Christian Reconstructionism: Theocratic Dominionism Gains Influence

[Cannikin]

What is Reconstructionism?

Reconstructionism is a theology that arose out of conservative Presbyterianism (Reformed and Orthodox), which proposes that contemporary application of the laws of Old Testament Israel, or "Biblical Law," is the basis for reconstructing society toward the Kingdom of God on earth.

Reconstructionism argues that the Bible is to be the governing text for all areas of life--such as government, education, law, and the arts, not merely "social" or "moral" issues like pornography, homosexuality, and abortion. Reconstructionists have formulated a "Biblical world view" and "Biblical principles" by which to examine contemporary matters. Reconstructionist theologian David Chilton succinctly describes this view: "The Christian goal for the world is the universal development of Biblical theocratic republics, in which every area of life is redeemed and placed under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the rule of God's law."

Christian Historical Revisionism

Part of the Reconstructionist world view is a revisionist view of history called "Christian history," which holds that history is predestined from "creation" until the inevitable arrival of the Kingdom of God. Christian history is written by means of retroactively discerning "God's providence."

Most Reconstructionists, for example, argue that the United States is a "Christian Nation" and that they are the champions and heirs of the "original intentions of the Founding Fathers." This dual justification for their views, one religious, the other somehow constitutional, is the result of a form of historical revisionism that Rushdoony frankly calls "Christian revisionism."

http://www.publiceye.org/magazine/v08n1/chrisre1.html

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Loads of fun, they are

:eyes:

Would Jesus love a liberal? You bet!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/

[saltpoint]

2. Let's let the Christian Reconstructionists have --

-- Alabama and replace that state with the District of Columbia.

Let all the crazy-as-a-shithouse-rat fundamentalists whoop it up for Jesus in Alabama and allow the U.S. Constitution to hold sway in the remaining states.

[trotsky]

3. And their view is that all "undesirables" be executed.

Gays, atheists, adulterers (though I'm sure they'd find some sort of exception for themselves)... all must die for the glory of god.

But don't forget - it's Christians who are persecuted today because some businesses put up a sign saying "Happy Holidays".

[InvisibleBallots]

5. are gays, atheists, and adulteres being executed?

No? It's amazing - a handful of lunatics puts up a website and writes a few books, and people act like it's the Second Coming of Satan.

Dominionists are a joke, they are not taken seriously by 97% of the population, and they have ZERO - repeat, ZERO influence in Washington.

They are trotted out every few years to scare you, and it works great. GOP Culture Wars are the best thing that ever happened to them.

Anyone who really believes that the War in Iraq is about "bringing Jesus back" and not about oil and geopolitics is a simple and plain Sucker.

[trotsky]

6. That's not really the point now, is it?

You could very well say their attitude is quite common, especially with mainstream fundamentalists/evangelicals. Jimmy Swaggart's recent comments on what he would do if a gay man "looked" at him are a great example. He wasn't booed or shouted down in his church - they f'ing cheered for him.

This is a religious group that wants those things to happen. I am glad you are so confident they will never be taken seriously or have any real power, but I prefer not to take that chance. Their hatred and bigotry needs to be exposed constantly, and I don't care if you think that means the media is scaring us.

[InvisibleBallots]

7. I hate to tell you this

Anti-gay attitudes are common in every segment of society, including the non-religious. I've heard countless non-religious people basically say what Swaggart said.

You prefer not to take the chance? What are you going to do about it? Bitch about it on an internet forum? These people bigotries have been exposed for going on 30 years now. I say your strategy isn't working. Maybe time to try a new tactic?

[trotsky]

8. You have no f'ing clue what I do in my "real life"

so perhaps you had better keep your little snide comments to yourself.

[InvisibleBallots]

9. and for that I'm grateful

I refuse to keep my snide comments to myself, sorry. If you don't like it - don't read and don't respond.

[OneBlueSky]

4. there's another name for Christian Reconstructionists . . .

reactionary whackos . . .

[sixygirl]

10. it seems obvious to me...

that reconstructionists have WAAAY too much f'ing clout in this administration... and that they fully intended to jam their reconstructionist agenda down our throats - but over played their hand.

i'm guessing that this process wasn't as easy as they thought it would be. not because they weren't pushing! but because while they were pushing their religion, they forgot to do their REAL jobs. is ashcroft gone because he was tired? or frustrated? nyaaaah! he's gone because it became obvious that he had the wrong priorities for this country. (too busy covering the boobs on statues and fighting gay marriage rather than dealing with constitutional faux pas like guantanamo, for example.)

they were counting on the fact that the majority of average american citizens are too busy concentrating on living their own private lives to even THINK about such things - let alone notice how fundamentalist belief systems were surrupticiously eeking their way into legislation.