Michelle Goldberg on What is Christian nationalism? (about her new book)

She was on NPR's Fresh Air; there is another talk2action report about that.

Be sure to read the comments.

AND talk2action is a GREAT SITE to keep up with the religious right and the dominionists.

http://www.talk2action.org/story/2006/5/11/151212/239

What is Christian nationalism?
By Michelle Goldberg
Thu May 11, 2006 at 03:12:12 PM EST

I've just published a book called "Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism," and since it appeared, I've been asked several times what Christian nationalism is, and how it differs from Christian fundamentalism. It's an important concept to understand, because the threat to a pluralistic society does not come from those who simply believe in a very conservative interpretation of Christianity. It comes from those who adhere to a political ideology that posits a Christian right to rule.
topic: US gov., Wall of Separation section:Front Page


Christian nationalists believe in a revisionist history, which holds that the founders were devout Christians who never intended to create a secular republic; separation of church and state, according to this history, is a fraud perpetrated by God-hating subversives. One of the foremost Christian revisionist historians is David Barton, who , in addition to running an organization called Wallbuilders that disseminates Christian nationalist books, tracts and videos, is also the vice-chairman of the Texas Republican Party. The goal of Christian nationalist politics is the restoration of the imagined Christian nation. As George Grant, former executive director of D. James Kennedy's influential Coral Ridge Ministries, wrote in his book "The Changing of the Guard:"

"Christians have an obligation, a mandate, a commission, a holy responsibility to reclaim the land for Jesus Christ -- to have dominion in civil structures, just as in every other aspect of life and godliness.
But it is dominion we are after. Not just a voice.
It is dominion we are after. Not just influence.
It is dominion we are after. Not just equal time.
It is dominion we are after.
World conquest. That's what Christ has commissioned us to accomplish."

In the Christian nationalist vision of America, non-believers would be free to worship as they choose, as long as they know their place. ...

more....

Wanna bet a few are squirreled away in key IT positions in Diebold, Sequoia, etc?

I read the link and did some poking around. Most of us on DU have heard these terms before -- "dominionism" and "Christian nationalism." We try to wrap our brains around what these people must be THINKING. (Objection! The statement assumes facts not in evidence!)

Only thing that makes sense is these folks are SCARED. The world, in their view, is spinning out of control. Dubya is a perfect metaphor for this -- substance abuse was overmastering him, he got on the wagon, he found Jaysus, now he has to control EVERYTHING around him, out of a paralytic fear this will SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AGAIN.

I'd be curious if there are any DU'ers around with a psychology/psychiatry background (of which I have no exposure beyond Psych 1 in college), who can explain what happens when these fears become so widely held, they almost become a kind of group mind.

Maybe I can answer my own question. Nazi Germany, Fascist Spain and Italy, Romania under Ceaucescu, pre-WW2 Imperial Japan.

Great. Just great.

Excellent site with tons of info: http://theocracywatch.org/

Another source is http://www.yuricareport.com

http://www.yuricareport.com/Dominionism/TheDespoilingOfAmerica.htm

Ample evidence exists to support the claim Bush and all the senior republicans in the House and Senate and Dominionists.