Is Free Thought Becoming Extinct in America?

Have Americans lost their ability to be free thinkers? Is free thought becoming extinct in America? Tribalism is running wild in America today. Moreover, it has become a key component in social control. The goal is to put everybody in a tribe that works to shut down their self-identity. In many ways, it defines a person. 

It might be the Gay/LGBT tribe. It might be the White Supremacist tribe. It could be the Black person tribe. The science tribe. The Politician tribe. Then you have the feminist tribe or the workers tribe. The list of tribes grows every single day it seems.

Tribalism is a dangerous thing. We are all born with our very own unique skills, morality, and experiences that shape the way we think.  We all have our own special way of being creative. We all have our own ideas and we all have special feelings that inspire us. 

If it were not for tribalism people would not be put into these assorted boxes. We would all be who we are. We would see many different perspectives on a spectrum of issues. Progressivism versus Conservatism for example. We should have a society that promotes these individualities which foster diversity. More creativity, more ideas, more free-flowing discourse in our politics. 

However, what we got is a top-down demand to get back into your box fall in line. Will any blue do ring a bell? Get back to your tribe you belong too. Don't step aside from the bounds now or we will chastise you. Color inside the lines no abstract art is allowed. Follow the rules of your tribe or get spanked. 

There are Examples

If your Gay you must be a progressive, you can't be conservative. If you're a scientist you can't believe anything that steps outside your sensibilities and have faith in GOD. These are but a few examples but in every case, you have a set of guidelines that are prescribed and ordered by your peers. Especially in the present with social media, there is ever increasing social pressure to conform to the tribe. If you consider yourself to be progressive, you can't agree with anything Donald Trump does or you will be booted from the group and blocked on Facebook for example. The demand that we all conform to these ever-growing tribes comes from the top. What we have instead of trickle down economics which doesn't work. We have trickled down social engineering which does.

This is all enforced by social pressure. It feeds on every single human being desire to belong. All of us, for the most part, have a desire to be part of something in this world. The fear of being isolated and alone is a strong one. There have been studies conducted by Social Psychologist that social pressure is the most determining factor on what people deem to be true or false. [See Source]

 People will go along with the tribe and the social pressure even if it contradicts what they see or feel. Studies have shown that people will expel direct evidence in front of them with the narratives of the tribe. Tribalism is a very powerful and destructive force working like cancer through the American people and you can see it unfold daily in our public discourse. 

Tribalism is Being Used As A Weapon by The Powers That Be!

It is a weapon for social debasement and engineering. What is the end goal? Social Control. Mostly for political control and it all starts by dividing people. Therefore, politics matters in our view in the House of Public Discourse. Where better than to gain control of a myriad of segments in our society than from controlling elected officials. It has happened before, and therefore history is repeating itself.  

The aftereffect of this is to keep humanity down in its place. The goal is to suppress free thought plain and simple. There has been a concerted effort to dumb down our society to subdue freedom of expression and personal creativity. This is not a coincidence this is by design. Humanity is intentionally being kept down in our box and you better not step out of it.

Mass Corporate Media and other devices are working to create a battlefield of the minds in America and across the globe. These forces work to try and distort our logic and good common sense. It's the largest physiological test ever conducted, and the scope and scale are beyond what the average person can imagine.

The goal is to prevent people from thinking and stepping outside the tribal box. 

However, if anything of value came out of 2016 people are waking up to the corruption and decline of our country much of it due to tribalism. We here in the House of Public Discourse are attempting to assist those in recognizing that we all must look and step outside of these ersatz lines they [ Globalist & Socialist Engineers] have herded us all into. The most dangerous threat to the Global Elitist and political establishments is the American people waking from this voodoo spell of tribalism we have been under for decades now in America. These powers that be are threatened by the true freedom of speech, expression, will, and finally thought.

Free Thought Explained 

The House of Public Discourse would encourage each person to step out of their boxes and explore all that you are capable of being. It's time to cast aside the pangs of " Party Identification" in the realm of politics and start supporting those who promote free public supported healthcare and education. We need to all become public advocates to demand that our elected officials represent the people instead of private special interest. " Free Thinkers" should not cast one vote for a politician who does not support overturning Citizen's United. We should throw out every politician who will not support the doing away with the regime change Imperialist foreign policy. In this writer’s view, I see more and more people awakening but sadly too many still confined to their tribal box. There is no doubt in my mind that the political establishment of both parties and their deep-pocketed paymasters would like to see “Free Thought" become extinct. Let's all help one another and overcome this plan to herd us all up in a tribal box. If not, Free Thought will become extinct in America. While writing this article I was reminded of an old-school Teddy Pendergrass song. Wake Up, Everybody!

Written By: Johnny Hill 

What The F_ _K Is Up With These Oathkeepers?

Oathkeepers Defenders Of The Constitution, MY ASS! 

According to credible sources, Kentucky Clerk and the newest Christian Right Saint Kim Davis goes back to work on Monday What's up in the air will she issue a same-sex marriage license if the situation arises. If not, she could be arrested and thrown right back in jail.

Stewart Rhoades Oathkeepers Founder 

According to the self-proclaimed defenders of the Constitution the "Oathkeepers" that's not going to happen. The Oathkeepers listed by the Southern Poverty Law Center are a "Radical Right Wing Hate Group." The group's leader Stewart Rhoades stated they will be there to protect her from what he calls a tyrannical government imposing its will on an American citizen. Rhoades Stated:

"We believe Federal District Court Judge David Bunning grossly overstepped his bounds and violated Mrs. Davis’ due process rights, and, in particular, her right to a jury trial. This judge has assumed unto himself not just the powers of all three branches of government, but has also taken on the powers of judge, jury, and “executioner.”

