(no subject)

[theweaselking]

Reporting from "battlecry", the virulent and violent Christer Jugend rally:

It began with fireworks so loud and startling I screamed. Lights and smoke followed, and a few kids were pulled up on stage from the crowd. One was asked to read a letter.

This was the letter that opened the event. Its author was George W. Bush. Yes, the president of the United States sent a letter of support, greeting, prayer and encouragement to the BattleCry event held at Wachovia Spectrum Stadium in Philadelphia on May 12. Immediately afterward, a preacher took the microphone and led the crowd in prayer. Among other things, he asked the attendees to “Thank God for giving us George Bush.”

On his cue, about 17,000 youths from upward of 2,000 churches across America and Canada directed their thanks heavenward in unison.

Throughout the three and a half hours of BattleCry’s first session, I thought of only one analogy that fit the experience: This must have been what it felt like to watch the Hitler Youth, filled with self-righteous pride, proclaim the supremacy of their beliefs and their willingness to shed blood for them.

And lest you think this is idle paranoia, BattleCry founder Ron Luce told the crowds the next morning (May 13) that he plans to launch a “blitzkrieg” in the communities, schools, malls, etc. against those who don’t share his theocratic vision of society.

Blitzkrieg.

Nothing like a little Nazi imagery to whip up the masses.

While you're at it, check out the large, heavily-armed men providing security and the SEALS, complete with weapons, explaining that they kill for Christ - or the founder's statement between acts:

“He doesn’t just want to be in your heart, He wants to own your heart.... There’s only one good reason to come to Christ: because He’s the rightful owner of your life.... You don’t have to know much about Jesus, just enough to surrender your whole life.”

Or the lyrics played karaoke-style on the big screen:

“We’re an army of God and we’re ready to die.... Let’s paint this big ol’ town red.... We see nothing but the blood of Jesus....”

Or the organiser's insistence that you don't have to understand the Bible, just take every single piece of it as an instruction manual, specifically including the bits about murdering women who enter a city while menstruating or non-virgin brides.

Comments

[rimrunner.livejournal.com]

This must have been what it felt like to watch the Hitler Youth, filled with self-righteous pride, proclaim the supremacy of their beliefs and their willingness to shed blood for them.

My great-uncle was with his sister in Europe in the 1930s. They were walking around (I forget which city) and walked smack into a rally where Hitler was busy haranguing a sizable crowd.

My great-uncle doesn't speak a word of German, but he said you could feel the rage rolling off this guy. He found it profoundly disturbing and didn't know why.

Of course, we all know what happened afterward.

[sivi-volk.livejournal.com]

This is kinda... disconcerting.

[aimisdirty.livejournal.com]

If those are actually SEALs (which I doubt, based on the displayed equipment), they should lose their jobs.