LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY jarandhel)

The American Family Association's early War on Christmas campaign appears to be off to a quick start this year. This is the second email that I've gotten from them, and this time they're calling for a Boycott of Mrs Fields. Naturally, per their request to get it into the hands of as many people as possible, I've decided to forward it to where it might do the most good. ;-) Once again, they using propaganda which conflates "not offering items with Merry Christmas because they don't want to offend anyone" with "not minding if they offend Christians".

( Read more... )

In a matter which is, of course, entirely unrelated I have decided to buy way more cookies from Mrs Fields this Holiday season than I normally would have. ;-)

Edit: Edited to correct the name of the organization involved. It should have been American Family Assocation, not Focus on the Family.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY jarandhel)

Every year it seems that Christmas is marketed to us earlier. Halloween costumes are still on the shelves this year, and I have already seen Christmas trees only aisles away advertising the coming shopping season. And now another sign of the season is coming even earlier as well: the "War on Christmas". ( The American Family Association just sent this charming missive to its mailing list... )

Edit: Edited to correct the name of the organization involved. It should have been American Family Assocation, not Focus on the Family.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY shapeshft)

As a follow-up to the post on the anti-Hindu AFA action alert, the latest on this issue on the One News Now website is a fearmongering article claiming that Thursday's Senate prayer will "start the countdown to judgment". AFA spokesman Buddy Smith says that he hopes that senators will, "for conscience sake," choose not to enter the room until the prayers are over.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY cold_poet)

Hi all, it was requested when we made our entry posts to mention what we're doing to combat Dominionists, so I hope I'm correct in thinking this post has a place here.

I keep an eye on the AFA so I know what they're up to and can try to negate some of their efforts by doing the opposite, and encouraging others to do the same - and also because they are very kind about providing me with lists of politicians who support gay rights and letting me know when to send Ford Motor Co. a THANK YOU letter for supporting gay rights. *G*

I just got another call to arms for the Ford boycott. THIS is a link to BoycottFord.com where they detail the many sundry ways Ford has supported the "homosexual agenda." *rolls eyes*

An earlier post regarding doctors who won't provide certain care mentioned concern over making a list of doctors who DO NOT deny care on a religious basis, out of fear that they would be targeted and harassed. It's a very well founded fear, I think.

The best way I can think of to respond to these kinds of actions is to respond in kind. SUPPORT the companies, tell them you appreciate what they are doing. I was dead serious about sending thank you notes, I do, every time I get one of these notices. I would HATE to see Ford, or any other company, give in to this kind of pressure because these people managed to affect their bottom line. The domino-effect that could have would suck. If the risk to profit is shown to outweigh the karmic points, other companies won't be so eager to step up and support organizations like PFLAG, either.

( Customer Relationship Center Address )

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY jehovahsfitness)

At the grocery store today, I was seeking out milk that didn't contain rGBH (I recently watched The Corporation). The kind I found was Promised Land Dairy brand. Now, the name didn't give me any red flags. There's a lot of brands that use religious wording that don't particularly have religious motivations in mind and many without such names that do. However, when I got home I noticed a Bible verse on the label, so I decided to do some sleuthing.

Turns out Promised Land is owned by a Texan businessman by the name of James R. Leininger. From 1987-1997 Leininger spent more than 4.6 million dollars to influence elections and on political issues like tort reform and vouchers. According to the Dallas Star-Telegram this primary season alone he has donated over $550,000 to various state-level Republican candidates. Five candidates he's backing all have "nearly identical" fliers. Interestingly, Leininger also owns a direct mailing business, Focus Direct. Leininger has funded Focus on the Family, the AFA and the Family Research Council and has founded several PACs and a think tank based on the Heritage Foundation's model.

Not to be confused with another James Leininger, a supposedly reincarnated WWII pilot.

More links:
http://www.publicintegrity.org/report.aspx?aid=492
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=James_R._Leininger
http://www.tylwythteg.com/enemies/leininger.html
http://www.texscience.org/reform/leininger.htm
http://www.tfn.org/religiousright/leininger/
http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/vol18/issue22/pols.leiniger.profile.html

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY jmthane)

These organizations support a boycott of Ford Motor Company simply because Ford, knowing it has to advertise to everyone or risk losing market share, has backed off its agreement with the AFA to not advertise to GLBT folks. Know (some of) your enemies, people:

American Family Association
Center for Reclaiming America
Citizens for Community Values
Vision America
Free Market Foundation
WIN Family Services
Liberty Counsel
CatholicVote.org
Point of View Radio
Coalitions for America
Mayday for Marriage
RealMarriage.org
Judeo-Christian Council
Constituent Voice
Faith2Action
Coalition for Marriage and Family
ConservativeHQ.com
Tradition, Family, Property, Inc.
National Association of Marriage Enhancement

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY gairid)

This is just insane. In reading this community I understand what the dominionists are doing and I know that their bleating about being persecuted is all part and parcel of the way they gather people to their cause, but Jesus Christ! Advocating murder is okay? It's sickening, it really is.



