The Religious Right: Pushing A Deadly Addiction
In recent article, I promised readers that I would address the mindset of the religious right as an addiction. In order
to do so with accuracy and clarity, it is first necessary to define addiction and clarify the terms, Christian
fundamentalism and Dominionism.
According to www.dictionary.com, an addiction is "being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is
psychologically or physically habit-forming (especially alcohol or narcotic drugs) [syn: dependence, dependency,
habituation] 2: an abnormally strong craving 3: (Roman law) under Roman law addiction was the justification for slavery"
For over seventy years, Twelve-Step programs have addressed issues of addiction not only to substances such as alcohol,
drugs, and food, but to behaviors such as compulsive gambling, shopping, and even working. After a number of responses
to my last article from former fundamentalist Christians, I began investigating Twelve-Step groups which address issues
of religious compulsion and spiritual abuse. One group I discovered was Fundamentalists Anonymous (F.A.) and its Twelve
Steps. ( http://www.geocities.com/church_of_hank/fundamentalists_anonymous.html)
However, before I examine those steps, I would like to further define the terrorist and tyrannical aspects of Christian
fundamentalism.
As many readers drew to my attention in response to my last article, Christian fundamentalism and Dominionism are not
necessarily synonymous. According to Merriam-Webster, Christian fundamentalism is:
"a movement in 20th century Protestantism emphasizing the literally interpreted Bible as fundamental to Christian life
and teaching
b : the beliefs of this movement
c : adherence to such beliefs
2 : a movement or attitude stressing strict and literal adherence to a set of basic principles."
Katherine Yurica ( www.yuricareport.com) defines Dominionism as "the conversion of America to a theocracy by taking over the American Judiciary." I would add
that the conquest might begin with the judiciary, but the Dominonist agenda has targeted all aspects of government and
society for the establishment of a theocracy.
For my purposes, the distinction between fundamentalist Christianity and Dominionism is incidental because what is most
important to understand is that any religion, philosophy, or belief system can be addictive, fear-based, and
terrorizing, and if it is used to justify changing the Constitution of the United States and creating a society in which
the laws of that system are also fear-based and terrorizing, then regardless of the label, fundamentalist or
Dominionist, that system is both terrorist and tyrannical. Whether one wishes to debate the differences between
fundamentalist Christianity and Dominionism or not, both systems are about domination, power, control, right/wrong;
win/lose. Moreover, as in my last article, I am reiterating that terrorism and tyranny, like the word addiction, have
much broader definitions than crashing planes into buildings, establishing a superior race, or forcing women to cover
their faces.
My focus here is on fundamentalist Christianity and Dominionism as religious systems which complement and support
tyrannical political systems, specifically, fascism. I am well aware that not all fundamentalist Christians, and
certainly not all folks who call themselves evangelicals, are of the Dominionist variety. Many are hard-working
individuals who pay their bills and follow the rules and attempt to live the teachings of Jesus. I respect those
individuals and consider them a mitigating force amid the onslaughts of the religious right.
For an in-depth analysis of religious right corruption and tyranny, I highly recommend the recent article "The Christian
Mafia" ( http://www.insider-magazine.com/ChristianMafia.htm ) by investigative journalist, Wayne Madsen.
Additionally, my intention in this article is to explore the addictive features of these systems which ultimately result
not in spiritual well being but spiritual abuse.
Spiritual abuse is the manipulation, exploitation, and mistreatment-- mentally, emotionally, or physically of another
individual or masses of individuals, in the name of promoting spiritual principles or values. As we have seen from the
rampant sexual abuse of children in the Roman Catholic Church, spiritual abuse can open the door to every other kind of
abuse. And just as a plethora of Catholic priests for two thousand years have used their position of authority and piety
to abuse children, countless children in fundamentalist Christian homes have been beaten, raped, molested, shamed, and
emotionally devastated in the name of "children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right." I suspect that in the
not-too-distant future, we may see revelations of child abuse in fundamentalist Christian homes and churches break into
the light of day that could pale by comparison the abuse scandal of the Roman Catholic Church. For the fundamentalist
Christian, children too, born into "original sin", are to be dominated and made into subservient born-again believers as
soon as possible.
