"the family"

"the family" or "the foundation..."

i listened to an interesting interview on "fresh air" today about a "secret" religious organization called "the family." it is a very influential christian political organization. unlike most evangelical organizations, it does not cater to the masses, and, since about 1960 or so, has kept a very low profile. "the family" is meant to provide spiritual guidance to the wealthy and powerful, the elites. "the family" believes that god chooses powerful individuals, that His will is made manifest through the whims of the powerful. originally, it appears to have been founded to provide religious justification and support for anti-union efforts (presumably, the wealthy leaders of business were god's chosen ones, who paternalistically did what was best for their workers). today, it largely coincides with aspects of the republican agenda, notably the staunch belief in free (unregulated) markets.

mark sanford is a member of the "family." interestingly, despite all of his apologizing, despite all of his recent concessions for "crossing the line" of marital fidelity, he refuses to step down as governor. one of his justifications is the biblical figure of king david. for those of you who (like me) are not really up on the bible: king david was the same david from the david and goliath story. in his later years, he was both an adulterer and a murderer. his one redeeming quality (if you can call it this) is the fact that he was "chosen" by god. supposedly, according to "family principles," if you are chosen by god (i.e., if you have a position of power or authority), then you are somehow above morality. thus, governor sanborn should remain governor because he was chosen by god.

this sort of argument is old. it's hard to believe that there are still idiots who buy into it. i suppose if you are in power, it's a comforting fairy tale to tell yourself that you are where you are because you are "chosen." it removes all the complicating variables, like fairness, or struggle, or justice.

this is the mentality of some of our figures in power. it would be interesting to expose all those who have some affiliation with "the family." i'm sure it would be fodder for those across the partisan divide; but it would also be shocking to christians in general, to see how their religion is misappropriated and misinterpreted to support fundamentally immoral activities. (note: the "family" was also a big supporter of suharto, the dictator who supposedly was responsible for the death of 1 million "communists." a far cry from christian compassion, wouldn't you say?).

i definitely don't mean this entry to be anti-christian or anti-religion in any way. i am saddened and angered that there are those who can mutilate messages of peace and love and turn them to their own ends, furtherance of self-centered interests...