Meet the Shock Troops of the Christian Youth

[donsu]

http://www.counterpunch.com/taylor05112006.html


Battle Cry for Theocracy!

If you've been waiting until the Christian fascist movement started filling stadiums with young people and hyping them up to do battle in "God's army" to get alarmed, wait no longer.

In recent weeks, Battle Cry, a Christian fundamentalist youth movement, has attracted more than 25,000 to mega-rally rock concerts in San Francisco and Detroit and this weekend they plan to fill Wachovia Stadium in Philadelphia.

They claim their religion and values are under attack but, amidst spectacular lightshows, hummers, Navy Seals, and military imagery on stage, it is Battle Cry that has declared war on everyone else! Their leader, Ron Luce, insists: "This is war. And Jesus invites us to get into the action, telling us that the violent--the 'forceful' ones--will lay hold of the kingdom."

A glimpse at Battle Cry's Honor Academy, which trains 500 youth each year and preaches that homosexuality and masturbation are sins, reveals a lot about what kind of society they are fighting for. Interns are forbidden to listen to secular music, watch R-rated movies or date. Men can't use the internet unsupervised and the length of women's skirts is regulated. The logic behind this, that men must be protected from the sin of sexual temptation, is what drives Islamic fundamentalists to shroud women in burkhas!

Behind their multi-million dollar operation that sends more than 5,000 missionaries to more than thirty-four countries each year, are some of the most powerful and extreme religious lunatics in the country. Their partners include Pat Robertson (who got a call from Karl Rove to discuss Alito before the nomination was made public), Ted Haggard (who brags that his concerns will be responded to by the White House within 24 hours), Jerry Falwell (who blamed September 11th on homosexuals, feminists, pagans, and abortionists), and others. Their events have been addressed by Barbara Bush (via video) as well as former President Gerry Ford. This weekend's event will include Franklyn Graham who has ministered to George Bush and publicly proclaimed that Islam is an "evil religion."

-snip-
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(ahhh woman the temptress.)

I call it child abuse

[Warpy]

1. I call it, "You must be dying for a slapped face, punk."

I would love to throw the bastards who prey on the idealism of youth into prison for it. These poor kids have the utmost in enthusiasm with the least amount of the facts they'll ever have in their lives.

And yes, it's child abuse.

[rkc3]

6. Facts? Fact-based reality has a liberal bias.

Besides, under No Child Left Behind, facts only get in the way of dumbing our kids down.

[China_cat]

2. Have they rewritten their bible

to remove 'the meek shall inherit the earth'? And 'blessed are the PEACEmakers' (emphasis mine on edit)

[rkc3]

7. You're thinking of the pre-9/11 bible.

[nemo137]

31. They're clearly using the KGV

King George Version, natch.

[louis-t]

3. Hmmm, Navy Seals?

Are they recruiting these kids to fight bushie's wars?

[arcane1]

9. Hahahahahahaha!

that's a good one :)

fundie youth joining the military en masse to fight in a war :rofl:

*wipes tears from eyes*

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. Somebody should inform the local Army recruiters

to set up a booth.

[Melsky]

5. Not making sense

"This is war. And Jesus invites us to get into the action, telling us that the violent--the 'forceful' ones--will lay hold of the kingdom."

wasn't that supposed to be the meek would inherit the earth?

[IChing]

11. Dominionist plain and simple

D. James Kennedy's influential Coral Ridge Ministries, wrote in his book "The Changing of the Guard:"
"Christians have an obligation, a mandate, a commission, a holy responsibility to reclaim the land for Jesus Christ -- to have dominion in civil structures, just as in every other aspect of life and godliness.

But it is dominion we are after. Not just a voice.
It is dominion we are after. Not just influence.
It is dominion we are after. Not just equal time.
It is dominion we are after.
World conquest. That's what Christ has commissioned us to accomplish."


from the "US Christian Flag" designer's website ]
"YOU are the USA Regiment, Army of God. THIS IS HIS LAND & YOU ARE HIS PEOPLE --raise your flag! CHRISTIAN AMERICANS, BAND TOGETHER! "

"The Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge allegiance, to the Christian Flag,

of the United States of America,

and to the Lord, who made us great and free.

I purpose, to band together, with all believers,

to protect the truth and liberty of God.

