• Home
  • Friends
  • Groups
  • Share

SIGN IN | HELP
peterjswanson.gather.com
  • profile|
  • posts|
  • photos|
  • videos|
  • comments|
  • friends|
  • groups
by Peter Joseph Swanson
Member since:
April 13, 2007

Are the U.S. Social Conservatives about to start a whole new religion?

September 09, 2008 09:42 AM EDT
views: 181 | comments: 126
Many religions first start off as cults.  The U.S. has influenced Christianity a lot with its own odd cults over its history.  The whole "Rapture" thing was thought up in the U.S. (the Left Behind books exploited that).  There's always been a lot of Speaking in Tongues/Faith Healing/Casting out Demons Pentecostal stuff in the U.S.  But if it hits the White House again and again (remember When Bush seemed religiously radical?), and Palin's cult church gets publicized beyond its own dreams, could it all grow into something bigger ... and a whole new politically radical intolerant Pentecostal type U.S. religion is born? 
Expand Tag: religion
Expand To Groups: !!!~~La La Land~~!!!, A Beautiful World of Articles, Photo, Videos and You, brought to you by the Gather Women's Coalition, Auntie Christs, dumping ground for good and bad, Peter Joseph Swanson Fan Club, Political, Social, and Religious Views Forum
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Paste this link into an email or IM
Bookmark this post:
Facebook
Twitter
Delicious
Buzz
More

Comments: 126

Peter Joseph Swanson Sep 9, 2008, 9:42am EDT
???????????
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Sheryl O. Sep 9, 2008, 9:44am EDT
If that happens, I won't care, Peter. I'll have long since moved to another country. This place is starting to look like the Iran right before the revolution.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Peter Joseph Swanson Sep 9, 2008, 9:51am EDT
Yeah, I would want to be far away, too. New religions have the worse music.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
donna h. Sep 9, 2008, 9:51am EDT
Hi all
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Joe T. Sep 9, 2008, 9:53am EDT
Constitutionally speaking there is no religious test. You wouldn't know it this election cycle. Everyone is poised to reveal their religious beliefs. It is anti-American. Not to mention how rude it is for people to wear their religion on their sleeves.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Peter Joseph Swanson Sep 9, 2008, 9:53am EDT
We are already falling in science. We have to import science jobs from India. And modern school is just learning to take tests.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
sharon SugarMomma is a wise woman, Sep 9, 2008, 9:55am EDT
We don't have to worry, Peter. If they keep the power and expand it, they'll be coming for us baby.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Peter Joseph Swanson Sep 9, 2008, 9:55am EDT
Yea, Joe, it's "technically" bad manners, yet it is now required at the same time.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 9:55am EDT
Oh my goodness, Peter, Sheryl where on earth would you go?
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Peter Joseph Swanson Sep 9, 2008, 9:55am EDT
Sharon, I better stock up on lipstick, now.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 9:56am EDT
Um, how many can, I mean, do you think would follow?
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Peter Joseph Swanson Sep 9, 2008, 9:56am EDT
India, Kay? And they have the world's oldest religion.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 9:57am EDT
We will miss you. Be sure to write, don't forget to get your shots!
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 9:58am EDT
Are they fans of Joan in India?
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Sep 9, 2008, 9:59am EDT
Ahhhh Peter . . . it's ok. (*soothingly*)...Embrace the power of the all-seeing, all-loving and benevolent God. God loves you and your sinful ways and you can accept him and his love or burn for ALL ETERNITY IN THE NEVER-ENDING FIRES OF HELL! You know...cause he cares and all. ;)
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 10:01am EDT
Ah Doyle, you religious fanatic, you!
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Jennifer R. Sep 9, 2008, 10:02am EDT
I hope not.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Peter Joseph Swanson Sep 9, 2008, 10:04am EDT
Hoooooray for Bollywood !!!! (sing that)
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Chana M. Sep 9, 2008, 10:08am EDT
Peter, as one of the people who belongs to the religious group that helped spawn that religious group I have to say, boy this is really creepy. People get so confused, having morals and having religion are not necessarily the same thing. I have known very moral atheists and religious people who would cut your tongue out in a heartbeat. I don't really care what a candidates religion is. Her/His morality (ie: should I bomb children etc.) I do care about.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 10:10am EDT
"Hoooooray for Bollywood !!!! (sing that)"

