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New Novel 'Terrifies' Readers, Suggests 'President Palin' Could've Turned us Into Christian Nation
Townhall ^ | September 1, 2013 | Cortney O'Brien

Posted on 09/01/2013 9:48:36 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

“They said what they would do, and we did not listen. Then they did what they said they would do.”

Sounds frightening, doesn’t it? Who could “they” be? A 1984-like government? A terrorist organization? An alien force? Well, according to the author who wrote those words, the “they” are big bad Christians.

Christian Nation by Frederic C. Rich is a new novel which, according to some reviewers, is their worst nightmare, for it details a country in which Christian values are strictly obeyed.

From GoodReads.com,

“They said what they would do, and we did not listen. Then they did what they said they would do.”

So ends the first chapter of this brilliantly readable counterfactual novel, reminding us that America’s Christian fundamentalists have been consistently clear about their vision for a “Christian Nation” and dead serious about acquiring the political power to achieve it. When President McCain dies and Sarah Palin becomes president, the reader, along with the nation, stumbles down a terrifyingly credible path toward theocracy, realizing too late that the Christian right meant precisely what it said.

Upon further reading, one discovers Palin and her Christian force have imposed an authoritarian rule called “The Blessing” upon their subjects, which is enforced by the “Purity Web.”

Here’s some positive feedback from the Ordinary Reader Review section on ReadChristianNation.com:

“A genuinely frightening look at a possible future.” -- Goodreads, July 7

“It’s captivating, realistic, and rather terrifying.” -- Goodreads, June 1

“Very chilling.” -- Goodreads, July 8

I’m sorry, but what exactly is “frightening,” “terrifying,” and “chilling” about praying, going to church, and making sure your kids don’t stumble upon X-rated websites?

I tend to like Betsy Woodruff’s review much better. In a piece for National Review Online, she tears apart this hilariously over-the-top novel page-by-page.

Come for the groundbreaking Evangelical-Christians-are-like-Nazis rhetoric, stay for the mind-numbing dialogue...Rich’s novel is essentially what Atlas Shrugged would have been if it had been conceived by a Freedom from Religion Foundation focus group and edited by Howard Dean.

I hate to tell the author of this book and his frightened readers, but our Christian founding fathers’ ideal of America wasn’t very far off from Rich’s “scary” plot. As most of them were men of God, they most likely knew a country centered on Jesus was the best foundation. Liberals may fear a nation in which a bold conservative woman takes the reigns, but for us conservatives, who fear an overbearing federal government, family values being placed on the back burner and an increased dependency on Uncle Sam -- our nightmare is all too real.

Instead of reading the book, which seems like it would be headache-inducing, watch the hysterical trailer instead:

(VIDEO-AT-LINK)


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Extended News; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: christianity; christiannation; christians; palin; theocracy
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To: HiTech RedNeck
Honestly, you've reduced Conservatism to some flawed logic paradigm that we shouldn't seek to support. Guy, honestly, what's up with you today?

I'm worshiping God more seriously than I have ever done in my life before. That's what's up! And God is blessing me richly for it in the spiritual and material worlds, all of  r the sake of glorifying Him. It can't be for glorifying me apart from Him. It can't be for glorifying you apart from Him. However He will gladly glorify Himself in me and in you if we sincerely seek for that.  If we do it in the right way, I buy into that concept 100%.  If we don't do it in the right way, who are we truly listening to?  He's not called the Great Deceiver for nothing.

I am not here to injure your faith.  I simply want to introduce you to some food for thought.  Perhaps it will help you see that a good intention IS NOT going to prevent you from making huge mistakes.

Jimmy Carter believed himself to be a very good Christian.  He was such a good Christian that he decided he would refuse to continue to be allies with leaders of nations who did not act the way he thought they should.  He turned on the Shah of Iran because the Shah abused the human right of some of his people.  In the overall scheme of things, the Shah was a rather decent sort when it came to that part of the world.  He was nothing like Iraq's Hussein.  He just ruled with an iron fist.  And seeing the factional differences that exist in certain nations, we can see why.  So Carter let it be known he wouldn't stand by the Shah, and shortly thereafter the Ayatollah repatriated and the Shah was out.  And then the Western ways the Shah had introduced into Iran were tossed out, a Shariah Islamic Government was set up, and the freedoms in Iraq were gone.  Carter had just helped install one of the worst governments on the planet.  It destabilized the region, and 35 years later, we're still dealing with it.  Only now, Iran is soon to go nuclear.  This was the end result of a well meaning Christian.  The Muslim Brotherhood is a proxy for Iran IMO.  It's causing unrest across Northern Africa and into Asia.  This all resulted from Jimmy Carter back in the day, 'doing God's will.'

