y Adelle M. Banks
c. 2010 Religion News Service WASHINGTON
(RNS) Southern Baptist executive Richard Land was pleased at how religious Glenn Beck’s “Restoring Honor” rally turned out to be.
Bishop Harry Jackson, a black evangelical leader, was pleasantly surprised that the Fox News talk show host said things “some of my close friends could have written.”
And Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. was among the faith leaders to enlist in Beck’s new “Black Robe Regiment.”
In the wake of the conservative commentator’s rally on the National Mall last weekend (Aug. 28), some evangelical leaders say he sounded all the right religious notes.
But others say Beck’s Mormon faith clouds the message.
“Glenn Beck’s Mormon faith is irrelevant,” said Falwell. “People of all faiths, all races and all creeds spoke and attended the event. Nobody was there to endorse anyone else’s faith but we were all there to honor our armed forces and to call the people of America to restore honor.”
But other conservative Christians say Beck’s leadership at an event attended by evangelicals and other conservatives was nothing short of scandalous.
“The answer to this scandal … includes local churches that preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and disciple their congregations to know the difference between the kingdom of God and the latest political whim,” Russell Moore, dean of the School of Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, wrote on his blog the day after the rally. “It’s sad to see so many Christians confusing Mormon politics or American nationalism with the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
At the rally, Beck paced before the Lincoln Memorial as he described the “240 men and women,” from a range of faiths who had joined his regiment.
“We can disagree on politics,” Beck said. “These men and women here don’t agree on fundamentals. They don’t agree on everything that every church teaches. What they do agree on is God is the answer.”
There is no doubt that Beck has a following. Gallup has ranked him as the fourth most admired man — just ahead of Pope Benedict XVI — and millions tune in to his daily broadcasts.
But, as his religious rhetoric attests, Beck has gone fishing for a new audience recently.
Weeks before the rally, he gathered about 20 prominent religious leaders for a dinner at which he said God was leading him to talk about revival in America, Land said. The night before the rally, he held a “Divine Destiny” event that promised to leave participants with a “strong belief that faith can play an essential role in reuniting the country.”
That kind of language has some evangelicals upset.
“I believe that Beck used his conservative veneer and doublespeak to co-opt leaders of the religious right,” wrote Brannon Howse, founder of Worldview Weekend, which sponsors Christian worldview conferences.
Others, such as Lou Engle, founder of The Call rallies across the country, said Beck will get qualified support.
“I think evangelicals will see him as a moral voice, not necessarily a spiritual voice,” he said.
Experts say Beck’s ability to reach evangelicals will depend on whether he speaks a broad message or delves more narrowly into his Mormon beliefs.
“Most evangelicals are friendly toward the idea of American civil religion and I think Beck’s call sort of fit into that stream of history,” said Stan Guthrie, editor at large for Christianity Today. “I think that as long as he doesn’t get too specific about his Mormon faith … many people will be willing to get on board.”
Added evangelical public relations executive Mark DeMoss, who advised Mormon Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign: “If he were mobilizing some sort of theological movement, I think most evangelicals would not get behind it but I don’t sense that that’s what he’s doing.”
In 2007, more than a third of Republican white evangelical Protestants said they would be reluctant to vote for a Mormon president, and 39 percent of white evangelical Protestants viewed Mormons unfavorably, according to a poll conducted by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center.
John Green, an expert on religion and politics at the University of Akron, said doctrinal differences between evangelicals and Mormons have historically made it difficult for them to form alliances.
Some prominent evangelicals have distanced themselves in the past from Beck because of his Mormonism. In 2008, Focus on the Family founder James Dobson abruptly pulled an interview with Beck after viewers voiced concern about “theological compromise.”
Green said much of the squeamishness is due to the additional sacred scripture and tenets that Mormons revere along with the Bible.
But despite those differences, he said there has been a growing sense of pragmatism among religious leaders who have worked together.
For example, evangelical leaders defended the Mormon Church when gay activists criticized it during the contentious debate over gay marriage in California.