Rhoades added.

"What matters to us is not whether you agree with her position on gay marriage or her decision to not issue marriage licenses. What matters is that the judge is violating the Constitution in his anger and desire to punish her for going against his will."[See Source]

First and only point the contention by this group's leader that the Judge overstepped his authority and did not offer Kim Davis due process of law is complete "bull-crap." Anyone who believes this to be true doesn't know a single thing about the law whatsoever. A law was passed allowing "same-sex marriage" and as an elected official Kim Davis has to carry out the law of the land whether she likes it or not. The mere act of not doing so is not only contempt of a judge's court order it's a violation of oath of an elected official to carry out the laws of the land. Guess what? God's law or theocratic law does not have one single thing to do with secular law period. So, the Oathkeepers position that the judges order was improper just makes clear that the group's leader maybe a lawyer he doesn't know what he is talking about period. 

The Real Question Is Do The Oathkeepers Pose A Threat To "We The People" Who Believe They Are A Hate Group And Full Of  S_ _T?

President Obama

One of the most troubling developments over the last several years has been the rise of the " Right-Wing Militia Movement." Memberships in so-called " Patriot Groups" has sky-rocketed since the election of America's first person of color to the White House.  Both Homeland Security and the Southern Poverty Law Center warned us back in 2009 to expect this rise in " Hate Groups'" in America. We saw back in the Spring of 2014 this reality when a cattle rancher in Nevada, who had been stealing from the taxpayers being brought to justice. And, these people, headed up mostly by the very same " Oathkeepers" pointing rifles and other firearms at law enforcement officials tasked to bring him to justice. 

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The Oathkeepers was founded in 2009. They claim to be non-partisan. They are mostly made up of former and current law enforcement personnel. Their mantra is they're needed to defend the Constitution. However, the Southern Poverty Law Center disagrees.  So, what is the real agenda of the Oathkeepers? No matter your feeling if the Southern Poverty Law Center is legit or not there are some common sense issues surrounding the Oathkeepers and other Right Wing groups that elevate themselves as protectors of We The People.

Far right-wing groups have and do pose a threat to the security of our nation. The Oathkeepers are nothing more than a water downed version of the Sovereign Citizen Movement. Americans have been inundated with Fox News and Right-Wing Talk Radio about the Muslim are going to take over America. How Obama going to take our guns and put us all in FEMA camps. The fear-mongering has been unprecedented.

However, a recent study shows groups we need to fear the most are not ISIS or minorities but, in fact, homegrown "Domestic Terrorist."[See Study Results] 

There were several law enforcement agencies who participated in this study and the overwhelming response to the inquiry was the Sovereign Citizen Movement posed the biggest threat to both law enforcement and public safety. 

Who Are The Sovereign Citizens?

Not unlike the Sovereign Citizen Movement the "Oathkeepers" tend to predetermine what is the law of the land and cherry pick the law they will accept and not accept. The bottom line is there are laws both on the federal and state level that forbid citizens from taking the law into their hands. The Oathkeepers have stuck their busybody noses in places it does not belong from Cliven Bundy, Ferguson, and now the " Kim Davis Affair." Their involvement in these events and others has only enhanced the danger and lessen the security. Their actions are not a problem solver but, in fact, a problem creator. But what they are not is defenders of the Constitution they claim they are but instead overgrown children with a desire to "Play Army" and "Obstructors of Justice."

Discourse Unplugged with Johnny Hill

STOP THE MADNESS!!!!!

From House Member DeAnn Padelo

Has Liberty Given Way To Gerrymanding?

Has Liberty Given Way To Gerrymandering? 

Has Liberty Given Way To Gerrymandering?  In continuance to seeking an answer to the question, Where Do Democrats Go from Here, we find ourselves faced with another one, Has Liberty Given Way To Gerrymandering?  Like influence peddling, the practice of redistricting called today gerrymandering has a long history. 

Late in 1788, just after Virginia voted to ratify the Constitution and join the union, former Governor Patrick Henry persuaded the state legislature to remake the 5th Congressional District, forcing Henry’s political enemy James Madison to run against the formidable James Monroe. The ploy failed, and Madison won, eventually becoming the nation’s fourth president. Monroe’s career wasn’t over, though: He succeeded Madison as president.[Library of Congress] 

Where Did the Phrase Gerrymandering Originate? 

The origin of the word “gerrymander” was a combination of “salamander” and the last name of Elbridge Gerry, who as governor of Massachusetts in 1812 signed into law a redistricting plan designed to benefit his political party. The term was put into print for the first time by the Federalist-leaningBoston Gazette on March 26, 1812. Printed alongside this cartoon, it described a newly formed district in Essex County, said to resemble the shape of a salamander. The portmanteau stuck. [Library of Congress] 

Shortly after the Voting Rights of 1965 passed, in Congress,  some states created black and white voting districts. This creation of congressional districts  was mostly achieved by evaluating Census data.  This type of redistricting got the name " affirmative gerrymandering." Its intent was to curtail discrimination and promote minority politicians. This brief overview of the origins of gerrymandering is valuable. Why? Because the redrawing of voting districts lines based on race or ideological criteria was not the intent of our founders or does, it represent a balance for Democracy as a whole. What is concerning to many is its use in these modern political times. Our research has found a shifting precedent regarding the redrawing of voting district lines.