The American Family Association opened its airwaves to advocate for executing gays, adulterers, abortion doctors

Summary: Far-right Christian author and American Vision president Gary DeMar was the guest on the February 2 edition of American Family Radio's Today's Issues. In the past, DeMar has advocated the installation of a theocratic government in the United States in which homosexuals, adulterers, and abortion doctors would be executed.

Here's an excerpt of the interview:

DeMAR: The definition of Christian Reconstruction is simply this: The Bible applies to every facet of life. That means not just the judicial aspects of life, such as civil government, church government, but business, economics -- every facet of society. The Bible has something to say about each area. For example, on homosexuals: We do not believe that homosexuals ought to be executed. The Bible doesn't say that homosexuals ought to be executed. What it says is this: If two men lie together like man and woman, they are to be put to death.

PORTEOUS: What the hell do you think that is?

DeMAR: Well, wait a minute. If a guy comes up to me and he says, "I'm a homosexual," that doesn't mean he's to be executed. If you understand the Scriptures, it says very clearly: If a man comes up to you and says, "I've murdered somebody," that doesn't mean that person ought to be executed.

GONZALES: Oh, so what you are saying, Gary, is, if you catch homosexuals in the act, then the Bible says to execute them.

DeMAR: The Bible lays forth the severest penalty, which would be capital punishment for two men who publicly engage in sodomy.


http://mediamatters.org/items/200602140005

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY exotic_princess)

NBC cancels Will and Grace episode featuring Britney Spears doing a segment called Cruci-fixin's

I didn't even realize the 'history' of that term!

The NBC "Will and Grace" episode featuring Britney Spears hosting a cooking show called "Cruci-fixins" has been cancelled in the wake of Christian protests, but the term was actually recycled from a Fox network show.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY britzkrieg)

According to NBC's initial synopsis of the [Will & Grace] episode, Jack's fictional TV network, Out TV, is taken over by a Christian broadcaster, leading [Britney] Spears' character to do a cooking segment on his show called "Cruci-fixin's."

The American Family Association immediately raised objections to the planned episode, saying it "mocks the crucifixion of Christ" and will "further denigrate Christianity" by airing the night before Good Friday.

On its Web site, the Mississippi-based advocacy group called on its supporters to urge network affiliates to refuse to run the episode and to write letters of protest to NBC.

NBC countered that the dispute stems from an inaccurate press release that went out without being properly vetted.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY jmthane)

Don Wildmon of the AFA is gloating over the fact that NBC canceled "The Book of Daniel" (something I am not yet finding substantiated by any news source I actually trust), and is crediting the influence of the AFA and similar right-wing organizations for getting advertisers to not buy advertising on the show. Well, that's as may be, but there was a quote in there that I just had to comment on:

"Even an impassioned plea by Daniel's producer Jack Kenny could not match your participation. 'Ordinarily, I would never ask anyone to do this, but the AFA and bullies like them are hard at work to try and prevent you from seeing these beautiful shows, and that is censorship—pure and simple. And that is both un-Christian and un-American,' Kenny wrote. His attitude is typical in today’s society. Non-Christians telling Christians what is Christian."

My first thought was, "Well, *someone* has to tell you radical religionists what it is to be Christian..."

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY sunfell)

Just when you thought that people like the American Family Association have learned their lessons when dealing with Ford, they go on the attack again!

Here's a Daily Kos diary about their latest attack (including their high-handed letter to Ford), and a list of signatory people in cahoots with them which might come in handy to know.

Here's another article on the subject from Talk To Action about the Religious Right's inability to let things go. It's interesting reading.

Here's an excerpt of the AFA letter:

On November 28, Ford Motor Company and American Family Association worked out a representation concerning Ford's support of groups promoting the homosexual agenda including homosexual marriage. Ford's representations seemed to AFA a very reasonable and attainable goal.
Here is what Ford's representation included:

1. Ford would not renew current promotions or create future incentives that give cash donations to homosexual organizations based on the purchase of a vehicle.
2. Ford would stop giving cash and vehicle donations or endorsements to homosexual social activities such as Gay Pride parades.
3. Ford would not make corporate donations to homosexual organizations that, as part of their activities, engage in political or social campaigns to promote civil unions or same-sex marriage.
4. Ford would cease all advertising in homosexual websites and media outlets (magazines, television, radio) in the U.S. with the exception of a small amount to be used by Volvo. The Volvo ads would be the same ads used in the general media and not aimed at the homosexual community specifically.