Randall Balmer, professor of religious history at Barnard College, said Beck may be showing Romney a “better way to the heart of evangelicals” by being more forthright about his Mormon faith. He even speculated that perhaps Beck is a “stalking horse for Mitt Romney in 2012.”
Whether or not Beck has such political aspirations, Balmer said his efforts to draw evangelical attention could end up creating exactly what Falwell’s father envisioned — a powerful coalition of politically conservative evangelicals, Catholics and Mormons.
“If Beck truly emerges as a leader for that movement, he will have fulfilled Jerry Falwell’s dream,” said Balmer. “I think Beck is working awfully hard to ingratiate himself to that population.”
Copyright 2010 Religion News Service. All rights reserved. No part of this transmission may be distributed or reproduced without written permission.
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posted August 31, 2010 at 8:04 pm
He realizes that Fundamentalist Christian beliefs have snowballed in America and in Nigeria and he is on board to do his utmost, for he says God. Nothing wrong with that if he is sincere. I haven’t seen anything sincere that he has said on his show. So I don’t find him credible. At least he admits he isn’t smart enough to be President. Maybe he can become another Pentecostal Evangelist.
posted August 31, 2010 at 8:11 pm
Does no one remember Father Coughlin?
posted August 31, 2010 at 9:59 pm
I listened to you for the first time this morning and it will be the last time that I listen to you. I was very offended with the way you bashed Glenn Beck on your show. You even admitted that you don’t listen to Glenn Beck and that you really didn’t know that much about him. You are basing your comments on something that someone you don’t know printed about him in some paper and you just believed it. I am a christian, not a mormon, an evangelical christian. I would never trash someone and try to ruin their reputation without knowing any facts, which is what you did. I have listened to Glenn for over ten years on the radio and I watch his show quite often. I have heard Glenn defend the unborn on the radio and I know that he is pro-choice. As far as the same sex marriage issue, I believe I have heard him speak out about that. I have to be honest, I am not 100 percent sure about that, but I am sure about the abortion issue. He is against abortion. There are tons of people out there right now on the far left that are printing propoganda against Glenn. Why? Because they see him as a threat to their radical agenda to take this country down. And you have just helped them accomplish this by what you said about him without knowing what you are talking about. And you call yourself a christian? That is not my idea of christianity, and if I were you I would be on my knees tonight asking for God’s forgiveness,
because what you did is a sin against a brother. Glenn Beck is one of the kindest, most caring, decent people out there and he is working around the clock trying to wake people up before we are turned into slaves of the government and radical islam. Shame on you! How hypocritical of you. And one more thing, who are you to decide who is and isn’t a christian? What you did was hateful. I dare you to leave to leave this up for people to read. I doubt that you will. By the way, just in case I haven’t made myself clear, I am directing this at Matt Friedman
posted August 31, 2010 at 10:10 pm
Marilyn your post is an example of the danger of people like Beck and projects like his campaign. As a liberal, some would say radical, I can assure you there’s no “radical agenda to take this country down”. What there is, is Beck and his ilk dividing the country to get power. Karl Rove and GWB did it and Beck’s trying to do it again.
Find some radicals; you may know some. Talk to them. You’ll find a lot of them are as patriotic as you or me. They may have a different idea than you about what’s good for the country but they love it as much. Beck wants you to hate them, apparently. Please don’t fall for that.
posted August 31, 2010 at 10:28 pm
You sound a bit hysterical, Marilyn.