The whole business of political redistricting [gerrymandering] can get ugly. Moreover, often at the taxpayers expense. 

"The opportunity to control the drawing of electoral boundaries through the legislative process of apportionment is a critical and traditional part of politics in the United States, and one that plays no small role in fostering active participation in the political parties at every level." Davis v. Bandemer, 478 U.S. 109, 145 (1986)(O’Connor, J., concurring in the judgment)

In short, the state of North Carolina was found in violation of the Constitution in its 12th Congressional District by drawing the lines using race as the predominant factor in 1993 However, the court shifted in the 1999 case Hunt v. Cromartie (99-1864),

Gerrymandering Created An Uphill Battle For Democrats in 2014!

This all centers around the 2010 Census. The Republicans through political design and lack of democratic voter participation were able to be successful in gaining control of state legislatures especially in the Red States. Their apparent first order of the day were to gerrymander their prospective districts. Create the now coined phrase " political safe-zones." 

Why this is, a problem for Democrats is as clear as a bell. These districts have been drawn with a partisan mindset which introduces us to another type of redistricting call partisan-gerrymandering. In states like Ohio, Michigan, and North Carolina we have witnessed Democratic voters being packed into the fewest voting districts possible.[See Article] This activity is gerrymandering in its purest form. We have a situation where Republicans voters have been systematically placed to provide a win-win no matter the issues or the qualifications of the participants.  Granted geography had a role to play in some cases, but, by and large these areas were designed with partisanship in mind. 

Let's Be Clear Here! 

The practice of gerrymandering is not sovereign to the Republican Party. Democrats have been willing partakers of gerrymandering as well. With the way, the House and Senate have shaped up and with the next census not due to be taken soon Democrats have a significant issue to solve. Gerrymandering is one of those issues that many Americans feel there isn't much difference between the parties, in terms of how they use it.  

Regarding our focus at House of Public Discourse we hold the position that next to unbridled influence peddling made legal by Citizen United. The haphazard, and wholly undemocratic practice of redistricting based on race, and other social factors hampers our nations democracy. This dangerous ingredient in our political system has helped this country slip into something less that a Republic. In fact, gerrymandering is a total undermining of Democracy. 

Many in America, this writer being one feels that gerrymandering should be banned period. There is a better way. No question there has been criminal behavior associated with the practice of gerrymandering. Many have given up hope on changing a system that the very people we would ask to do so benefit. From a Progressive Liberal point of view, we contend we can overcome this disadvantage by doing what Liberals do, thinking outside the box. We need to fight in the courts, in the state capitals, and on the front steps of City Hall, and anywhere the fight takes us to overcome these corrosive elements in our governance. I want us[ liberals] to answer the question, Has Liberty Given Way To Gerrymandering, a no, but, hell no answer.

However, Did Liberty Give Way To Gerrymandering In The 2014 Mid-Term Elections?

Fresh off, Republicans winning their largest House majority since the Hoover Administration, Where do the Democrats go from here? Democrats lost of their second straight mid-term election has many in the party pointing fingers. There are the normal scapegoats, weak candidates, bad money allocation choices, dismal narrative to inspire the Democratic base.

The GOP benefited from the most egregious gerrymandering in American history.

Backed by the likes of ALEC state lawmakers were on the take from big lobbyist, advocating state-wide redistricting or gerrymandering. Redrawing congressional lines was the paramount focus of this enterprise. Due to the poor Democratic participation in 2010 and the emergence of the Tea Party, right-wing radical state Governors and Legislators carved out huge chunks of political real-estate based on partisan gerrymandering. This tactic paid huge dividends for the Republicans in  Ohio, Pennsylvania Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Arizona, Tennessee and beyond.[The Nation]

Is Capitalism A Threat To Democracy?

It is stunning following the Wall Street crash, how there has been no expression from any key player from Wall Street of regret or apology for having brought down the entire economy. Nor is there any sense of shame or embarrassment in their continuance to extract exuberant bonuses for producing nothing for the whole of society. There are even traditional conservatives who hold this view. This writer comes from a traditional conservative background. I grew up in a small community in North Carolina called Rosewood. My family raised me to believe in local control, community responsibility, and community values.

However, over a period, I came to realize there are two different definitions of conservatism in the Untied States. One is about the aforementioned traditional values that my family raised me up to believe. I can honestly say for the most part they brought me up focusing on the positive aspects as opposed to the hate element we see in conservatism of today.

What Are True Conservatives Like Today?

The traditional meaning of conservative is a monarchist. One which advocates monarchical rule.[Source: Dictionary.com] The word originated when the term democracy took root in America. The Conservatives were the ones defending the monarchy and central control.  Tension has developed among Conservatives who believe in  global elitist government and those who believe in local and state control. In many ways based on this "writers" understanding of conservatism, there is reason for concern when you see a concerted effort to centralize control.

The world today is all about globalization. The global economy. Huge corporations are parading as a person. The whole dynamic that we have been introduced to as globalization is a process driven by these companies for their corporate interest. They want to eliminate national boundaries, and reduce the capacity of governments to create regulation that maintain a sense of community interest and national interest in the economy. Companies have consolidated their power to rule the world without any democratic accountability. What is interesting is the counter to this corporate globalization. The behavior of these corporate entities has awakened the American people and restored the desire to return to a time when community values and keeping the local, state, and national economies close to home. There is now a globalization of people power. In my view, within this framework we must learn as a society how to work together collectively regardless of  one's political ideology.

