rightwingwatch--2020-04-02--Will Team Trump Use Coronavirus Crisis to Further Dismantle Church-State Wall?

Religious-right activists worked with the Trump administration to get language inserted into the recently passed stimulus legislation that could lead to direct taxpayer funding of clergy salaries and other church expenses , which would represent a major advance in the religious right ’ s long effort to undermine the separation of church and state .
Right Wing Watch reported that on Mar .
19 , Sen. Marco Rubio participated in an “ urgent pastor briefing ” organized by the Florida Family Policy Council .
Rubio told the pastors that he had been tasked with establishing a program for assisting churches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis by giving them loans to cover operating expenses , like payroll and utilities , and that loans spent on those things would be forgiven , essentially converting the funds into a government grant .
On another pastors call the following day , this one organized by the Family Research Council , President Donald Trump reminded conservative pastors listening how much he was doing for them and to call this year ’ s election day “ one of the biggest dates in the history of religion.
” He was followed on the call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FRC President Tony Perkins pushed Pence to let the pastors “ hear it from your own lips ” that he and Trump are “ very concerned about the economic impact this is having on churches because of their partnership and the key role the play in the community.
” “ Well , we most certainly are , ” Pence said , adding that he recognized that when services aren ’ t held due to churches following government social distancing guidelines or local requirements , “ there is a portion of that revenue that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ habits and practices doesn ’ t come back.
” Pence assured them that the administration ’ s team on Capitol Hill would make sure Perkins ’ concerns were taken care of .
This Monday , an article with details about the provisions appeared on MinistryWatch , a site for donors to Christian ministries that takes a watchdog perspective .
It says that churches and nonprofits with fewer than 500 employees are eligible to apply for aid from the Small Business Administration .
Rubio had told the Florida Family Policy Council pastors that his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But even at the lower rate , that could amount to a huge amount of federal tax dollars going to pay preacher ’ s salaries .
And that ’ s controversial both for progressive pastors—Rev .
Timothy McDonald of People For the American Way ’ s African American Ministers in Action spelled out his objections in Medium—and for some conservative pastors who don ’ t like the idea of inviting the government into their finances .
As Ministry Watch reported : But should Christian churches and ministries accept the government ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FFPC , told WORLD this is an opportunity for churches to receive much needed aid in the midst of a disaster—and that it ’ s in the government ’ s best interest to provide it .
“ This is not a permanent flow of money , ” he said .
“ They ’ re not asking churches to become reliant .
It ’ s one-time assistance in an unprecedented environment.
” To leave religious nonprofits out of the proposal would have been discriminatory , he said .
Travis Wussow with the Southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liberty Commission told WORLD the bill as it stands has “ no strings attached ” in restricting religious organizations ’ ability to carry out their mission—but that could change when the SBA issues final regulations .
Churches may need to consider if they will accept the forgiveness aspect of the program , he said .
“ That is an area where there could be strings connected , as well as just broader entanglement issues that pastors need to be thinking about.
” Marvin Olasky , editor in chief of WORLD , told me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the loan program , but pastors and lawyers need to read the fine print .
“ We sing ‘ Blessed be the tie that binds , ’ but government ties have strangled some ministries , ” he said .
FRC also posted information about the provision on its blog last week , noting , “ limitations that the SBA places on loans to religious entities ( including a requirement that religious entities show they are not principally engaged in teaching , instructing , counseling , or indoctrinating religion or religious beliefs ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credit for the provisions , noting , “ During Senate negotiations over how best to respond to the economic hardships our country is facing , the FRC team worked to ensure that churches and other religious groups were not left behind and were instead recognized as organizations vital to the coronavirus relief effort—and we will continue to do so going forward.
” The aid to churches was also mentioned on an Intercessors for America prayer call Wednesday , which featured Rep. Mike Bost of Illinois and his wife Tracy .
IFA ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difference of opinion on whether churches should accept government grants , but he told Bost that he thought it was “ cool ” that lawmakers thought it was important to support faith communities .
If all this sounds unconstitutional , it ’ s because it is .
But one core strategy of religious-right legal groups in the past few decades has been to weaken the First Amendment ’ s Establishment Clause by convincing conservative federal judges to reinterpret it in ways that would expand religious groups ’ access to public funds .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prohibit federal tax dollars from promoting religion or funding religious proselytizing .
