Is the Christian Right an example of a Christian terrorist group?

Question

With protest signs like
'Homos are devil-possesed'
and
'YOUARE GOING TO BURN'
and
'AIDS is the cure'
and
'Murder the abortionists!'
is the CR as close to major political terrorism as Chrsitianity has gotten?

Answer 1

I think you are talking about the extreme far right, which is a very small percentage of the people who share conservative values. Silmilarly, on the extreme left you have people who believe humans are evil and destroying the planet and we should all live in trees with the animals and become socialists.

I think a 'Christian terrorist group' would be one that isn't of course really genuine Christianity, but only claims to be. For example, the Ku Klux Klan claims to be Christian, just like the Nazi government did in World War 2. However, I think a key difference is that these organizations twist religion to further their own cause, rather than acting out a cause based on their beliefs.

People on the political right that say those hateful things, in a similar way, believe abortion or homosexuality is wrong for some reason or another, and they use their religion as a context to say hateful things. If they really were Christian, they would be spreading their message and ideas through love, not hateful terrorism.

Answer 2

With all due respect:

1. There is a difference between words and actions. Those who have displayed or acted on such sentiments as the signs you are quoting are not following sound Christian doctrine. They are the fringe.
2. For arguments's sake, though, let's say that you knew someone was on his way to the local elementary school to slaughter a few dozen kids. Would you do anything within your power to stop him? I believe that is how that fringe element I mentioned view the act of stopping abortionists - as the defense of others. Even the television show "Law and Order" seemed to view the case as one that could be argued. Again, I'm NOT advocating this position. It may be well-intended, but it is not right.
3. Do all liberal protestors speak for you? Read their protest signs. You may be closer to major political terrorism than anyone on the Christian right.
4. Remember the First Amendment? Would you prefer to censor these protestors - like the Nazi party did?
5. Finally, I want to reiterate that the signs you are quoting are not representative of the Christian faith. We are about reconciling people with God - not condemning them.

P. S. Would you like to go to church with me on Sunday? I guarantee you that no one will be carrying any of the signs you mentioned.

Answer 3

Another liberal painting with a broad paint brush - subtleties are not your strong suit, are they? I am a Christian Conservative, and none of the those sayings that you post reflect my feelings at all. I have issues with some of those practices, for sure, but I leave Judgment Day to the Lord.

Don't make the assumption that the lunatic fringe of any group is that group's spokespersons. Would you like to be lumped in with all the whackos on the extreme left - PETA, or those environment terrorists who kill construction workers on bulldozers to stop development projects - or anyone who is far, far outside the mainstream? Those sayings above do not reflect the vast majority of the Christian Right, and it's just lazy, uncritical thinking to lump them into the "Christian Right" whatever that is.

A lot of this is demonizing people with whom you have disagreement, to make your own views seem more rational and mainstream. Lumping me and many like me in with irrational, intolerant placard holders preaching hate is not accurate or in any way useful in this discussion.

(Edited to add:)
I just tried to read a few lines from DuckPhup - what is he on? He needs a nap, and some chill pills. He's spent way too much time at Starbucks with his ipod listening to Al Franken. Reality no longer has any role in his life... Good Grief.

Answer 4

The members of these organisations aren't truly "Christian" in appearance or message. They are radical extremists who pervert a very old book into saying their own prejudices and bigotries.

A true follower of Christ's teachings would probably not say those things. In theory, Christianity and most other religions are good. It's the extremists and fanatics who make them bad.

If you think about it for a moment, some of these people would be committed to an asylum for saying some of the things they say if it wasn't wrapped up in a "religious" message. Pat Robertson is just an example. I mean, the man is plagued with dichotomies and hypocrisy. He is his own antonym - it just depends on the day. And his bench press claim...I'll leave it at that!