Then this self-declared Christian and Bible teacher, refused to allow the Shah access to our nation to obtain Chemo Therapy.  There's your Christian for you.

You have to be very well grounded with God, to assertain what he wants you to do.  You cannot simply want something so bad, you attribute your desires to be God's desires.  You can do severe harm if you're not careful.

Do you think there aren't Democrats who are devout Christians?  They are trying to do God's will.  The way they see it, it is God's will to allow under-privileged women to get abortions.  Is that God's will?  Of course not, but these folks have convinced themselves of it, because it's what they want to believe.  Sarah Palin is not the arbiter of God's will on planet earth.  I'm not going to buy into her fix on illegal immigration anymore than I would Obama's fix, if they both involve immediate legalization, and citizenship over a number of years.  This IS NOT God's plan.  It is the plan of severely flawed men.  They are severely flawed, because they don't care what the real overall outcome is.  They simply want it done.  And why?  Because it is God's will.

Jimmy Carter wanted God's will done.  How did that work out?  It worked out just like 'We Satanic People' said it would in the day.  (Satanic being your term for my actions here, because I won't guy in to what you want to sell.  I won't because I know how it turns out.  I've seen men institute "God's will" before, when I knew darn well it was their own will, not God's.  And here we are again.)  NO!

I'm saying let's take our very best ideas, as well as our not so good ones, and lay them at the Lord's feet. Sometimes the good ideas need refinement. Sometimes they need to be laid aside for a while to make room for an even better idea we may not have thought about. Think of where the BLESSING may be had. That Cross wasn't a decoration. That Cross took away all sins and offered mankind the ultimate Reset button. The Lord wants to take over the task of chastising, a chastisement which is intended to shake men up until they can see His beautiful light.

No, I'm sorry, but you're not connected to reality here.  Neither was Jimmy Carter.

I'm certain Carter thought he was doing God's will when he interceded with North Korea, and that nation was able to develop nuclear weapons based on his intervention alone.


We're going to have to stipulate that well meaning men, at times have not a shred of a clue when it comes to God's will.  Did God turn around Iran or North Korea?  No.  I'm not going to tempt him when it comes to illegal immigrants either, because it was his specific admonition not to tempt the Lord your God.  I will not cast our nation down upon the rocks, then demand God save it.


81 posted on 09/01/2013 1:33:53 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (This post coming to you today, from behind the Camelskin Curtain. Not the Iron or Bamboo Curtain...)
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To: HiTech RedNeck
It is Satanic to dismiss out of hand that she may have a Better Idea from God. You can let go of that but only if you choose.

If you have to stoop to calling me Satanic, because I will not submit to your vision, then I fear that what you have called me, is what you have become.

I don't like to see it come to this, but you are lock stock and barrel head over heels here.

82 posted on 09/01/2013 1:39:08 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (This post coming to you today, from behind the Camelskin Curtain. Not the Iron or Bamboo Curtain...)
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To: HiTech RedNeck
You are lost in Satan's maisma...

I believe that one of us is.

I get no happiness out of this exchange.

83 posted on 09/01/2013 1:40:49 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (This post coming to you today, from behind the Camelskin Curtain. Not the Iron or Bamboo Curtain...)
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To: DoughtyOne

Frankly my doughty brother, Jimmy’s view was too small. It was more human philosophy busy body than it was wisdom. That’s what I get from it. It was nominally Christian but with a teeny tiny gospel. If anyone got saved from Jimmy’s witness I never heard about it.

It may well BE that Sarah’s impulse is not, at the least, at the right time for execution. Perhaps the gospel needs to get a firmer grip on the ground first to stave off what would otherwise be a decay towards decadent Democrats. God acts at certain times in certain ways. That is why I go back again and again to the principle that wisdom is found in a multitude of counselors, and to pointing out that Sarah is really good at following that principle already. If she’s mistaken she will not be bull headed about it. That’s what I like about her. She does try to listen to the Lord. She bounces back from failures and does not wilt while also not doubling up on the failures.