Also, before turning to the Twelve Steps of Fundamentalists Anonymous., I want to emphasize that religious intoxication
is an ancient theme in human history. In fact, Carl Jung would have called it an archetype-a universal theme imbedded in
the human psyche that is found in all eras and cultures. According to Jung, such an archetype is not necessarily toxic
or pathological but points to an inherent human craving for meaningful spiritual experiences. Whether found in the spell
for the revival of Osiris, the orgiastic rites of the cult of Dionysius in Ancient Greece, or the Native American sun
dance, the need for sacred ritual and celebration of the divine is as old as human history. However, need and desire are
not the same as physical, emotional, or mental dependence.
What makes a belief system, a ritual, or one's relationship with other adherents addictive is the dependence one has on
them. Is one able to think for oneself? Is one able to function without incessant participation in the rituals, and
without obsessive contact with and validation from fellow devotees? Is one able to trust one's intellect and emotions
and not subordinate them to those who claim to have more spiritual authority, deeper spiritual understanding, or more
extensive training in interpreting the Bible or other sacred writings?
In exploring this topic, a caveat is in order for all who are atheist, agnostic, or offended by the mention of "God" in
the Twelve Steps. After many years of working with the Steps and atheists and agnostics who utilize them, I have
discovered that there are many ways to interpret and apply the concept of a Higher Power, so I would ask the atheist or
agnostic reader to consider this and continue reading.
Why do I think that Christian fundamentalism and/or Domininonism is an addiction? My answer to that question comes first
of all from my own experience, as well as my observation of these individuals over the years. I recall my own dependency
on what "the Bible says"-my own inability to trust my thoughts and feelings. I remember the need for the "fix" of the
church service, the revival meeting, the prayer meeting, the Bible study, or listening to a fiery sermon on tape. I knew
how to think on my own, but I was afraid to do so. Who knew what I might discover? But no "fix" was more deliciously
validating than "winning souls for Christ"-that dramatic moment when I had manipulated someone else into a born-again
experience. For this, the fundamentalist Christian addict lives and breathes. And this is precisely why the religious
right is intractably hell-bent on converting the entire society and system of government in America to its
fundamentalist theocracy. What could produce a greater "high"? And if this project should get interrupted by the
Rapture, the resulting euphoria would be so well-earned-doing God's work and getting the planet ready for Jesus' return.
The adrenaline-drenched grandiosity in such a scenario is palpably tantalizing. More addictive than heroin perhaps?
It is axiomatic in Christian fundamentalism that without the born-again experience, one cannot think clearly. Being born
into the human condition, and therefore, being inherently sinful, one's mind is deluded, clouded, and always potential
putty in the hands of Satan. Once one has been born again, the mind is magically transformed, and one is now guided by
the Holy Spirit who Jesus said would lead his followers into all truth. The more the born-again believer reads and
studies the Bible, the more clearly and correctly he/she thinks. Therefore, the new convert to fundamentalist
Christianity must depend on his/her minister, Bible teacher, evangelist, or other spiritual leader to interpret the
Bible and guide him/her in living the Christian life. Eventually, with years of seasoning in the faith, one needs less
guidance, but one always requires regular contact with the church, prayer group, or Bible study circle because even
after decades of devotion, there is always the possibility that one could be deceived by the devil. Therefore, thinking
for oneself is out of the question, and as a result, profound dependence on others is created for producing the
"answers" one cannot discern by thinking for oneself.
In one of the responses to my last article, one actively fundamentalist reader, whom I am paraphrasing, stated that he
does look to the Bible for answers and asked to whom or what else he should look-Darwin, Camus, or other great minds? I
found the question itself very telling because inherent in it is the assumption that one cannot or should not trust
oneself. This assumption constitutes the major underpinning of the addiction to Christian fundamentalism, hence Step One of Fundamentalists Anonymous:
1. I realize that I had turned control of my mind over to another person or group, who had assumed power over my
thinking.
The convert to fundamentalist Christianity must be convinced that his/her thinking is irreparably in error. The
underlying message is: "You don't believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God because your mind has been occupied by
Satan. This has happened principally because you are a human being, but also because you have made the enormous mistake
of trying to think for yourself. Of course you think there are contradictions in the Bible because Satan controls your
mind. If you surrender your mind to Jesus (actually to me/us/the enlightened flock of believers), you will understand
that there are no contradictions in the Bible and that your life should be guided only by the Bible and nothing else.