You Cannot Have A Capitalistic Democracy! 

Milton Friedman

In many ways, capitalism and democracy are a contradiction of terms. Think about the Milton Friedman's and Ron Paul's and the whole Libertarian babble about free markets and freedom. At best, their sense of freedom is restrictive. It's not the freedom of the working person to control their lives as they see fit.[See Source]  The Libertarians don't like democracy. The freedom they speak of is the freedom to submit oneself to control by a higher authority.[Free Markets] [See Article] The reason the Libertarians don't like democracy is because they are Capitalist. Libertarianism in the United States is, in fact, an extreme example of what true Libertarianism is not. They are in favor of private  tyranny. The worst kind of tyranny!Tyranny by unaccountable concentrations of wealth. When they [Liberitarians] say we don't want government interference in the markets, they mean it. The type of intervention they want to block is the kind that would permit constraints on the utterly irresponsible behaviors of the super-rich.

Corporations are a prime example of private tyranny.

It's worth bearing in mind how radical in opposition this is to classical liberalism.         

Modern-day Libertarians love to invoke Adam Smith.  But, if you read Adam Smith he said the opposite. Libertarians claim Adam Smith was opposed to any form of government control. This presumption is not valid. Adam Smith was in favor of government regulation as he put it "when it favored the working man." He [Adam Smith] was against interference when it benefited the masters. That is classical liberalism. Libertarianism as called in the United States is a concocted methodology which is a complete contradiction to classical liberalism principles. It is astonishing the amount of people especially young people who are attracted by this complete fabrication by design. They say Adam Smith; they invoke him all the time. He was an icon of his time. Many factions considered Adam Smith a radical in his day. Why? Adam Smith was very much an anti-capitalist. Smith condemned the vile maxim of the masters of mankind. All for ourselves and everyone else could just " fend for themselves." Sound familiar! It was Adam Smith who championed the phase and doctrine called the invisible hand.

What is Meant By The Term " Invisible Hand."

Adam Smith rarely even used the term invisible hand. The term is mentioned once in his signature literary work " The Wealth of Nations." The context is an argument against Neoliberalism. Smith argued that if a company in England invested abroad and imported from abroad it might  be profitable for the business but would be harmful to the people of England. Sound familiar! However, they will have enough of a commitment to their country. [home-bias] That if by a. " invisible hand," they will keep to the less-profitable actions, and England will survive what we now call neoliberal globalization. To summarize, England was at the time an agriculture producing nation. Suppose some landlord accumulates an enormous amount of land. This reality creates a situation where everyone else has to work for the owner. Smith held the position that this would not turnout to badly because the landlord will be motivated by his natural sympathy for other people that he will make sure the essentials of life will be equally distributed. This practice in turn will create an equal distribution of wealth as by some invisible hand.

In Wealth of Nations, in the first couple of pages Smith talks about the butcher and his interest. The baker and his interest and this conflicting interest created what came to be known as a division of labor. However, how many have read a couple hundred pages into the work where Smith bitterly attacks the division of labor. Smith pointed out if you pursue the division of labor people will be directed to actions that they will repeat the same mechanical operation over and over. What this reality does is deskill a person. Smith advocated this would turn people into stupid and ignorant as a human can get. Therefore, in any civilized society the government will have to intervene to protect the will of  " We The People." This view is very different than the one held by Libertarians today. A Capitalistic Democracy would self-destruct and for the most part did during the Bush II administration and after decades of Reagan's trickle-down economic theory which mirrored the invisible hand concept. And, with the current time disparity in the distribution of wealth this hand has surely been invisible.

Reagan's Trickle Down Was A Prime Example of the Invisible Hand Debacle!

Dominionist, The Players Past And Present. [Part 2]

According to the Dominionist, government has a role as " God's Avenger."

"...Government... derives its moral authority from God. It is the minister of God with powers to 'avenge,' to 'execute wrath' including wrath even by sword." [See Source]

It is just this type hearsay that has come to be commonplace with many adherents of Dominion Theology. One recent example of  this gossip came in the form of a book entitled, " Jefferson Lies." It's author, David Barton, [Dominionist] in a word 'rewrote' history in his now debunked book.

The World According To David Barton.

David Barton

It is imperative to make a quantified comparison here on the " Pilgrim America." Which based on our research was ultimately a religious- based society. And,"Revolutionary America,"which based on our research wasn't. These were two entirely different America's. So,what does this American history have to do with David Barton? Firstly, David  Barton is a very well-known religious author who has promoted America as being a nation founded on Christian principles. One of his calling cards is to come out on stage with some old looking documents claiming them to be original. Barton contends that the founding fathers formed the American government as a vehicle to spread the gospel. The problem with Barton's contention is that it's grossly wrong. Provable wrong. Secondly, Barton's argument is a false one based on the evidence. What David Barton does is skew the facts to a Christian Right slant by manipulating the data. Barton attempts to make it appear the founders believed certain things when in fact they did not. What Barton does is to detach individual quotes from a broader text and manipulates them to fit his purpose. It is very easy to persuade the right-wing authoritarian follower. They not only tend to be under- educated they tend to be anti-this and anti-that and are easy targets. [See Article] Read, " Personality Traits Of The Right-Wing Extremist."