They love cows!
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 10:10am EDT
and you can get a job in customer service!
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Sheryl O. Sep 9, 2008, 10:20am EDT
"We will miss you. Be sure to write, don't forget to get your shots!
Kay K., Sep 9, 2008, 9:57am EDT "

I know you are ignorant of this, Kay, but there are actually other countries out there in the world where the standard of living far exceeds the standard of living here in the US. With much more educated populaces, where religion truly in kept separate from government. I have a wide array of choices within those parameters. And, thankfully, I'm very well-educated so I won't have a problem finding employment.

With your religious fanaticism, you'll be the ones living in caves, not me.

You crazies can bring this country back into the same state as the Middle Ages in European history. Or, better yet, present day Iran or Syria. Good luck with that.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Sep 9, 2008, 10:28am EDT
By definition, all organized religions are cults. Because they use the word to insult others, it carries a negative connotation that they've brought on themselves.

Kay seems to be ignorant on most topics, and to enjoy proving it repeatedly.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Aunt Boni H. Sep 9, 2008, 10:46am EDT
Hey, All. Google this:

Dominionist Church of American...........

Read it an weep. (And guess who took over the reigns when Pat Robertson "retired".)
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Mark-John K. Sep 9, 2008, 10:48am EDT
Fear is a fools Paradise.

Sheryl, you needn't mention your fine education...it is obvious by your foolishness.

I'll help you pack.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Adina P. Sep 9, 2008, 10:52am EDT
creepy !
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 10:54am EDT
"By definition, all organized religions are cults. Because they use the word to insult others, it carries a negative connotation that they've brought on themselves.

Kay seems to be ignorant on most topics, and to enjoy proving it repeatedly. "

Hmmm, do I annoy you Sandy, or are your uric acid levels going wild again?
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 10:56am EDT
Mark-John, you really can't joke around with this bunch! I fear the loons have lost their sense of humor!
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Michael M. Sep 9, 2008, 10:57am EDT
Cult (n.)- Any religion that YOU don't belong to.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 10:57am EDT
Sheryl, I don't care where you go or what you do in whatever country you choose! I'm just having a little fun with Peter here. Gosh, lighten up!
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Sheryl O. Sep 9, 2008, 11:01am EDT
"Sheryl, you needn't mention your fine education...it is obvious by your foolishness."

How predictable. The religious crazies with their anti-intellectual fervor! You'll soon have schools with most books banned, and with half the day spent in military training sessions with live weapons. Onward Christian Soldiers!

To hell with the Islamic radicals - we have our own home-grown terrorists right here among us in the US. Mark-John-Paul-Ringo here I bet would gladly lead a battalion against us intellectual, university-educated heathens, wouldn't you now, dear?
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Peter Joseph Swanson Sep 9, 2008, 11:02am EDT
Kay K, just admit it. Social Conservatives are a dreadful dreary intolerant group of people. And be assured there is a lot of humor about them.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 11:05am EDT
Peter, I have met many "dreadful, dreary and intolerant" people in my life, and they are not confined to conservatives.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Sheryl O. Sep 9, 2008, 11:06am EDT
"I fear the loons have lost their sense of humor! "

That's not joking or fooling, Kay. That's pure ignorance and hate. The kind your party and your religious leaders have fostered for years and years in this country. And I will not play your "joking" game, because I find it degrading and offensive and hateful. I am sick of your party and your snide, snarky, laughing, degrading remarks at anybody who disagrees with you. At anybody who points out your lack of knowledge or experience. At anybody who actually deals in the world of facts, not mythology. Your ignorance and hypocrisy may amuse you, but believe me, it does not amuse the intelligent, truly compassionate and reasoning people with whom you attempt to hold "discussions". Your constantly stooping to language such as "loons" and "moonbats" and such show your lack of maturity and ability to communicate on an adult level.

