It's not just the Republican political establishment that is being usurped by wealth-obsessed newcomer Donald Trump. Traditional evangelical leaders are being cast aside as well, as the proprietor of Trump University embraces that sliver of small sliver of evangelical Christianity that most flatters his own actions and beliefs: The so-called "prosperity gospel".
Although “health and wealth” clerics head up churches that boast memberships in the tens of thousands, they have historically avoided divisive political conversations.
That was, at least, until the rise of Trump. In a twist that has perplexed and angered many leaders of the traditional Religious Right, the mogul has surrounded himself with a cadre of jet-setting prosperity gospel preachers throughout his campaign, snubbing the old-time religion of traditional conservative Christians in favor of the glitzy theology of ministers who share his adoration of the Almighty Dollar.
And now, with Burns speaking before the RNC, the prosperity gospel — long dismissed by progressive and conservative Christians alike as flawed or even heretical — is having its political moment.
The prosperity gospel is a television-friendly offshoot of Christianity that believes God shows favor to those that please him by rewarding those truest believers with physical health and monetary wealth—and that the best way to please God is, coincidentally, to send your own money to the preachers of the prosperity gospel. Hoarding wealth is therefore seen not as sinful, but as evidence of your own holiness; purchasing a private jet for your ministry is seen not as an unnecessary luxury, but proof of your followers’ divine faith.
Or something like that. It’s all a transparent scam, of course.
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At Daily Kos on this date in 2004—GOP web fundraisers take 30 percent cut:
There's been a great deal of discussion over the GOP's new plan giving their online fundraisers a 30 percent cut of money raised. Some thing it's crass or unethical, but it's neither of those.
Professional fundraisers often take cuts that large, sometimes larger, in their efforts to raise money for campaigns and organizations. So there's nothing wrong in giving those same terms to their online bundlers.
But here's the key. There are two types of fundraisers --
- Professional fundraisers. As discussed they take a cut of money raised.
- Bundlers. These are known as "rangers" and "pioneers" in the world of Bush fundraising.
There is an important distinction between the two --
The professional fundraisers are engaged in a business relationship with the party. Nothing more. They have no further influence or "seat at the table", so to speak. They take their 30-50 percent cut and call it a day.
On today’s Kagro in the Morning show, Greg Dworkin rounded up polling news, Trump’s lawsuit against a former aide, our robot overlords, and Obamacare’s longer-term economic impact. Plenty of other Gop sexploits. Jaime Gilt, GunFAIL-er, makes things worse. Secret history of guns in America.
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