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Title: WERE EVANGELICALS PLAYED FOR SUCKERS?
Source:
NewsWithViews
URL Source: http://www.newswithviews.com/baldwin/baldwin327.htm
Published: Oct 17, 2006
Author: Chuck Baldwin
Post Date: 2006-10-17 14:06:21 by BTP Holdings
Keywords: None
Views: 248
Comments: 14
By Pastor Chuck Baldwin No president in American history played the "God card" any better than George W. Bush. Early in his 2000 presidential campaign, Bush convinced fundamentalist/evangelical Christian leaders that he was "their" man. Those Christian leaders went on to promote and support Mr. Bush to the tune of two successful presidential election victories. To this day, they comprise his most loyal base of support. But was it all a sham? Did G.W. Bush and Karl Rove simply dupe the Religious Right? A Bush insider now says that is exactly what happened: GOP strategists played evangelical believers for suckers. David Kuo has a long record of Christian conservatism. His resume includes tenure with such notable Republican leaders as William Bennett, John Ashcroft, Bob Dole, and Congressman J.C. Watts. Most recently, he served as Special Assistant to President George W. Bush and Deputy Director of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. In his column, Shooting from the Heart, Kuo wrote that receiving President Bush's invitation to become Deputy Director of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives "was a dream come true for me." Kuo believed he had teamed with a man who sincerely intended to promote Christian conservatism in and through his administration. Now Kuo believes that he (and the entire evangelical community) had been duped. Kuo has written a new book entitled Tempting Faith: An Inside Story of Political Seduction. He also sat down with CBS reporter Lesley Stahl for a 60 Minutes interview that aired this past Sunday. Kuo writes in his book that White House staffers would roll their eyes at evangelicals, calling them "nuts" and "goofy." Asked if that was really their attitude, Kuo told Stahl, "Oh, absolutely. You name the important Christian leader and I have heard them mocked by serious people in serious places." Kuo said that people in the White House referred to Pat Robertson as "insane," Jerry Falwell as "ridiculous," and James Dobson as having "to be controlled." Kuo believes that GOP strategists successfully convinced Christian leaders "that Jesus came primarily for a political agenda, and recently primarily a right-wing political agenda-as if this culture war is a war for God. And it's not a war for God, it's a war for politics. And that's a huge difference." Kuo points out that President Bush would use catch-phrases to convince believers. For example, in one speech Bush said, "There's power, wonder-working power in the goodness and idealism and faith of the American people." The phrase "wonder working power" sailed over the heads of the media, but most evangelical Christians recognized it immediately from the great old hymn, Power In The Blood. Kuo went on to say that "God and politics had become very much fused together into a sort of a single entity. Where, in a way, politics was the fourth part of the trinity. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, and God the politician." Kuo now feels badly for allowing politicians to use Christians (and the issues they embrace) as they did. He said, "I feel like it was more spiritually wrong. You're taking the sacred and you're making it profane. You're taking Jesus and reducing him to some precinct captain, to some get-out-the-vote guy." Kuo added, "[T]he name of God is just being destroyed in the name of politics." Kuo is calling evangelical Christians to take a "fast" from politics. He said, "People are being manipulated. Good, well-meaning people are being told, 'Send your money to this Christian advocacy group or that.' And that's the answer. It's just not the answer. It's not the answer." Kuo expects strong attacks from the White House and its supporters. He knows he will be viewed as a betrayer and that they will "go after him." He expects that he will be labeled as a "liberal" or an "idealist." But David Kuo says he is fine with that. He said, "I felt like I had to write this." David Kuo's book should serve as a wake up call for America's evangelical community. We have been had. It's time to admit it. From the cover-up of Congressman Mark Foley's debauchery (a cover-up that continues), to federal spending that is out-of-control, to an unprovoked, preemptive invasion against Iraq, to the "No Child Left Behind" education monstrosity, to the Patriot Act's decimation of the Fourth Amendment, to the building of an Orwellian surveillance society, the Bush administration has trampled on virtually every principle upon which America was founded. No matter how badly evangelical Christians want to believe President Bush, no matter how desperately they want to enjoy access to the White House, no matter how deeply they feel obligated to support the Republican Party, it is time to face the truth that the GOP's only interest has been to use them for the simple purpose of winning elections. Yet, there is an even greater lesson that evangelical Christians need to learn, and that is the lesson taught us in our own history. America's founders fought this battle more than 200 years ago and found that the greatest protection for religious liberty and principle was the implementation of, and loyalty to, the U.S. Constitution. As Thomas Jefferson said, "In questions of power, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution." Christians need to be less enamored with the religious professions and promises of politicians and much more committed to making sure that their elected representatives uphold their oaths of office to the Constitution. Fidelity to the Constitution will successfully address most of the issues evangelical Christians care about. It will even address the ones they don't care about, but should. It's not a "fast" from politics that Christians need, it's a rededication to constitutional government.