Take your snarky, mean, and hateful "little fun" remarks and shove them. I won't play your little playground bully games. They're pathetic.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 11:07am EDT
Oh Sheryl, yes make fun of Mark-John's name, how classy of you! Or should I say dreary and dreadful?
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 11:08am EDT
Sheryl, re: your last comment: What the _______ are you talking about?
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Mark-John K. Sep 9, 2008, 11:17am EDT
She called me DEAR!
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 11:17am EDT
And I thought this was going to be a fun topic!
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
kokomo *. Sep 9, 2008, 11:18am EDT
Peter, you definitely have a point here. I find this all very SCARY.
Look for my next article, when I post it shortly. It addresses the same thing.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Mark-John K. Sep 9, 2008, 11:19am EDT
Sheryl, let me tell you a bit about Hate.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 11:19am EDT
Mark-John, can you believe it! I have never used the term "moonbats" ever! Where did the rest of that stuff come from [shakes head]?
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Elmo A. Sep 9, 2008, 11:21am EDT
I still have some faith in our constitution. Don't think even McCain, if he should win(unlikely) would appoint a SC Judge that cannot read.

One of our problems is that we are a pretty big country with a variety of folks. It would be easier if we were a small country and everyone was a Lutheran.

reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Peter Joseph Swanson Sep 9, 2008, 11:22am EDT
And you though this was going to be a fun topic? You never came near talking about it.


"Are the U.S. Social Conservatives about to start a whole new religion?"
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
ann c. Sep 9, 2008, 11:31am EDT
Ha!!! You know I don't comment on "political" stuff, but thanks for wishing me Happy Birthday!!! I had to do it in a comment cause you don't allow PINGS!!!
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 11:35am EDT
"Are the U.S. Social Conservatives about to start a whole new religion?"

Um well, okay Peter, no.

By the way, what does leaving the country have to do with this topic?
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 11:36am EDT
ann, it isn't political. Turns out Peter only wants us to respond directly to:

Are the U.S. Social Conservatives about to start a whole new religion?"

I guess it's a religous topic.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Sep 9, 2008, 11:43am EDT
Actually, I think Johnboy and Kay are on our side. No one could present an argument against organized religion or the Republican Party more convincing than their examples.

Regarding the topic - are the U.S. Social Conservatives about to start a whole new religion - they obviously want to hide whatever they have planned.

Late last night, I send a link to the article The Despoiling of America - How George W. Bush became the head of the new American Dominionist Church/State to a friend. Knowing how the Republican Party has been busy scrubbing everything they don't want us to see, I also copied the article. Good thing. This morning, the article is gone.

This was a well-written, researched, and cited article. About the author: Katherine Yurica was educated at East Los Angeles College, U.S.C. and the USC school of law. She worked as a consultant for Los Angeles County and as a news correspondent for Christianity Today plus as a freelance investigative reporter. She is the author of three books. She is also the publisher of the Yurica Report.

Katherine Yurica recorded and transcribed 1,300 pages of Pat Robertson’s television show, The 700 Club covering several years in the mid 1980’s. In 1987 she conducted a study in response to informal inquiries from the staff of the Subcommittee on Oversight of the House Ways and Means Committee of the U.S. House of Representives, which was investigating whether television and radio ministries were violating their tax-exempt status by conducting grass roots political appeals, endorsing candidates, and making political expenditures as defined under Section 527 of the IRS code. The Subcommittee on Oversight published Katherine's study in Federal Tax Rules Applicable to Tax-Exempt Organizations Involving Television Ministries on October 6, 1987, Serial 100-43. (Published in 1988.)
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 11:49am EDT
"Actually, I think Johnboy and Kay are on our side. No one could present an argument against organized religion or the Republican Party more convincing than their examples."

Yes, Peter, an example of "dreadful, dreary and intolerant."
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Mark-John K. Sep 9, 2008, 11:55am EDT
I thank GOD that the disgusting Knauer Hates me...there, is that "religious" enough for ya'?
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Peter Joseph Swanson Sep 9, 2008, 12:02pm EDT
It's okay for topics to wander. But it's also kind of nice to at least hit the topic once. As a general rule.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Peter Joseph Swanson Sep 9, 2008, 12:04pm EDT
If you want to talk about how fabulous my novels are, that's okay too. I'm not strict.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Sep 9, 2008, 12:10pm EDT
Yes, Johnboy, you represent your religion well. Thank you.

