The Rise of the Christian Fascists

The Rise of the Christian Fascists: The Spector of a U.S. Theocracy and Why the People Must Stop It

by Larry Everest

full article here:
http://rwor.org/a/1263/rise-of-christian-fascists.htm

(snip)
"Now Comes the Revolution"

Bush’s re-election signals a leap in the power of the Christian fascist forces within government and society. They’re emboldened and on a roll. And they feel they have a window of opportunity, with their man in the White House, to make big advances in consolidating their hold on power and society. Christian right guru Richard Viguerie declared while watching the election returns, "Now comes the revolution. If you don’t implement a conservative agenda now, when do you?"

This arrogance is mixed with a concern and a perceived need to move quickly and forcefully, bullying and bludgeoning their way, including in relation to other sections of the bourgeoisie. The leadership of the religious right is very much aware that hatred of Bush and their agenda is massive and deep. The U.S. is in the midst of an unbounded global war of empire—and Iraq, while not yet a total disaster for the U.S., has the potential for becoming one.

Bush’s supporters—who have never politely accepted their opponents’ electoral victories—now basically tell anyone who questions any of Bush’s policies: "Shut up, the election is over, we have a mandate to do whatever we want." One of their first targets after the elections was Republican Senator Arlen Specter, who had to make humiliating pledges of total support for Bush before he was allowed to take his position as chair of the important Judiciary Committee. New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd characterized the prevailing political mood as having the "feel of a vengeful mob— revved up by rectitude—running around with torches and hatchets after heathens and pagans and infidels."

Here are some telling snapshots of a few things that have taken place just since the election:

Without hearings or debate, the Republicans grafted an "Abortion Non-Discrimination Act" onto the budget bill, which, according to the Los Angeles Times (11/28/04), "legalizes discrimination, allowing any physician, hospital or health insurer to refuse to perform or pay for abortions and even to tell pregnant women that the option exists."

In early December, the Bush administration filed a brief in a case concerning two Kentucky counties, urging the Supreme Court to permit Ten Commandments displays in courthouses, stating that religion "has played a defining role’’ in U.S. history.

The New York Times (12/13/04) reports that "conservative Christian advocates across the country are pushing ahead state and local initiatives on thorny issues, including same-sex marriage, public education and abortion."

On the local level, one right-winger in Ohio talks of "building an army" of Christian cadres and running school boards, town councils and county prosecutors’ offices within several years. ( NYT, 11/26/04)

In his December 12 column, the New York Times’ Frank Rich cites numerous instances of the Christian right openly intimidating any opposition or criticism in the media—and the media going right along, including a New York public TV station killing an ad for the movie Kinsey , a North Carolina public radio station telling an international women’s rights organization they couldn’t use the phrase "reproductive rights" on air, and the major TV networks refusing to broadcast a paid ad "in which the United Church of Christ heralded the openness of its 6,000 congregations to gay couples."

Lunacy with an Imperialist Logic

Some people simply can’t believe the idea that the powers-that-be in an advanced capitalist country in the 21st century would actually impose a biblical-literalist, Christian fascist theocracy. It seems like lunacy, not politics. It is lunacy, but it’s lunacy with an underlying capitalist-imperialist logic.

Deep forces, emerging from the compulsions of global capitalism and empire, are driving this Christian fascist agenda—in particular the profound changes in U.S. society and the world, especially after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Bob Avakian analyzes this in depth in "The Truth About Right-Wing Conspiracy..." He shows how the logic of world domination and global capitalism demands ongoing war abroad and wrenching changes in this country. In these unprecedented circumstances, powerful forces in the U.S. ruling class feel that only an extreme version of Christianity can be the ideological and political glue that holds the fractious and diverse USA together. As Avakian writes:

"n the present period and the present ‘global environment,’ the requirements of the capitalist economic and social system not only demand that the lords of capital be able to carry out their supreme commandment, ‘let us prey,’ in a more unrestrained and more ‘mobile’ way, on a world scale. They also demand, within American society itself, a slashing of major social programs and a heightening of the repressive powers of government, along with the fostering of a repressive social atmosphere. They demand what the organization Refuse and Resist! has called the politics of cruelty, or the politics of poverty, punishment, and patriarchy."

