chris hiosis - Arz-e-Pak

Faith 19
they often embrace fundamentalist doctrine, do not always share
the intolerance ofthe radical fundamentalists. While a majority of
Christian Americans embrace a literal interpretation of the Bible,
only a tiny minority-among them the Christian dominionistsare
comfortable with this darker vision ofan intolerant, theocratic
America. Unfortunately, it is this minority that is taking over the
machinery of U.S. state and religious institutions.
In a 2004 study, the political scientist John Green identifies
those he calls "traditional evangelicals." This group, which Green
estimates at 12.6 percent ofthe population, comes "closest to the
'religious right' widely discussed in the media." It is overwhelmingly
Republican; it is openly hostile to democratic pluralism, and
it champions totalitarian policies, such as denying homosexuals
the same rights as other Americans and amending the Constitution
to make America a "Christian nation." Green's "traditional
evangelicals" can probably be called true dominionists. There are
signs that this militant core may be smaller than even Green suggests,
dipping to around 7 percent of the population in other
polls, such as those conducted by George Barna.23 But the potency
of this radical movement far exceeds its numbers. Radical social
movements, as Crane Brinton wrote in The Anatomy ofRevolution,
are almost always tiny, although they use the tools of modern
propaganda to create the illusion ofa mass following. As Brinton
noted, "the impressive demonstrations the camera has recorded
in Germany, Italy, Russia and China ought not to deceive the careful
student ofpolitics. Neither Communist, Nazi, nor Fascist victory
over the moderates was achieved by the participation ofthe
many; all were achieved by small, disciplined, principled, fanatical
bodies."2< These radicals, Brinton went on, "combine, in varying
degrees, very high ideals and a complete contempt for the inhibitions
and principles which serve most other men as ideals." They
are, he said, "practical men unfettered by common sense, Machiavellians
in the service ofthe Beautiful and the Good."2s And once
they are in power, "there is no more finicky regard for the liberties