But , with the help of conservative judges , religious-right groups have chipped away at that principle , arguing that excluding religious organizations from programs available to other nonprofits is a form of anti-religious discrimination .
But they also simultaneously argue that religious groups should get special treatment in the form of exemption of anti-discrimination requirements placed on other nonprofits .
In 2017 , the Supreme Court gave religious-right legal activists a big boost in Trinity Lutheran Church v. Comer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Missouri could deny a church access to a program funding playground resurfacing based on the state ’ s constitutional ban on providing direct financial assistance to a church .
The court sided with the church .
And while the ruling explicitly said the decision applied only to this limited circumstance—resurfacing a playground is a far cry from paying preachers with tax dollars—religious-right activists within and outside the Trump administration are hoping to use that ruling to pry open the doors to government funding for churches , religious schools , and more .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court right now that offers justices an opportunity to just that .
It is possible for government to work in partnership with religious organizations to address community needs without crossing an essential line that protects religious liberty .
As Rev .
McDonald wrote : Now , let me be clear .
I love the church .
I ’ ve been a preacher my entire adult life .
I am proud of the role that the black church plays in meeting the needs of our communities .
And I support the ways that religiously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve the people .
But I ’ m the kind of old-school Baptist who believes in the separation of church and state .
I think having the government pay clergy salaries would be a terribly divisive idea , one that would generate anger and hostility toward communities of faith and harm the cause of religious freedom .
Our democratic values are most at risk in times of fear and crisis .
Sometimes that threat is right in front of the TV cameras , and sometimes it ’ s buried deep in a bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of church and state protects my freedom as a preacher and it preserves genuine religious liberty for all Americans , of every faith and none .
Even as we take extraordinary steps to protect one another during this crisis , we should remain vigilant that some will use the crisis to undermine the values we will need to thrive in the long run .

Religious-right activists worked with the Trump administration to get language inserted into the recently passed stimulus legislation that could lead to direct taxpayer funding of clergy salaries and other church expenses, which would represent a major advance in the religious right’s long effort to undermine the separation of church and state.
Right Wing Watch reported that on Mar. 19, Sen. Marco Rubio participated in an “urgent pastor briefing” organized by the Florida Family Policy Council. Rubio told the pastors that he had been tasked with establishing a program for assisting churches and other nonprofit groups during the coronavirus crisis by giving them loans to cover operating expenses, like payroll and utilities, and that loans spent on those things would be forgiven, essentially converting the funds into a government grant.
On another pastors call the following day, this one organized by the Family Research Council, President Donald Trump reminded conservative pastors listening how much he was doing for them and called this year’s election day “one of the biggest dates in the history of religion.” He was followed on the call by Vice President Mike Pence, and FRC President Tony Perkins pushed Pence to let the pastors “hear it from your own lips” that he and Trump are “very concerned about the economic impact this is having on churches because of their partnership and the key role the play in the community.”
“Well, we most certainly are,” Pence said, adding that he recognized that when services aren’t held due to churches following government social distancing guidelines or local requirements, “there is a portion of that revenue that just by virtue of people’s habits and practices doesn’t come back.” Pence assured them that the administration’s team on Capitol Hill would make sure Perkins’ concerns were taken care of.
This Monday, an article with details about the provisions appeared on MinistryWatch, a site for donors to Christian ministries that takes a watchdog perspective. It says that churches and nonprofits with fewer than 500 employees are eligible to apply for aid from the Small Business Administration.
Applicants can receive up to 2.5 times their average monthly payroll costs in cash up to $10 million. In the eight weeks following the origination of the loan, whatever portion of the money is spent on covering payroll, mortgage interest, rent, utilities and other specific overhead costs will be forgiven, according to a guide put out by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Money spent outside the requirements will need to be repaid starting a year from the origination of the loan with an interest rate of no more than 4 percent over a maximum of 10 years.