When homosexual groups opposed Ford's actions, seven homosexual leaders met with Ford. At that meeting, Ford repudiated your representations and issued a public letter strongly supporting the homosexual groups.

Ford made this decision at the request of only seven homosexual leaders and without any input from your thousands of dealers who stand to be adversely affected by your decision. Why would Ford put the interests of seven homosexual groups ahead of the interests of all your dealers? Evidently you consider seven homosexual leaders more important than your thousands of dealers. Your support for these groups pushing homosexual marriage can only hurt your dealers.

We strongly suggest that Ford remove itself from involvement in the cultural war and apply its resources to building the best product possible. It ill serves the purpose of Ford to take sides in the cultural war. It is a no-win situation. When you favor one side, you alienate the other. Leave the cultural battles to the various groups pro and con and to the politicians. Apply your energy and your resources to building better automobiles. This policy would benefit not only Ford, your employees and your dealers, but society as a whole.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY nebris)

Jamie Wilson in Washington
Friday December 16, 2005
From The Guardian

Ford is to resume buying corporate ads in gay publications, following criticism from gay rights groups who accused the motor company of succumbing to pressure from the conservative group the American Family Association.

In an attempt to end a public relations disaster, Ford wrote to gay groups saying it would resume buying corporate ads in gay media, featuring all eight of the company's brands, reversing a decision to pull them. Previously only Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo ran ads in gay publications.

"Ford's action is a positive outcome and win for equality and fairness," said Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese. "Ford has sent a powerful signal that corporate America values its gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees and consumers."

The AFA called for a boycott of Ford vehicles in May, citing what it claimed was the company's "extensive promotion of homosexuality" including making contributions to gay rights groups.

The AFA suspended the boycott in June for six months after talks with Ford dealers and then ended it altogether after a meeting with Ford executives. Afterwards Ford announced it was going to pull the ads from gay publications and the AFA claimed victory. "While we still have a few differences with Ford, we feel our concerns are being addressed in good faith and will continue to be addressed in the future," Donald Wildmon, the chairman of the Mississippi-based group, said.

Ford denied it had struck a secret deal with the AFA, claiming the decision to pull the ads was a purely commercial decision. But gay rights groups reacted furiously, accusing Ford of pandering to extremist groups. The decision to reinstate the advertising followed a meeting with gay groups on Monday.

In light of first the DefCon America call for people to report dominionist groups violating tax exempt status and a later report of at least the second serious threat against Focus on the Family's tax exempt status, I would like to present both a bit of useful info and history and a very long list of groups that you, too, can file complaint in regards to.
( First, the history )

A brief note on the whole 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 stuff...the US tax code allows specific exemptions to federal taxes for certain classes of nonprofit organisations. To make a very long story short, the three main types of nonprofit groups legally recognised under the US tax codes are 501(c)3 groups, 501(c)4 groups, and PACs (political action committees). Both 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 groups can be set up as nonprofit groups; 501(c)3 exemptions tend to be used by churches, schools and educational groups whilst 501(c)4 groups tend to be used by actual lobbying groups. (Of note to Dark Christianity, dominionist groups typically register as 501(c)3 groups, and typically under the "religious ministry" or "educational foundation" exemptions (with the exception of groups like the DeVos Foundations, which are organised as private charitable foundations). The very few dominionist groups registered as 501(c)4 groups are uniformly registered as "social welfare organisations".)

The main difference in practice between a 501(c)3 and a 501(c)4 in practice:

501(c)3 group donations *can* be counted off on taxes as "tax deductible donations" but 501(c)3 groups generally are not legally allowed to engage in most political activity. (Certainly not advocating certain persons or certain parties for election, even certain issues can be iffy if it's a party-defining issue)

501(c)4 groups have more leeway as far as lobbying in Congress and state governments but donations to these groups are *not* tax deductible.

The specific IRS rules for lobbying for 501(c)3 groups are here and the rules for 501(c)4 "social welfare" groups are here.