What you cannot now understand, you must take on faith, and more will be revealed to you later. It may not be revealed
on this earth, but by accepting Christ as your personal savior and having faith, you will be guaranteed eternity in
heaven where everything you never understood will be completely revealed to you."
Curiously, as stated in the definition of addiction above, under ancient Roman law, addiction was grounds for slavery. I
found this detail particularly significant because obviously, addicted people are "enslaved" people Any thinking person
reading the Bible will discover dozens, if not hundreds, of contradictions. Moreover, any Bible student who also studies
history will discover massive discrepancies regarding which books were chosen to be in the Bible and why. Studying that
history reveals that the decision to incorporate certain books and exclude others was primarily a fourth-century
political decision intended to strengthen the appeal of Christianity and prevent its demise in the face of Rome's
attempts to extinguish the religion.
An excellent analysis of this controversy has been done by religious historian, Elaine Pagels in her book Beyond Belief.
She explores the discoveries of the Nag Hammadi Library in Upper Egypt in 1945, which unearthed the existence of
numerous gospels eliminated from the final canon of the New Testament. Both Pagels and another Biblical scholar, Marvin
Meyer, have analyzed the Nag Hammadi writings and hypothesized the reasons for their exclusion. I particularly enjoyed
reading Pagels' Beyond Belief, because not only does she analyze the controversy surrounding the exclusion of these
Gnostic Gospels, but she openly shares her own intellectual process of discovering the significance of their exclusion
and its impact on her own spirituality. Very UN-fundamentalist indeed.
Reading the research of Pagels and others makes clear the reality that the Bible is not and cannot be the inerrant,
impeccably-written, divinely dictated Word of God that fundamentalist Christians claim it to be. Thus
Step Two of Fundamentalists Anonymous states:
2. That person or group persuaded me of the inerrancy of the Bible, in spite of its many internal contradictions.
One of the most significant aspects of my abandonment of Christian fundamentalism was the awareness that born-again
Christians worship the Bible and not God. They argue that the only way to know God is through the Bible. They are forced
to believe this because if they concede that God might speak through an inner voice, through a tree, or through a
particular life experience, their entire belief system is toast. When I realized that contrary to their much-touted Ten
Commandments, Bible worship is nothing less than "having other gods before me", I finally realized the depth of the
hypocrisy of their system. Part of my, and anyone's recovery from fundamentalism is a commitment to develop a
relationship with a Higher Power-whatever that may be-and not with a book.
Step Three therefore states:
3. I became addicted to the Bible as the supreme focus of my faith, in spite of the commandment that God should come
first.
Like the spiritual inventory of Alcoholics Anonymous and other Twelve-Step programs, Step Four asks the recovering
fundamentalist to look at the damage one has done to oneself as a result of turning control of one's mind over to
another person or group. Not a pretty picture in most cases, but certainly a huge relief when the whole truth is finally
faced and spoken.
4. I admit to God, to myself and to another person the shortcomings of my belief in the unbelievable.
Fundamentalist Christianity is filled with false claims about the Bible. It has to be in order to keep its system intact
and use the Bible to manipulate, control, and above all, gain converts. So as part of recovering from addiction to
fundamentalism, one must examine the various false claims one has made about the Bible. Step Five states:
5. I have made an inventory of my false claims about the Bible.
Ouch! This could be very painful-and it could go on for years as one recalls all the times one may have used "the Bible
says" to beat up oneself or someone else. But again, there can be profound liberation with truth-telling.
Could it get more painful than Steps Four and Five? Yes. How many minds have I whacked beside my own? Who have I
manipulated, controlled, cajoled, or conned by using false claims-things I could never absolutely know or prove about
the Bible?
6. I have made a list of those whom I led into confusion about the Bible.
All Twelve Step programs require "searching and fearless" inventories of oneself and one's actions while practicing
one's addiction. Moreover, they demand accountability to one's Higher Power, oneself, and the persons harmed.
