In November when the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) published its list of anti-gay hate groups that knowingly disseminated falsehoods and propaganda to advance their agendas, SPLC unleashed a storm of fury from the Christian right. To get on the hate group list, the organizations promoted anti-gay "research" that was not backed by science or was otherwise factually discredited. Simply preaching against homosexuality based on the Christian bible did not qualify the groups as anti-gay hate groups.
The 18 organizations were broken down into two categories: bona fide hate groups (marked with an asterisk on SPLC's site) and groups that were on the SPLC's watch list. The hate groups included:
- Abiding Truth Ministries (Scott Lively);
- American Family Association;
- Americans for Truth About Homosexuality (Peter LaBarbera);
- American Vision (Gary DeMar);
- Chalcedon Foundation (founded by the late R. John Rushdoony);
- Dove World Outreach Center (Terry Jones);
- Steven Anderson (Faithful Word Baptist Church);
- Family Research Council;
- Family Research Institute (Paul Cameron);
- Heterosexuals Organized for a Moral Environment;
- Illinois Family Institute;
- Mass Resistance; and
- Traditional Values Coalition.
As noted in SPLC's report, many of the groups promote the myth that gays are pedophiles and that the gay and lesbian community is "recruiting" young children into "the homosexual lifestyle."
Some of the commentary is bizarre such as Scott Lively's allegation that Hitler was gay and recruited militant homosexual soldiers to do his evil work. This sentiment was echoed by Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association.
The Family Research Council continually promotes the notion that gays are pedophiles and adds some new twists. Peter Sprigg, FRC's Senior Fellow for Policy Studies, has suggested that gay behavior should be criminalized and FRC's President Tony Perkins has had ties with white supremacist groups. (See the full report for details.)
The organizations that were listed on the watch list included:
- Christian Anti-Defamation Commission (Gary Cass);
- Concerned Women for America;
- Coral Ridge Ministries;
- Liberty Counsel; and
- National Organization for Marriage.
The Family Research Council launched an online petition signed on to by Christian dominionists, numerous Republican politicians and dozens of conservative groups.
Ignoring the fact that the SPLC specifically relied on published propaganda and deliberately false claims made in the media as criteria in determining the anti-gay hate groups, the Family Research Council has characterized the SPLC's work as an attempt to demonize Christian groups and voters who have voted against marriage equality. It launched a web site called "Start Debating – Stop Hating" which proclaims:
Slanderous tactics have been used against voters who signed petitions and voted for marriage amendments in all thirty states that have considered them, as well as against the millions of Americans who identify with the Tea Party movement. Some on the Left have even impugned the Manhattan Declaration–which upholds the sanctity of life, the value of traditional marriage and the fundamental right of religious freedom–as an "anti-gay" document and have forced its removal from general communications networks.
This is intolerance pure and simple. Elements of the radical Left are trying to shut down informed discussion of policy issues that are being considered by Congress, legislatures, and the courts.
Tell the radical Left it is time to stop spreading hateful rhetoric attacking individuals and organizations merely for expressing ideas with which they disagree. Our debates can and must remain civil–but they must never be suppressed through personal assaults that aim only to malign an opponent's character.
The site asks people to sign onto a declaration that they will "stand in solidarity with Family Research Council, American Family Association, Concerned Women of America, National Organization for Marriage, Liberty Counsel and other pro-family organizations that are working to protect and promote natural marriage and family."
According to the site, the SPLC is unilaterally engaged in character assassination of groups that promote Judeo-Christian moral values without offering the named hate groups a chance to debate or discuss the issues.
The Start Debating – Stop Hating site promotes the Manhattan Declaration which calls for civil disobedience over issues of gay rights and abortion. Americans United for Separation of Church and State characterized the Manhattan Declaration as an effort by conservative church groups to impose their religion on everyone through government action. Liberal church groups and clergy have protested the Declaration and its iPhone application was taken off of Apple's store after numerous users complained that the application supported hate and division.
The site also endorses "The Mount Vernon Statement" which promotes "conservative constitutionalism" and has been signed by a number of religious right groups. The Mount Vernon Statement website was soliciting online signatures but had been receiving spoof signatures from characters like Adolph Hitler and Joe Dufus.
Perhaps expert testimony about the effects of same sex marriage introduced in federal court could provide the "Start Debating" springboard that the Family Research Council says it endorses. Much of the anti-gay rhetoric about how gay marriage will somehow destroy America, undermine heterosexual marriage, hurt children, destroy religious freedom and so on was presented and cross-examined in the Perry v. Schwarzenegger trial, otherwise known as the Prop 8 trial in California. Very little credible evidence and expert testimony was given by the proponents of Prop 8.
