Onward Christian Raptors « Christian Patriarchy Movement « Christian Reconstruction

I originally tiled this piece Onward Christian Predators, but then I realized it was misleading. It is not a post about sexual predators. This is about religious predators, recruiters, zealous church members who find a new Christian and try to pull them into their cult. I know of someone who basically discovered Christ these past few days. Already the vultures from Calvary Chapel are trying to assimilate him. Calvary Chapel is a cult, with a documented history of leadership abuse. I don’t know how you go up to someone and say, leave this friend alone. They’re part of a cult. What they will teach you is not accurate. It is just plain old not Biblical, either.

It’s sad.

It is also quite tragic.

I’m left in a terrible position. Do I go up to this person, who is truly searching for something, searching for Christ, and tell him to stay away from this cute kid who is going to lead him down the wrong path? Do I sit back and pray that he will see the difference? Or, do I do a little of both?

Where I am fortunate is the fact that Calvary Chapel is not quite as liberal as he is, politically. Having recently awakened to the fact that bad people exist, that there are racists, white supremacists, and nasty people in the world, the one thing I can do is stress that fact. Then, I mentioned that we Episcopalians allow gays and women to be ordained. There is no qualification based on gender or race, just the love of Christ.

Let’s be honest here, we’re dealing with cults based on Christian Reconstruction, ATI, Bill Gothard, and R. J. Rushdoony. What they have created is literally a perversion of Christianity. The problem is the fact that their heretical and evil teachings have managed to dribble in, little by little, into the Presbyterian and Baptist denominations. For independents like Calvary Chapel, it is a given.

They openly recruit the way cults do. They manipulate like cults, like like cults, and control like cults. How do you explain this to a new Christian and not sound like a manipulative and nasty bitch from hell?

New Christians need to be with older, more stable Christians who can help them, keep them going down the right path, teaching them about Christ. They need mentoring, guidance, and prayer. Because I care about this young person, I want only the best. I happen to know that he will not find it in a cult. When this happens, that spark can be extinguished, with the new Christian turning their back on Christ – and who would blame them?

I’m so sick of these people. I like the idea of comparing them to raptors – especially the dinosaur kind, you know, the vicious, deadly ones from Jurassic Park. Then, it dawned on me that I’m insulting perfectly innocent dinosaurs.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SJ Reidhead (aka The Pink Flamingo) is a writer based in New Mexico. The author of two published novels, both westerns: Dust Devil and The Second Mrs. Earp and two published works of non-fictions: TRAVESTY: Frank Waters Earp Agenda Exposed and A Church for Helldorado, Endicott Peabody's 1882 Tombstone Diary. One of the leading authorities on the life of Wyatt Earp and Tombstone during the Earp years, she is writing a series of murder mysteries set in modern day Tombstone. The author is also working on a book about fashion in the Wild West. When complete, there will be over 2100 unpublished antique photographs dating from 1855-1910.

The author's work has appeared in Wild West, True West, Blogcritics, and The Tombstone Times. Recently the author has had to deal with a father who succumbed to Alzheimer's Disease. This is leading to a book dealing with the frustrations of dealing with the frustrations of the disease, finance, legal, health-care, and things no one bothers telling families about it. A portion of the book will contain entries from a blog she kept, detailing the struggle with her father's AD. She is also working on a murder mystery series set in modern day Tombstone and Cochise County. Several books of essays on Christian living are currently in edits. A book of essays and revisions of articles about Wyatt Earp has been completed and will include her latest work detailing her theory about the murder of his second wife, Mattie.

SJ Reidhead has been involved in Republican politics since she was 'a little kid'. During the Reagan years she was a lobbyist working with various non-profit organizations who were attempting to salvage NASA and the American space program after the disastrous Carter years. In spite of ups and downs, and numerous disappointments, politically, it is obvious the only political hope for this country is via the Republican Party. Along with politics she is an opera fanatic, has been known to stalk baritones to the point of being a baritone junkie, and loves baseball.

The Pink Flamingo went on line on October 4, 2005.

THE PINK FLAMINGO STORY

It started out as a joke. During the seven years I worked with the girls of my parish, leading a youth group, one of the things that I stressed were manners. Part of having manners, the way I see it, is to know how to set a proper table, host a party, cater it, and clean up afterward. I was fortunate enough to have a group of very talented girls in my youth group. They learned how to plan for, and execute large church functions, very properly. During one such function I noticed there were several incredibly tacky pink flamingos sitting on the table. Knowing the girls were up to something, I said nothing. A few months later they did the same thing at a function I was hosting at my home. I said nothing. They had a birthday party for me. More pink flamingos appeared - and a joke was born.

Thanks to the girls, all of whom are now grown, I have a collection of pink flamingos. It has become an ongoing joke. When I began working on my political blog, I realized the only possibly title was The Pink Flamingo!