David Barton is the Pastor to the Tea Party crowd. Michelle Bachman (R-MN) calls Barton a " treasure to our nation," former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee stated that Barton was the " single best historian in America today." [See Source]  Nutball journalist, Glenn Beck once called Barton, the " most important man in America".

What is very troubling is David Barton's growing influence with Republican and Libertarian politicians. He distorts history and the Constitution for political purposes. He promotes religiously non-Biblical doctrines which divide and give no preference to religious minorities. Barton has made a living on feeding the toxic political climate in America. Barton preaches that political opponents are not just wrong they are evil and anti-God. [See Source]

Hear David Barton At Work.

You shall surely set a king over you whom the LORD your God chooses, one from among your countrymen you shall set as king over yourselves; you may not put a foreigner over yourselves who is not your countryman. [Deuteronomy 17:15] As you can see Barton likes to skew the meaning of the scriptures to manipulate them to serve his purpose. Last time I checked we got a president and not a king. Moreover, President Obama has fully vetted his birth-certificate for the whole world to see. However, Barton wants to influence the least common denominator of our society poor under- educated white people who tend to vote for the Republican Party. What is important here is to learn how David Barton operates. In doing so, you can get a clear indication on how the entire Dominion Theology works. Barton has been found to put out false quotations from the founders. In short, accuracy is not Barton's watchword. Why should we be worried about the likes of David Barton? For starters, many Americans have not heard of Barton. However, the people driving the Republican agenda have. To the Republican Party he is not on the fringe. In the past, Barton was used by the Republican Party to get the evangelical vote.

In addition, Barton has been recently embraced by Republican presidential candidates like Mike Huckabee, Newt Gingrich, Michelle Bachman, Rick Santorum, Rick Perry, and Sara Palin. [See Source]  Barton has been welcomed into the halls of Congress and had influence over these lawmakers. Another thing that is dangerous about David Barton is his making every issue a religious one. Claiming that God has a particular position on every secular issue of our time. In fact, Barton contends if you disagree with him you disagree with the " God Almighty," himself. If you don't fall in step with his thinking, you are anti-God. In this writer's view, nothing is more dangerous than a Christian zealot on steroids.

David Barton Wants To Remake America.    

  

" Money does not belong to the government, it belongs to individuals, and to steal money from individuals through whatever government spending program is taking private property."

I wonder what the position of the Republican Party is on tax money going to subsidize the oil and gas industry or the tax money that has gone to war profiteering companies like Haliburton. Or the largest spending government program period, the military.[See Article] As a person who studied the Bible for five straight years, I found nothing that even remotely advocates the type of things spewing from Barton's rhetoric. The bottom-line this behavior by Barton is typical among Dominionist. Our research here at the House of Public Discourse has analyzed this to the point where the fact is as follows. With the infiltration of Dominionist into our public sphere at all levels of government [See Article] whether it is spoken or unspoken these factions debate every issue from a theological perspective in total disregard to our nations Constitution. How this viewpoint plays out in the practical is that God wants them to oppose the minium wage, God wants them to oppose Obamacare, God wants them to oppose same-sex-marriage, and so forth. This attitude creates an almost impossible atmosphere for compromise. What we are seeing is a concerted effort by Republican political activist and planners. To merge the Religious Right, with the anti-government Tea Party, and right-wing white hate groups to fight all progressive agendas in the name of ' God Almighty. David Barton then comes along claiming there is a Biblical basis for this practice.

James Madison

   

In closing, the House of Public Discourse would draw our readers to the attention of  one of our nations founders James Madison. Who we will be writing about in our next article dealing with the separation of church and state. 

"I must admit moreover that it may not be easy, in every possible case, to trace the line of separation between the rights of religion and the civil authority with such distinctness as to avoid collisions and doubts on unessential points. The tendency to a usurpation on one side or the other or to a corrupting coalition or alliance between them will be best guarded against by entire abstinence of the government from interference in any way whatever, beyond the necessity of preserving public order and protecting each sect against trespasses on its legal rights by others." (Letter Rev. Jasper Adams, Spring 1832).      

The Counterfeit Promise Of Dominionism Doctrine

Many people in America did not and still do not know that president George Bush II was a dominionist. In fact, ever since his election to office the Republican Party has been inundated with political candidates that prescribe to its doctrine. For example, George Bush II while in the White House surrounded himself with these so-called. " Promise Keepers." This group was nothing more than dominionist.

Who Are The Promise Keepers?

Promise Keepers is a Christian organization for men. While it originated in the United States, independent branches are established in Canada and New Zealand. It is self-described as "a Christ-centered organization dedicated to introducing men to Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, helping them to grow as Christians".^[1]Promise Keepers is a non-profit organization, not affiliated with any Christian church or denomination. Their most widely publicized events tend to be mass rallies held at football stadiums and similar venues. They also sell a variety of promotional products to "help men keep their promises," including clothing, books, and music. Dr. Bruce Wilkinson developed the widely used video curriculum, Personal Holiness in Times of Temptation, as a part of "The Biblical Manhood" series for Promise Keepers.[Source: wikipedia.org]