Rubio had told the Florida Family Policy Council pastors that his package would offer four times those costs. But even at the lower rate, that could amount to a huge amount of federal tax dollars going to pay preacher’s salaries. And that’s controversial both for progressive pastors—Rev. Timothy McDonald of People For the American Way’s African American Ministers in Action spelled out his objections in Medium—and for some conservative pastors who don’t like the idea of inviting the government into their finances. As Ministry Watch reported:
But should Christian churches and ministries accept the government’s money? John Stemberger, president of the FFPC, told WORLD this is an opportunity for churches to receive much needed aid in the midst of a disaster—and that it’s in the government’s best interest to provide it. “This is not a permanent flow of money,” he said. “They’re not asking churches to become reliant. It’s one-time assistance in an unprecedented environment.” To leave religious nonprofits out of the proposal would have been discriminatory, he said. Travis Wussow with the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission told WORLD the bill as it stands has “no strings attached” in restricting religious organizations’ ability to carry out their mission—but that could change when the SBA issues final regulations. Churches may need to consider if they will accept the forgiveness aspect of the program, he said. “That is an area where there could be strings connected, as well as just broader entanglement issues that pastors need to be thinking about.” Marvin Olasky, editor in chief of WORLD, told me churches may be fine to receive money through the loan program, but pastors and lawyers need to read the fine print. “We sing ‘Blessed be the tie that binds,’ but government ties have strangled some ministries,” he said.
FRC also posted information about the provision on its blog last week, noting, “limitations that the SBA places on loans to religious entities (including a requirement that religious entities show they are not principally engaged in teaching, instructing, counseling, or indoctrinating religion or religious beliefs) are waived.” FRC also took some credit for the provisions, noting, “During Senate negotiations over how best to respond to the economic hardships our country is facing, the FRC team worked to ensure that churches and other religious groups were not left behind and were instead recognized as organizations vital to the coronavirus relief effort—and we will continue to do so going forward.”
The aid to churches was also mentioned on an Intercessors for America prayer call Wednesday, which featured Rep. Mike Bost of Illinois and his wife Tracy. IFA’s Dave Kubal recognized that there is a difference of opinion on whether churches should accept government grants, but he told Bost that he thought it was “cool” that lawmakers thought it was important to support faith communities.
If all this sounds unconstitutional, it’s because it is. But one core strategy of religious-right legal groups in the past few decades has been to weaken the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause by convincing conservative federal judges to reinterpret it in ways that would expand religious groups’ access to public funds. The Establishment Clause has long been held to prohibit federal tax dollars from promoting religion or funding religious proselytizing. But, with the help of conservative judges, religious-right groups have chipped away at that principle, arguing that excluding religious organizations from programs available to other nonprofits is a form of anti-religious discrimination. But they also simultaneously argue that religious groups should get special treatment in the form of exemption of anti-discrimination requirements placed on other nonprofits.
In 2017, the Supreme Court gave religious-right legal activists a big boost in Trinity Lutheran Church v. Comer, a case about whether the state of Missouri could deny a church access to a program funding playground resurfacing based on the state’s constitutional ban on providing direct financial assistance to a church. The court sided with the church. And while the ruling explicitly said the decision applied only to this limited circumstance—resurfacing a playground is a far cry from paying preachers with tax dollars—religious-right activists within and outside the Trump administration are hoping to use that ruling to pry open the doors to government funding for churches, religious schools, and more. There’s a case before the Supreme Court right now that offers justices an opportunity to just that.
It is possible for government to work in partnership with religious organizations to address community needs without crossing an essential line that protects religious liberty. As Rev. McDonald wrote:


rightwingwatch--2020-04-03--Right Wing Round-Up: Our Stockpile

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rightwingwatch--2020-04-03--Right Wing Bonus Tracks: From Face Masks to Burkas


rightwingwatch--2020-04-03--BrioTV Could Be Your Streaming Service for Conspiracy Theories and Christian Nationalism

A few weeks before Tampa , Florida-based evangelist and conspiracy theorist Rodney Howard-Browne was arrested for holding a large church service in defiance of social distancing restrictions , he was holding court at the National Religious Broadcasters ’ 2020 Christian media convention , which was held in Nashville , Tennessee , Feb. 25-28 .
Howard-Browne was a fixture at the prominent exhibition hall installation for BrioTV , a nascent conservative Christian streaming service , where he chatted with potential content providers and got friends like evangelist Jonathan Shuttlesworth to join him for an on-camera interview about the venture .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days for mocking “ loser ” pastors who cancel services and for his virus-be-damned call for a national Christian Woodstock-like gathering on Easter . )
The large BrioTV presence inside a cavernous hall at the vast and opulent Gaylord Opryland Resort included multiple studio-like set-ups where Howard-Browne , BrioTV CEO Lisa Hill , and other conservative Christian personalities conducted on-camera interviews .