Avakian argues that these developments, together with the sweeping social, cultural, and demographic changes that have taken place in the U.S. over the past decades, have caused a great deal of turmoil and upheaval while eroding the basis for the traditional patriarchal family and "traditional family values."

There has been much struggle within the imperial establishment over how to respond to these transformations and contradictions (struggle which continues). Over time a force has emerged that insists that the old legitimizing norms and ideological glue—including different variants of pluralism (such as "multi-culturalism")—was too loose, too inclusive, too expansive, and too hopeful. Instead, Avakian explains, those who have gained dominance among the U.S. rulers are those "political leaders and forces who insist that ‘traditional morality,’ as embodied in the patriarchal family as well as ‘right or wrong’ patriotism—and rationalized in terms of fundamentalist Christianity—must be the basis for maintaining the cohesion and solidity of American capitalist society and the dominant position of imperial America in the world arena. In the vision these people profess, contemporary America —not just the government but the society as a whole—is in cultural and moral decline. More, it is in danger of disintegration and destruction."

What better ideology for a time of unbounded war, demanding enormous carnage and demanding unthinking, cold-blood killers and heavy sacrifices, than Christian fundamentalism, which celebrates vengeance, cruelty, punishment, and mass murder, and demands unquestioning, unthinking obedience? As New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof has pointed out (11/24/04), the Christian fundamentalist "Left Behind" book series "enthusiastically depicts Jesus returning to slaughter everyone who is not a born-again Christian." And in this period of lean, mean global capitalism and financial turmoil that demands slashing wages, benefits, job stability and social services, what better justification than Christian fundamentalism, which locates the source of suffering not in capitalist exploitation and oppression, but in sin and abandoning traditional values?
(snip)

[BrklynLiberal]

1. As we are being marched into the ovens, there will still be some crying

"It can't happen here!!!"

[indepat]

10. Hopefully those crying will never will snivel

[nashville_brook]

2. so here's what you do...

one small wedge...

get help in the Contemporary Christian Music scene to help neutralize the "blood cult" aspect of the fundie movement. get some christian artists together to do a CD tribute to peace.

not every christian is bloodthirsty. using the language of the new testament, and there's a lot in there about peace and love. we can re-frame this from christian v non-christian to pro-peace v. pro-war.

4. Of course...

Not all Christians are of this fascist type. But those that aren't need to do alot more than cut an album promoting peace.

It reminds me of Pastor Niemoller's quote: "First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—
because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me—
and there was no one left to speak out for me."

[Malva Zebrina]

3. the people won't stop it

it is up to the leaders of Christianity to stop it.

and so far, they have uttered nary a word.

I have watched this political takeover by the religious extremeists or the religious right for at least ten years.

Nary a word.

While they came in with cult like activity, bracelets, slogans, in your face proselytizing whehter it offends or not, and all the huge crystal cathedrals that lured in those wanting to be a part of the very rich cult,because they had restaurants, gymnasiums and all sorts of Disney like attractions and a HUGE congregation that was the "in" thing, the mainstream "old" religions could not keep up with all that glitter and gold and lost their flock to this display of materialism and "capitalism", within the religion.

It is now trendy to belong to one of those huge cathedrals. All those who belong are the true believers. All those who do not are doomed.

That is the attraction of these capitalist reformers of the old time religion.

Somehow,over the years, religion lost it's grip on the spiritual and even surrendered to the seemingly more powerful huge churches, as more and more of their flock congregated in these huge crystal cathedrals because it was the trendy thing to do to join this cult and it stroked their sense of belonging to the upper crust within Christianity.

There is no more humbleness that is admired by a believer. There is only self satisfaction in thinking one belongs to the "in" thing.

Now, many of those old timers, have their hands out for faith based charity welfare because they cannot get out of the red.

we are now expected to give our money to any faith that Bush deems is worthy--such as Pat Robertson's charities as he signs away the money all by himself, without the consent of anyone.