Christian Dominionists Sign On.
For purposes of this article, "Christian dominionists" include all self-identifying Christian groups, whether they are from the New Apostolic Reformation movement, the Christian Reconstructionist movement advocated by the late R. J. Rushdoony, or similar movements which advocate the complete takeover of society to create a "Christian Kingdom." Many believe that Jesus Christ will not return to rule the earth until the entire world has become a Christly kingdom and the nations declare that they are Christian nations. In short, they want a Christian theocracy.
Known Christian dominionists who have signed onto the Start Debating Stop Hating petition include:
- Chuck Colson, Founder of Prison Fellowship and The Colson Center for Christian Worldview and one of the Manhattan Declaration's authors. Colson, a former Watergate criminal, recently teamed up with Jim Garlow to promote the "Pray & A.C.T." event which advocates the 7 Mountains Mandate of Christian dominionist theology.
- Jim Garlow, Chairman of Renewing American Leadership and Pastor of the Skyline Church. Garlow is associated with Newt Gingrich in their "Renewing American Leadership" organization, which promoted the Pray & A.C.T. event and the 7 Mountains Mandate.
- Lou Engle, President of The Call. Lou Engle specializes in gathering young people for prayer and spiritual warfare and is known for his raspy voice as he rocks back and forth in prayer. Engle has been tied to the "Kill the Gays" bill in Uganda and bragged of being Sam Brownback's roommate.
- Rick Joyner, President, The Oak Initiative. Rick Joyner is associated with the New Apostolic Reformation movement and founded Morningstar Ministries. A self-proclaimed prophet and apostle, Joyner oversees The Oak Initiative which, among other things, seeks to "raise up effective leaders for all of the dominant areas of influence in the culture, including: government, business, education, arts and entertainment, family services, media, and the church." Last year, The Oak Initiative hosted a conference on "the Christian Intelligence Service" where "watchmen" would report on activities in their neighborhoods and gather information.
-
Cindy Jacobs
Cindy Jacobs, President of Generals International. Cindy Jacobs is another "apostle" and self-proclaimed prophet who has supernatural powers and travels the world, casting out demons and espousing Christian dominionist theology. In 2009, Peter Wagner handed over "the mantle of leadership" of the "Apostolic Council of Prophetic Leaders" to Jacobs.
- William Boykin, LTG(R) US Army, Kingdom Warriors Ministry. Boykin is a frequent lecturer at The Oak Initiative who proclaimed that Islam should not be protected under the First Amendment. The LA Times reported back in 2003:
This June, for instance, at the pulpit of the Good Shepherd Community Church in Sandy, Ore., he displayed slides of Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein and North Korea's Kim Jung Il. "Why do they hate us?" Boykin asked. "The answer to that is because we're a Christian nation…. We are hated because we are a nation of believers."
Our "spiritual enemy," Boykin continued, "will only be defeated if we come against them in the name of Jesus."
- Coral Ridge Ministries (Hector Padron, Executive Vice President and Robert Knight, Senior Writer). Coral Ridge Ministries was founded by the late D. James Kennedy, who, the Public Eye reports, wrote, "As the viceregents of God, we are to bring His truth and His will to bear on every sphere of our world and our society. We are to exercise godly dominion and influence over our neighborhoods, our schools, our government … our entertainment media, our news media, our scientific endeavors—in short, over every aspect and institution of human society." Coral Ridge Ministries regularly promotes Christian nationalism and creationism in the schools, and denounces non-believers as Nazis.
Christian Nationalist Republicans Join FRC and Christian Dominionists.
According to the Start Debating – Stop Hating website, a number of Republican congresspeople and high ranking officials have signed on to the pledge that they will stand by the Family Research Council, Concerned Women for America, American Family Association and other groups identified as anti-gay hate groups. They include:
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Members Who Endorse SPLC-Designated Hate Groups:
- Speaker-designate John Boehner – (R-OH);
- Majority Leader-elect Eric Cantor – (R-VA);
- Rep. Michele Bachmann – (R-MN);
- Rep. John Carter – Secretary, House Republican Conference (R-TX);
- Rep. John Fleming, M.D. – (R-LA);
- Rep. Trent Franks – (R-AZ);
- Rep. Louie Gohmert – (R-TX);
- Rep. Jeb Henserling – (R-TX);
- Rep. Jim Jordan – (R-OH);
- Rep. Steve King – (R-IA);
- Rep. Donald Manzullo – (R-IL);
- Rep. Kevin McCarthy – (R-CA);
- Rep.-elect Alan Nunnelee – (R-MS);
- Rep. Mike Pence – (R-IN);
- Rep. Joe Pitts – (R-PA);
- Rep. Peter Roskam – (R-IL);
- Rep. Steve Scalise – (R-LA);
- Rep. Lamar Smith – (R-TX); and
- Rep. Fred Upton – (R-MI).