Between interviews , BrioTV filled the airtime with seemingly endless repetitions of a video touting Howard-Browne ’ s global evangelism tour and the number of religious conversions he claims .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sermons from his The River church in Tampa are prominent .
Visitors to BrioTV ’ s booth at NRB could pick up a postcard promoting the service with the scripture-paraphrasing tagline , “ Life more abundant.
” It promised “ thousands of hours of family friendly content ” and it urged people , “ Join the growing movement to take back the airways from censorship , shadow-banning and control.
” A display banner read , “ Help us reclaim America as One Nation Under God !
” BrioTV bills itself as a family-friendly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Its website declares , “ BrioTV intends to be the Golden Spike in the midst of all the fake news media currently controlling the narrative around our world.
” And it says , “ BrioTV will be hyper-focused on TRUTH , REALITY , the TRIUMPH of the HUMAN SPIRIT , GOD and all things that are GOOD in our nation and around the globe.
” BrioTV ’ s website opens with pounding music and a video montage of patriotic scenes behind the plea , “ Join Our Movement & Take Back the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Among the images in the video is a large letter Q , a visual homage to the QAnon conspiracy theory movement .
Another promotional video includes an audio clip from the movie “ The Matrix , ” when the film ’ s protagonist is offered a “ red pill ” to discover the true nature of reality—a rhetorical devise adopted by conspiracy theorist right , including the QAnon crowd .
The website also includes text from the movie ’ s pill-offering character Morpheus .
BrioTV ’ s business model is based on subscriptions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up its offerings to attract subscribers willing to pay $ 14.99 per month for a one-stop shop for conservative Christian on-demand offerings .
At NRB , the channel pitched itself to potential content providers as a free way to get their material on the air to “ hyper-targeted audiences.
” Among those broadcasting on BrioTV is Del Bigtree , a major anti-vaccine YouTube personality and producer of the anti-vaccine film “ Vaxxed : From Coverup to Catastrophe.
” The website also features videos from Prager U , Turning Point USA , and Judicial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interviewed on-camera during the NRB convention included other conspiracy theorists and religious-right figures : • Online personality and conspiracy-theory promoter Chris McDonald talked with Hill about the growth in his audience and about God ’ s instructions that he broadcast Sunday worship services in addition to his nightly political show .
• Conservative actor and producer Kevin Sorbo promoted his recent and upcoming movies , including “ Before the Wrath , ” a film about the rapture and End Times .
• The Deplorable Choir , a Texas-based duo ( one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that gained online fame with their songs of adoration for President Donald Trump , was interviewed more than once .
They promoted “ Home of the Brave , ” their book for MAGA moms .
One of the two sisters who now make up the choir complained that the “ fools ” in her Bible study had kicked her out over her high-profile pro-Trump stance .
She said it is not a time that Christians can be silent , because “ This is a war for our country.
” Her sister added , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our kids.
” • Podcaster David Harris Jr. and radio broadcaster Ron Edwards , both black conservatives , covered a range of topics in their conversations with each other and with other guests .
Harris claimed that legislation pending in Virginia would target and fine churches for preaching “ anything scriptural about the LGBT community.
” They agreed that the progressive agenda is to “ ban the Bible altogether ” and “ eliminate Christianity ” because progressives want “ government to be the god of the people.
” Edwards said the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one vehicle for spreading the gospel around the world and an example of liberty.
” He claimed that 40 percent of people seeking to enter the U.S. are not seeking a better life but “ want to come here and contribute to destroying our life.
” Edwards denounced “ government schools ” as “ the number one enemy of America.
” He also claimed somehow to know the exact date that Trump supposedly accepted Christ– June 21 , 2015 .
Harris and Edwards both believe the COVID-19 virus was manufactured and that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump will have a second term .
During another point in the weekend , Edwards said that former President Barack Obama “ was literally trying to destroy this country—literally ” and claimed that Obama had removed Bibles from U.S. embassies and replaced them with copies of the Quran .
• Michael Waterman , author of “ Trump : God ’ s Appointed Leader , ” declared that “ God chose Trump because we need a cleanup.
” He said that the country is courting destruction because “ we mock God.
” He claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and transgenderism are OK , “ you lead them to Hell.