The people have been swayed by glitter, by fame of it's publicity seeking, brash and theatrical leaders, and by Christian urban legends that make the rounds,absurd as they are, yet so provacative to the teevee soap opera, ingrained brain of the follower, who loves it because it is so cute,

and it is getting quite absurd.

5. I think we can do something about this

We don't have to wait for religious leaders to move on this. Besides they already are in some areas: a sermon by Rev. Rich Lang of Seattle's Trinity United Methodist Church . . . requires Adobe Acrobat reader . . . http://216.197.101.64/trinity/pictures/GB%20andtheriseofchristianfascismrejune04.pdf

[DBoon]

12. The mass spectacle is the aesthetic of fascism

Submerging the individual will into an obedient yet dynamic mass.

http://www.twscholl.net/ASTR/Docs/ASTR%20Gaborik.pdf

On April 28, 1933, Benito Mussolini called for the establishment of an original Italian theatre of the masses for masses. In Rome, he appealed to the Italian Society of Authors and Editors (SIAE): We must prepare a theatre of masses, a theatre able to accommodate 15,000 or 20,000 people (Cavallo 16). His call came amidst despair that Italian theatre was in a state of crisis; the theatre of the masses would be a cure. But Mussolini's concern for an art form feared to be dying was not what inspired his call; rather, it was his belief that the theatre was an ideal means for cultivating a nationalist, Fascist spirit among the Italian people. The mass theatre, heaving off the dead weight of French and bourgeois tradition, would forge a unified Italian citizenry poised to soar to historic heights. The new Italian masses would stand behind the government as it reached the pinnacle of all achievements, artistic, economic, political, and imperial.

[Been Fishing]

14. Why should "leaders of Christianity" stop it?

It is big business. Makes tons of money. Consoles the masses. Keeps people from thinking for themselves.

[txaslftist]

23. What do we call this enterprise?

The Christo-industrial-complex?

The Great Religio-Conspiracy?

There has to be something catchy

[OneBlueSky]

6. "George Bush and the Rise of Christian Fascism" . . .

a sermon by Rev. Rich Lang of Seattle's Trinity United Methodist Church . . . required Adobe Acrobat Reader . . .

http://216.197.101.64/trinity/pictures/GB%20andtheriseofchristianfascismrejune04.pdf

7. oops

i already posted that link

[OneBlueSky]

9. oops, indeed . . .

didn't notice it . . . my apologies . . . :shrug:

[Dirk39]

8. Hello from Europe!

The funny thing is:
All over Europe we're facing the same kind of strategy.

"They also demand, within American society itself, a slashing of major social programs and a heightening of the repressive powers of government, along with the fostering of a repressive social atmosphere. They demand what the organization Refuse and Resist! has called the politics of cruelty, or the politics of poverty, punishment, and patriarchy."

We're not sitting here, watching what's happening in the U.S.A.: the same thing is happening here, often supported by socialdemocratic, green or labour-parties. There isn't any difference anymore between the former left parties and the right-wing parties - they are the same, they are doing the same as soon as they are part of the government. There isn't any kind of government anymore: The corporatist leaders say what they want. And the so-called parties, no matter if they are democrats or republicans or greens or socialdemocrats are doing the only thing that's left to do: selling the corporate agenda to the masses.
But the Republicans are far superior in selling irrational stupid shit to the masses as if it would be their very own interest.

Thatchers' dream has become reality: There Is No Alternative. But the former "left" parties, who were part of the labour movement long ago, like Blairs' Labour Party and Schröders' SPD, have nothing to offer to justify what they are doing. Even their supporters from the middle-class are simply to educated to fall into the trap of nationalism, patriotism and puritanism. But just as the DLC and Clinton-Democrats in the USA, they don't have to offer any kind of alternative to the neoliberal and neoclassical "Economy". And they fail miserably in justifying that nonsense. (We have to. We have to. We have to compete with China.)

