Mahablog has also featured a discussion of the series of articles in the May issue of Harper's, noted below. It's important to get these articles out and seen.
Reading that post made me think about how long Christian extremism has threatened democracy in waves throughout more than a century. I refer you to this description of "Moral Rearmament," which worried and obsessed my parents' generation. That movement, which had seduced many educated people of their age group and higher education level, was seen by thoughtful Americans and Britons as a serious threat. It continues to this day in fragments, as noted in Jeff Sharlet's earlier article for Harper's and elsewhere. Members of Moral Rearmament -- followers of Frank Buchman -- were chicken hawks and virulently anti-gay as are today's extremists. The movement has a new name now, and a friendlier, blander countenance.
Maybe we can take heart. Maybe the current resurgence of ersatz Christians is something that flares up and then simmers down. Or maybe each flare-up is stronger. Read Jeff Sharlet's and Chris Hedges' articles. Then read this and see what you think. I think these movements represent the authoritarian reaction to political and social freedom -- in Lamb's clothing.
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