Peter, Kay, Johnboy, LaLa queen (and her alters), and others like them come here only to disrupt and distract from topics they hope the rest of us will not explore.

I managed to get to the article I mentioned above through a back door. When I've finished checking to see if the sources she cites still exist, I'll be back with more info, pertinent to the topic. Meanwhile, if you want to research Russ Peterson, former Republican Senator from Delaware who said, "“Our cherished American way of life is under attack by the far right-wing Republicans who are now running the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives. This is the product of a conspiracy that has been growing over the past few decades through the use of evil tactics and strategies, lies and deceptions to transform America.

“Deception is now the hallmark of the Bush administration. Read of the frightening chicanery in furthering an imperial strategy, nurturing the military-industrial complex, waging war on the environment, plunging the nation into debt, demeaning the needy, antagonizing the world and using terrorism to frighten and exploit." -- you might find more of what you are looking for.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 12:14pm EDT
Knauer, you intolerance of others who do not think like you is of course disgusting. What you dislike about me and Mark-John is that we refuse to be intimidated by those of your ilk. Spew your vile, we laugh at you!

Oh and by the way, I love all of Peter's novels, especially Hollywood Sinners--Marvelous!
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 12:16pm EDT
or is it spew your bile?
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 12:16pm EDT
how about spew your vile bile, yes that is it!
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
ann c. Sep 9, 2008, 12:17pm EDT
OK, then I do not comment on "religion" OR "politics"!!! I am FOR wandering comments though!!!
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Sep 9, 2008, 12:17pm EDT
"Reconstructionism is a theology that arose out of conservative Presbyterianism (Reformed and Orthodox), which proposes that contemporary application of the laws of Old Testament Israel, or "Biblical Law," is the basis for reconstructing society toward the Kingdom of God on earth.

Reconstructionism argues that the Bible is to be the governing text for all areas of life--such as government, education, law, and the arts, not merely "social" or "moral" issues like pornography, homosexuality, and abortion. Reconstructionists have formulated a "Biblical world view" and "Biblical principles" by which to examine contemporary matters. Reconstructionist theologian David Chilton succinctly describes this view: "The Christian goal for the world is the universal development of Biblical theocratic republics, in which every area of life is redeemed and placed under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the rule of God's law." http://www.publiceye.org/magazine/v08n1/chrisre1.html

----------

No Longer Without Sheep
Reconstructionism had been of interest to few outside the evangelical community until the early 1990s, when its political significance began to emerge. http://www.publiceye.org/magazine/v08n1/chrisre3.html
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
ann c. Sep 9, 2008, 12:18pm EDT
Oh, and YAY for Peter's novels!!!
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Sep 9, 2008, 12:21pm EDT
The conspirators use these false religious principles to control Western societies. These false principles include the following: (follow link for list)

Ahhh - see why they like to insinuate that we are all conspiracy theorists?
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 12:23pm EDT
Yes, and we can't forget The Joan Crawford Murders--classic, available at Stonegarden.net $10.95, not including shipping.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Sep 9, 2008, 12:23pm EDT
Theocracy Watch
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Peter Joseph Swanson Sep 9, 2008, 12:24pm EDT
I'm wondering if all this fascism that we are ALL still experiencing is fallout from World War One, still, to this very day.


But I'm not sure.

And to answer my own question up there - who knows how and when a new major religion will start (they all have their own history) - but I wonder about this Penticostal stuff becoming something more than it is now, especially when people like Palin get power and expect Church and State to go together.