U.S. SENATE Members Who Endorse SLPC-Designated Hate Groups:
- Senator Jim DeMint – (R-SC);
- Senator James Inhofe – (R-OK);
- Senator David Vitter – (R-LA); and
- Senator Roger Wicker – (R-MS).
GOVERNORS Who Endorse SPLC-Designated Hate Groups:
- Sam Brownback, Governor-elect of Kansas (R);
- Bobby Jindal, Governor of Louisiana (R);
- Robert McDonnell, Governor of Virginia (R); and
- Tim Pawlenty, Governor of Minnesota (R)
OTHER REPUBLICANS of Significance Who Endorse SPLC-Designated Hate Groups:
- Ken Cuccinelli, Attorney General for the State of Virginia;
- Edwin Meese III, former U.S. Attorney General; and
- Roger Villere, Jr., Chairman – Republican Party of Louisiana.
POTENTIAL PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES Who Endorse SPLC-Designated Hate Groups:
- Mike Huckabee (R) – Former Arkansas Governor, FOX News TV/ Radio Commentator;
- Congressman Mike Pence – (R-IN); and
- Rick Santorum (R), Senior Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center.
While the foregoing Republicans may not necessarily endorse all hate groups identified by SPLC, they do endorse the groups that knowingly distribute falsehoods, bad science and propaganda to support their stance against homosexuals.
Other Signatories to the Pledge.
The following representatives of religious right organizations, social conservative activists, businesses and clergy are listed in the Family Research Council's scrolling list of "leaders [who] stand for civil debate." (Editorial Note – We have not researched whether these groups endorse Christian dominionist theology.)
LEGAL ADVOCACY GROUPS FOR THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT.
- Center for Law and Social Strategy (Mark Spengler, Executive Director);
- Landmark Legal Foundation (Mark Levin, President);
- Liberty Center for Law and Policy (Mandi Campbell, Legal Director);
- Liberty Counsel (Mathew Staver, Founder and Chairman); and
- The National Legal Foundation (Steven Fitschen, President).
ACTIVISTS, CHURCHES AND ORGANIZATIONS.
- Alaska Family Council (Jim Minnery, President);
- American College of Pediatricians (Tom Benton, MD, President);
- American Conservative Union Foundation (Cleta Mitchell, Chairman);
- American Decency Association (Bill Johnson, President);
- American Family Association (Tim Wildmon, President);
- American Family Association of Pennsylvania (Diane Gramley, President);
- American Principles Project (Andresen Blom, Executive Director);
- American Values (Gary Bauer, President);
- Association of Maryland Families (Derek McCoy, President);
- Calvary Chapel (Jack Hibbs, Senior Pastor);
- Cardinal Newman Society (Patrick Reilly,President);
- Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights (Bill Donohue, President);
- CCV of Indiana PAC (Joseph Sergio, Ph.D, Chairman);
- Center for Arizona Policy (Cathi Herrod, President);
- Center for Security Policy (Frank Gaffney, President and CEO) ;
- Center for Urban Renewal and Education (Star Parker, President);
- Christian Civic League of Maine (Carroll Conley, Executive Director);
- Christian Medical Association (David Stevens, CEO) ;
- CitizenLink (Tom Minnery, Senior Vice President, Public Policy);
- Citizens for Community Values (Phil Burress, President);
- Citizens for Community Values of Indiana (Patrick Mangan, Executive Director);
- Colorado Family Action (Jessica Haverkate, Director);
- Committee for Justice (Curt Levey, Executive Director);
- Concerned Citizens for Family Values of Connecticut (Ray Kastner, President);
- Concerned Women For America (Penny Nance, CEO);
- Concerned Women for America (Wendy Wright, President);
- ConservativeHQ.com (Richard Viguerie, Chairman);
- Cornerstone Action, NH (Kevin Smith, Executive Director);
- Cornerstone Family Council of ID (Julie Lynde, Executive Director);
- Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation (E. Calvin Beisner, Ph.D., National Spokesman);
- Council for National Policy (Becky Norton Dunlop, President) ;
- Delaware Family Policy Council (Nicole Theis, Executive Director);
- Design4 Marketing Communications (Clint Cline, President);
- Eagle Forum (Phyllis Schlafly, President);