And as long as they don't have any alternative to offer, we really face the danger of of a worldwide fashism. It might not be called fashism, it will be different from the kind of fashism, we have experienced in Europe, but there will be much more victims. There are already much more victims.

The Conservatives in Europe try to learn their lesson from Bush: when major social programs are slashed and there is no rational reason to feel being part of the society, you live in, and the irrational but working poison of the fivties, sixties and seventies: the religion and tranquilizer of "consumerism" simply can't be offered anymore:

Then you need cheaper irrational forces: "putty". Patriotism, Nationalism, Religion. After Bush did win in the U.S.A. again and the Social Democrats and Greens seemed to have lost more support than ever before in the post-war history of Germany, the Conservatives, after their leader did visit the USA, started a "Patriotism" campaign here in Germany.
And the Democrats in the USA are in a trap just like the left parties in Europe: when Bush is talking nonsense about patriotism, good and evil etc. ppp., he might reach the stupid masses. But if someone like Kerry jumps on Bush's train and is endlessly talking nonsense about patriotism and duty and America AMERIKA, Ameriiika, it's ridiculous! It just doesn't sound right (BTW I couldn't praise Kerry more than to say that his patriotism is ridiculous; you can't be an idiot like Bush without being an idiot like Bush. And Kerry failed in being an idiot.
You cannot claim to be a hunter, you cannot "report for duty" and then start to be a real politician and an educated civilized human being with a brain. It doesn't work.

The alternative to the irrationalism and religion and propaganda of the conservatives and right-wingers can't be a mixture of a little bit rationalism, a little bit social security and a little bit domesticated patriotism. But as long as the Democrats don't break with corporate interests and lobbyism or the leftists and democrats don't break with the democratic party, even the people who are to manipulated to understand anything at all, will smell the bigotry and the cynicism. It's the genius of people like Bush to believe their own lies. They don't even know what lying means.
Clinton could still escape into being a kind of "pop-star". But I guess this only did work, because the economy during the Clinton-years had become a kind of pop-empire too. It's not working anymore.

To those of you, who are really interested in this issue - the relationship between the life-hating aspects of the christian religion and puritanism and the so-called "rationality" of capitalism, I could only recommend to read Max Weber again. His study: "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism" from 1905.

I can't express my thoughts in english, but I tried.

Dirk

[patdem]

13. Dirk, you expressed yourself very eloquently!

And I agree, that Kerry trying to be 'stupid bush**' and intelligent politician and statesman was not a good idea. One politician..and I have searched goggle to find out which one said it and kick myself for not saving it once said:

A woman in the audience proclaimed, Sir, you have all thinking people voting for you. To which (?)the candidate answered. "Yes madam that is wonderful, but in order to win I must not only have the thinking people, but a plurality"' (of course that is not the exact quote)

[centerzu]

15. Thanks for writing - A relevant thread in the search for strategy:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x93506

It links to Jim Macgregor's excellent synthesis article Neo-fascism in America. I'm not sure christianity has much to do with it except provide a semi-organized chorus to sing praises to those leading the corporatist forced march.

The Cherokee Indians sang songs on the Trail of Tears - but they knew they were being enslaved.

Your thoughts were very well expressed.

Peace

[Carl Brennan]

11. The first goddamn thing to do is.......

QUIT CALLING IT A RE-ELECTION.

The sleaze bag was never elected for his first term and his second one is being called into question big time.

:eyes:

[reprehensor]

16. Fascism and America Today

Fascism and America Today

by Aldo Vidali
Monday, March 12, 2001

I was raised in fascist Italy until age 17 and will never forget the ugliness of totalitarian control over people's lives. After two years in Brazil, I came to America in 1949 and wept when I saw the Statue of Liberty.

Today, in horror, I see all the unmistakable signs of a new wave of fascism, cleverly concealed behind pseudo-patriotic, Christian rhetoric.

To believe that the separation of powers will always protect the American people from tyranny or to deny the very possibility of fascism coming to power in the United States amounts politically to one and the same thing. By ignoring the covert nature of fascism, the will to fight against it is inevitably undermined.