” Waterman said he was saved at age 23 after hearing someone at an Amway function preach , “ If you want to be rich , get saved and know Jesus , ” after which he started studying the Bible .
Waterman ’ s wife and Spanish translator , originally from Nicaragua , warned parents , “ There is a Lego movie out there that has socialist and communist agenda inscripted in that show.
” • Congressional candidate Shelli Landon was interviewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5,000 Muslims are running for public office .
Landon is running in a crowded Republican primary for the chance to challenge incumbent Democratic Rep. Kendra Horn in Oklahoma ’ s 5th Congressional District .
“ The Spirit of the Lord spoke to me about a Great Awakening coming , and only by the power of the blood , the blood covenant of Jesus Christ , would the liberties stand that our forefathers had brought to us originally , ” Landon told Hill .
Landon said that she had been “ sovereignly consumed ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 4 , 1987 event and was inspired by the vision she received to create “ Travail of the Flag , ” a 14-by-8-foot painting that features an image of Jesus Christ and historical scenes against a backdrop of the U.S. flag .
She said that when she sang the National Anthem at the Pentagon during the 2002 National Day of Prayer , “ a lightning bolt came down , hit the pavement , [ and ] broke a 14-week drought.
” Hill responded , “ So , you ’ re going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” At NRB , BrioTV CEO Hill described the spiritual significance of the project .
BrioTV is an effort to wrest the platform of the media from “ the enemy ” that has controlled it for too long , she said .
“ We ’ re done .
He can not maintain this space any longer.
” “ When did Christians feel like other people had the right to be in office over ourselves , right ?
” Hill said during her interview with Landon .
“ We need to stand up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for what is the right thing to do , based on our Judeo-Christian principles that our country was founded on.
” BrioTV ’ s promotional push at NRB is not the first effort to get the project off the ground .
A January 2018 Keep Faith in America livestream kickoff event featured David Barton , Randy Forbes , Samuel Rodriguez and Star Parker , among others .
Pat Robertson ’ s longtime 700 Club co-host Ben Kinchlow played a prominent role in the 2018 launch and hosted a talk show called “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .

A few weeks before Tampa, Florida-based evangelist and conspiracy theorist Rodney Howard-Browne was arrested for holding a large church service in defiance of social distancing restrictions, he was holding court at the National Religious Broadcasters’ 2020 Christian Media Convention, which was held in Nashville, Tennessee, Feb. 25-28.
Howard-Browne was a fixture at the prominent exhibition hall installation for BrioTV, a nascent conservative Christian streaming service, where he chatted with potential content providers and got friends like evangelist Jonathan Shuttlesworth to join him for an on-camera interview about the venture. (Shuttlesworth has also attracted attention in recent days for mocking “loser” pastors who cancel services and for his virus-be-damned call for a national Christian Woodstock-like gathering on Easter.)
The large BrioTV presence inside a cavernous hall at the vast and opulent Gaylord Opryland Resort included multiple studio-like set-ups where Howard-Browne, BrioTV CEO Lisa Hill, and other conservative Christian personalities conducted on-camera interviews. Between interviews, BrioTV filled the airtime with seemingly endless repetitions of a video touting Howard-Browne’s global evangelism tour and the number of religious conversions he claims. On the BrioTV website, broadcasts of Howard-Browne sermons from his The River church in Tampa are prominent.
Visitors to BrioTV’s booth at NRB could pick up a postcard promoting the service with the scripture-paraphrasing tagline, “Life more abundant.” It promised “thousands of hours of family friendly content” and it urged people, “Join the growing movement to take back the airways from censorship, shadow-banning and control.” A display banner read, “Help us reclaim America as One Nation Under God!”
BrioTV bills itself as a family-friendly streaming service and “Truth News Headquarters.” Its website declares, “BrioTV intends to be the Golden Spike in the midst of all the fake news media currently controlling the narrative around our world.” And it says,“BrioTV will be hyper-focused on TRUTH, REALITY, the TRIUMPH of the HUMAN SPIRIT, GOD and all things that are GOOD in our nation and around the globe.”
BrioTV’s website opens with pounding music and a video montage of patriotic scenes behind the plea, “Join Our Movement & Take Back the Airwaves! It all begins now…” Among the images in the video is a large letter Q, a visual homage to the QAnon conspiracy theory movement. Another promotional video includes an audio clip from the movie “The Matrix,” when the film’s protagonist is offered a “red pill” to discover the true nature of reality—a rhetorical device adopted by conspiracy theorist right, including the QAnon crowd. The website also includes text from the movie’s pill-offering character Morpheus.