- Faith Christian Fellowship Church (The Rev Dr. R. Edgar Bonniwell, Senior Pastor) ;
- Family Action Council of Tennessee (David Fowler, President);
- Family First (Nebraska FPC) (Dave Bydalek Bydalek, Executive Director);
- Family Institute of Connecticut (Peter Wolfgang, Executive Director);
- Florida Family Policy Council (John Stemberger, President and General Counsel);
- ForAmerica (David Bozell, Executive Director);
- High Impact Leadership Coalition (Bishop Harry Jackson, President);
- Illinois Family Institute (David Smith, Executive Director) ;
- Iowa Family Policy Center (Chuck Hurley, President);
- Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality (Elaine Silodor Berk, Director);
- Judicial Action Group (Phillip Jauregui, President);
- Kansas Family Policy Council (Donna Lippoldt, Executive Director);
- King for America (Alveda King, President);
- Leadership Institute (Morton Blackwell, President);
- Let Freedom Ring (Colin Hanna, President);
- Liberty Institute (Kelly Shackelford);
- Louisiana Family Forum Action (Gene Mills, President);
- Massachusetts Family Institute (Kris Mineau, President);
- Minnesota Family Council (David Eaton, Chariman);
- Minnesota Family Council (John Helmberger, Chief Executive Officer);
- Mission America (Linda Harvey, President);
- Missouri Family Policy Council (Joe Ortwerth, Executive Director);
- National Organization for Marriage – Rhode Island (Christopher Plante, Executive Director) ;
- National Organization for Marriage (Brian Brown, President);
- National Organization for Marriage (Maggie Gallagher, Chairman);
- Nevada Concerned Citizens (Richard Ziser, Director);
- New Jersey Family First (Len Deo, Founder & President);
- New Yorker's Family Research Foundation (Rev. Tom Stiles) ;New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms (Rev. Jason McGuire) ;
- North Dakota Family Alliance (Tom Freier, Executive Director);
- Ohio Faith and Freedom Coalition (Ken Blackwell, Chairman);
- Priests for Life – (Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director);
- Public Service Research Foundation (David Denholm, President);
- Rappahannock Ventures (William Walton, Chairman);
- ReAL Action (Rick Tyler, Chairman);
- Rensselaer Broekhuizen – Retired Pastor;
- Restore America (David Crowe, President);
- RightMarch.com (William Greene, President);
- Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (Dr. Richard Land, President) ;
- The Coalition of Conscience (Michael Brown, Ph.D., Director) ;
- The Diana Davis Spencer Foundation (Abby Moffat, Vice President and COO);
- The Family Foundation of Virginia (Victoria Cobb, President);
- The Family Policy Council of WV (Jeremiah Dys, Esq., President and General Counsel);
- Tradition, Family, Property, Inc. (C. Preston Noell, III, President);
- Traditional Values Coalition (Andrea Lafferty, Executive Director);
- Traditional Values Coalition (Jody Hutchens, Regional Director);
- Wisconsin Family Action (Julaine Appling, President);
- WMtek Corp. (Dan Pennell, CEO); and
- WyWatch Family Action (Becky Vandeberghe, President).
CONSERVATIVE MEDIA AND PUBLICISTS.
- CNS News.com – Eric Scheiner, Senior Video Producer, and Chris Johnson, News Correspondent;
- Media Research Center – L. Brent Bozell, Founder and President; Kyle Drennen, News Analyst; Matthew Balan, News Analyst; and Matthew Hadro;
- Diana Banister, Vice President – Shirley & Banister Public Affairs ;
- Dr. William J. Bennett, Host of Morning in America ;
- Floyd Brown, President – Western Center for Journalism;
- Herman Cain, CEO and President – THE New Voice, Inc. ;
- Erick-Woods Erickson, Editor – RedState;
- Joseph Farah, Chief Executive Officer – World Net Daily;
- David Limbaugh, Author and Political Commentator;
- Rich Lowry, Editor National Review;
- Janet Parshall – Nationally Syndicated Radio Talkshow Host;
- Franklin Raff, Sr. Executive Producer – Radio America;
- Alfred Regnery, Publisher – The American Spectator ;
- Mark Tapscott, Editorial Page Editor – The Washington Examiner ; and
- Frank Wright, Ph.D., President & CEO – National Religious Broadcasters.
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