Fascism came to power first in Italy in 1922 and soon Hitler, in great admiration of Mussolini, established Nazism in Germany. The Republican Florida coup used methods remarkably similar to both, including the corruption of the highest authorities in our nation.

America is now threatened by colossal multinational corporations. The new Republicans, having been bribed with an ocean of money, are at the service of these supranational powers and promote the deceitful view of their masters: that the federal Government is tyrannical and counter to the goals and ideals of "freedom-loving people." The new "compassionate-conservatives," i.e., the extreme right wing Republicans, promote greater state autonomy and fewer federal laws. They want us to forget that WE THE PEOPLE established a Constitution to protect our lives from foreign and internal enemies.

Behind Republican anti-federalism -- so staunchly upheld by George W -- is a shrewd "divide and conquer" ploy that would allow giant corporations to control the much weaker power of any single state. Naive as the plot may be, it has taken in millions of credulous middle class Republican voters. Promises of trillion dollar tax cuts and the rantings of the pseudo-Christian Coalition have exerted enough influence to cause many to vote for a return to the disaster of a Republican economy where only the rich prosper.

more@link

[Karenina]

17. Kick!

:kick:

[Poppyseedman]

18. Stopped me cold

when I got to this part.

The RCP (Revolutionary Communist Party) statement points out, "Bush and his people aren’t just ordinary Republicans. And they’re not ordinary Christians either." They’re biblical literalists—for them, every word of the Bible is god’s truth and the highest authority, trumping law, treaty, reason, logic, and history.

I'm sure many here would disagree with me, but this is pure unadulterated nonsense.

I certainly realize there is an element of the christian right that would endorse a Christian based theocracy.

Bush is many things I despise, but being a biblical literalists isn't one of them. Even if he was, how would they deal with the separation of powers provisions of our constitution?

Even if the executive branch went completely Dominion, there are still the Judaical and Legislative branch of the government, the balancing constitutional authority to keep them in check. Plus the people of this country are simply not going to allow a Dominion based executive branch to happen. Bush would be impeached.

The stuff that is swallowed hook, line and sinker is amazing sometimes.

[AG78]

19. Have you

"Even if the executive branch went completely Dominion, there are still the Judaical and Legislative branch of the government, the balancing constitutional authority to keep them in check. Plus the people of this country are simply not going to allow a Dominion based executive branch to happen. Bush would be impeached."

seen the judicial and legislative branches lately?

And the people of this country won't allow a Dominion based executive branch to happen? Well one of two things happened on November 2nd. Either they voted to let a corporate/religious executive branch back into the White House, or they no longer have control of who ends up in the White House.

[Poppyseedman]

20. judicial and legislative branches

The people of this country did not vote for a Dominion based executive branch. A corporate/religious executive branch did get back into the White House.

Let's not confuse the two. We are a long way off to a Dominion executive branch with many huge constitutional stumbling blocks.

The federal legislative is very heavy populated with conservatives, but you assume all conservatives hold to the extreme christian right views, the majority don't, not even close. It's a small number.

A religious President doesn't mean that a Dominion type of Executive branch will happen. Bush is very plain about his faith. It's actually the only thing I like about the guy. Anybody who is willing to stick his religious convictions out in the public forum for all to examine must either be an idiot or actually have those conviction and willing to live up to them. I still am trying to figure out which is true!!!

The USA of today is not Germany of the 30's in so many ways it would be hard to count. The people of this country are not stupid, they may not pay attention as well as we democrats would like, but moving into a theocratic / fascist state is simply not going to happen.

We have checks and balances to ensure it doesn't

[AG78]

22. I didn't say everyone

"The federal legislative is very heavy populated with conservatives, but you assume all conservatives hold to the extreme christian right views, the majority don't, not even close. It's a small number."

I know all the conservatives in government aren't of the extreme christian right. But even if it's a small number, they're quite powerful.

DeLay
Frist
McConnell
Allen
Santorum
Kyl
Inhoff
Sessions

I'm sure there are a few more. There have to more in the House. DeLay can't be the only one. Although he alone is by far more than anyone needs.

