News Tidbits

Rockville Patch: Anti-Abortion Demonstrators Greet Frost Students

XFM 95.1: Christians hold anti-gay demo in Ghana

The Advocate: Ad in El Paso Times: Gays Are Putrid

American Independent: Maryland anti-marriage-equality advocates continue with claim marriage is not a civil right

Commentary Tidbits

SPLC Hatewatch: Anti-Muslim Groups Plan Events for 10th Anniversary of 9/11

The Wall of Separation: Making Creationism Extinct: New Film Explores Dangers Of Anti-Evolutionism

Allentown Morning Call: Santorum: I 'absolutely' can win

Canyonwalker Connections: God Does Have a Better Way; Don't Stand in the Path of it

Infidel753: On Not Having A Choice

Huffington Post: Can Teachers Criticize Creationism in Class?

RH Reality Check: Tea Party Family Values and the World's Greatest Freak Show

Religion Dispatches: Dominion Theology, Christian Reconstructionism, and the New Apostolic Reformation

Making a Difference: OneFamilyOneVoice

For some time, the human rights community and progressive blogosphere have drawn attention to the proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda. Crafted by Ugandan MP David Bahati and introduced to parliament in 2009, the bill proposes draconian penalties for same-sex sexual activity, "aiding and abetting homosexuality," and "promoting homosexuality." Furthermore, efforts by several American Religious Right figures to foment homophobia in Uganda provide an ominous backdrop to the situation. According to Reuters, Ugandan parliament struck down an attempt to reintroduce the bill last week, but some fear that the world has not seen the last of it. Fortunately, a new voice has emerged to condemn the anti-gay bill.

OneFamilyOneVoice is a new lobby group formed by Ugandan ex-patriots living in the U.S., according to the San Diego Gay and Lesbian News. According to the group's website, the mission of OneFamilyOneVoice is "to promote understanding about diversity in the human family and to raise awareness about needless crimes against humanity." The organization arose out of concern about the anti-gay bill and the perceived need for a clear voice from the Ugandan-American community.

OneFamilyOneVoice proposes three courses of action in response to the bill: (1) shed light on strategies to pass the anti-gay bill without the global community's knowledge, (2) work in cooperation with other groups to eliminate the bill and prevent the adoption of similar bills by other African countries, and (3) create a voice to empower and educate leaders about diversity. As the world watches Uganda, groups such as OneFamilyOneVoice will undoubtedly monitor the status of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill closely.

To learn more about OneFamilyOneVoice, click here.

News Tidbits

Charlotte Observer: Minister Flip Benham charged with violating noise ordinance at gay pride fest

Orlando Sentinel: GOP hopeful Michele Bachmann gives personal, Christian testimonial in Orlando

The Advocate: Santorum: Gays Have "Gone Out on a Jihad" Against Me

American Independent: Catholic Church, NOM register PACs in Minn. ahead of same-sex marriage amendment campaign

American Independent: Former manager of defunded Planned Parenthood clinic now giving speeches on her ‘pro-life conversion’

Commentary Tidbits

Talk to Action: Quotes on Dominionism from the Apostles and Prophets of the New Apostolic Reformation

The Guardian: A very muscular brand of Christianity

Dallas Morning News: Rick Perry & the evangelicals: A marriage made in heaven 

LGBTQ Nation: ‘God Has A Better Way’ protest aims to stifle Charlotte Gay Pride festivities

Warren Throckmorton: What Would Dominionists Do with Gays?

Philadelphia City Paper: Cash and Carry: Why are your tax dollars feeding the pro-life machine?

Right Wing Watch: If Dominionism Is A Liberal Conspiracy, Why Does It Have Conservative Critics?

Daily Kos: Texas lawmakers fighting to insert Christian language in funerals for non-Christian soldiers
(Hat tip to Infidel753)

Glenn Beck Hosts "Restoring Courage" Event in Israel

Last week, Glenn Beck hosted a mass gathering with religious overtones in Jerusalem called "Restoring Courage." According to Beck's website, the gathering was intended to unite people from around the world in the name of Israel, demonstrating that Israel "does not stand alone". Restoring Courage actually consisted of three events, the chief of which took place on August 24th at the Southern Wall Excavations. For U.S. viewers who wanted to watch the event from half a world away, viewing parties took place across the U.S. (see here and www[dot]glennbeck[dot]com/israel/map/).

