Promise Keepers Report
I was there... October 5, 1997


I just got back from Washington DC and the Promise Keepers Rally. I was not there to protest, but to observe. And I saw a lot!

The Family Research Council, a well funded extreme right wing arm of Focus on the Family put an extreme recruitment multimedia multimillion dollar push on the men that attended the rally. There were posters in the subways, stands in the airport, and in a 4 page spread in the Washington Times welcoming men to the rally and promoting the FRC and "christian values".

In the insert, the only mention of homosexuality was this: Compassion, not bigotry, compels us to support healing for homosexuals who want to change their sexual preference. FRC opposes any attempts to equate homosexuality with benign characteristics such as skin color or place of origin and to teach children that it is normal and desirable behavior.

No mention of compassion for those who do not want to change, as if most homosexuals even have a choice.

Many of us have been saying all along that our concerns with the PK is that the men are pawns in the political game of the extreme religious right. It was evident yesterday.

Bill McCartney, the founder of the Promise Keepers disavowed knowledge of the FRC involvement, and continues to deny any political agenda.

However, he did talk about unity in command, for the men to recruit their pastors, about accountably groups, and announced that all stadium events from now on will be FREE. And, they are going to have pastors conferences in all 50 states - AT THE STATE CAPITOL. These goals have been set to be accomplished by the year 2000, which just happens to be a presidential election year, hmmmmmmmmmmm.

I had the impression that McCartney is getting too big for his own good, and I think it has gone to his head. The men involved need to remember that McCartney is not the leader they are 'supposed' to be following, but God.

And the men followed instructions all day long like they had been given by God Herself. Raise your right hand.... drop to your knees.... raise both hands...... fall on your face....... listen to your leader..... kinda scary.

They handed out Bibles, and in the back were two envelopes to send money. They really pushed that, contrary to the rules that no money was to be solicited at events on the mall. They even allowed time at the end, 'telling' them to fill out their check, share their pens with their neighbors, and fill in their credit card numbers, after a whole day of telling these men what to do, and having them following instructions. The pressure at the event to conform was pretty potent.

Psychologically, it was pretty evident what was going on. Do this.... Repent..... Jesus loves you..... Do this now...... Ask forgiveness...... Praise the Lord...... Raise your hand if you are a public servant..... Now everyone clap..... Jesus loves you..... You are a sinner..... Prostrate yourself..... God forgives you..... Follow the leader.... Praise the lord... Now fill out your checks.

They really were turning on the guilt too, having a Messianic Jew talk about how the Christians didn't stop the holocaust, an African American talk about how no white churches supported MLK, and guilt, guilt, guilt, repent......

They had minorities from many nationalities and races take the stand and 'absolve' them from their sins of bigotry, including Hispanic, African American, Native American....

Oh, and the Lesbian Avengers were there in full force. The Atheists held signs that said "Real men don't pray". NOW had a press rally. Georgetown Law students were there to protest. I attended a pre-event interfaith service by Equal Partners in Faith that promoted inclusion and tolerance for all people.

BUT, it really was an extremely spiritual and moving experience to see all those people on the lawn in silent prayer, the entire mall was so quiet at one point that you could have heard a pin drop.

In conclusion, I do continue to believe that the men that attend these events have NO political agenda, are truly seeking God and wanting to improve their marriages. I think McCartney is on a power trip, and I think that the political religious right has been given a fertile recruiting ground for recruitment of men which honestly want to do what they *have been told* is the right thing to do.

This is a movement, that if it promoted equality for women and homosexuals, may not be such a bad thing. BUT.......... we need to remember that the Extreme Religious Right is the big winner in this game, and we must be prepared for the ramifications of an organization that is changing our social, political, and religious structures.


BEWARE

Laura Montgomery Rutt, Executive Director
Alliance for Tolerance and Freedom


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