Fwd: The Republican Wizards of Rushdoony

"Look into my eyes. Your pocket book is growing heavy. You can hardly 
stay awake. Now reach for your pen and write me a big fat check. Do 
as I say, for I am a Wizard of Rushdoony."

Jon

  
Money, Power and The Radical Right in Pennsylvania, continued         
(return to contents)
II. The Foundations of Modern Religious Political Extremism in America

Reconstructionism 

Reconstructionism is the common foundation on which many religious 
political extremist organizations base their mission and activities. 
While the influence of Reconstructionism varies with individual 
organizations, its tenets of Christian dominion and political control 
are clearly present in most radical right groups. Reconstructionism 
is rooted in dominion theology, which is based on the belief that 
Christians are mandated by God to control - have dominion over - the 
earth. Thus, Reconstructionists strive for political power and 
consequently, control of public policy.
   In the 1993 study, Without Justice for All, Reconstructionism is 
defined: 

In theological terms, Reconstructionism is a variation of Dominion or 
Kingdom ideology, which says that Christians should have dominion 
over all they see because God has given it to them. Reconstructionism 
holds that Christians have a biblical mandate to reconstruct the 
kingdom of God here on earth, and it is this tenet which is in large 
part responsible for the Christian Right's drive to dominate 
electoral politics as a means of controlling society . . . 
Reconstructionism today finds its foremost advocate in Rousas John 
(R. J.) Rushdoony, a minister with the Presbyterian Church in 
America.* Rushdoony's influence on the Christian Right in this 
country cannot be underestimated. 2
*The Presbyterian Church in America is a fundamentalist group that 
broke away from the mainstream Presbyterian Church (USA).

   The goal of Reconstructionists is to have their biblical 
interpretation rule every aspect of life, including education.3 
Rushdoony believes democracy is a "heresy",4 and "admonishes 
Christians that in creating God's kingdom here on Earth, they must 
remember that 'a monarchy is not a democracy.'"5 Rushdoony 
claims, "Democracy is the great love of the failures and cowards of 
life."6 The pursuit of total dominion is described in the November 
1994 issue of Rushdoony's newsletter Chalcedon Report as "preparing 
the path for the Kingdom". Reconstructionist theology dictates that, 
among other things, women may not wear red dresses; all kitchens be 
Kosher; slavery be allowed; and women and children be chattel. The 
leaders of the Reconstructionist movement are highly motivated to see 
these changes enacted because they believe that their members "will 
lead in the 'Dominion Century'".7
   Unsurprisingly, legal systems must also comply with the 
Reconstructionist interpretation of Biblical Law. Rushdoony's 
organization Chalcedon helped establish the radical right legal 
organization, The Rutherford Institute, "to promote, through the 
courts, the Religious Right's agenda."8 "What is particularly 
frightening, is the Reconstructionist view of crime and punishment."9 
In his writings, Rushdoony lists eighteen "capital crimes", including 
blasphemy, witchcraft, astrology, adultery, promiscuity, incorrigible 
delinquency, homosexuality, and, in the case of women, unchastity 
before marriage. Biblically endorsed forms of execution include 
stoning, burning (at the stake, for example) and "the sword". 
Punishment for non-capital crimes generally involves whipping or 
restitution in the form of indentured servitude or slavery. Prisons 
would likely be only temporary holding tanks while prisoners awaited 
sentencing.10 
   In the April 1994 Chalcedon Report, the Reconstructionist mission 
is defined: "Only when we have God's law govern a nation, and 
Christian schools provide its education, can we speak of a Christian 
culture." This is the agenda that propels the radical right. 
Rushdoony has apparently found an electoral vehicle for these ideas 
in the United States Taxpayers Party. His photograph appears 
prominently among those calling for a USTP Presidential Nominating 
Convention to be held August 15-18, 1996 in San Diego, California. 11 

A Global Movement 

   Radical right leaders are not interested in reorganizing only 
American society. In the November 1994 Chalcedon Report, the 
article "Discipling The Nations For The Third Millennium" addresses 
criteria, strategies, and the status of international efforts. 
The "Criteria for Developing Discipleship Models" are: 

1. Spiritually Receptive: The people need to be spiritually 
receptive - desperately hungry for Scripture's answers to immediate 
questions of survival. Usually this would require a nation just 
emerging from national calamity: war, oppression, drought, epidemics, 
economic collapse - or all the above. 
2. Friends in High Places: To effectively establish a model it is 
advantageous to enjoy the acquiescence if not outright support of a 
few highly placed government offices (not as an official policy - but 
in practice)... 
3. Location, Location, Location: ...We must ask what nations for 
geographical, historically, ethnic or political reasons are well 
situated to influence their neighbors.12 

The strategies for carrying out this mission are outlined in four 
steps: service, stewardship, education, and discipleship training. 
The fourth step clearly demonstrates the Reconstructionist strategic 
plan.

In our model, discipleship candidates - after being carefully 
screened - will attend a rigorous six week 'basic training' program 
designed to prepare them in key aspects of evangelism, discipleship, 
leadership, establishing mercy works and micro-enterprises; in short -
 transforming their culture."13 (emphasis added)

According to the article, these steps have already been implemented 
in Nicaragua, South Africa, and Uganda. 
   This international focus is also an integral part of other 
religious political extremist organizations. Pat Robertson's 1993 
book The Turning Tide: The Fall of Liberalism and the Rise of Common 
Sense discusses the countries in which he is already involved and 
those that are ready for the "turning tide". This list includes: 
France, Rumania, Ukraine, Japan, China, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, El 
Salvador, Nicaragua, Vietnam, Zambia, Mozambique, Angola, and Cuba. 
Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) has offices in the 
capital or a major city in many of these countries as well as 
broadcasting privileges, and school, hospital and prison programs. A 
recent "700 Club" (part of CBN and hosted by Robertson) broadcast 
chronicled the Haitian "blitz" organized by CBN and run by one of Pat 
Robertson's sons, Gordon P. Robertson. The Rutherford Institute 
operates offices in Bolivia, Hungary, and England.14 "

Jon
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