"The Family"

[realFedUp]

As a Christian, I don't want these people
replacing democracy with theocracy. These
fringe groups have been given way too much
financial support and legitimacy in our
corridors of government and laws and are
becoming not so fringe.

Go to the site to click on the links to
more information.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fellowship_Foundation

The Family (also known as The Fellowship or The Fellowship Foundation) is the name of an U.S. Christian organization based in Arlington, Virginia. The group, which has a membership that includes several prominent members of the United States Congress, is best known for its organization of the annual National Prayer Breakfast, at which the President of the United States usually makes an address.

History
The organization was founded in Seattle in 1935 by Abraham Vereide, a Norwegian immigrant and traveling preacher. It organized breakfast prayers among politic ans and businessmen, where the political agenda was anti-Communism and anti-union. By 1941, the organization had spread to Washington, DC. Throughout its existence, the group has operated under various subsidiary groups and titles, including the National Committee for Christian Leadership, International Christian Leadership, the National Leadership Council, the National Fellowship Council, and the International Foundation.

The organization, which strives to be "invisible", has been the subject of recent media attention as being overly secretive. The organization operates a group residence near the United States Capitol, where six Congressional representatives are living. Prayer groups have met in the Pentagon and at the Department of Defense. The headquarters is a building called the Cedars, donated in 1978 by, among others, Tom Phillips, CEO of arms manufacturer Raytheon, and Ken Olsen of Digital Equipment Corporation.

Current Congressional membership of the group is overwhelmingly from the Republican Party. Senators who have been cited as members of the organization include Don Nickles and James Inhofe of Oklahoma, Charles Grassley of Iowa, Pete Domenici of New Mexico, John Ensign of Nevada, Bill Nelson of Florida, Conrad Burns of Montana and Senator-elect (as of 2004) Jim DeMint of South Carolina. Congressmen who have been cited as members include Frank Wolf of Virginia, Joseph Pitts of Pennsylvania, Zach Wamp of Tennessee, and Bart Stupak of Michigan.

The organization has been active in anti-Communism globally, and has had ties to Brazilian dictator Marshal Artur da Costa e Silva, General Suharto of Indonesia, Salvadoran general Carlos Eugenios Vides Casanova, as well as Honduran general Gustavo Alvarez Martinez.

[meegbear]

1. The Family was also the name of Charles Manson's followers

QED.

[realFedUp]

2. oy

[classof56]

3. As a Christian, I couldn't agree with you more.

Would be nice if these people read the Bible, especially the part where Jesus tells his followers to go into all the world and preach the GOSPEL. Don't think he ever said a word about taking over governments and shoving their "beliefs" down peoples' throats, especially with guns and missiles and laws. From now on, I'm only seeking God's guidance and favor for myself and those I care about. Too late for "God bless America", IMHO. How ironic that so-called Christians brought me to that conclusion.

One of my favorite hymns used to be "They Will Know We are Christians By Our Love." Now when I sing it I can only think, Yeah, right!

Tired Old Cynic

[realFedUp]

4. We need strong Christian voices telling us what Jesus really said

God's values don't include killing,
stoning, hanging, burning, sexual
torture, injustice, lies, inhuman
treatment, greed, attacks on the
weak by the strong.