84 posted on 09/01/2013 1:41:20 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (The Lion of Judah will roar again if you give him a big hug and a cheer and mean it. See my page.)
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To: Old Sarge

Thanks Old Sarge. I need to proof read a lot better.

Glad you saw through it. I appreciate it.


85 posted on 09/01/2013 1:41:22 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (This post coming to you today, from behind the Camelskin Curtain. Not the Iron or Bamboo Curtain...)
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To: DoughtyOne

I am not calling YOU that. I am calling the demon that has YOU in its grip, that. BIG difference. I’ve dealt with authorities of hell enough in my life that I can see them playing through... and when they yield, a sweet Christian spirit suddenly is unleashed. The thing the demons were trying to stop.


86 posted on 09/01/2013 1:42:36 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (The Lion of Judah will roar again if you give him a big hug and a cheer and mean it. See my page.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Imagine if she named Phil Robertson as her V.P.

Picture the White House lawn littered with Duck carcases.

87 posted on 09/01/2013 1:43:08 PM PDT by Kickass Conservative (Liberal Democrats = Communists. RINO Republicans = Communist Sympathizers.)
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To: Hot Tabasco

I would like to think that everyone will be left standing.

Our Founding Father’s duked it out. If we are trying to be more like them, and I believe we most certainly should, then we should be free to debate in the same up and up manner.


88 posted on 09/01/2013 1:43:09 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (This post coming to you today, from behind the Camelskin Curtain. Not the Iron or Bamboo Curtain...)
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To: HiTech RedNeck

Thank you for the clarification. I appreciate it.


89 posted on 09/01/2013 1:44:19 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (This post coming to you today, from behind the Camelskin Curtain. Not the Iron or Bamboo Curtain...)
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To: DoughtyOne

You won’t get happiness until you tell the devil stifling the sweetness of the Lord to take a hike. Then your vision will suddenly clear and you’ll understand.


90 posted on 09/01/2013 1:45:06 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (The Lion of Judah will roar again if you give him a big hug and a cheer and mean it. See my page.)
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To: DoughtyOne

I mean it. The devil had me by the throat (and more, that I don’t even want to talk about in polite company) for decades. I have been put through the West Point of spiritual warfare... and I can’t brag on me because I entered it as an utter doofus and kicking and screaming every which way to get out of it!! I brag on the Lord! God is more wonderful than you could ever dream! God conquers what you might not even think could be conquered because it had such a sordid history!

I believe conservative concerns shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand. The ideas we have are a sharing in God’s ideas. However God has bigger plans than we do. Let’s respect that, brother? I love you I do. With agape love.


91 posted on 09/01/2013 1:48:15 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (The Lion of Judah will roar again if you give him a big hug and a cheer and mean it. See my page.)
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To: DoughtyOne
I would like to think that everyone will be left standing.

LOL!

92 posted on 09/01/2013 2:02:12 PM PDT by Hot Tabasco (')
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To: DoughtyOne

Also, my dear doughboy brother... can you really blame me for being enthusiastic? I’ve seen God *WORK* right up close and personal. The Holy Spirit is like, man, breathing down my neck so to speak... but in a great way. Heaven is not full of cotton candy, brother. It is full of dynamite. Waiting for us to light its fuse... it won’t do that for us, however.

I don’t want to excuse the premature execution of ideas whose time has not come yet. However I still think Sarah would be better insulated from falling into that folly than, say, a Jimmy Carter. She keeps an ear out for wisdom through multiple sources, I believe. Now the Lord has other servants too. If Cruz can pass muster, great. I know far less about Cruz than Palin. What we need to avoid is brittleness. Brittleness mowed half a dozen better men down and gave us the Mitt Romney who was a consummate weather vane and thus too chicken to consistently screw, blue, and tattoo Barack Obama in the campaign.


93 posted on 09/01/2013 2:05:28 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (The Lion of Judah will roar again if you give him a big hug and a cheer and mean it. See my page.)
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To: blaquebyrd

A. I’m not a Palin groupie.

B. Everyone makes mistakes, including Palin. There is no candidate I would agree with 100% of the time. Palin has supported, and made a winning difference for, many Tea Party candidates.