WERE EVANGELICALS PLAYED FOR SUCKERS?
October 17, 2006
http://NewsWithViews.com
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#1. To: BTP Holdings, burkeman1 (#0)
Could it be that the American shadow govt - the so called 'powers that be' (who ever they be) are telling us in a subtle way that they are passing the 'mandate of heaven' to the Democrats? They have used Bush and the GOP as much as they could and Bush screwed up their agenda in Iraq and Iran so they are willing to let the Democrats come to power. Make no mistake - the Democrats would just as easily attack Iran as would the GOP - maybe they want a competent Democrat who will rule for 4 years restoring our military and then after that war with Iran?
"The desire to rule is the mother of heresies." -- St. John Chrysostom
Before the Foley scandal I doubt Congress or the Senate would have turned over. The system is ossified. Even now- a "turning over" of the house or the Senate will still mean 95 percent of incumbents are re-elected. But the appearence of "change" is necessary. If that means giving control of congress to the Democrats- then so be it. It doesn't matter at all to the "powers that be" one iota. But let's say the GOPERS do manage to hold onto both houses? That almost no seats change hands? Well that would start a lot of people talking- a lot of poly sci types and analysts and commentators would start talking about the "Rigidity" of our system- of its "ossification"- and start paying attention to a Congress that has the worst turn over rate of any elected body on Earth. But if the Dems pick up what? 10 house seats and become the 'Majority' that will be hailed in our media as a "change" and everyone else can go back to sleep. Frankly- I think the GOP is being intentionally setup to lose- just so that it seems like there is change in DC. And then they will "Win" in another 2 years. Will there be any policy differences? Yes- some black poverty pimps in the Dem party will get a couple billion more in money that would have gone to boondoggle programs in Red States. Whoopee. And meanwhile the shadow government will march on . . . under the banner of "liberal rhetoric" instead of reichwinger rhetoric.
Make no mistake - the Democrats would just as easily attack Iran as would the GOP - maybe they want a competent Democrat who will rule for 4 years restoring our military and then after that war with Iran? I agree with some of what you stated but not entirely. Agree: The Democrats have been definitely annointed as "winners" in the 2006 bi- election which in turn will raise the Democrats' profile for 2008 and yes, a Dimwit President will definitely be elected. Disagree: As for waiting for a "competent" Democrat to rule for 4 years to "restore" the military and thereafter to attack Iran...what have you been smoking? If we have a Dimwit President elected in 2008, there will be no restoration of anything but social welfare benefits for the Dimwit voter constituency. As for the military, previous Dimwit Presidents have not shyed away from using conscription to fight 2 world wars and Vietnam on the cheap. As for your contention that the Democrats would just as easily attack Iran as the GOP - I'd say, Dimwits are MORE likely to want to do so. The GOP have been bitten soundly in the butt for their recent ME Iraq war misadventure. That's why Rice is standing on her head trying to have diplomatic solutions brokered re:Iran - she's doing GWB's bidding in that regard. That's why it has been decided that the Iran War needs a fresh set of knaves at the wheel of the good ship Titanic, because not only have the GOP'ers lost credibility in the making wars department, but the GOP'ers,including GWB, are dragging their feet on wading into a war with Iran. The GOPer's blustery rhetoric all the while delaying any concrete "bombs away" action re: Iran has not gone un-noticed by certain special interests' groups. The only fly in the ointment for those who are eager to have us go to war with Iran is that pesky unpredictable lunatic in NK getting himself into the news headlines this week, so now the sheeple are asking themselves - "Why have we been bullying countries in the ME (who only threaten Israel?)that have no nukes at this time, but we've not dealt with NK, a country that is specifically and threat to America and a country which definitely has nukes?"
Kuo is calling evangelical Christians to take a "fast" from politics. He said, "People are being manipulated. Good, well-meaning people are being told, 'Send your money to this Christian advocacy group or that.' And that's the answer. It's just not the answer. It's not the answer." Better late than never, I guess. Why did he have to wait til the gored ox was damn near dead to speak out. The financing for his pet project, the faith- based initiative, has been screwed up from the get/go--it was cheap publicity for the liar in chief. I just wonder why, in knowing all this, and knowing it all along, that it has taken til now for this guy to come out and repent. I just can't start patting the shoulders and offering kleenex to these people that don't speak out more promptly instead of giving gubmint as much 'good' press as they can get. Finally, where has his and other heads been all this time. God provided brains to all..........He warns against false prophets and others. DUH! Hello!