This organization had a profound effect on the presidency of George Bush II. They introduced Bush II to a whole new philosophy of politics. A religious one not an economic one. One of those tenets where for men to take dominion over their wives. After Bush II, came John McCain. ( R-AZ) There have been times in McCain's past that people by and large considered him a sensible and reasonable person. With his appointment of Sarah Palin, a card-carrying dominionist to be his running mate in the 2008 presidential race shattered that perception. In fact, John McCain openly embraced and gathered dominionist around him. For example, Pastor John Hagee and Rob Parsley. What was transforming was the merging of the business right with the religious right. We have seen Republican Party governors like Rick Perry from Texas become closely aligned with Dominionists groups. In the case of Rick Perry he involved himself with one of the most radical Dominionist groups in the country. The New Apostolic Reformation. (NAR) 

 Rachel Tabachnick

Respected political researcher Rachel Tabachnick wrote:

"Perry's endorsers are not just a random group of radical evangelists making outrageous statements. These are the 'apostles and prophets' of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), the biggest international religious movement you never heard of."

Forrest Wilder, an investigative reporter for the Texas Observer, wrote around this same period:

"The NAR's intellectual godfather, C. Peter Wagner, one of Perry's early endorsers, brags that NAR is the most significant change in how Christianity is practiced since the Protestant Reformation ... With hundreds of millions of followers worldwide, the NAR's stress on Godlike 'prophetic' and 'apostolic' powers, its revisions of end-time prophecies, its methodology of 'spiritual warfare,' and its agenda of theocratic dominion over all aspects of society are threatening to modern democracy." 

In this writer's view, it is paramount that we inform ourselves on this twisted theology called Dominionism. Dominionist advocates a doctrine that envisions a takeover of the world by a form of religious zealots as a fore-runner to the second-coming of Christ. This false religious viewpoint endorses a political/religious concept called the. " Seven Mountains Of Culture." These seven mountains are 1-business, 2-government, 3-media, 4-arts and entertainment, 5-education, 6-family, and 7-religion.

The Seven Mountains Of Culture Explained By A Dominionist.

There is an extreme downward slope into religious nonsense here. To ignore this progression into religious myth would be to do so at one's peril. Think about it for a second. For the most part, America is still reeling from the economic crisis of the Bush II administration. The confidence of the American people in our government is at an all time low and similar to that of Germany in the 1930's.[See Article] It was these type conditions that propelled the people of Germany in 1933 to take leave of their senses and vote Hitler into power.[See Article] During the 2012 Republican primary for president, no candidate exemplified what a dominionist president might look like than Rick Santorum. Rick Santorum is an extreme Roman Catholic dominionist. Santorum is also a member of a religious faction known as the Opus Dei.

Opus Dei is controversial, and many claim it to be a cult.

Alexander Cockburn writing for the Independent Investigative Journal Counterpunch, commented:

"Surely Rick Santorum is the most fanatical Christian to run for the Republican nomination in the modern era, maybe any era."

Can you picture in your mind in these modern times or any time an Untied States president whipping himself in the White House?  This connection of Santorum to Opus Dei coupled with the fact this guy was a Republican front-runner at some point in the 2012 presidential race sends shivers down this writer's back. What is an important factoid about Opus Dei is the religious groups philosophy has been embraced by  many of the fascist governments over the last 100 years.

Opus Dei is " A Mafia Shrouded In White."  

Opus Dei is very clear in its mission. Their goal is to influence society to direct itself [society] to the Catholic world-view. This world-view is a very radical right-wing one that inserts its members into key positions in government. Dominionism and Opus Dei are religious cousins. These spiritual philosophies work to advance their members at whatever the cost and with the goal of placing as many as they can at the highest levels of government. Many of these modern day radical spiritual doctrines came into existence with the emergence of socialism and communism. Many within these denominations view this as a death-struggle between good and evil, God and Satan. 

The Christian Right in America has taken this presumption and made political hay with it. They have steadily tried  to circumvent the separation of " church and state." clauses in the constitution. They claim the Christian West is under attack by secular-humanism and that self-indulgent forces are trying to destroy Christianity and drive God from the public sphere. Rick Santorum rode this donkey in his 2012 presidential bid.

Rick Santorum Satan Has His Sights On America Speech

Satan is attacking the great institutions of America!  Using the vices of pride, vanity, and sensuality to destroy and break-down these so  embedded great American traditions. Does the condition paranoia ring a bell? [Source: See Article]

A Rebuttal.

According to the Dominionist,the opening salvos against Christianity began in the late 1960's with what has become known as the Woodstock Generation.  I was in my early teens during this period and remembered the conservative grown ups talking how these long-haired hippies were ruining our country.

The dominionist believes that America went to " hell in a hand basket," when the. ' love-generation' manifested itself. They [Dominionist] contend that this generation of people has become the Democratic Party. Democrats are the. ' party of Woodstock.'
Their contention is Democrats are all about primal lusts, [sex] and the whole abortion culture is not about life, but sexual freedom. That it's about Homosexuality and now, today, same-sex-marriage. According to Rick Santorum and other Opus Dei and Dominionist members Woodstock is America's new religion.  Where does the president Barack Hussein Obama fit into this spiritual facade?

Millions of so-called Christians on the radical Christian Right agree.   

 "Many ... Evangelical Christians ... take it as an article of faith that President Obama is merely the public face of a secular conspiracy intent on altering their country beyond recognition." [Source: John Cassidy The New Yorker]

These religious zealots point to the contraceptive mandates in Obamacare as an example and we saw the Hobby Lobby insanity play out this year in the highest court in the land. This writer makes no bones or apologizes in my contention that following the path these Christian zealots, and the political crackpots they influence like Rick Santorum would lead us down a dark path.