Of special note (and of major import for dominionist groups)--groups that lose their 501(c)3 status as a result of lobbying *cannot* apply for 501(c)4 status; they lose their tax exempt status period. (Christian Coalition had changed their status to 501(c)4 just before the IRS yanked their tax exempt status, and it was only after almost seven years before it was restored; even now, they're essentially on "double secret probation" with the IRS.) Also, 501(c)4 groups can't have political lobbying as their *primary* activity (which is much of what got the Christian Coalition in trouble, and what may even get the few dominionist 501(c)4 groups in hot water).

Instead of the 1040C or other business-related tax forms that are normally filled out, organisations that qualify as 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 groups fill out a different form, called a form 990 or form 990-PF (the latter mostly applies to 501(c)4 groups); churches are largely exempt from having to register or file a form 990 (it's "assumed" they're tax exempt unless they show misbehaviour like, oh, distributing blatantly partisan dominionist voter's guides in sermon).

This is important in relevance to the next section:
( Form 990 filings and tax exempt statuses for lots of dominionist groups )

I know there are probably dominionist groups I've not listed there--if you've additions, let me know and I can add their tax info (and you can have fun reporting them for their misbehaviour!).

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY amethyst_hunter)

dogemperor, I could really use your fact-finding expertise on this. :)

An aunt of mine sent me a forwarded email today that was from the AFA (led by Donald Wildmon). Basically it's another fear tactic - "Let's freak people out by telling them that a lone atheist is out to get the 'in God we trust' motto removed off currency!" Uh-uh. Not gonna happen, especially in this current political climate. However, I seem to remember that the AFA is an especially suspect dominionist group, and as such I want to post a reply to my aunt (who is *not* any sort of fundamentalist; probably more like she is one of the many who are largely unaware of dominionism in general and its tactics) letting her know that you cannot trust anything coming from that group. But I need some good links for evidence...doesn't have to be a lot, just maybe one or two things that show Wildmon and co. are not the sort of folk that can be trusted.

Thanks. :)

Several people mentioned this on other forums, and Nagisa specifically called it here, but now it's official:

http://www.local6.com/news/5052104/detail.html

Roy Moore--known Christian Reconstructionist and golden-boy of the dominionist movement--has officially announced his candidacy for governor of Alabama.

( a brief history of Roy Moore's hanky-panky )

There is already discussion on multiple forums--one which I think needs to turn into an organised campaign--to specifically see which churches and dominionist groups (with 501(c)3 non-profit status, such as how AFA and Focus on the Family are organised) are endorsing Roy Moore over the next few months and start filing reports to the IRS and state tax authorities of illegal politicking to have the tax exempt status of those groups revoked. (As Roy Moore is pretty much adored over and advocated/cheerleadered on by almost every dominionist group in the country--including a few specifically set up for the cheerleading of this idiot--it's possible that *most* dominionist groups could end up losing their tax exempt status if groups work in an organised fashion to monitor and report.)

EDIT: A fairly full history of Moore's misbehaviour is here.

Much of the bleating so far about this has been in dominionist sources, and in a decidedly negative light, but something you all may be interested in (in light of the recent case of a kid kicked out of a Catholic school for having a lesbian mom):

Reportedly the University of California public university system has started implementing rigorous standards in requring minimum standards for high school education for those admitted to public universities in that state. Part of these standards include basic science education--including on the theory of evolution--and social studies.

The standards, as it turns out, disqualify students coming from dominionist schools (generally accredited by dominionist-run, dominionist-operated "accreditation mills") and in particular a large association used by dominionist schools called the Association of Christian Schools International. (Of note, the dominionist group I walked away from has its school accredited through this organisation--THIS should tell you of the quality of the "accreditation" through this group!)

It would also likely block dominionist homeschool programs, both because of extremely minimal standards (for those few dominionist homeschool programs that are accredited) and because some dominionist homeschool programs actually pride themselves on their lack of accreditation.

In fact, the two most common curricula used by dominionist groups--A Beka and Bob Jones University--are now specifically considered unacceptable in their science education--which pretty much knocks out *all* dominionist educational programs. (As I have reported previously on Dark Christianity, these particular school curricula are less "education" and more blatant indoctrination into dominionist theology of "Avengelicals Uber Alles".)

Needless to say, the dominionists are not happy about this (as pretty much the curriculum used in dominionist schools is now officially stated as insufficient).

So far, the gallery of rogues presently screaming like murdered chickens include: ( click here for the rogue's gallery )

Personally, let's hope OTHER states start getting standards as rigorous as California's.

I'm posting a link of all known Avengelical/dominionist groups who are specifically:

a) either blaming/targeting NOLA victims or
b) more specifically have made statements to the effect that Hurricane Katrina is "God's wrath" or otherwise some form of divine retribution or "cleansing" of the NOLA area.

