Christian Reconstructionism etc.

Developments: 1999 to now

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1999-MAR: Stoning children: AANEWS reported in 1999-MAR that a recent issue of the Chalcedon Foundation's monthly journal, the Chalcedon Report, contained an article by Reconstructionist minister Rev. W.O. Einwechter, called "Stoning Disobedient Children." He is alleged to have suggested that capital punishment should be used on:

"a grown son who, for whatever reason, has rebelled against the authority of his parents and will not profit from any of their discipline nor obey their voice in any thing...The execution of the rebel in view is just, merciful and preventative..."

Einwechter is the vice-moderator of the Association of Free Reformed Churches, and a vice president of the National Reform Association, a group that advocates the inclusion of Christianity in government._1,2,3

2000-Summer: Neo-Confederates attempt split of Presbyterain Church: According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Rev. Steven J. Wilkins, is the "pastor of the Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church in Monroe, La., and a founder and current board member of the neo-Confederate League of the South (LOS)." The LOS is allegedly attempting to take control of conservative churches in the Southern US -- an act that could lead to a schism within the PCA. Wilkins promotes Christian Reconstructionism. Leaders of the Reconstructionist movement advocate that the:

"... death penalty be used to punish those guilty of 'apostasy (abandonment of the faith), heresy, blasphemy, witchcraft, astrology, adultery, 'sodomy or homosexuality,' incest, striking a parent, incorrigible juvenile delinquency, and in the case of women, 'unchastity before marriage.' Non-capital crimes would be sanctioned with whipping, indentured servitude or slavery."

Wilkins has allegedly said that the League's goal is to save America from "paganism" and restore it as "the last bastion of Christendom" (It is not clear to which of the five different meanings of "Paganism" he is referring.) He has allegedly stated that slavery is "perfectly legitimate." Wilkins had tried to remake the PCA, but allegedly told Christian Renewal in 2000-APR that "the denomination is unreformable." In 2000-AUG, he sponsored a meeting involving 10 churches of the Louisiana Presbytery. They discussed leaving the PCA. The Rev. Kennedy Smartt, moderator of the PCA's 1998 General Assembly, says that the PCA could lose "25 to 30 churches" pastored by men with "theonomic views." ₄

2001-OCT: "Operation Potomac" launched: On approximately 2001-OCT-12, Jeffrey Ziegler, president of the National Reform Association (NRA) announced formation of a Christian Reconstructionist political action committee and public policy organization. NRA members have met with several House and Senate Republicans over the last 14 months. House Whip Tom DeLay (R-TX) is allegedly helping the NRA to organize a "biblical worldview" conference in Washington DC during 2002. President Bush is allegedly considering J. Robert Brame III, board member of Reconstructionist group American Vision as a member of the National Labor Relations Board.

Feminist Majority Foundation Online reports that

"Believing that the Bible should be the basis of government, education, and law, Reconstructionists envision an extremist society in which public schools, most social service programs, and welfare would be obliterated. According to Reconstructionist belief, the Bible allows liberal application of the death penalty for crimes including homosexuality, abortion, adultery, child disobedience, and witchcraft."

Execution of the criminals would be by burning them alive, stoning and hanging. as specified in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). The Feminist Majority did not mention additional grounds for capital punishment, such as blasphemy, working on the weekly Sabbath and prostitution. Slavery would be made legal again. ₅

References:

Christian Worldview: Discipling the Nations... has a Reconstructionist page at: http://www.geocities.com/.
Rev. Andrew Sandlin, "The Creed of Christian Reconstruction" at: http://www.wam.umd.edu/
News dispatch, untitled, by AANEWS, a service of American Atheists, 1999-MAR-13.
"Confederates in the Pulpit," Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Report, 2001-Spring, at: http://www.splcenter.org/
"Christian Reconstructionists launch 'Operation Potomac'," Feminist Majority, at: http://www.feminist.org/