Other denominations should realize we are in a religious war, but it has less to do with "cultural" values than it does control. The fundamentalist conservatives are attempting to control policy with the eventual goal of making "born again" the predominant religious philosophy in the United States. The more traditional protestant religions must realize the danger they and the rest of America will confront from these zealots.

The Dick Cheney wing of the Republican party is not going to let a bunch of 16th century religious wingnutery get in the way of establishing a 16th century feudal empire. If we're lucky perhaps the battle for power and control will save us from both.

The Dick Cheney wing of the Republican party is not going to let a bunch of 16th century religious wingnutery get in the way of establishing a 16th century feudal empire. If we're lucky perhaps the battle for power and control will save us from both.

Ron, excellent way to frame the issue, and sadly accurate.
I personally like the idea (I think I heard it from TPM) of calling the leaders of the Conservative Religious Right...Radical Clerics.

Radical Cleric Dobson.

emal
Yes it was Josh Marshall. Dobson is not a cleric however.

Dobson has been a power since at least 1994. But he's very difficult to please, and pushes hard for his agenda. He's going to make it tough for Bush in the second term.

What I can't believe is that people (except it seems Evangelicals)don't know who Dr. James Dobson is. Focus on the Family is huge and is on some stations twice a day. Dobson has a PhD in child psychology is the son of a pastor.

I like the idea of calling these people what they are: radical fundamentalists, mirror images of Bin Laden and his bunch.

God or Allah, take your pick.

I also like the idea of mainstream denominations beginning to speak up against these extremists. We need moderate Muslims to speak out, as well as moderate Protestants. But moderates tend not to take action, which leaves the field open for Bin Laden/Dobson/Cheny/Bush.

What I can't believe is that people (except it seems Evangelicals) don't know who Dr. James Dobson is.

That's because my favorite radio station, KOFF, doesn't broadcast his shows - or anyone else's from the wrong-wing. But then, K-OFF doesn't broadcast - anything.

Ah! The peace and quiet!

Patriot, I could not agree more with the premise that main stream denominations need to speak out. They are in jeapordy if they do not speak out. I did a search before the election to see what the mainstream churchs were saying about Bush, and believe me many pastors were not supporting him. In fact, more often than not, they were warning their congregations to not be deceived by Bush. They also reminded people that it is not what someone says that we judge them, but by what they do.

HolyBears, Inc. is a manufacturer and wholesaler of inspirational plush products, including the signature "HolyBears" teddy bear line with over 200 styles, including officially licensed Military Bears.
------
one way to spend an evening, i guess, is to fall into these wormholes...what a website!

Look, mainstream religious leaders have been speaking up against religious extremism for a long time. But as long as the media turns a mostly deaf ear to them, it makes no difference. If you want to make a difference, you need to be writing to the media and demanding to know why more Gospel-based religious people aren't being interviewed more often on television and radio and in the newspapers. We should be hearing from the pastors of more normal congregations like the Riverside Church instead of the celebrity crackpots.