Unlike his 2010 "Restoring Honor" rally in Washington D.C., the rally received only modest coverage from the American media. Although I could not watch the Restoring Courage gathering in full, I found excerpts of the gathering online that offered a taste of the event.

Mixed messages about ecumenicalism left me puzzled. On one hand, at the 5:02 mark of an excerpt posted at Media Matters, Beck proclaimed that "This plot of earth may be tiny, but it has been large enough for three faiths, and the pilgrims and the faithful who come here. It must be as big as God's heart, and it must remain open to all." In this, Beck came across as ecumenical and welcoming of all Abrahamic faiths in Jerusalem, in sharp contrast to some of his previous statements.




Despite this ecumenical introduction, the Restoring Courage gathering featured several speakers known for their less-than-ecumenical statements. For example, the gathering featured a talk by John Hagee, the founder of Christians United for Israel who generated controversy through his reported anti-Catholic and anti-Islam statements. Also speaking at the rally was right-wing history author David Barton, who has also made controversial statements about non-Christians, according to People for the American Way and the SPLC. Media Matters posted commentary on several controversial speakers at the event, and excerpts of their talks can be seen at www[dot]glennbeck[dot]com/2011/08/22/video-restoring-courage-the-courage-to-love/

Even Beck himself made a statement later that struck me as unecumenical. At the beginning of another excerpt, Beck rejected the idea that Israel was an "apartheid" state, despite criticism of Israel for its human rights record. At the beginning of the YouTube video below, Beck made the following statement.

"Some call Israel an apartheid state. Let us begin here. I reject that, and so the moment I leave this stage, I am flying to South Africa, which is where apartheid actually existed. And I will broadcast from Cape Town tomorrow morning, to remind the world what the evil of apartheid actually looked like." [Applause]

In the same excerpt, Beck mentioned his new nonprofit venture, Mercury One, rooted in the idea that "one man with one God" can make an impact. (See www[dot]glennbeck[dot]com/2011/07/01/glenn-beck-announces-non-profit-venture-mercury-one/). In a theatrical moment, Beck warned his followers of the supposed dangers of following his path at the 1:55 mark.

"It will not be easy for me, and it will not be easy for you. Others, I warn you, will say to you, 'Come! Come this way! Come over the horizon.' But I warn you that horizon is a cliff, and when you don't go along, you will stand out. You will be mocked, and in some cases your life may be in danger. But you must remember, square your shoulders and say lo eira! I fear not."

With the demeanor of a devout preacher, Beck delivered a pro-Israel message at Restoring Courage alongside other speakers, spiced with religious language. The purpose of the gathering, I surmised, was to reach out to pro-Israel Christians by providing a religious revival in the romantic Holy Land.


For an irreverent live-blogging of the Restoring Courage rally, visit this Haaretz link. For additional news and commentary, visit the following links.

CBS News: At rally in Israel, Glenn Beck calls for courage

New York Times: At Temple Mount, Glenn Beck Draws Crowd of Hundreds

The Atlantic: Glenn Beck's Ambivalent Welcome in Israel

Jerusalem Post: Feiglin objects to Beck Jerusalem event

The Cosmic Significance of the Mid-Atlantic Earthquake

On August 23rd, a magnitude 5.9 earthquake shook the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. The epicenter was believed to have been near Fredericksburg, VA, and the quake could be felt several states away. The earthquake damaged historical structures in Washington D.C., including the Washington Monument and the National Cathedral.

Some Religious Right figures are prone to attributing cosmic significance to natural disasters, even to the point of blaming disasters victims for their misfortune. As if on cue, several Religious Right voices claimed that this particular quake was a sign from God or a warning to America.

First, Pat Robertson claimed that the earthquake damage to the Washington Monument was "symbolic", much like the tear that appeared in the temple curtain when Jesus was crucified. On the August 25th edition of The 700 Club, Robertson had this to say at the 5:23 mark.

"Ladies and gentlemen I don’t want to get weird on this, so please take it for what it’s worth, but it seems to me the Washington Monument is a symbol of America’s power. It has been the symbol of our great nation. We look at that monument and we say this is one nation under God. Now there’s a crack in it, there’s a crack in it and it’s closed up. Is that a sign from the Lord? Is that something that has significance, or is it just result of an earthquake? You judge, but I just want to bring that to your attention. It seems to me symbolic. You know, when Jesus was crucified and when he died the curtain in the Temple was rent from top to bottom ... and there was a tear and it was extremely symbolic. Is this symbolic? You judge."