"The people of this country did not vote for a Dominion based executive branch. A corporate/religious executive branch did get back into the White House."

Oh, that makes me feel better then. Since we can't confuse the two, at least they're only pushing the envelope that far. Just like corporations have only been able to own 25% of media outlets in a given city, but now are able to own close to 40%. It has to stop there. I mean, it can't keep going up, can it?

"but moving into a theocratic / fascist state is simply not going to happen."

How do you know that? Because of checks and balances? What are they, directed by God? They can be broken. The Constitution is just a piece of paper. It doesn't guarantee anything. Slavery didn't go away in this country because of a piece of paper. Women didn't have rights because of a piece of paper. Blacks didn't have rights because of a piece of paper. It's a constant fight. And if people don't pay attention, how will they know when to fight? How will they know who to fight?

Corporations practically write legislation. Our representatives are doing all they can to bankrupt the country, making it easier for corporate power to fill the vaccuum. The merging of corporate and state power is fascism, as defined by Mussolini, and he should know.

Theocracy might take a little bit more time, but we're no longer knocking on the door of fascism, we're in the door frame.

I wish I had your faith in checks and balances. Power always wants more power. Power keeps telling us to shop and buy their products, and all the while they keep taking more and more power, in small increments. A little bit here, a little bit there. People don't notice it. They're not really paying attention. Busy with their own lives, trying to make sure their kids are fed and in school. A little bit more power here, and a little bit more power there. They notice that it now takes more work to earn the same money they used to take home. It now takes both parents working, in most cases, to earn what one parent used to earn. Some more legislation here, another bill in favor of corporate power there. Nobody really notices. The same shows are on TV. The same products are in stores. Giant agri-businesses now have more power over your food, they may inject it with who knows what, but it kind of tastes the same.

A little more power here, a little bit more power there. And then one day...

[Bridget Burke]

24. So--the people of this country DID NOT VOTE for a lot of things...

...that are being shoved down our throats. Please learn more about the Dominionists. Yes, we have Fundamentalist Christians, Evangelical Christiand & "conservative" Christians. The Dominionist/Christian Reconstructionist movement is several steps beyond all those groups--but the movement is glad to use them.

www.yuricareport.com/Dominionism/TheDespoilingOfAmerica.htm

Bush's faith is anything but plain. His first conversion came about the time the Texas Republican Party was taken over by the extremists "Christians"--quotation marks to distinguish them from the real Christians. And he's ridden his "religion" to success.

[LARED]

21. It's pretty unbelievable

A communist bashing and misrepresenting Christianity. Who would'a thunk something like that could happen?

27. I don't think it is bashing christianity itself

These communists are people that worked very closely with the sanctuary movement in the 80's. Of course christians were a big force in that and they worked with communists. Moreover this article is not talking about ALL christians, but a specific section of christians and their beliefs, which are fascistic. Sorry you had the impression that it was directed at all christians.

Is there some way it could have made the distinction between fundamentalists and other christians clearer?

[orpupilofnature57]

25. Not on my watch, i would rather argue gods existence with DUer's

Than agree with repukers on the spelling.

28. I don't understand...

your comment

[BadGimp]

26. The most important take away (imho)..

.. is the fact that the real power brokers will use the Christo Facists as cover.

Look at the way the GOP use the religious right today.

They lead with values and govern with greed, avarice and brutal repression of their enemies.

It's such a simple and familiar strategy. Think NAZI Germany pre WWII.

[indepat]

29. Perhaps the most loathsome of all fascists are "Christian" fascists, IMHO

31. I kinda think that a Fascist is a Fascist...

Although that is very simplistic. Obviously there are different strains, but they all seek to do the same thing, lock down social relations to the advantage of the ruling class in the most extreme and violent way, in accordance with what they see as necessary.

[teryang]

30. Christian obscurantism is the moral decline

Any study of western history and the barbarism associated with it clearly documents this truism.

The need to justify authoritarianism and conquest requires intolerance, oppression, and ignorance.