June 13, 2005 Please note: there is clearly confusion among many. This pledge, flag, and its mission is not to replace our government pledge OR Old Glory. We are NOT trying to overthrow our government or force anyone to be a Christian. We are, however, honoring our LORD and protecting our Christian heritage and liberties. We are allowed to do that under our Constitution. The State cannot dictate to our church that we may not. When that day ever comes, You and I will all be in a desperate condition. May we please agree upon that much?"
http://www.talk2action.org/story/2006/5/11/151212/239

[TlalocW]

26. I never understood that

What good is inheritating the Earth? Isn't Heaven the ultimate goal. Of course, he also said that blessed are the peacemakers, but for all we know, Monty Python had it right, and it was blessed are the cheese makers.

TlalocW

[Lexingtonian]

8. Can't we infiltrate this thing

with some strippers and people with excellent gaydar? Somehow I have this funny idea that all this chastity is all for show.

[BlueJazz]

21. I'll do it..I'll do it! ..They say Masturbation is a Sin.

Ha!..I'll show them what a "Professional Jack-Off Artist" can do.

Praise Be!! Come-on Funny Feeling!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

10. this isn't Christianity, it's control

Supervise everything. These are the kind that see nothing wrong with NSA spying. Make sexuality shameful, and blame it on women. Keep everyone in their place in the hierarchy-that way, the boys in underling positions never rebel, because they know that their place is above that of those "evil temptresses". Reminds me of how the Southern planters kept down the "poor white trash" by reminding them they were better than blacks.

[w13rd0]

12. I never got so much tail...

...as when I was caught up in this bullshit. These people are usually hypocritical to the extreme, and some of the most vile, hateful, sinful mother fuckers you'd ever want to meet. I thought everyone was that twisted until I met normal people with ethical compasses that didn't rely on blind obedience to whatever cult of personality these jackboots decided to erect that week.

[JackBeck]

13. If they can't masturbate, then it is child abuse.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

14. Ford? I thought he was better than that. -nt

[MADem]

15. Good grief!! Don't touch that joystick, little Billy!!!!!

Battle CRY, indeed...that gives 'em something to CRY ABOUT!

[Initech]

16. Ah, just judging by their list of partners...

you can conclude that they're such a credible organization. :sarcasm:

[Blue_In_AK]

17. WE will have the last laugh, I feel sure.

I almost wish that there was a Rapture so we could watch them all being "left behind." Idiots.

[Sonicmedusa]

18. Since they are so militant,

Flag waving and believe in the afterlife, why don't they just enlist?

[BlueJazz]

23. Welcome to DU, Sonicmedusa. Glad to have you aboard!

[Dr. Jones]

19. THE MOST DISTURBING QUOTE:

And Jesus invites us to get into the action, telling us that the violent--the 'forceful' ones--will lay hold of the kingdom."

The New Post 9/11 Neocon Warmonger Jesus. Worse, this guy is advocating VIOLENCE?? Whoah. Unbelievable!

[BR_Parkway]

24. Sedition (se·di·tion ) N - Conduct of language inciting rebellion against

se·di·tion Audio pronunciation of "sedition" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (s-dshn)
n.

1. Conduct or language inciting rebellion against the authority of a state.
2. Insurrection; rebellion.

[EstimatedProphet]

25. Aren't the meek supposed to inherit the earth?

[yellowcanine]

20. So lying is ok then? If they are saying they don't masturbate, they must

think so.

[TygrBright]

22. Not if you strictly define "masturbation" as a private act....

....since these f*****s are engaging in one gigantic group public whackoff after another.

I went to a fundie nutjob "church service" one time, a long while before they went political, and even then it was stone creepy sitting there watching them sway, with half-closed eyes, moaning "Jeee-eee-eee-sus... Jeee-EEE-eee-sus..."

They were climaxing, definitely. Eeeeeeeeeyew.

repulsedly,
Bright

[Tactical Progressive]

27. Sounds like somebody needs to print up 25,000 enlistment forms

and set up some tables around the entrances and exits for immediate sign-ups. Bet they'll be mobbed with volunteers.

This could really help solve the recruitement problem.

I'll just bet.

[EstimatedProphet]

28. It won't be long before there's Christian street gangs and drug pushers

They'll have their own branch of the mob. Their symbol will be a black fist with stigmata.

[yellowcanine]

29. Isn't masturbation covered under "the pursuit of happiness" in the

Declaration of Independence? Old Tom Jefferson would be appalled at the Christians trying to take away our right to spank our monkeys.

[ComerPerro]

30. Ever since it became cool to be Christian (about six years ago)

young Christians have been getting more and more aggressive...

And, you know the odd thing?

They have the audacity to not only claim that they are right because so many Americans are Christian, but then to turn around and declare their "Christian lifestyle" to be some sort of underground, counterculture movement.

[transeo]

32. Meet the new Hitler Youth, American style. n/t.