Talk Radio Wavers, Bush Moves to Firm Up Support Press 1 for English, Press 2 for English, Press 3 for deportation
the Bush administration has trampled on virtually every principle upon which America was founded...... Yet, there is an even greater lesson that evangelical Christians need to learn, and that is the lesson taught us in our own history. America's founders fought this battle more than 200 years ago and found that the greatest protection for religious liberty and principle was the implementation of, and loyalty to, the U.S. Constitution....... It's not a "fast" from politics that Christians need, it's a rededication to constitutional government. With that bit of psyops, Christians are STILL being suckered. AMERICA was founded as the New Jerusalem: 2 Samuel 7:10; Ezekiel 34:11-13; John 10; cross at Cape Henry 1607, Revelation 5:9-10; the Mountain of the House of the Lord, Micah 4, [i.e., the Nation/Government of God's Temple, which is composed of His believers.] The Constitution of the UNITED STATES, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is a contract. The Constitution is a contract ON the American people, a contract to remove them from God's Law, and God's jurisdiction, and bind them to MAN's LAW, [The U.S. is a SECULAR government as was explained in a recent post: http://freedom4um.com/cgi- bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=37473 ], MAN's jurisdiction, and to PERPETUAL DEBT and SLAVERY to the rulers. http://www.worldnewsstand.net/history/U.S.Corp.htm As Cornwallis said to George Washington, a HOLY WAR will now begin against AMERICA [see Psalm 2]. AMERICA is NOT the UNITED STATES. See the battle of the two eagles Ezekiel 17. Just as the people of Old Jerusalem did not recongnize their time of visitation, neither do most Christians today. God is not calling us to reform the wicked thing, it is beyond reform, Matthew 15:13. He is calling us to REMOVE ourselves from it altogether: 2Cr 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 2Cr 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 2Cr 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 2Cr 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, 2Cr 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. http://www.bluelett erbible.org/kjv/2Cr/2Cr006.html#17 http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/2Cr/6/16.html In order to even vote in their system, you have to declare yourselves a citizen of their government, and worship their god. But Christians are not citizens of "the world", but of heaven: http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Eph/2/19.html ..... which has been in the process of coming down to earth for the last 2,000 years. He who is not with Jesus, and His plan for the world [ http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Mat/12/30.html ], scatters abroad. Mat 6:24 — No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Mat/6/24.html You are in New Egypt, folks. Deliverance is coming, but we have to decide if we are going to "come out" or stay in our chains, and meet the fate of all the little pharaohs. Which side of the "Holy War" are we going to be on?
I see Mike Gallagher is engaged. If the rambles of Herr Bush go over your head, brain damage should be considered.
By definition, evangelicals are suckers.
"Stiff-necked and thin-skinned is no way to go through life, son."
and enactment of HATE CRIMES laws.
It was a ten second free fall..that's what I saw, that's what you saw..that's what everybody saw...
And "public decency" laws.
"Stiff-necked and thin-skinned is no way to go through life, son."
I hope so Dee, I 2nd that.
describe "public decency" laws
It was a ten second free fall..that's what I saw, that's what you saw..that's what everybody saw...
Think Bloomberg's New York on a nationwide scale.
"Stiff-necked and thin-skinned is no way to go through life, son."
Destro is practicing his specialty - Gobbledygook! ;0)
“The tendency of democracies is, in all things, to mediocrity, since the tastes, knowledge, and principles of the majority form the tribunal of appeal.” James Fenimore Cooper
#2. To: Destro (#1)
(Edited)
#3. To: Destro (#1)
They have used Bush and the GOP as much as they could and Bush screwed up their agenda in Iraq and Iran so they are willing to let the Democrats come to power.
#4. To: BTP Holdings (#0)
Kuo now feels badly for allowing politicians to use Christians (and the issues they embrace) as they did. He said, "I feel like it was more spiritually wrong. You're taking the sacred and you're making it profane. You're taking Jesus and reducing him to some precinct captain, to some get-out-the-vote guy." Kuo added, "[T]he name of God is just being destroyed in the name of politics."
#5. To: BTP Holdings (#0)
"In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own."
Thomas Jefferson to Horatio G. Spafford, 1814. ME 14:119
#6. To: BTP Holdings, Burkeman1, rowdee, scrapper2, Uncle Bill (#0)
#7. To: Uncle Bill (#5)
#8. To: BTP Holdings (#0)
WERE EVANGELICALS PLAYED FOR SUCKERS?
#9. To: scrapper2, bluegrass (#3)
If we have a Dimwit President elected in 2008, there will be no restoration of anything but social welfare benefits for the Dimwit voter constituency.
#10. To: christine, scrapper2 (#9)
enactment of HATE CRIMES laws.
#11. To: rowdee (#4)
Better late than never, I guess.
#12. To: bluegrass (#10)
#13. To: christine (#12)
describe "public decency" laws
#14. To: scrapper2 (#3)
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