Answer 5

calling them fundamentalists is the sorta propaganda you need to check before you walk away.

fundamentalists are NOT terrorists. they are about having things the way they were originally designed... they are afraid and untrusting of change.

those people you describe are not terrorists but rather just propagandists and liars. i never expected to see these people as a grown man, and for the most part I do not see these people because they live their lives hidden away. they put the garbage out there and they hide from their objectors. the best example of this can be seen in blogging. most great blogs are WIDE open to comments. no matter if they are controversial, if they are leftist... moderates... they have comments.

the right wingers, the conservative christians throw stuff on their blogs, get tons and tons of hits, but mostly will NOT have open comments to readers. they just don't want to read ... they don't want to think... they don't want their antiquainted theory questioned.

oh well.

Answer 6

You're talking about that jerk Phelps; Christians really dislike him and the poor publicity he is giving Christians everywhere. Just because a person says he is a Christian (or anything for that matter) doesn't make it so.

If you were to actually go to a church in the US you would find the real CR; nice people, don't want to make trouble, want to help the poor and elderly.

Answer 7

It's going to get a lot worse. Christian 'Dominionists' (Reconstructionalists, theonomists) have largely usurped the local level political apparatus of the Republican Party, and are engaged in a sub rosa process to politically motivate moderate Christians under the false cover of religious issues such as morality and family values. The goal is nothing less than the takeover of all elective offices in the USA.

Their doctrine comes from the Bible, starting with the term 'dominion' at Genesis 1:28... “And God said unto them, [Adam and Eve] Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have DOMINION… over every living thing.” They interpret DOMINION as: “... a supremacy in determining and directing the actions of others or in governing politically, socially, or personally.”

They want to remake the USA as a theocracy... and they are succeeding.

Its most common form, Dominionism, represents one of the most extreme forms of Fundamentalist Christianity thought. Its followers, called Dominionists, are attempting to convert the laws of United States so that they match those of the Hebrew Scriptures. They intend to achieve this by using the freedom of religion in the US to train a generation of children via home-schooling and in private Christian religious schools. Later, their graduates will be charged with the responsibility of creating a new Bible-based political, religious and social order. One of the first tasks of this order will be to eliminate religious choice and freedom. Their eventual goal is to achieve the "Kingdom of God" in which much of the world is converted to Christianity. They feel that the power of God's word will bring about this conversion. No armed force or insurrection will be needed; in fact, they believe that there will be little opposition to their plan. People will willingly accept it. All that needs to be done is to properly explain it to them.

All religious organizations, congregations etc. other than strictly Fundamentalist Christianity would be suppressed. Nonconforming Evangelical, main line and liberal Christian religious institutions would no longer be allowed to hold services, organize, proselytize, etc. Society would revert to the laws and punishments of the Hebrew Scriptures. Any person who advocated or practiced other religious beliefs outside of their home would be tried for idolatry and executed. Blasphemy, adultery and homosexual behavior would be criminalized; those found guilty would also be executed. There are two conservative Christian pastors in Texas who have advocated the execution of all Wiccans. Ralph Reed, the executive director of the conservative public policy group the Christian Coalition has criticized Reconstructionism as "an authoritarian ideology that threatens the most basic civil liberties of a free and democratic society."

By failing to openly confront this insidious agenda, we have sown the seeds of our own destruction, while these religious wing-nuts are paving the way to Armageddon with gleeful anticipation.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/reconstr.htm
http://www.yuricareport.com/Dominionism/HistoryOfReconstructionMovement.html
http://www.yuricareport.com/Dominionism/Clarkson_RiseOfDomionism.html

Answer 8

Those kind of so-called "professing Christians" do not seem to have the love of Christ so they become nothing more than clanging cymbals. Legalistic and of no use to anyone except ultimately the devil. They make true Christianity look bad.

1 Corithians 13
1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.

Answer 9

I consider myself a CR and I do not do any of those things you just listed. Get to know some people first before you stereotype that ALL Christians are exteremists. I would never hurt a fellow human being unless I was defending myself or my family. I would not call people names like that...or encourage murder.
I am pro-life.

Answer 10

Again, more sad examples of Christians acting like jerks. But let's not forget jerks are not confined to christianity. There are jerks in all walks of life. So, let's not generalize. There are plenty of loving, yet sin-hating, chrisitans out there. Some just get the sin hating confused with sinner hating. In every belief there are those of that belief that are misguided.