Chris Hedges: For Palin, It’s a (Christian) Man’s World

[marmar]

from Truthdig:



For Palin, It’s a (Christian) Man’s World

Posted on Sep 14, 2008

By Chris Hedges



Sarah Palin may be a governor and a vice presidential candidate, but in the hyper-masculine world of the Christian right she is subservient to a male hierarchy that claims to speak for God.

A cult of masculinity defines the Wasilla Assembly of God Church and the Juneau Christian Centre where she worshipped. This cult propagates a vision of the world where believers are warriors. They are taught to ready themselves to engage in a final cataclysmic clash with the forces of Satan. This cosmic struggle, infused with the language of war, death and violence, leads inevitably to the slaughter by the righteous of all non-Christians. The photos of Palin hunched over dead animals she has shot are not simply images of a woman who is a member of the National Rifle Association. They are images of a woman who believes violence against nonbelievers is ultimately part of her religious life.

The cult of masculinity is used to banish ambiguity, especially sexual ambiguity. It fosters a world of binary opposites: God and man, the saved and the unsaved, the church and the world, Christianity and secular humanism, and male and female. All in life is rigidly defined. Disorder and chaos are banished. Reality, when it is defined in these absolutes, is predictable and understandable, something deeply comforting to believers who have often had trouble coping with the messiness of human existence.

All configurations of human life that do not conform to the rigid Christian model, such as homosexuality, are forms of disorder, tools of Satan, and must be abolished. This is why Palin opposes gay marriage and calls for gays to be cured. A world that can be predicted and understood, a world that has clear markers, can be made rational. It can be managed and controlled. The petrified, binary world of fixed, immutable and established roles is a world where people, many of them damaged by bouts with failure and despair, can bury their chaotic and fragmented personalities. They can live with the illusion that they are strong, whole and protected. Those who do not fit into these narrow definitions must be proselytized and converted.

The decline of America is ascribed to the decline of male prowess. This decline has led to weakness and moral decay. It has resulted in a bewildering human and social complexity that, often seen as feminine, is the work of Satan. This is why Palin consistently celebrates "male" values. .....(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20080915_for_palin_its_a_christian_mans_world/

[Solly Mack]

1. Have you noticed how McCain looks at Palin when they are standing

together and Palin is speaking? Like he's watching his favorite pet do something unexpected. He looks from Palin to the audience....checking for reaction...and if it's good...he beams at Palin like she just learned to walk.

[psychmommy]

2. when discussing her church we need to reinforce the cult

meme. this isn't conventional christianity, this is some fringe crap even for the pentecostal movement. this isn't even normal for Assembly of God churches. cult.

[grasswire]

3. also use the word "heretic"

...because that's what she is, to mainstream Christianity. Her beliefs are heresy. And mainstream Christians ought to react to that label.

[TxBlue]

7. Assembly of God denounced Wasilla church for heresy

I'm surprised no mainstream Christian churches haven't denounced her heretical brand of wackiness.

She makes regular Christians look bad.

[grasswire]

8. yes, where are they??

Heresy right in front of them, sucking in nominal Christians like my sister, a devout Conservative Baptist who is gaga over Palin.

[StClone]

4. Palin's Husband Involvement should not be overlooked

As part of this cult's Patriarchal mentality and a wink and a nod that McCain is the Father-figure for them all.

[bbgrunt]

5. this highlights the need to also vet first dude, since

his role in her public life is largely unknown. Glad to see he was subpoenaed.

[intheflow]

6. Hedges is spot-on with this analysis.

Kicking b/c this is the greatest case that can be made against Palin being a feminist.

[iamjmbb]

9. Another thing to consider about this group of Ruthless Barracudas:

WELL, here's a small piece addressing who would actually be ruling Palin, and calling the shots--but, still doesn't really address that she is immediately subservient to her husband---as head of the household. Unlike Hillary & Bill, who seem to always battle for supremacy, this group’s creed is based on woman being directed by men. So, who would be doing the directing? ..Would it be Todd Palin, James Hagee, Pat Robertson, her own son , or, would it be all of the above…..or, in reality would it be any alpha male within the movement?? So, who would actually be being elected as Vice President? Yeah, that’s some feminism….to believe ALL MEN ARE YOUR MASTERS!
To those of you who say that Sarah Palin is not like that, I posit that you are suggesting that she lies about her religious convictions…as well as everything else!!
Another thing to consider about this group of Ruthless Barracudas: How far would they would be willing to go to acquire the TRUE POWER of the Presidency??