Biblical Witness Fellowship (BWF), for those who don't know, is a group aligned with the Institute on Religion and Democracy, a conservative political group whose stated mission is to "reform mainline churches." And by "reform" they mean destroy. IRD has spent millions of dollars over the years trying to discredit church leaders - upset over positions taken by mainline churches related to the war in Iraq (IRD supports it) or global warming (IRD doesn't believe global warming is real). They are so far to the right that they often criticize the Religious Right for not being conservative enough. BWF, a group formed to fight the UCC's pro-choice stance and that has worked to oppose basic civil rights for gays and lesbians, is part of IRD's so-called "Association for Church Renewal."
The UCC is under investigation by the IRS. The UCC News Blog asked, "Who filed the complaint?" There are various theories.
Mystical Seeker asked this question:
Since Jim Berkley claims that everything that the IRD does is completely transparent, I am sure he would be happy to answer a simple question.
Was the IRD (or its UCC arm, the Biblical Witness Fellowship) involved in any way with the IRS complaint that was recently filed against the UCC?
Yes, definitely? No, definitely not? Or--you don't know for sure?
A pretty detail article about the IRD and BWF's attacks against the UCC can be found here.
ReplyDeleteThe IRD is truly a danger to America. They seek power, they seek control, both of organizations and individuals. They are dominionists of the worse stripe. Their interpretation of the Great Commission translates into support of the invasion of Iraq.
ReplyDeleteThe stated purpose of the IRD is to constrain and mold three targeted demoninations to fit the Bush brand of conservativism. The IRD clearly states that they continue:
"to be the sole, unified voice of resistance to the Religious Left. The IRD is the only organization that offers a unified vision of what renewal would look like for the mainline churches in America. And the IRD is one of the few groups that foster practical cooperation among conservative mainline Protestants, Evangelicals, and Roman Catholics. We will continue to expose Religious Left Extremism, organize conservatives at mainline church conventions, and challenge the claims of liberal church officials when they purport to speak for millions of church members. We will articulate arguments aimed at media, academia, and average church members that will explain why religion must continue to exert a robust role in sustaining the moral under-pinnings of American democracy."
To think that these vigilants know best of the moral under-pinning of American democracy is to think that Joseph McCarthy was a great senator, that Spiro Agnew was treated unjustly, that Richard Nixon should be remembered for his trustworthiness.
Thanks, Seeker. I referenced that and some other resources from Witherspoon on my latest post.
ReplyDeleteRastus wrote:
"The IRD is truly a danger to America."
Exactly. This is not simply about church issues. Everyone who cares about democracy in our nation should become informed as to what is taking place.
This is not simply about church issues. Everyone who cares about democracy in our nation should become informed as to what is taking place.
ReplyDeleteOn that note, Tuesday marked the 75th anniversary of FDR's first inauguration and the beginning of the New Deal and the 100 Days. In his speech, he famously said, "let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is: fear itself."
Those words ring louder today than ever.
Forgive me, I went to Hyde Park, NY, over the weekend, and I am full to the brim with all things Roosevelty (Franklin, Eleanor [LOVE her], and Fala).
Eleanor once wrote, "Courage is more exhilarating than fear and in the long run it is easier. We do not have to become heroes overnight.
Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared, discovering we have the strength to stare it down."
And talk about a woman with the curse of Jeremiah!