So much that's so creepy that's so stupid

Some semi-random thoughts about the Fall of Ted Haggard, and Christians, politics and idolatry. But let me give you a proper setup from The Associated Press:

The Rev. Ted Haggard has been fired amid allegations of gay sex and drug use, but the evangelical leader can still be seen at the height of his powers _ preaching to thousands and condemning homosexuality _ in the documentary "Jesus Camp."

In one scene of the film, which follows a group of children as they develop evangelical Christian beliefs, directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady visit Haggard's 14,000-member New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colo. He tells the vast audience, "We don't have to debate about what we should think about homosexual activity. It's written in the Bible."

Then Haggard looks into the camera and says kiddingly: "I think I know what you did last night," drawing laughs from the crowd. "If you send me a thousand dollars, I won't tell your wife." Later, another joke for the filmmakers: "If you use any of this, I'll sue you."

(snip)

"Jesus Camp" is playing in several cities and expands to more on Friday and throughout the year. Ewing and Grady said that when they shot footage for the film at the New Life Church in October 2005, they were struck by how enraptured Haggard's followers looked.

"Pastor Ted, they were so proud of him. They thought he was hip, young, he didn't have that stodgy James Dobson feel," Ewing said Monday, referring to the Focus on the Family founder. "They all really adored him, that's the first thing I thought -- those people, those faces, they hung and took notes on every word he said -- I can't imagine
what those people must be feeling."

Pastor Ted was pretty damn full of himself, wasn't he? Unfortunately for Pastor Ted's career -- but fortunately for his eternal salvation, perhaps -- Jesus Christ absolutely knew what "Art from Kansas City" did last night or, more appropriately, a few months ago.

OK, first things first.

BEWARE personality cults. DO NOT attend a church just because "Pastor So-and-So" or "Father Great Guy" is, well, such a seemingly great guy. (Another description to beware of: "Dynamic.") And FLEE any church or parish where "Pastor So-and-So" of "Father Good Guy" has his smiling mug plastered on every document, web page, publication and wall capable of holding a picture frame.

Anyone with an ego that big does not see himself as unfit to even untie Christ's sandals (Luke 3:1-17). And he, in his heart of hearts, probably thinks that foot-washing thing is bass-ackwards (John 13:1-17).

So, pastors, it's not about you. And, people in the pews: It's not about him; it's about Him.

And if you see your Mighty Favog's ugly-ass picture all over the Revolution 21 website, etc., stop listening. It will have all gone south. Anyone in the media who fancies himself a public servant ought to strictly limit how much they put their smiling "glamour shot" out there. Because, after all -- once again -- its not all about me. Or you.

Just like in church, where I am more inclined to trust Father "Oh Crap, They Want a Picture and All I Have Is My Driver's License" over Father Dash Riprock any day of the week. Besides, though a great and Mighty Favog, your humble potentate is a pretty big bastard much of the time. He's about as good idol material as Ted Haggard was.

Which leads me (there's gotta be a link here somewhere) to this whole "Religious Right" thing with the Republicans. I don't get it.

I mean, it's starting to look more like a postmodern Nuremburg rally than it does "bringing Christian values" into politics. Particularly this election cycle, and particularly with some "religious leaders'" unwavering support of getting American soldiers and Iraqi civilians blowed up good for . . . excuse me, Mr. President, but what were this week's reasons for being in Iraq again?

I'll know it absolutely HAS become a postmodern Nuremburg stiff-arm party if some brother or sister in Christ sees this and yells "He's a Jew!"

Or "terrorist supporter" . . . I forget.

Is it really because they have nowhere else to go politically that so-many Christians buy the GOP/Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld line, or would they still be spouting the corporatist, pro-torture, "Cheap labor! More cheap labor!" party line even if abortion, the Supreme Court and gay marriage were political non-issues?

Is it REALLY because they have nowhere else to go politically that so many Christians feel they have to buy into so much that's so un-Christian because the Democrats are so "ungodly"?

Frankly, that's nuts. You don't fight Moloch by selling your soul to Mammon. Or to Militarism Without a Clue.

But there we are. There far too many professing Christians are.

Maybe it's just a Power Thang (Wall Street Journal article excerpted on TedHaggard.com):

The weekly conference call with the White House lets Mr. Haggard, 48, give the administration "the pulse of the evangelical world," he says. One recent Monday, he says, the discussion centered on Sen. Kerry's post-convention polling (participants were delighted there was no large "bump"). "It's useful to communicate," he says.

Mr. Haggard is also trying to boost evangelical voter participation. On Sept. 19, he will co-host a two-hour broadcast encouraging viewers to make it to the polls and to call their congressional representatives in support of the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would ban same-sex marriages. The show will be carried on three Christian television networks and as many as 1,500 Christian radio stations.

Meanwhile, Mr. Haggard makes no secret of his support of President Bush. Of the three framed pictures hanging outside his office, two are of himself and the president. (The other is of himself and Mel Gibson, who pre-screened "The Passion of Christ" at a conference organized by Mr. Haggard.)

Hell, I'll bet that if some political candidate took every Red Letter out of the New Testament and turned them into policy papers, God Is a Republican, Inc. (TM) would call him a commie and ship him off to a Blue State.

And that's the truth.