Religious Extremism – The Fellowship of St Francis

Could they? Is such a thing even possible here? Well, if that’s not something you’ve been giving much thought to, permit me to tell you a few things going on now among some Christians holding some pretty extreme ideas. They often refer to themselves as Dominionists.

There is a movement afoot in the US right now to compel everyone—believers, people following other faiths and non-believers alike—to “get on board”, to submit to their narrow ideas about how things ought to go. To them, it would be the fulfillment of an Apocalyptic vision that “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord”. (Philippians 2: 10–11)

Of course, not all Christians in America share the idea that the Church could or should be on an intentional, well-planned campaign to make this happen—regardless of what it might take to accomplish the mission, so to speak, but it’s happening, nevertheless, and the movement is gathering strength.

Although it’s true that the majority of American Christians are not on-board, it’s also true that the real hard-core and extreme adherents to any religion are usually the ones holding the power stick and are therefore able to carry out such a plan. Support from everyone who subscribes to the faith is not necessary.

And if you’re worried about what could happen to anyone who might refuse to go along, or whether such a thing is even possible, let me point out that it’s happened many times in the history of Christianity and is a reality for millions of citizens and inhabitants of the six majority-Muslim Countries that are purposefully, authentically theocratic.

In a theocratic, authoritarian State, those in power can—and often do—force everyone, regardless of belief or unbelief, to submit to their authority, to their ideas about God’s will. They have the power to discredit, marginalize, excommunicate and—quite possibly—harm or kill those who don’t believe and/or don’t want to live in a theocracy.

The not-extreme believers would likely disapprove of the most extreme courses of action to any who won’t conform, but they would still be discredited, jobless, slandered, ostracized, and—in worst case scenarios—dead.

We are only three or four short steps from having an authoritarian government in power with extreme religious leaders empowered as close partners, able to put in place their extreme ideas in ways that will impact all Americans, whether they’re believers or not.

Think Taliban or the mullahs and Imams of Afghanistan or Iran but with extreme Evangelical Christian leaders, whether clergy or lay, holding some office or not, calling the shots and compelling obedience.

Yes, what I’m describing is a worst-case scenario, and they may not be able to actually pull it off, but Evangelicals who are okay with authoritarian ideas and avowed Christian Dominionists are trying very hard right now to bring it about.

If this seems far-fetched to you, I suggest you read up on Christian Dominionist ideas and theology by following this link:

Benjamin Basile

We are right on the cusp of Spring as I write this. At a time when we often think about new life, new beginnings and new possibilities, a lot of folks are feeling as though we’re stuck in some kind of long-term moral and ethical winter. A really cold, dark–and very long–winter.

People of faith, and people who simply believe that selflessness and compassion should inform our attitudes and actions are finding that their voices are being drowned out by the droning of baleful voices calling for selfishness, suspicion and cruelty.

And these voices seem to be growing louder with each passing day.

It’s time to take a close look at what’s happening in our corporate life here in America and face a very dark and difficult time with courage and compassion.

Some of the urgent issues I want to focus on in this blog:

The problems posed by extreme, authoritarian religious practices
Creating a spiritual home for people exiting extremism
The problems we face saving our planet from environmental destruction
Honoring all life on Earth, not only our own species

Those four issues mentioned above are so important right now. And they’re interconnected. I’m hoping that our Fellowship–the FSF–will be effective in shining a light on these issues, stimulating discussion about solutions and creating a community for all like-minded friends who care.

So in the next few weeks and months, I’d like to take a closer look at these issues to see first, why they’re so important and then, how we can take action to address them.

Brother Ben

Tag: Religious Extremism

Could Christian Extremists Turn the US into a Theocracy?

The Urgent Tasks We Face