The Hutaree Militia

Until the recent news stories broke covering the arrest of the nine members of the Hutaree Militia charged with "seditious conspiracy" (which has a maximum of life in prison, if convicted), I'd totally forgotten about this ultra-conservative, fundamentalist and militant form of Christianity. It seems that I've so surrounded myself in a progressive Christian bubble that, with the exception of the few news stories covered in the media wires I follow, I've been rather blind to these Christian-centric, extra-fervent militia groups.

For those who haven't been able to follow the media coverage, The Christian Soldiers of the Apocalypse (another name for the Hutaree) is an organization that believes that the end of history spoken of in Revelation and elsewhere in the Bible is imminently approaching, along with the appearance of the Anti-Christ who will be the inlet for Satan and the downfall of humanity. Thus, they, as well as all Christians, are obliged to know this and prepare by forming armies for Christ. This is part and parcel of a fear of all government and especially of what has been termed the New World Order, where all nations and peoples are united (and controlled) by a central command (which will eventually be the seat of the aforementioned Anti-Christ). Apparently, their rhetoric and preparation has caught the attention of the U.S. government, which is prepared to crack down this seditious conspiracy to overthrow the current government and establish a purely Christian system of governance, one which harkens back what they call the Colonial Christian Republic before the establishment of the U.S.A. (Source: www.hutaree.com)

This dangerously intolerant and divisive movement is not only an affront and radical distortion and misunderstanding of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the doctrines and values of the Church since the 1st century, but it's also a manifestation of the changing times we're living in. There have always been radicals (sometimes violent and hateful) on both sides of the spectrum, but it seems to have intensified lately due to the turbulent socio-political and economic situation. To me, this militant Christian movement is in the same categorical camp as militant fundamentalists in Islam or Hinduism or any other religion. Fundamentalism, as a reaction against the cultural changes and progression toward greater tolerance, diversity, pluralism, and equality, is grounded psychologically in fear and theologically in a misappropriation and misinterpretation of the inclusive and forbearing messages of the founders/leaders of the various religious traditions.

It's sad to see these violent and hateful movements develop and influence people toward intolerance of differing others, but the most we can do is to become more informed about the groups and issues, promote dialogue with religious and cultural others, and stand up to injustices, inequalities, and hatred wherever we experience them.

For an informative and thought-provoking essay on the Hutaree, apocalypticism, and fundamentalism see Chip Berlet's article at Religion Dispatches.

Above image from Religion Dispatches website.

Evangelicals and Atheists...Good Bedfellows?

The most recent show topic on Interfaith Voices radio program is entitled "Evangelicals and Atheists...Good Bedfellows?" Maureen Fiedler interviews Frank Schaeffer who has written a book called Patience with God: Faith for People Who Don't Like Religion (Or Atheism).

In the past, Schaeffer helped build up the religious right and was part of this movement until he discovered it was full of fanatics. After leaving the religious right movement he has argued that the religious fundamentalists and the extremist atheists in our culture have a whole lot in common.

Listen to the program at Interfaith Voices.

Mutations and Diversity within Pentecostalism

Anthea Butler writes an article chronicling the mutations and diversity within the Pentecostal movement. We learn to distinguish among the Prosperity Gospel, Word of Faith, and New Apostolic Movements — and why it matters.

Butler traces the differentiations between the theological approaches of folks like Joel Osteen, C. Peter Wagner, and T.D. Jakes. The article briefly outlines the historical and ideological origins and development of these different movements within the larger Pentecostal movement.

This article is significant because it texturizes and gives nuance to the more fundamentalistic movement in the US, which is often overgeneralized by some religious progressives. It's always good to know the opposing opinions, its plurality and depth, before offering any substantial critiques.

Read the article here.

Purpose-Dirven Atheism

Frank Schaeffer writes an article in Religion Dispatches about the new anti-religion movement forwarded by self-avowed atheists such as Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens. The piece poses the question as to what extent these positions are just as fundamentalistic as the religious views they critique. Schaeffer suggests that Dawkins, Harris, etc. are indeed extremist and radical versions of fundamentalism, only from the opposite side of the spectrum from that of the religious type.

Read the entire article here.

(Image courtesy of flikr user 18romaire via Religion Dispatches)