This could be excruciating! Admitting to someone that I may have led them astray with the Bible? As experienced
Twelve-Steppers know, it may not be possible to make the amends in person or even by letter. Someone may be so hurt, so
angry, so alienated that making contact with him/her is not feasible. Most important, however, is the admission to
oneself. Hence Step Seven:
7. I am willing to make amends to all those whom I may have led astray.
And now comes the payoff: sanity. Sanity is not a mental health term but rather a state of acceptance and release often
attended by a sense of relief. After one has admitted turning one's mind over to another person or group and has faced
the devastation the addiction has caused, and if possible, made amends to those harmed, it becomes possible to
experience sanity.
Step Eight, in offering the hope of sanity refers to searching Scripture for the truth. Notice the Step says "search
Scripture." It doesn't say, "search the Scripture." One now has the freedom to search for one's own truth-wherever,
whenever, however. Step Eight:
8. I realize that I have the inner power to restore sanity to my life and to search Scripture for the truth.
Having completed the first eight Steps, the recovering fundamentalist can begin authentic relationships with others
regarding spirituality. No longer does one need to "be right", convert, admonish, exhort, or teach. The first eight
Steps make it possible to share on a truly level playing field without right/wrong, either/or dichotomies. Step Nine:
9. I will reach out to friends who can help me clarify my thinking about the Bible, God and Jesus.
Reaching out to friends is not the same as dependence. It means information-gathering, exploring, dialoging, but most
importantly, thinking for oneself.
Then brilliantly, Step Ten hastens to add that I do not need to figure it out all on my own; I can ask for help from a
Higher Power. It humbly implies that I don't have all the answers. I have help, but it is with my own mind that I grasp
the truth, not with someone else's.
10. I confess that only with God's help can my mind grasp the truth.
How do I get help from a Higher Power? I practice Step Eleven which deals with conscious contact with that power. This
may have nothing to do with reading the Bible or going to church. It may have nothing to do with meditating in a lotus
posture or praying in the traditional sense. It may mean journaling, spending time in nature, painting, composing music
or poetry.
11. I will seek through prayer and meditation to improve my conscious contact with God, praying for knowledge of God's
will for me and the power to carry that out.
One of the most profound aspects of recovering from any addiction is the compassion one experiences for others who are
still ensnared in the addiction. One naturally wants to share the liberation, peace, and sense of well being that one
has found with others who are suffering. What might be particularly challenging for the recovering fundamentalist,
however, is to share the Twelve Steps of Fundamentalists Anonymous without falling back into one's addiction to
proselytize and "being right." So Step Twelve must be practiced sensitively and compassionately.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these twelve steps, I will offer these steps to other former
biblical fundamentalists.
Some may argue that I am being judgmental and lacking compassion in this article and my former article on Christian
fundamentalism. However, I do not apologize for being uncompromising in my analysis. As with all addictions, compassion
for the addict does not mean condoning addictive behavior. It means speaking the truth about the addiction to the addict
him/herself, to the family and loved ones involved with the addict, or anyone else affected by his/her behavior. This is
referred to in recovery circles as an intervention. Is it not appropriate for critically thinking individuals who desire
to live in a diverse and open society to conduct "interventions" when those drunk on Dominionism and fundamentalist
Christianity flagrantly attempt to construct a theocracy which requires everyone to be a born-again Christian in order
to thrive in that society?
Do we not have a moral obligation to confront destructive religious intoxication that tears apart families, communities,
and nations?
Hopefully, this article is an example of such an intervention.
The mainstream media does not seem to comprehend the inherent danger of the religious right let alone report it
accurately. All of us need to challenge the addictive tyranny of Christian fundamentalism at every turn-for the sake of
our sanity and for the sake of our civil liberties.
We don't allow street junkies into the halls of Congress, the Supreme Court, or the pulpits of America to admonish us
how we should live and why we should demolish our Constitution. In fact, we confront the insanity and criminality of
such individuals. Similarly, it's time to confront the domination drug for what it is-a grave and perverse spiritual and
moral illness.
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Carolyn Baker is recovering fundamentalist Christian and an adjunct professor of history living in Southern New Mexico.
She can be contacted at: cbaker@nmsu.edu