>He is working around the clock trying to wake people up before we are turned into slaves of the government and radical islam
posted August 31, 2010 at 10:44 pm
nnmns-There is no radical agenda to take this country down???? Are you serious? Well, in your own words, as an admitted liberal, some would say radical, I’m just curious, what religion might you be? Why would I want to find some radicals to talk to? Don’t we have enough of those in our government that we have to listen to every day already? Yes, I am patriotic and I don’t want to wake up one day and be living in a socialist state. You think that Beck wants me to hate liberals? No, he does not want me or anyone to hate anybody, and the fact that you say that is proof that you’ve never listened to him either. Maybe one day you will decide to take your head out of the sand and take a look around. Hopefully, you will do it before it is too late for this country that I and my “ilk” love.
posted August 31, 2010 at 11:04 pm
Lacy J-Think what you will…..Madame. And no, it doesn’t sound like we agree on anything, but hey, different strokes for different folks, I guess. I’m outta here.
posted September 1, 2010 at 12:45 am
Hi Marilyn, I see you are a Beck Kool-Aid drinker. People like you both amuse and frighten me. You honestly believe that this government is run by Marxists and that “radical Islam” is about to take over. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. It’s all so insipid. I know you are probably a decent person but you are as gullible as they come.
I happen to be a socialist and trust me Obama is NO socialist. He is a right-of-center President who is as beholden to corporations as was Bush. As for Islam taking over that would be quite a feat since Muslims are only .6% of our population. But perhaps you think they have super powers.
My progressive friends and I have no desire to turn this country into a “dictatorship” like your hero Glennie says. We are the people who gave America the 40 hour work week, weekends off, health insurance, pensions, eliminated child labor, helped enact anti-pollution law, the list goes on and on. No need to thank us. Just don’t demonize us for trying to make America better ok?
posted September 1, 2010 at 12:46 am
Marilyn I suggested you talk to a radical or so in order to get your misconceptions cleared up. But it sounds like you are not interested in doing that. Too bad, since you have a lot of misconceptions.
posted September 1, 2010 at 6:22 am
Marilyn-
In your first post, you wrote:
“I listened to you for the first time this morning and it will be the last time that I listen to you. I was very offended with the way you bashed Glenn Beck on your show.”
Who are you directing this to…or, to whose show are you referring?
Peace!
posted September 1, 2010 at 6:29 am
Well, I do watch Beck upon a occasion and listen almost daily to at least a portion of his radio show. It appears to me that Beck has taken up the cloak of religion in an attempt to add credibility to his message.
I am not certain how committed he is to what he says in general, let alone on religious matters. Though I do think he is very committed to his mission to make money. I have no problem with a desire and/or attempts to make money. I do have a problem with individual who attempt to mislead, manipulate, and malign to do so.
Beck reminds me of a poorly made counterfeit three dollar bill. Except while useless a three dollar bill does not usually lead others astray.
Peace!
posted September 1, 2010 at 11:59 am
Those who occupy the extreme edges of relious and political discussions have more concern for being right than anything else. This was the undoing of the “liberal” fringe a few decades ago and it will likely be the undoing of the “conservative” fringe as well. For that reason they will not be likely to form the sort of coalition necessary to create anything close to a numerically significant block. That will be the saving grace for the rest of us. When the Fringe becomes most important – as with the Taliban – things unravel.
As for Beck – he wants to be The Bishop, The Boss, and The Big Cheese. This is more about his ego than his vision (he can’t see past the mirror or the monitor). So here is what I suggest… Someone get one of those Wisconsin Cheese Hat companies to shape one into a huge bishops mitre (as in “Le Fromage Grande” or the Big Cheese), and use a marker to write “The Boss” on it; present it Beck on the air (nothing counts if it isn’t on camera) and let him wear it each time he pontificates, prognosticates, and prestidigitates (a little slight of hand will keep the rubes watching so his ratings stay up). Give him a title and the hat and he will be happy. He won’t leave anyone alone, but he will remain the witless media “hooker” (less appropriate words may be slipped in place of “hooker”) with the flashy hat that proves he is important.
posted September 1, 2010 at 1:40 pm
wow, talk about following a false prophet. funny how religon doesn’t matter when one is a republican.
marilyn – good luck to you. i have a feeling you’re going to need it. following a coke-head, crazy will not take you to honorable places.
i have made this political, because the rally was pure politics, and shameful grandstanding. beck/palin have no honor.
