There are too many religious groups trying to infiltrate the government. The Assemblies of God make no secret of it and have a very clear agenda. They target right-wing poiliticians, where they find unprecedented support. George W Bush and Sarah Palin have enthusiastically embraced their cause.
The Scientologists are at it as well, but they're not fussy. John Coale, Greta Van Susteren's husband, is hell bent on "getting in there". He professes to having unusual sympathy for women in politics. Coale is very giving both in terms of money and advice, which he dishes out to the damsels in distress in generous amounts. The fact that two of his famous muses are at totally opposite ends of the political spectrum doesn't seem to bother him in the least.
I find these religious groups very sinister. They want to influence policy making in order to further their own ends, which have very little to do with serving the people who elect those charged with governing the land.
If they are allowed to succeed, government would leave the realm of politics and enter the realm of the surreal.
The case for the separation of church and state has never been stronger. Religion should be placed back where it belongs and elected officials should keep their faith and beliefs out of the public arena, safely behind the closed doors of their churches and homes.
Links
Geoffrey Dunn, HuffPo
John Cook, Gawker
Religion posts, palingates
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5 comments:
I couldn't agree more!
What is telling and interesting to me is that *even religious leaders* agree with you! I remember under gw, when he started all that church-stuff, there were some very outspoken church leaders criticizing him about it - CHURCHleaders making the case for separation of Church and State!
Having attended a free Scientology 'more information here' meeting once upon a time, and having sat there, unable to force myself to get up and leave -- for the longest time -- even though my brain was screaming, "Get out, get out, this is so totally wrong!" ...
I don't think Scientology qualifies as a religion. At least that's not how they present it to newcomers. It's more like a .. a club .. or a training institute .. where you can supposedly learn how to be more you.
The main problem I have with that is (I'm all for accelerated individual transformation) the tactics they use create false dichotomies in your mind in an attempt to to rinse your brain juice out and replace it with some fluid of their own choosing. There is never a call to "verify," or "think this through for yourself," or "don't trust me, here, try these tools and go out and grow based on your own experiences."
Anyway, my only face-to-face interaction with members of Scientology (many many years ago in California) creeped me out. I knew, inside me, that they were running a very powerful machine and they really didn't care about me, they cared about them.
And I knew that if I didn't find a way to get up from my chair and get out, I would be trapped forever. Very scary.
Ennealogic,
I struggle to type that Scientology is a religion, as I see them the way you do: some kind of weird club.
They describe themselves as a religious group for the tax breaks, nothing more.
Brainwashing is a common feature in cults. I was approached by a Scientologist in London, more than 30 years ago. I had just arrived, was young and alone in a strange city.
The woman wasn't particularly weird, but the stuff she said wasn't my cup of tea and I ran a mile!
Reg
So here is the question. Don't people in Alaska find some of nalip's stuff a bit creepy? And maybe just a teeny bit offensive?
She obviously doesn't give a rat's a*s about how constituents (or she's just watching all of you closely?). What else do Alaska voters need before they decide to Blago her?
Yeeks..as bad as AZ politicians are, so far none of them have shown themselves to be cult leaders. And they don't seem to hold prayer meetings..except with the Mormons here who have a stranglehold on our Legislature.
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