But only hindsite is 20/20
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Sep 9, 2008, 12:25pm EDT
Tim LaHaye predicted on Pat Robertson’s 700 Club show on September 25, 1985 that 110,000 evangelical, fundamentalist, and Pentecostal churches could sponsor one person per church to run for office and win, that in a decade they would hold every office in the U.S.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Sep 9, 2008, 12:26pm EDT
Peter, this is about far more than the Pentecostals. They have infiltrated all religions, schools, and OUR GOVERNMENT.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 12:26pm EDT
What I liked best about The Joan Crawford Murders was how the author used his imagination to weave a implausible, audacious tale of two Joans--hilarious!
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 12:27pm EDT
check that "an" should be substituted for "a"
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Sep 9, 2008, 12:31pm EDT
Although neither Robertson nor Schaeffer used the words “Dominionism” or “dominion” in this interview series they used the word “dominant” when asking which culture was dominant in the United States: the Christian culture or the humanistic culture. They asserted the humanistic culture was the dominant force in America and “Christians” had to regain dominance.
------------------
The most successful ministers knew the psychological importance of creating “enemies” that were attacking the church. Jerry Falwell maintains the rule: “To be successful, keep a good fight going all the time.” (Think Kay and Johnboy)
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Sep 9, 2008, 12:32pm EDT
Probably the most powerful of these group cohesive forces is narcissism…group pride….A less benign but practically universal form of group narcissism is what might be called ‘enemy creation,’ or hatred of the ‘out-group.’”
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Sep 9, 2008, 12:35pm EDT
"We need to find ways to win the war" Karl Rove, President Bush's chief political strategist, and deputy chief of staff told a gathering of the Family Research Council in March, 2002. The Family Research Council is one of the most powerful lobbying organizations of the theocratic right today. Rove wasn't talking about the war on terrorism. He was talking about the war on secular society." War on Secular Society
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Stephanie B. Sep 9, 2008, 12:35pm EDT
Given the attitude of so many toward the educated and thoughtful, the openminded and tolerant, it does not surprise me that we are falling behind in technology and education. Parents no longer want their children to become engineers or scientists, thinkers or dreamers. Everything that's brought our society out of the dark ages is now seen as immoral and unnatural (though good luck getting them to unload their cellphones).

No need for science and technological advance, we've gone far enough. Logic and careful thought are now the identifiers of closet freaks who want to control you with their ability to accept differences and encouragement of free thinking.

You want to know how to destroy a powerful civilization? Nothing works more effectively than internal decay. America: Rome 2.0
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Peter Joseph Swanson Sep 9, 2008, 12:37pm EDT
Joan Crawford was a Republican (she hated Jimmy Carter and mocked JFK) but she was definately not a Social Conservative and if you wanted to know what her religions were you had to do a little biography digging.

Sandy - I'm going have have to spend some time on your comments - they are very deep.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Sep 9, 2008, 12:38pm EDT
"Spew your vile..."
"or is it spew your bile? "

Well, vile is an adjective and wholly inappropriate for the context in which you used it unless it describes a noun and it does not. It reall needs to modify something. For example it would be inaccurate to a filthy, criminal, corrupt vile. But it would be acceptable to detest a filthy, criminal, corrupt, vile Republican like Larry "wide-stance" Craig.

Bile, on the other hand, is that green stuff that comes out of a snake's mouth when you run over it with your car. It's a bitter, brownish to greenish yellow digestive juice secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. It may be considered "vile" by some but the term "vile bile" seems a tad too contrived for my taste, though technically accurate.

The ability to "spew" bile, however, is absent. You cannot do that. You know...in case you didn't know.

Incidentally, Sandy may seem intolerant to you but I'm curious. Is intolerance always bad? I mean, what should people tolerate? There seems as if there should be a limit, yes? ...And who tells us where that limit is? Do others tell you what you must tolerate and what you cannot tolerate? Or is that something decided on an individual basis? Would you tolerate anything? Or...are you intolerant as well?

Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 12:38pm EDT
Peter, always the diplomat.

You should form a religon!
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
kokomo *. Sep 9, 2008, 12:38pm EDT
Sandy, I agree with you, about the infiltration into our government. I wrote an article about "Retro-Morality" that I just posted prior to reading Peter's post.

If the fundies want to practice and believe in their own religions, that's one thing. But they are trying to make THEIR religion a National Religion. That's where other beliefs are barely tolerated.

I think this is an "ever-present danger" and while we are looking to the east and focusing on the problems there, the Christian fundies are stealthily taking over our government when we weren't watching.

And I think Sheryl's posts were right on the mark as well. I would expatriate somewhere else. It's not "Love it or leave it......for Iraq." There ARE other places that are perfectly fine to live in and in many ways superior to the US.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 12:40pm EDT
"Incidentally, Sandy may seem intolerant to you but I'm curious. Is intolerance always bad? I mean, what should people tolerate? There seems as if there should be a limit, yes? ...And who tells us where that limit is? Do others tell you what you must tolerate and what you cannot tolerate? Or is that something decided on an individual basis? Would you tolerate anything? Or...are you intolerant as well?"

Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~

Doyle, I will have to think about your comment, it is very deep.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Peter Joseph Swanson Sep 9, 2008, 12:40pm EDT
Kay K, thank you for the great review (though buried in an article asking about when cults go mainstream - or something).
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Peter Joseph Swanson Sep 9, 2008, 12:42pm EDT
My religion would definately start as a cult - with loud 60s Barbra Striesand music.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Mark-John K. Sep 9, 2008, 12:42pm EDT
Peter, will you be "novelising" about Veronica Lake?!?
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Mark-John K. Sep 9, 2008, 12:43pm EDT
Stephanie, don't be so down-in-the-mouth...

Stephanie=Frowns 2.0

;)
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 12:44pm EDT
Well Peter I would have published a separate post, but I guess I got lazy!

I love the imagination that goes into your novels. Maybe I'm not supposed to say that; what with me being "typecast" and all ; }
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
ann c. Sep 9, 2008, 12:44pm EDT
Hey, don't EVEN start on Veronica Lake!!!
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
ann c. Sep 9, 2008, 12:45pm EDT
Kay, your comments on Peter's novels are DEEP!!! :-)
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Peter Joseph Swanson Sep 9, 2008, 12:45pm EDT
Yes, sometimes comments are deep. Not only because they all add up to a lot of reading - but also because of the layers of ideas that they imply.

Sometimes wit is not deep.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Mark-John K. Sep 9, 2008, 12:45pm EDT
My apologies...the subjects were the Lovely (but NOT as lovely as Veronica) Ms. Crawford, and Stephanie's dourful disposition. :)
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Peter Joseph Swanson Sep 9, 2008, 12:46pm EDT
My Tinseltown novels are much deeper than they were meant to be.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 12:46pm EDT
My religion would definately start as a cult - with loud 60s Barbra Striesand music.

I am so there! But isn't "loud" and Barbra Streisand music redundant?
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Mark-John K. Sep 9, 2008, 12:48pm EDT
But Peter, doesn't "Babs" HATE the United States??? That is really not very kind...
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Marge H. Sep 9, 2008, 12:48pm EDT
DB 10 for an interesting topic.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Mark-John K. Sep 9, 2008, 12:49pm EDT
ann- you KNOW that I'm smitten with Veronica...
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
ann c. Sep 9, 2008, 12:52pm EDT
OK, then!!! A religion about Peter, I can see that!! Hollywood Sinners would have to be his "Bible".
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
ann c. Sep 9, 2008, 12:52pm EDT
Honey, everybody is smitten with Veronica!!!
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 12:55pm EDT
Okay, Peter--your religon, I can hardly wait. Please don't make me wear a uniform!
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Mark-John K. Sep 9, 2008, 12:55pm EDT
Have a go at the beaver on the ad-liner at the top of the Gather page...I INSIST that it is Veronica, with a "colour!"
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 12:55pm EDT
or cape or cloak or anything like that!
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Sep 9, 2008, 12:55pm EDT
Peter, are you here to entertain the fools, or to discuss the topic of your article. I don't want to waste my time.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Peter Joseph Swanson Sep 9, 2008, 12:57pm EDT
Babs is a great American ... And only in America can you get a Babs !!!
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Peter Joseph Swanson Sep 9, 2008, 12:58pm EDT
Oh my GOD Sandy don't tell me you have MORE info. Cool. I don't think they will read what you say but I will.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Kay & Snowy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 12:59pm EDT
Okay, I think it is time to leave Sandy alone with Peter. See ya!
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Lori F. Sep 9, 2008, 1:00pm EDT
Religion was invented to control the masses. It worked.
reply to this comment
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Join Gather »
Already a member? Sign in
Aniko   Sep 9, 2008, 1:01pm EDT
Peter, I think the religion you describe has been born and is doing quite well. It is possible that they're about to get even closer to power and to infiltrating the state. However, the way these things go, the more power they get, the more p