posted September 1, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Beck sounds more like an evangelical Christian than most Christians. Dobson canceling an interview with him was just plain damn ignorant. I’d like Beck to be prodded out of the normal “Mormon sounding like a Christian” closet with tough, intelligent questions. Mormons are NOT Christians. They believe “Father god” was once a man and Jesus a literal brother of Lucifer. I could go on. Anyone interested in knowing the whole enchilada should google Dr. Walter Martin’s, “The Kingdom of the Cults.” Martin’s family came from a long line of Mormonology. The sooner the better Beck, one way or another, answers the tough questions, we can all better understand where he’s coming from. I’ve got no problem with a Mormon. I do have a problem with one who thinks. talks and acts like a Christian, when, in reality, his own church doctrine condemns as “totally in error.”
posted September 1, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Marilyn you said you were out of here, but in case you stayed around or many come back…..I think I know who Friedman is, but not sure. You have labled him a liberal and therefore you think he doesn’t think correctly, as you and Beck do. I’m a centrist like our President that you think is bringing our country down the wrong path. So you have already placed me on the wrong side of the ledger, right? Incidently I’m a Christian, brought up in the Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, so what you say? I posted first on this subject and mentioned I listened to him, etc. You didn’t comment on that just that Friedman doesn’t listen to him. You don’t have to listen to his diatribe, it is repeated on the news everyday so everyone is acquainted with his eccentric goings on. Most Christians that aren’t Mormon don’t trust his motives, if they are fundamentalist Christians. How I feel about this is he is mixing religon with politics and the combo is not what makes for a good thing in America. It isn’t a good thing in the Muslim countries, and it isn’t good here. Taken by themselves they make sense.
posted September 1, 2010 at 3:18 pm
First Amendment: “CONGRESS shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” Christian presidents are allowed to practice and speak their religion. There is NO such thing as separation of church and state in the U. S. Constitution. The author of the so-called “wall of separation,” Thomas Jefferson, said Christians had nothing to fear from government hushing their freedom to practice their religion. This applies to EVERYONE! Courts are prohibited from making laws concerning this matter, even though some HAVE! The First Amendment prohibits this!
posted September 2, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Excerpts from the column:
Glenn Beck the Faith-Healer Continues to Scam His Followers
Bob CescaHost of the Bob and Elvis Show
Posted: September 1, 2010 04:38 PM
“Throughout his gripping new book, The Backlash: Right-Wing Radicals, High-Def Hucksters, and Paranoid Politics in the Age of Obama, Philadelphia Daily News reporter and blogger Will Bunch augments the notion that Glenn Beck is playing a fictional character named “Glenn Beck.” A faker. Specifically, Bunch draws together evidence indicating that Beck is nothing more than a morning zoo deejay whose latest money-making stunt is to portray a new kind of televangelist, offering political and religious salvation for profit. …”
“In this case, the painted on tears are Beck’s own. His equally fake character is a derivative grab bag of other tried and tested personalities. His adenoidal “Clydie Clyde” voice is based on morning zoo pioneer Scott Shannon’s “Mr. Leonard” character. His history is borrowed from the widely debunked work of W. Cleon Skousen. His conspiracy theories are horked from Alex Jones and maybe Jack Van Impe. His anti-Obama, anti-socialist monologues are pure Joe McCarthy. His chalkboard is stolen from televangelist Gene Scott. His solemn, over-processed radio monologue delivery is a dead ringer for Eric Bogosian in Talk Radio. This is all well-worn stuff, but no one has drawn it all together and sculpted it into one big holy Mr. Potato Head for the purpose of conning an especially susceptible audience during turbulent racial and economic times.”
Read the remainder of the column here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-cesca/glenn-beck-the-faith-heal_b_702586.html
posted September 2, 2010 at 8:40 pm
name callers from both sides are screwing up this country, war has casualties and this silliness has turned into war. War also profits so the profiteers are not inclined to stop warring but the people should be. Left, right, conservatives, liberals, red, blue, crips, bloods all the same but all driven by the war mongrels. I’ve been so busy serving God and people I don’t have the time for this nonsense. my people perish for lack of knowledge. – Hosea 4:6