I am wishing to document this because, among other things, much press is given to Islam's version of Avengelicals and Iraqi insurgents claiming Katrina is God's Wrath, but very little on our *own* Avengelicals in the US claiming the same thing. I think it'd be enlightening if people could see waht they are stating publically or what has come out (in regards to what is being said in their own flocks).

Needless to say, what is being said to their own flocks and what isn't making the press is probably worse.

Anyways, the list:

( Scumbags all, playing the ultimate game of 'blame the victim' )
( Indirect condemnation by dominionists )

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY sunfell)

Today's AlterNet has an interesting article about the American Family Association's hurricane relief efforts:

The American Family Association, an anti-gay anti-reproductive rights organization, wants to help hurricane victims, as long as the victims are church-goers who will be appropriately grateful.

The American Family Association sent out a plea to churches today to house hurricane victims, however the plea was accompanied by a warning:

"If your church would be willing to adopt a family, please fill out the form and email it back to us. We in turn will contact a family needing shelter and have them get in contact with you directly. You can interview them to see if their needs and your facilities are compatible and to secure references such as their previous local church and pastor. We suggest that you screen the family carefully. While 99% of these people will be very appreciative, there is always that 1% who can create problems."[italics in original]

Well, isn't that nice of them to warn us off the ungrateful bastards. I especially dislike the part about families securing a "reference" from their previous local church and pastor. God forbid the family didn't go to church or that their previous church and pastor are unable to give a reference at the moment, being probably more than a little occupied with their own survival and that of the thousands of displaced people around them.

The American Family Association bills itself as "America's Largest Pro-family Online Action site" but its pretty clear in times of national tragedy that non-church going families and other ingrates aren't included in the ranks.

Rachel Neumann is Rights & Liberties Editor at AlterNet.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY sunfell)

Seems that the NOLA disaster is driving the wingnuts out of the woodwork. Americablog quotes the latest outpouring of Christian Love and Tolerance from the mouths of these people:

Lead religious right group promotes theory that God wiped out NOLA on purpose
by John in DC - 9/02/2005 05:21:00 PM

Geez, this is from the American Family Association's propaganda organ AgapePress. It's one thing when some nutjob says this, it's another when the American Family Association, one of the LARGEST and most powerful groups of the radical right, gives those nutjobs air time.

Rev. Bill Shanks, pastor of New Covenant Fellowship of New Orleans, also sees God's mercy in the aftermath of Katrina -- but in a different way. Shanks says the hurricane has wiped out much of the rampant sin common to the city.

The pastor explains that for years he has warned people that unless Christians in New Orleans took a strong stand against such things as local abortion clinics, the yearly Mardi Gras celebrations, and the annual event known as "Southern Decadence" -- an annual six-day "gay pride" event scheduled to be hosted by the city this week -- God's judgment would be felt.

“New Orleans now is abortion free. New Orleans now is Mardi Gras free. New Orleans now is free of Southern Decadence and the sodomites, the witchcraft workers, false religion -- it's free of all of those things now," Shanks says. "God simply, I believe, in His mercy purged all of that stuff out of there -- and now we're going to start over again."

The New Orleans pastor is adamant. Christians, he says, need to confront sin. "It's time for us to stand up against wickedness so that God won't have to deal with that wickedness," he says.

Believers, he says, are God's "authorized representatives on the face of the Earth" and should say they "don't want unrighteous men in office," for example. In addition, he says Christians should not hesitate to voice their opinions about such things as abortion, prayer, and homosexual marriage. "We don't want a Supreme Court that is going to say it's all right to kill little boys and girls, ... it's all right to take prayer out of schools, and it's all right to legalize sodomy, opening the door for same-sex marriage and all of that.”

http://www.caica.org/

Coalition Against Institutionalised Child Abuse is a watchdog group, much like ISAC (http://www.isaccorp.org) and Emancipation Project (http://www.emancipationproject.org) that focuses on awareness of and fighting against coercive "behaviour modification" facilities.

(Again, this is of note because many if not the vast majority of "behaviour mod" facilities of this type are in fact operated by dominionist groups; Love In Action is promoted in literature from Focus on the Family and the American Family Association, for example. Some groups such as WWASP have also been known to promote causes in the dominionist community (such as "de-gaying therapy"); many dominionist-run schools are also promoting themselves as "tough love" schools. A number of former WWASP schools, too, are now owned and operated as blatantly dominionist "correction schools".)