The Wandering Heretic

One would not have to be a reader of this blog for long to realize that I am not a Fundamentalist. Nor do my views on heaven and hell find much in common with Evangelicals. Though at times, my economics may fall into sway with the Christian Right, on other issues they would have very little to do with me. Not even the more general descriptions of Protestant or Catholic would find me fully at home in their environs. I am, in short, a heretic who wanders among the categories.

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that, while doing the research for my review of Jeff Sharlet’s book on The Family that I found much to repel me about that organization. At the same time, I did find some points of agreement. Like the proverbial broken clock, even the Family may be right at least “twice a day.” According to Sharlet:

[The Family] is a lot more militaristic. Really at its fundamental core, almost monarchist. We would be told time and time again, “Christ’s kingdom is not a democracy.” (ALT)

In this assertion, I have to agree: Christianity, rightly understood, is monarchical in nature. Christ proclaimed the Kingdom of God. A Kingdom as such is not a democracy. It is the King that declares the law and enforces the law. It is the king that rules his realm. For Christ, God’s Kingdom was at hand; that meant God was soon to rule his Land and ultimately the entire Earth.

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This is the last part of my review of Jeff Sharlet’s, “The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power.” In the process of my review, I have contended that the subtitle is extremely misleading. As the terms are commonly defined, the organization (if it can be called that) headed by Doug Coe—pictured above—is not really “secret” nor is it a part of Christian Fundamentalism. I also question whether it can properly be connected with those the public regards as part of the “Christian Right.” I think in many ways, the Foundation/Family needs to be defined in another way.

The ironic part (yes, Jeff—I know the meaning of the word) of my assertion is that once the Family is properly categorized, I think Jeff’s book becomes more controversial not less so. In many ways, by trying to connect “the Family” to these other groups, it deminishes the effect the book should engender. The impact would be larger if the Family was placed into its own category entirely. But I anticipate my conclusions.

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(Note: See my previous post for explanations of what the initials mean next to my references or quotes. Also see those previous posts for Sharlet’s assertions about the Family, as a Christian political group. This is, after all, the fourth is a series. To catch up, first read part one, then two, then three.)

Though Sharlet’s book, The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power identifies (wrongly, I think) the Family as a Fundamentalist sect that has infiltrated Washington Politics, use of his material is also pointed at “the Christian Right.” This identification is not made as consistently by Sharlet (who is a nuanced and careful writer) as it is by those who endorse and review his books. I gave some examples of this “guilt by association” in my first post. As another, here is a review as posted on Amazon:

The Family is the best book available on the Christian right precisely because it unpacks the ways in which the people often described as such are neither Christian nor right. I don’t mean that in the bumper sticker sense - I don’t buy (and Sharlet does not suggest) that this elite group of religiously motivated power players are not real Christians because of their political interests (even if the group itself sometimes prefers not to use the word). Rather, he makes the case that such easy categorization does not do justice to, or sufficiently warn against, their actual influence and reach.

Yet the connection between what is normally perceived as “the Christian Right” has little to do with the group Sharlet describes in his book. Like his assertion that the Family is another kind of fundamentalism, Sharlet asserts that it is also another kind of Christian Right. He gives some examples of crucial differences between the Family and what he calls the “regular Christian Right.”

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Transitions

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This is the third installment of my detailed review of Jeff Sharlet’s expose entitled The Family. Much of my dispute with the book involves the hype that is attached to the subtitle: “The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power.” My first installment laid the groundwork in noting how the endorsements and publisher comments expanded the target of Sharlet’s book beyond the group he was investigating. The second drew some issues with the use of the first part of the subtitle “secret.” This installment questions the use of the word “Fundamentalism.”

In the course of these reviews, I have made use not only of Sharlet’s book, but interviews has done on the project that are readily available on the internet. In order to help identify my sources, I will reference the quotes as follows: LLS for Sharlet’s interview on the Leonard Lopate Show on June 3rd, 2008; ALT for the alternet.org interview; HARP1 for his original article printed in Harpers entitled Jesus Plus Nothing; HARP2 will refer to the follow up interview in 2008; FDL for the Fire Dog Lake interview.

The reason I hit on Sharlet’s book is that on such incendiary topics as the Religion/Politics connection, terms must be exact. If not, the whole book—against Sharlet’s wishes I am certain—will be used to tar and feather people that have nothing to do with its premise. Case in point, note one of the comments listed in response to an article on Sharlet’s book here:

Thank you for posting this. Dangerous people like these fundies need more light cast on them, and more people paying attention to what they’re really about.

