Many of you know that a lot of the people who helped put together Rick Perry's "Response" prayer gathering are in bed with the New Apostolic Reformation--a kooky fringe charismatic movement that can charitably be described as the closest thing to fascism that has ever taken root in this country. One of them was Alice Patterson, an "apostle" from San Antonio who is a frequent prayer partner of Perry's.
Last year, she wrote a book called "Bridging the Racial Divide," which highlights her work in racial reconciliation. However, as is typical with much of the NAR's work, she's managed to twist a perfectly laudable cause into something sinister--in this case, getting blacks to ditch the Democrats in favor of the Republicans. One tool she's recently used to peel blacks away is to suggest that the Democratic Party is controlled by demonic spirits.
Patterson attended a conference in Louisiana hosted by leading NAR apostle Chuck Pierce, in which he described "an invisible network of evil comprising an unholy structure."
As Chuck described Saul Structures, my thoughts raced to politics. "Oh my God, Chuck is describing the Democratic Party!" This was the first time I'd ever considered that an evil structure could be connected to and empowered by a political party ... One strong fallen angel cannot wreak havoc on an entire nation by himself. He needs a network of wicked forces to restrain the Church and to deceive the masses. Unlike the Holy Spirit, who is everywhere at once and can speak to millions of people simultaneously, the devil can only be in one place at a time. By himself Satan would be totally ineffective, but in cooperation with other powers of darkness he erects structures to deceive and manipulate entire nations ... At the time I was listening to Chuck Pierce in Louisiana, I hadn't given any thought at all to strongholds in political parties. If I had ever thought about it, of course, it would have made sense, but it was new information. As Chuck's words began to sink in, I asked the "Lord, Father, what is the demonic structure behind the Democratic Party?"
As many of you know, I was suckered into joining an NAR/Latter Rain outfit during my freshman year at Carolina. I've seen and heard some pretty crazy stuff from that crowd over the years, but I have to say this is absolutely the most unhinged thing I've ever read from an NAR/Latter Rain figure. And it's even more so considering what I know about the NAR.
For those who don't know, the NAR people believe that Jesus can't come back until the church takes over the world and purge it of all evil. All "evildoers" must convert or perish. I've been told numerous times over the years that I can't be a Christian and a Dem. But to be told that since I'm a Democrat, I'm controlled by a demonic spirit--and that by extension, I need to be "delivered" or else I could be tagged as an evildoer? And I thought John Hagee was the most unhinged pastor that we know of from San Antonio.
It gets even better. Patterson thinks that the Democrats are controlled by a "Jezebel spirit," or a spirit of rebellion, that explains the Democrats' support for gay rights and abortion, and earlier explained Southern Democrats' support of slavery. Wondering where that logic leap comes from? Well, apparently Patterson thinks that LGBTs and women who have abortions are somehow in bondage--just like the slaves were.
The obvious question--does Governor Goodhair know that his prayer partner is spouting such lunacy?