Are the Dominionist and Christian Right, Right?

To truly answer this question with a sense of fairness, we must do what any empirical research entails a look at the history concerning the matter. We begin the study with the introduction of probably the first real American historian Charles Thomson. 

Charles Thomson

 Thomson was the man who made the final decision on the " Great Seal," of the Untied States. During the American Revolution, Thomson kept a detailed account of the events of the day. By doing so, he was privy to all the behind the scenes activities pertaining to some of our countries most celebrated figures. Many factions during his lifetime compelled him to publish this history Thomson refused. 

" No...I ought not, for I should contradict all the histories of the great events of the Revolution."[The Hidden Faith of the Founding Fathers]

Thomson went on in his explanation:

" Let the world admire the supposed wisdom and valor of our great men."  

Thomson ultimate position was that he would not take part in what he felt would undeceive future generations. As a result, Thomson destroyed the manuscript. This action created a lost of what may have been the truest account of the American Revolution.[See Source] The larger question here is what did Thomson mean by his statement that he would not be responsible for undeceiving future generations? Moreover, we are that generation and I for one want to know what was Thomson hiding. To the point, the founding fathers of our country are some of the most famous people to walk this earth. They set up a new form of government never before practiced on earth. This state system has by in large been the marvel of the modern age. But the real question that is at issue here was America founded as a Christian nation. In an article recently published here at the House of Public Discourse, we pose the question;[ Is America Really A Christian Nation] today. 

It is evident today that many factions in this country Dominionist being one that co-mingle patriotism with a form of patriotic Christianity. Patriotic Christianity is the idea that America was founded as a Christian nation. So, with this assumption radical Christian dogma's like Dominionism and their followers feel compelled to push this agenda based on the perception that the founding fathers were Christian men. This belief has led their leaders to advance this agenda in the political arena. It is men like David Barton and others who want to spring-board this idea throughout the electorate and convince everyone that its the Republican Party and the Christian Right that are ones favorable to God and to vote for the Democrats is to vote for the party of Woodstock. The dominionist justifies their involvement in political activism for this theory and their so-called patriotic Christianity. 

What is very troubling is that these spiritual organizations are indoctrinating their children with these set of values and conceptions and in affect brainwashing these souls from birth. The known racist Libertarian Ron Paul has jumped into the home-schooling business to bring up good-little Libertarian boys and girls.[See Article]  Also, what is happening is these children are being taught that our founding fathers Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Franklin and others were all good Christian men. 

Were The Founding Fathers Good Christian Men?  

Just weeks ago while doing some research I came across one Thomas Paine. Much to my surprise, I was fascinated that this moderate and some - what unsuccessful man finally found his passion in life. Thomas Paine went on to write one of the most read literary works of all time, Common Sense. I was so interested in his story that I wrote an article about him.[See Article] He[Paine] and his work Common Sense has been credited as being one of the jump-starts to the American Revolution. In fact, the writings of Thomas Paine in Common Sense created the model for which sculpted the Declaration of Independence. 

Thomas Paine wrote in Common Sense.

Thomas Paine

        "... Nothing can settle our affairs so expeditiously as an open and determined declaration for independence."    

What is so interesting is at the time of his writing this pamphlet Thomas Paine was an immigrant. He was not an American citizen. He was an Englishmen, who Benjamin Franklin sponsored to America.  The reason I identify with Paine cause he was a writer but a " jack of all trades," who until he was able to write he was a lost man. He had failed at just about every endeavor he undertook. However, Ben Franklin, who was a printer, loved Paine's writing style and encouraged him to write Common Sense. Putting things into perspective from a literary standpoint Thomas Paine contribution to the American Revolution was equal to that of George Washington. It was Thomas Paine who coined the phrase " Untied States of America." So, with all this said, why has American history marginalized Thomas Paine?  The short answer, after the revolution Thomas Paine, published his feeling about Christianity and the Bible.

In Paine's literary work, " Age of Reason," he wrote:

" When I see through the greater parts of this book[The Bible] scarcely anything but a history of the grossest vices... and collection of the most paltry and contemptible tales..." 

Many historians and people of the time's claimed Thomas Paine was an atheist, but; his defenders say he believed in a God but not the one in the King James translation of the Bible. What is painful and powerful here is that Thomas Paine, a champion of the American Revolution. That many of the founding fathers themselves give equal credit for the success thereof would not be considered a Christian by the likes of modern day politicians like Rick Santorum and Texas Governor Rick Perry.

Thomas Paine went on to write that he did not believe in the creed professed by any church that he knew. According to Thomas Paine, his mind was his church.[See Source] Furthermore, Thomas Paine made it clear that he detested the Bible. In fact, Thomas Paine utterly denounced Christianity. He [Paine] called Christianity a " fable and fraud." This publication the 'Age of Reason,' sold thousands of copies. And, clearly shows that one of America's founding fathers was not a good Christian man. 

The Success of The Age of Reason Sparked Further Questions.

With the now well-distributed text of the Age of Reason by a well-read author of his day Thomas Paine, the people of America started to ask questions in the town square for lack of term. Paine, who was close with Washington, Jefferson, Adams,and Franklin and this is what Paine believes and advocates what do these American icons believe? With this conundrum  being the case, the public began to question the viewpoints of these aforementioned men. Contrary to modern- day Christian dogma's like dominionism the founding fathers were carried by a sense of reason as opposed to theology. 

