Doug Coe, the leader of the Family, has said “One of the things [Jesus] has said is ‘If any man comes to me, and does not hate his father, mother, brother, sister, his own life, he can’t be a disciple.’ So I don’t care what other qualifications you have, if you don’t do that, you can’t be a disciple of Christ.”
This is the foundation of the quasi-religious group called the Family. Abraham Vereide founded the group in 1934 in response the Franklin D Roosevelt’s new deal. He felt Roosevelt’s new deal would allow unions to take over the Seattle’s government. He organized prayer breakfasts that included politicians and business leaders that included anti-communist and anti union discussions, thinking both were one in the same. The prayer breakfast discussions took off until they were in over forty cities, and in 1943 incorporated into the the national committee of Christian leadership, with it’s offices in Chicago. The following year he changed its name to International Christian leadership, and moved to Washington D.C..
Flash forward to today: The Family represents “Jesus plus nothing,” as its leader, Doug Coe, puts it, the “totalitarianism of God,” in the words of an early Family leader, a vision that encompasses not just social issues but also the kind of free-market fundamentalism that is the real object of devotion for core members and insiders. At the heart of the Family’s spiritual advice for its proxies in Congress is the conviction that the market’s invisible hand represents the guidance of God, and that God wants his “new chosen” to look out for one another.
This is the basis of the politicians who belong to the group. Coe has stated on numerous occasions the group is at its best when it can act like the mafia: acting in secret can accomplish more than in public.
Fellowship leader Doug Coe repeatedly urges a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that he compares to the blind devotion that Adolf Hitler demanded from his followers. Coe has stated “Hitler, Goebbels and Himmler were three men. Think of the immense power these three men had, these nobodies from nowhere,” and later in the same sermon: “Jesus said, ‘You have to put me before other people. And you have to put me before yourself. With Hitler, that was the demand to be in the Nazi party. You have to put the Nazi party and its objectives ahead of your own life and ahead of other people.”
Is the influence this group appears to have with politicians violate the separation of church and state? I think that’s a good question, considering their background and stated mission.
jammer5
PrairiePopulistsAndProgressives.net 
You must love this logic argument I heard last night, “all this talk about the affairs that have happened by the members of C-Street. But think of all the affairs that never happened because of C-Street!”.
How can you take credit for something that has not yet happened?
Sounds like somebody’s reaching for logic, tosmart. That means they’re embarrassed or have a need to make the happenings in C Street okay.
I should have said it’s akin to the “but he did it too!” philosophy of my grandkids. LOL
“but he did it too!”
That is the same excuse I get from the Cons on the other blog. They lie because the liberals lie.
This came up on my google alert for “Doug Coe.” I’m glad folks are paying attention to the story. But it’d be great if you could let your readers know that the best place to find more information about the Family — and the source of everything folks are hearing in the news — is my book, “The Family,” just out in paperback from HarperCollins, which I’ve been talking about on various tv shows of late. Crass to hawk it, I know, but A) that’s the business; B) that’s the real story.
Not crass at all. I’m a writer, too, although of fiction, so I know the word needs to get out.
Thanks for reminding us! I can pick up a copy of your book at my book signing next Saturday. 🙂
Jeff Thanks for stopping by. The articles I linked to both use excerpts from your book. I agree: your book is the source for information, and I should have linked to it. I’ve read much of it and the info is scary, to say the least.
By the way, I have read much of what you wrote on other subjects and consider you one of my favorites for non-fiction. And nothing crass about hawing your book 🙂 Who knows, when I get mine finished . . . . . . .
Or when I learn how to spell hawking 🙂
Jammer,
Are you writing a book, in the thinking stages, etc… I would like hearing about that by way of a post.
Wish I could make it to wicked’s book signing, but next weekend, I am working.
Jeff’s book is available here: http://www.amazon.com/Family-Secret-Fundamentalism-Heart-American/dp/0060559799
I’ve started a book. Outline in progress, as is the first chapter. I’d rather not put any of it on line yet, as it is way too early, and, should I get to the stage where I send it to publishers, they frown on putting it on line. Wicked might be able to verify that.
I will say it is fiction, in the detective genre. Research is the key that can make or break it. I am also a slow writer 🙂
If anyone can do it, you can, Jammer. I still remember my shock at learning who “mother” was. Just let me know when I can buy it; because I will.
Oh, heavens, iggy, did I mention the signing on Saturday before today? I can’t remember what I’ve done and haven’t done this week. I know I thought of doing it, then wasn’t sure if I should. You’re excused from attending, as is anyone for any reason, including just wanting to hang out at home. 🙂
Yes, jammer, from what I’ve heard, publishers would rather you didn’t give away the book before they buy it. Even afterward, I’m limited to excerpts of X number of words by my contract. (I’d have to look up what X is, and I’m just too lazy to do it.)
When it’s finished and I buy my copy may I get it autographed?
I’m going to try to make wicked’s book signing next Saturday. I avoid shopping malls on weekends, but she is worth going out among the crowds!
I found it interesting that on the the WE blog today, someone was talking about Todd Tiarht’s town hall meeting in Eldorado. Seems the crowd was not one of his usual kiss-Todd’s-butt crowd and a few asked some good questions.
Toddy brought up the fact that Jerry Moran lives at the C Street house and that he (Todd) has not had any contact with them for several years.
I wonder if anyone could do some research and find out exactly when Todd Tiarht was last seen at the C-Street house?
Todd had better be careful if he plans to use the C-Street against Jerry Moran – that particular fistful of mud may come back to hit him full in the face!