Family Research Council chaplain openly calls for non-Christians to be banned from public office
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Thu Jan 12, 2012 at 05:04:27 PM EST

Anyone who's studied the religious right can't help but notice a pattern to how they've operated over the last three decades.  They get a little bit of power, only to overreach and get smacked down hard.  Then they slither back into the shadows and wait a few years to build back up again.  Wash, rinse, repeat.  Well, if a video captured by People for the American Way is any indication, the overreach is beginning in earnest.

You may remember that Cindy Jacobs is spearheading a prayer initiative for this election called Fast Forward.  Well, last week at a rally to launch the event held in Washington, the Family Research Council's national prayer director, Pierre Bynum, was on hand to represent his organization, and openly called for non-Christians to be banned from holding office.  Watch for yourself.

The folks at PFAW's Right Wing Watch have dug up evidence that indicates Jacobs is working hand-in-glove with the FRC on this "Fast Forward" drive.  The FRC has been in a sort of informal alliance with Jacobs, Peter Wagner and other prominent dominionists for some time, and it looks like this appearance by Bynum pretty much cements it.
Bynum gets it wrong--there has never been a ban on non-Christians holding office at the federal level.  Yet it looks like he's waxing nostalgic for the days when the states could impose religious tests with impunity.  As a matter of fact, several states (including mine) still formally ban anyone who doesn't believe in God from holding office.  However, since Torcaso v. Watkins in 1961, those provisions have been unenforceable.  Of course, we know that if the religious right had its way, anyone who rendered such a decision would be arrested by the Capitol Police and haled before the House Judiciary Committee for impeachment hearings.


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Family Research Council chaplain openly calls for non-Christians to be banned from public office | 10 comments (10 topical, 0 hidden)
NAR and FRC, AFA (5.00 / 1)
The NAR apostles and prophets have been working with the FRC and AFA leadership for some time, but they now appear to be coordinating on a regular basis.  AFA has even threatened to take regulars off of their radio broadcasting join groups like Worldview Weekend in criticizing the apostles.  

Rick Perry's Houston prayer event in August was an eye-opener, since the event was coordinated and led by the apostles, financed by AFA, and included the participation of James Dobson, Vonette Bright, Tony Perkins, and others.  Major press does not seem to have fully recognized the significance of this development.

by Rachel Tabachnick on Thu Jan 12, 2012 at 07:51:13 PM EST


One of the last christian based prejudices (none / 0)
If you aren't a believer in the Christian god you are legally barred from running for office in Texas. One of the most backward of states. Glad I have no political aspirations or I'd be one disappointed person.

by Nightgaunt on Sun Jan 22, 2012 at 10:21:05 PM EST
That provision is unenforceable (none / 0)
One of many that were rendered unenforceable by Torcaso v. Watkins. So you can go ahead and run.

by Christian Dem in NC on Mon Jan 23, 2012 at 11:18:49 AM EST
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