Other commenters note how this book exposes “the Christian Right.” The dislike American currently has for Fundamentalists, Evangelicals, the Christian Right, etc. is being fed by Sharlet’s book and the hype attached to it. It becomes guilt by association or category.

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I already mentioned my Daughter graduated from High School as a homeschooled child. Here is the video the class of 11 seniors put together that was shown at the ceremony. I know this has been done in other venues, but they still put in some nice touches. I know it is my daughter, so I am prejudiced, but it still brings tears to my eyes when I watch it.

It was performed to the tune of “Who Am I” by Casting Crowns and performed at Crossroads Christian Church. I thank all who were involved.

Jeff Sharlet has written an expose of the Family. The organization, currently headed up by Doug Coe, is touted in Sharlet’s book as a secret, semi-underground society that directs American politics both domestically and in international relations. In reading the book blurbs as well as the endorsements, one is left with the impression that the Family is some sort of nefarious secret group working their purposes like Dan Brown’s presentation of Opus Dei in The Da Vinci Code. You almost expect a hooded albino monk assassin to be Sharlet’s point of contact with the organization.

Sharlet’s work is that of a supposed insider to the organization. How did he penetrate the inner reaches of their headquarters, so ominously named “Ivanwald?” (which is sometimes in New York City and at other times in Arlington, Virginia)? So if this secret group is so secret, then certainly Sharlet had to work undercover in order to gain access to this damning information. One brings to mind James Bond antics including false identities, trench coats, and the picking of locks in order to gain access to the archives of dastardly documents and plans. At least one would anticipate covert meetings with informants in vacant parking garages.

Nope. Nothing like that at all.

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When The Da Vinci Code fervor was at full crest a year or two ago, it made some inroads into the Protestant Churches. The reason may have been because the majority of Dan Brown’s targets were contained within the Roman Catholic Church—also a favorite target of fundamentalists.

Now it is the Fundamentalists’ turn. What Dan Brown did with (or to) Opus Dei, Jeff Sharlet may accomplish with (or to) the Fundamentalists/Evangelicals. The odd part is that, unlike The Da Vinci Code, it may be the marketing rather than the content of Sharlet’s “expose” that does the most damage. (Sharlet himself in interviews appears to be a very nuanced and careful writer.)

Sharlet’s book in question is The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power. The subject of the book is not the obscure sect, The Family, formerly known as the Children of God. Nor is it the more politically involved organization of James Dobson, Focus on the Family. Instead, the target is a group in Washington most known for initiating the Prayer Breakfasts attended by presidents and congressmen alike. The publisher’s description adds a sinister note to the activities of “the Family” (also known as the Foundation):

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The last of the Dee Dee Dance Studio Panels

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And don’t think I am protected since I don’t live in Canada. After all, Mark Stein is living in America and he was charged via the Canadian Human Rights Commission with publishing “hate speech” in a Canadian magazine. Also, many Canadians are being charged even if Americans post supposedly “hate filled” comments on their websites hosted on Canadian servers. Should the CHRC have their way, soon there will be a blockage of “unapproved” websites in Canada.

That’s “Canada” not “China.” It gets confusing, I know. And now the similarity is becoming even more marked than the fact that both countries begin with the letter “C.” This post may even get my name on a list someday when I cross the border on vacation or for business. I am exaggerating, but if things continue at their present pace in Canada, maybe not so much.

So, I join in with such worthies as Ezra Levant and Kathie Shaidle in their call to reprint Rev. Steven Boissoin’s “hate crime” letter to the Red Deer Advocate. This is not to say I agree with all or even the majority of what Boissoin has written. I do, however, protect my rights of free speech and press by allowing him the freedom to say or write what his conscience dictates.

The following is not intended for those who are suffering from an unwanted sexual identity crisis. For you, I have understanding, care, compassion and tolerance. I sympathize with you and offer you my love and fellowship. I prayerfully beseech you to seek help, and I assure you that your present enslavement to homosexuality can be remedied. Many outspoken, former homosexuals are free today.

Instead, this is aimed precisely at every individual that in any way supports the homosexual machine that has been mercilessly gaining ground in our society since the 1960s. I cannot pity you any longer and remain inactive. You have caused far too much damage.

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