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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

What the Heck is Dominionism? and why do so many Americans Believe in it?

Ever hear of Dominionism? I had; but had never really looked into it. Today I did. This is what I found " Many Writers including Chip Berlet [43] and Frederick Clarkson [28] distinguish between what they term "hard" and "soft" dominionism. Such commentators define "soft" dominionism as the belief that "America is a Christian nation" and opposition to separation of church and state, while "hard" dominionism refers to dominion theology and Christian Reconstructionism. Michelle Goldberg used the term "Christian Nationalism" for the former view, [37] and Berlet and Clarkson have agreed that "[s]oft Dominionists are Christian nationalists." [43] Unlike "dominionism", the phrase "Christian nation" occurs commonly in the writings of leaders of the Christian Right. Proponents of this idea (such as David Barton and D. James Kennedy) argue that the Founding Fathers of the United States were overwhelmingly Christian, that founding documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are based on Christian principles, and that a Christian character is fundamental to American culture. [44][45][46] They cite, for example, the U.S. Supreme Court's comment in 1892 that "this [the United States] is a Christian nation," [47] after citing numerous historical and legal arguments in support of that statement. [48][49] And God blessed [ Adam and Eve ] and God said unto them, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." —Genesis 1:28 (KJV) In the context of American evangelical efforts to penetrate and transform public life, the distinguishing mark of a dominionist is a commitment to defining and carrying out an approach to building society that is self-consciously defined as exclusively Christian, and dependent specifically on the work of Christians, rather than based on a broader consensus. [25] 1. Dominionists celebrate Christian nationalism, in that they believe that the United States once was, and should once again be, a Christian nation. In this way, they deny the Enlightenment roots of American democracy. 2. Dominionists promote religious supremacy, insofar as they generally do not respect the equality of other religions, or even other versions of Christianity. 3. Dominionists endorse theocratic visions, insofar as they believe that the Ten Commandments, or "biblical law," should be the foundation of American law, and that the U.S. Constitution should be seen as a vehicle for implementing Biblical principles" Interesting! Does this remind people of events and speeches which were given over the past two years? I hope it does! This is an extremely dangerous view to be considered in a country which boasts of its religious freedom! It is a theology which permeated throughout this part election! However that is just my view. All I ask is that you think about it and ask yourself one question: Do I believe this? Then think about what it really means. Look it up yourself! Read the Constitution! Find out what the Founding Fathers AND Mothers truly said and thought! Stop taking what pastors, politicians, and others say and make sure they speak the truth! That goes for the Bible as well! Study! Read! Learn! Become proactive and find the truth! When you do that, then power is in your hands! The power to elect the right people! The power to spread God's. Word the way Jesus taught! And the power to develop your own beliefs and views! Its time to start changing and growing so get going!

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