Theocracy Watch Website
Mission
TheocracyWatch was originally founded to call attention to how a small group of Republican strategists and a small group of religious extremists worked together to expand the base of support of the Republican Party and to attempt to bring the U.S. Federal government under conservative religious control. That mission then expanded to both detail and offer perspective on the continuing efforts of Christian fundamentalists to influence American politics and society.
TheocracyWatch raised awareness that a group of "Christian Nation" activists, working through television ministries and megachurches, succeeded in taking working control of the Republican Party. By 1992 they won a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. They then set about rooting out moderates from the GOP. In 2000 their chosen candidate became President of the United States. Once they won a majority in the U.S. Senate, President Bush was able to appoint two Supreme Court Justices who supported the theocratic goals of the "Christian Nation" activists. With the appointments of Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito, the theocratic right controlled both houses of the U.S. Congress, the White House, and four out of nine Supreme Court seats. Our country was very close to becoming a Christian theocracy.
TheocracyWatch's website and analyses answered many key questions: Who comprised the theocratic right? What methods did they use to achieve their goals? What were their goals and beliefs? How did their beliefs influence both domestic and foreign policy? TheocracyWatch had an impact on the national debate through its popular website, powerpoint presentations, DVDs, CDs and radio interviews. We reached many millions of people.
When a series of scandals forced key theocratic political leaders out of office, the movement began to unravel. In addition some influential evangelical leaders broadened their political agenda to include the environment and poverty. Democracy proved its resiliency. By 2006 "Christian Nation" activists lost control of Congress. Their influence had eroded to the point that, in 2008, they couldn,t rally behind one of their candidates in the Republican primaries.
It is premature to write an obituary for "Christian Nation" activists. One of their own--VP candidate Sarah Palin --drew large enthusiastic crowds during the campaign. So TheocracyWatch maintains its website as an archive (www.alternativeslibrary.org) since it contains news articles and analyses not available elsewhere. The United States survived the threat of theocracy, but the theocrats are not going away.
Directors' Bio
FounderJoan Bokaer began her work as peace activist by raising awareness about nuclear disarmament through interviews, discussion groups, and leading an extraordinary coast-to-coast peace walk. Through her meetings with churches in that effort, she became concerned about the rising influence of the religious right in national politics through the GOP, establishing TheocracyWatch as a means of calling attention to those efforts. Today, is focusing on a new effort to educate the public about starting, building, and maintaining sustainable communities.