C. I’m still hoping for someone to come out of the woodwork that is better than what the current field looks like. I have issues with all the current crop of potential candidates. But come November 2016, if my choice is between Hilary (or any liberal/progressive/dem) and Palin, my vote will go to Palin. If it’s between Hilary (or any liberal/progressive/dem) and almost any reasonable GOP candidate, my vote will go to the GOP candidate. If the GOP choice is liberal light (again), I may vote 3d party or stay home for the first time in my life.

D. You don’t win friends and converts to your views when you start with the name-calling (groupie).


94 posted on 09/01/2013 2:16:33 PM PDT by generally (Don't be stupid. We have politicians for that.)
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To: HiTech RedNeck
You won’t get happiness until you tell the devil stifling the sweetness of the Lord to take a hike. Then your vision will suddenly clear and you’ll understand.

I take the laws of my town, county, state, and federal government to heart.  I may not agree with them, but as near as possible I try to be a decent upstanding person.

I don't buy into the global warming nonsense.  I still do try to be cognizant of our national energy needs when I buy a new vehicle.

I don't waste energy.  I try to do the right thing, but I don't go nuts about it.  I don't demand anyone else do what I do or else.

I try not to be dishonest.  I try to treat others with respect.  I try to treat others like I would like to be treated.

I use my turn signals as a courtesy to other drivers.

Saying all this, I am not perfect, far from it.  I believe that is the human condition.  God loves me, doesn't expect me to be perfect, and is willing to forgive me.

I try to forgive others who sincerely want to be forgiven.  I expect requests for forgiveness to be accompanied by attempts to rectify the harm caused by their actions.  I consider this to be my obligation, when I appologize.

When I work, I try to put in the best day I can.  I try to do good work, be cordial with other workers, be helpful and instructive to them, listen to their concerns about how I am doing things, and try to be the best contributor on sight.

So when you come here and tell me I will only gain happiness when I tell the devil to take a hike, it falls on deaf ears.  I am a Christian.  I get it.

The amount of unsolicited judgment on your part is startling.  I'm not telling you this to be mean, but my you are an offensive person when the mood strikes you.  If you think you are representing Christ in a positive manner on this thread, I would beg to differ.  You are insulting people in the name of Christ.  What's more, I don't believe Christ would do what you are doing.  I think he would be ashamed of what you are doing in His name.

I said before, I am not here to shake your faith.  I want you to have a direct connect to God.  I just want you to know you're on a party line, and every word you hear is not guaranteed to be God's voice.  Every thought that comes into your mind, is not guaranteed to be a thought direct from God.

You have got to used discernment.  I see no evidence of that whatsoever on this thread.




95 posted on 09/01/2013 2:17:13 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (This post coming to you today, from behind the Camelskin Curtain. Not the Iron or Bamboo Curtain...)
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To: HiTech RedNeck

And I appreciate your expression of friendship. Right back at you. I have no ill intent here at all.


96 posted on 09/01/2013 2:18:10 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (This post coming to you today, from behind the Camelskin Curtain. Not the Iron or Bamboo Curtain...)
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To: blaquebyrd
There is nobody on this board who has been more critical of John McCain over the past ten years.

Nonetheless, I can understand and appreciate why she did what she did.

If you can't, I would ascribe it to simple intolerance. And that's OK, it's useful information...

97 posted on 09/01/2013 2:18:46 PM PDT by okie01 (The Mainstream Media: IGNORANCE ON PARADE)
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To: Hot Tabasco

Hey! :^)


98 posted on 09/01/2013 2:20:33 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (This post coming to you today, from behind the Camelskin Curtain. Not the Iron or Bamboo Curtain...)
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To: HiTech RedNeck

I agree with part of that, but when it comes to Sarah Palin, I’m sorry, I’m not on board now, and I won’t be later.

If you guys pick her, you’re stuck with her. I am not.

I’m not voting for folks who are diametrically opposed to my views. That goes for Democrats and it goes for Republicans too timid to register in the party whose views they share.

Turning this nation into a solid lock for Democrats, IS NOT a goal I think Republicans should seek to realize.

I won’t support one who does.


99 posted on 09/01/2013 2:24:01 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (This post coming to you today, from behind the Camelskin Curtain. Not the Iron or Bamboo Curtain...)
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To: generally

That New Jersey mayor—Booker whats his name is making a lot of moves like he might be interested in running with or against Hillary.


100 posted on 09/01/2013 2:41:09 PM PDT by cradle of freedom (Long live the Republic !)
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