How a Christian movement is growing rapidly in the midst of religious decline

[SecularMotion]

In August of 2011, more than 30,000 people cheered wildly as the then U.S. presidential candidate and Texas Governor Rick Perry – now secretary of energy in the Trump administration – came to the center stage at “The Response: A Call to Prayer for a Nation in Crisis” at Reliant Stadium in Houston. Perry quoted from the Bible and preached about the need for salvation that comes from Jesus. He concluded with a prayer for a country he believed to be overwhelmed by problems:

“We see discord at home. We see fear in the marketplace. We see anger in the halls of government.”

He then proceeded to ask God for forgiveness for forgetting “who made us, who protects us, and who blesses us.” In response, the crowd exploded into cheers and praise to God.

Five years later, on April 9, 2016, and 1,500 miles away at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, tens of thousands of people gathered to pray for the supernatural transformation of America. The event consisted of more than 16 hours of healing sessions, worship music and prophecy from some of the most popular Charismatic Christian leaders in the world.

While not directly affiliated, these two events and the leaders who organized them are central players in a movement that we call “Independent Network Charismatic,” or INC, Christianity in our recently released book, “The Rise of Network Christianity.”

https://theconversation.com/how-a-christian-movement-is-growing-rapidly-in-the-midst-of-religious-decline-73507

[vlyons]

1. Prosperity Christianity

God loves the rich, and hates the poor.

[ret5hd]

2. INC...how appropriate.

[stopbush]

3. Pretending that the make believe of the Buy-bull is a solution for any real problem

is sad.

[Docreed2003]

4. I can't stand much of that sect of Christianity....

Particularly the prosperity people. These folks have bastardized scripture to the point the "gospel" has lost all meaning. At the end of the day, the only people being blessed with prosperity are the preachers who are laughing all the way to the bank.

[NRaleighLiberal]

5. this is some truly scary shit. And - shining examples of hypocrisy!

[Hortensis]

6. Yes. The Christian reconstructionist and theocracy movements,

under various names, are very active and very represented in government and out. To put it mildly, their huge factor is not discussed nearly as much as needed in political analysis. I've read, and believe, that VP Pence is an excellent representative of the crafted ideological union of religion and laissez-faire, ant-tax, anti-government economics. I.e., supporting the rights and freedom of the very wealthy to rev up that ol' vacuum is serving God.

Also to put it mildly, a union of religion and ultra-wealthy greed is a very, very dangerous combination.

[EarthFirst]

7. That's fine and well. I honestly don't give a shit if that's your prerogative.

Keep it out of my life and my government.

[shadowmayor]

8. Tax these assholes

Every church that makes a public statement about politics should be taxed. It's the law.

[Solly Mack]

9. That's disturbing. And scary.

INC Christianity is led by a network of popular independent religious entrepreneurs, often referred to as “apostles.” They have close ties, we found, to conservative U.S. politicians, including Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, Bobby Jindal, Rick Perry and more recently President Donald Trump.

It is not so much about proselytizing to unbelievers as it is about transforming society through placing Christian believers in powerful positions in all sectors of society.


Most significantly, since the 2016 presidential election, some INC leaders have released public statements claiming that the Trump presidency is part of fulfilling God’s plan to “bring heaven to Earth” by placing believers in top posts, including Rick Perry, who is currently heading the Energy Department; Betsy DeVos directing the Department of Education; and Ben Carson leading the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

[LakeArenal]

10. You can be any kind of greedy, cruel, bigoted douche...

Just remember to ask forgiveness before you die, and it's all good.

[hatrack]

11. AKA The "Making Dietrich Bonhoeffer Vomit Society"

More snake-handling bullshit.

BTW, it looks like "INC Christianity" is backwards - shouldn't the two words be switched?

[Skittles]

12. it's all nuttery

it's just a matter of degree