    

John Adams wrote:

" When philosophical reason is clear and certain by intuition or necessary induction ... no subsequent revelation supported by prophecies or miracles can supersede it." 

When you break Adams statement down and put it in context, what is Adams saying. When making important decisions your sense of reason [common sense] and intuition [ gut feelings], and induction of scientific study should always supersede the fable and fairy tales of prophecies and reliance on miracles. In a nut- shell, John Adams is voicing the nature of human reasoning should override the word of God that speaks of things in a prophetic nature and is determinate of some freak miracle. This attitude today would land one of our main-stay founding father way left of center with the now radical Christian Right. And, moreover, if any modern-day politician  proclaimed this sentiment he would most definitely not be considered a good Christian man. 

It was this factor of human reasoning that led Thomas Jefferson to write in the Declaration of Independence :

" We hold these truths to be self evident..." My research has led me to conclude. That these word were specially engineered to reject any idea that revelation or Biblical prophecy were to have any authority whatsoever in this new government that has been a marvel to the world. Instead, this new government was to be guided only by the philosophic understanding which is self-evident in the minds of men. 

For the Christian, this is an important issue cause the Bible warned in Colossians 2:8. 

In my exhaustive study of the Bible, I can say without pause I left no stone uncovered. I don't think there was one verse that I did not check commentary on and cross check it with another. I can say with all conviction that three different commentaries from three different translators no matter what era could have three different viewpoints on any given verse. But, one constant theme among Christians is that the. " wisdom of God is greater than man." What is important to point out here is that in the Bible, the inspired writers we speaking of spiritual things not what man's wisdom teaches. The Bible teaches what the Holy Spirit teaches comparing only spiritual things with what is spiritual. See, according to God's word the natural man cannot receive what is spirit cause what is spirit is foolishness to man. As a writer of politics and a past study of the Bible, I am adamant that this reality explains more vividly what Jefferson's self-evident comment was all about. Our founding fathers shaped this country on human reasoning and where entirely  implicit on leaving religion out of the equation.  The Bible tells use that ' man rules man to his on injury,' and that we should in fact, separate ourselves from the world. Jesus at no point in his earthly ministry conveys a sentiment of political involvement by the church. For the most part, our founding fathers were adherent to the enlighten thinkers of the time. Unlike Thomas Paine, who let it all out and had no transparency in his views on Christianity the other founding fathers were more discreet and less transparent than Paine.

However, if you dig in your research and see what the majority of the founding fathers wrote and what their viewpoints were you would find that most of them were in the same mindset as Paine. Thomas Paine and many of the founding fathers were members of the secret societies of the day. It was undoubtably from these clandestine organizations that  much of this enlighten doctrines spun forth. These theories and realities can be overwhelming. But the major point is that our founding fathers were not good Christian men as the Christian Right, and Dominionist would have us to believe. And it is clear this nation was not founded on Christianity. And, that is why we have a church and state doctrine within our Constitution.    

The Counterfeit Promise Of Dominionism Doctrine

The main reason for the look back to the intentions of our founding fathers was to point out the central counterfeit promise of dominionism. That the founding fathers were good Christian men whose intent was to form our government based on Christianity. Let us examine this in our present time. There is no doubt that dominionism is growing in the religious right ranks. These self- proclaimed apostles and prophets are drastically changing the structure of many churches. In fact, it is in the Bible that the church is warned of just this very thing.

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them" (Matt. 7:15-20). 

The major factor of this spiritual movement is the insistence on taking dominion over government and society, This insistence is, in fact, unbiblical.

Pilate replied: “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What did you do?” 36 Jesus answered:+ “My Kingdom is no part of this world.+ If my Kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be handed over to the Jews.+ But as it is, my Kingdom is not from this source.” [John 18: 36]

These dominionist religious crackpots advocate they must take dominion over our government so that Jesus will be free to return. There has always been the end- time watchers in our society. How many times have we the public been subjected to these last-days scenario?  As previously stated in this article, the dominionist have created this doctrine of the Seven Mountains. Nowhere and I mean nowhere is this principle mentioned, explained, taught, or anything else, in the Bible.

For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.[Matthew 24: 24]

In America, these drastic religious doctrines have exploded in the last 40 years. My research has suggested the reason. The emergence of the Christina Right and its influence within the Republican Party. Dominionism is the end product of these drastic new theologies all wrapped up in one. It's, " the false doctrine super-pill." What makes dominionism so dangerous is its conception that it must place key members in key societal positions to manifest it control over all of us so Jesus will be free to return. In short, "these people are batty."   

 In closing, it would do us all an excellent service to take a deep inhale of breath here, and focus on the realities that history teaches us. (1) The governmental guidelines established by our fore-fathers were based on human reasoning, not religious doctrine. (2) The Bible, the inspired word of God, left for us as God's way of communicating his will clearly instructs us that God's way and percepts and his kingdom are not of this world. " It's Written In The Red Writing." 

Moreover, the Bible warns us of these false so-called religious organizations that would present themselves as a light, but, in fact, be forces of the dark. And, one must remember that these organizations are people. And, the Bible gave us a clear indication and a stern warning about the overall nature of man throughout the generations. Few would argue that man is worst now than at any other time in his history. The point is debatable, but the actions we see  played out in front of us every day now are undisputable.