Second, New Apostolic Reformation preachers Mike and Cindy Jacobs created a video for Generals International on the significance of the earthquake. (Click here if you're having trouble viewing the video.)


08-24-2011 GI News from Generals International on Vimeo.


Mike and Cindy Jacobs talked about prophesy, prayer, and natural disasters as a message about God's will. At the 3:21 mark, Cindy Jacobs claims that God sends earthquakes to warn humanity, and that the damage of quakes can be mitigated through prayer.

"God is shaking, but why is he shaking? He's shaking not--you know, he doesn't want things to be destroyed. In fact, he tells us and he warns us through the prophets so that we can pray. What does prayer do? Prayer stops ... people really being hurt, or damaged. It mitigates against it, sometimes incompletely stop it, but does lessen what can happen."

I find the implications of this statement disturbing. How are people and structures not destroyed in natural disasters? Plenty of people pray during earthquakes, but fatalities still occur. Is this to say that structural damage and fatalities occur because of a lack of prayer?

Commentary Tidbits

This Week in Christian Nationalism: How Much Money Could the Department of Defense Save if it Stopped Trying to Save Souls?

Center for American Progress: Fear, Inc.: The Roots of the Islamophobia Network in America

SPLC Intelligence Report: Christian Crusader

SPLC Intelligence Report: Christian Right Direct-Mail Guru Named in Custodial Kidnapping 

Q Salt Lake: Surviving "Ex-Gay" Therapy Programs         Trigger warning

Fallen From Grace: The American Taliban in Their Own Words

Washington Monthly: Rick Perry and The 5,000 Year Leap

Time: Perry Compared Homosexuality to Alcoholism in 2008 Book

Politico: Rick Perry signs Susan B. Anthony List pledge

Politicus USA: Glenn Beck Bombs As Only 1,000 Attend Jerusalem Rally

CNN: Jews torn over Glenn Beck, Jerusalem rally

Gawker: How Michele Bachmann Is Tied to the Ugandan Movement to Execute Gay People

Right Wing Watch: Wendy Wright's New Job: Stopping The Girl Scouts' "Radical, Feminist, Pro-Abortion" Agenda

News Tidbits

Houston Chronicle: Marriage grant funded salaries, rent at Iowa Family Policy Center

American Independent: ‘The Response’: Step one in a conservative Christian voter mobilization drive

Iowa Independent: Catholic physicians don’t want birth control covered as preventative service

Edge Boston: Anti-Gay NY Town Clerk: Marriages with Animals Next?

Pink News: Rick Santorum accepts “decision” to be gay, but “disagrees vehemently” on equality

The Advocate: Facebook Oversharing Teacher Tells Students to Get Out If They Don't Like "God's Truth"

The Advocate: Megachurch Pastor: Not Against Gays, Just Against Gay Sex

NPR: The Evangelicals Engaged In Spiritual Warfare

Atlanta Journal Constitution: Eddie Long accusers break silence on relationships with embattled bishop

Bay Windows: MIT grad student remembers "ex-gay" therapy

San Diego Gay and Lesbian News: Expat Ugandans organize to fight "Kill The Gays" bill

Minnesota Public Radio: Same-sex marriage supporters, foes stake out ground at Minnesota state fair

Barbarian Flash Mob Dances in Front of Marcus Bachmann's Clinic

On August 25th, a flash mob of "barbarians" descended on Marcus Bachmann's Christian counseling clinic in Lake Elmo, Minnesota to protest his homophobic comments and reported use of so-called "reparative therapy." In this hilarious flash mob dance set to Lady Gaga's "Born This Way," an actor playing Marcus Bachmann berates the group, only to receive a shower of glitter. At the end of the performance, the dancers shout "one of us!", with a special message for Marcus!

Hat tip to the Minnesota Independent. (Click here if you're having trouble viewing the video.)




For additional commentary, visit the following links.

Columbus Go Home: Barbarian Flashmob Converts "Marcus Bachmann" in Glitter Baptism at Clinic

Think Progress: Over 100 Barbarians Glitter 'Marcus Bachmann' Outside Ex-Gay Clinic

The New Civil Rights Movement: Flash Mob Glitters a Marcus Bachmann and Performs Gaga's "Born This Way"