. Gilder, Richard M. Scaife,

Americans United for Life ~ Clarke D. Forsythe, Guy M. Condon,

AmeriCares ~ J. Peter Grace, William E. Simon, Lt. Col. Oliver North, Major General John K. Singlaub,

AMERICA'S VOICE ~ Paul Weyrich, Richard B. Dingham,

Ankerberg Theological Research Institute ~ Dr. John F.Ankerberg, Dr.Theodore Baehr, Nancy Missler (wife to Charles W. Missler)

Anti-Bolshevik Bloc of Nations ( ABN) ~ Dr. David Balsiger, Robert Grant

Aspen Global Change Institute ~ Rich DeVos (AMWAY),

Aspen Institute of Humanistic Studies ~ Rep. Jack Kemp,

Ban the Soviet Coalition ~ Dr. David Balsiger

Billy Graham Evangelical Assoc./Training Center/etc. ~ Howard A. Ball, Mary C. Crowley, Rev. Ben Haden, Rev. E.V. Hill, Phillip Olsen,

Bohemian Club ~ Dr. John A. Howard,

Bott Radio Network ~ Richard Bott, Rich Bott, Donna Hearne,

Brigham

*****

!!!!!!!!!!!!!LA HAYE stuff....

Beverly LaHaye- CNP Board of Governors 1982, 1996, member 1984, 1988,1998; Wife of Timothy LaHaye; Founder and Chairman of Concerned Women for America Inc 1; member of the Editorial Board of the Christian Inquirer. 2 Member of Member of Ed McAteer ' Religious Roundtable Council of 56. See: Religious Roundtable

Host of "Beverly Lahaye Today," 3; has spoken at least twice at the annual conference sponsored by the charismatic Christian Believers United (CBU) Fellowship; member of ecumenical National Religious Broadcasters (NRB); signer, Evangelical Celebration See: Evangelical & Catholics Together;

Board member, The Patrick Henry Center for Individual Liberty, CNP's Gary Aldrich, Founder and President. Chairman is CNP's Hon. Edwin Meese III who holds the Reagan Chair in Public Policy at The Heritage Foundation.

Other Board members include the following CNP members: Paul Weyrich, Mr. Peter T. Flaherty, President, National Legal and Policy Center, Alan P. Dye, Esq., Lt. Col. Oliver North, Mr. Reed Irvine, Mr. Howard Phillips, President, The Conservative Caucus, Inc.; Ronald E. Robinson, Esq, President, Young America's Foundation; Mark R. Levin, President, Landmark Legal Foundation; Rep. Louis (Woody) Jenkins Chairman, WBTR-TV Channel 19; Alan Sears, Esq., President and CEO, Alliance Defense Fund.

Beverly is on the board of the 4 American Conservative Union; is or was on the board of Coalition for Better Television; served on the board of the Freedom Council, a now-defunct lobbying group operated by Pat Robertson's CBN.

In July/August of 1996, the Rev. Sun Myung Moon hosted a convention in Washington, D.C., which was also attended by several prominent evangelical leaders. The full text of Rev. Moon's speech of August 1, 1996, titled "In Search of the Origin of the Universe," is available on the Unification Home Page. 5

Dave Hunt, of The Berean Call, reported in Sept., 1996: "Sun Myung Moon's front organizations (Family Federation for World Peace, Women's Federation for World Peace, Summit Council for World Peace, etc.) promote 'morals and family values.' It is amazing to see who will join this self-professed 'Messiah' in working for these 'religiously correct' goals. Moon just hosted (7/31-8/2/96) another convention in Washington, D.C. The highly paid speakers (reportedly $80-150,000 each) included former presidents Ford and Bush, Robert Schuller, Ralph Reed, Gary Bauer (president of Family Research Council, 'the lobbying/research arm of Focus on the Family') and Beverly LaHaye. Entertainment was by Pat Boone and family. Moon says that mankind fell from grace because Eve had sex with Satan, Christ failed in His mission and Moon is the true Messiah. While evangelical speakers were careful not to offend their high-paying host with the true gospel, Moon and his wife, Hak Ja Han, boldly proclaimed their gospel. What a denial of Christ for Pat Boone to entertain, and evangelical leaders to speak, on the same platform where the host declared that he is perfecting the work 'left uncompleted by Jesus!'"

Lee LaHaye - CNP member 1998-99; comptroller, Concerned Women for America; son of CNP members Beverly and Tim LaHaye.

Dr. Timothy LaHaye- Founder of CNP 1981; CNP President 1981-82, Executive Committee 1984-85, Board of Governors 1982, 1996,1998 ; pastor, president and founder of Family Life Seminars, founded the largest protestant high school and Christian school systems in the country; Founder of Christian Heritage College; one of the original founders and member of the Executive Board of Moral Majority; founder, American Coalition for Traditional Values; a member of the Editorial Board of Christian Inquirer 6 ; Member of Ed McAteer ' Religious Roundtable Council of 56. See: Religious Roundtable;

Assisted CNP's Dr. Henry Morris in the founding of the Institute for Creation Research 6b; member of COR (Coalition on Revival);

[Mari333]

14. This IS the elephant in the living room

that the news media completely ignores.
thank god Rollingstone covered it.
and this crap is what fuels foreign policy and our demise as a free country.
God, I wish I could get the hell out of this goddamn country sometimes.

[Love Bug]

15. My, isn't this interesting:

LaHaye's books, and his quirky interpretation of biblical prophecy that stands behind them, revolve intensely around Iraq, because LaHaye believes that Armageddon will be unleashed from the Antichrist's headquarters in Babylon. Since the 1970s -- when Iraq began a reconstruction project on the ruins of the ancient city, near Baghdad -- LaHaye has said that Saddam Hussein is carrying out Satan's mission. In 1999, LaHaye wrote that Saddam is "a servant of Satan," possessed by a demon, and that he could be "the forerunner of the Antichrist." Ultimately, says LaHaye, before Christ can return to Earth, Iraq, led by the Antichrist, must engage in a world-shaking showdown with Israel.

What this tells me is we, the good old USA, with the Christian Fundmentalist President, have been instrumental in removing the biggest barrier to the AntiChrist's rising to power in Bagdad. Does this mean Bush is doing the work of SATAN? Doesn't Bush claim to be doing God's work? Which "God" is it? And why haven't the Rapture "experts" figured that out?

(Disclaimer: I don't buy into any of this, but I come from a Fundamentalist background, so I am very familiar with Fundy eschatology)

[Az]

16. Keep in mind the goal of fundimentalism

They want Jesus to come back now. They want the Jews in Israel not because of any compassion for the Jews. They want the end time prophecies to be acted out. This is where the Jews get slaughtered. There is no love for the Jews in their hearts.

There were fundie xians running around in Israel during 2000 trying to set off armageddon. People like Jack Van Impe hear about death and desctruction and they rejoice because they can link it to prophecy. These are a people that look forward to the end of the world. Generally considered to be a bad thing by most others.

[Mari333]

17. The Armageddon Lobby

http://www.againstbombing.com/ArmageddonUpdates.htm