Posted on 08/23/2005 1:57:08 AM PDT by Crackingham
In the blue and gold elegance of the House speaker's private dining room, Jeremy Bouma bowed his head before eight young men and women who hope to one day lead the nation. He prayed that they might find wisdom in the Bible — and govern by its word.
"Holy Father, we thank you for providing us with guidance," said Bouma, who works for an influential televangelist. "Thank you, Lord, for these students. Build them up as your warriors and your ambassadors on Capitol Hill."
"Amen," the students murmured. Then they picked up their pens expectantly.
Nearly every Monday for six months, as many as a dozen congressional aides — many of them aspiring politicians — have gathered over takeout dinners to mine the Bible for ancient wisdom on modern policy debates about tax rates, foreign aid, education, cloning and the Central American Free Trade Agreement. Through seminars taught by conservative college professors and devout members of Congress, the students learn that serving country means first and always serving Christ. They learn to view every vote as a religious duty, and to consider compromise a sin. That puts them at the vanguard of a bold effort by evangelical conservatives to mold a new generation of leaders who will answer not to voters, but to God.
"We help them understand God's purpose for society," said Bouma, who coordinates the program, known as the Statesmanship Institute, for the Rev. D. James Kennedy.
At least 3.5 million Americans tune in to Kennedy's sermons, broadcast from Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Since 1995, the unabashedly political televangelist has also reached out to the Beltway elite with his Center for Christian Statesmanship in Washington.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
eight young men and women who hope to one day lead the nation
PTL, go get'em, we need more like you.
How long do you suppose it will be before somebody tries to shut that down?
Soon.
Figured the poster would be you.
Won't bother to read.
I fail to see what the poster has to do with the article. It's a good one.
This article is Step 1.
Boy, this has the libs shaking in their boots. The thought of committed Christians, usually very intelligent and good-looking ones to boot, getting ready to take their places of leadership is like showing the cross to Dracula. Little do they know that millions of Americans are praying for this very thing and by God's grace, it shall be done.
"Through seminars taught by conservative imams at the madrassas and devout members of Hamas, the students learn that serving country means first and always serving Allah. They learn to view every vote as a religious duty, and to consider compromise a sin. That puts them at the vanguard of a bold effort by Islamic conservatives to mold a new generation of leaders who will answer not to voters, but to Allah."
All of a sudden, it doesn't sound so hot, does it? ;)
See post ten, it expresses my opinion of this.
REmarkably similar. And just as alarming here.
Hey, remember in
the Gospels when Jesus runs
to become mayor
of Jerusalem?!
And, then, remember when Paul
has the big sword fight
to replace Caesar?!
Yeah, the Bible teaches us
to live politics . . .
I'm not sure I recall Jesus giving any vocational advice.
I thought politicians ran for office to serve the country, uphold the constitution and serve their constituents.
bump for later reading... hard to believe this was published by the LAT.
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