BrioTV’s business model is based on subscriptions, so it is seeking to beef up its offerings to attract subscribers willing to pay $14.99 per month for a one-stop shop for conservative Christian on-demand offerings. At NRB, the channel pitched itself to potential content providers as a free way to get their material on the air to “hyper-targeted audiences.”
Among those broadcasting on BrioTV is Del Bigtree, a major anti-vaccine YouTube personality and producer of the anti-vaccine film “Vaxxed: From Coverup to Catastrophe.” The website also features videos from Prager U, Turning Point USA, and Judicial Watch.
Current or potential BrioTV partners interviewed on-camera during the NRB convention included other conspiracy theorists and religious-right figures:
Online personality and conspiracy-theory promoter Chris McDonald talked with Hill about the growth in his audience and about God’s instructions that he broadcast Sunday worship services in addition to his nightly political show.
Conservative actor and producer Kevin Sorbo promoted his recent and upcoming movies, including “Before the Wrath,” a film about the rapture and End Times.
The Deplorable Choir, a Texas-based duo (one of the original three members has dropped out) that gained online fame with their songs of adoration for President Donald Trump, was interviewed more than once. They promoted “Home of the Brave,” their book for MAGA moms. One of the two sisters who now make up the choir complained that the “fools” in her Bible study had kicked her out over her high-profile pro-Trump stance. She said it is not a time that Christians can be silent, because “This is a war for our country.” Her sister added, “we need to secure a future for our kids.”
Podcaster David Harris Jr. and radio broadcaster Ron Edwards, both black conservatives, covered a range of topics in their conversations with each other and with other guests. Harris claimed that legislation pending in Virginia would target and fine churches for preaching “anything scriptural about the LGBT community.” They agreed that the progressive agenda is to “ban the Bible altogether” and “eliminate Christianity” because progressives want “government to be the god of the people.” Edwards said the U.S. was “founded to be the number one vehicle for spreading the gospel around the world and an example of liberty.” He claimed that 40 percent of people seeking to enter the U.S. are not seeking a better life but “want to come here and contribute to destroying our life.” Edwards denounced “government schools” as “the number one enemy of America.” He also claimed somehow to know the exact date that Trump supposedly accepted Christ– June 21, 2015. Harris and Edwards both believe the COVID-19 virus was manufactured and that it’s God’s will that Trump will have a second term. During another point in the weekend, Edwards said that former President Barack Obama “was literally trying to destroy this country—literally” and claimed that Obama had removed Bibles from U.S. embassies and replaced them with copies of the Quran.
Michael Waterman, author of “Trump: God’s Appointed Leader,” declared that “God chose Trump because we need a cleanup.” He said that the country is courting destruction because “we mock God.” He claimed that if you teach children that homosexuality and transgenderism are OK, “you lead them to Hell.” Waterman said he was saved at age 23 after hearing someone at an Amway function preach, “If you want to be rich, get saved and know Jesus,” after which he started studying the Bible. Waterman’s wife and Spanish translator, originally from Nicaragua, warned parents, “There is a Lego movie out there that has socialist and communist agenda inscripted in that show.”
Congressional candidate Shelli Landon was interviewed by Hill, who expressed concern that 5,000 Muslims are running for public office. Landon is running in a crowded Republican primary for the chance to challenge incumbent Democratic Rep. Kendra Horn in Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District. “The Spirit of the Lord spoke to me about a Great Awakening coming, and only by the power of the blood, the blood covenant of Jesus Christ, would the liberties stand that our forefathers had brought to us originally,” Landon told Hill. Landon said that she had been “sovereignly consumed” by God’s presence at a July 4, 1987 event and was inspired by the vision she received to create “Travail of the Flag,” a 14-by-8-foot painting that features an image of Jesus Christ and historical scenes against a backdrop of the U.S. flag. She said that when she sang the National Anthem at the Pentagon during the 2002 National Day of Prayer, “a lightning bolt came down, hit the pavement, [and] broke a 14-week drought.” Hill responded, “So, you’re going to be a lightning rod in government!”
At NRB, BrioTV CEO Hill described the spiritual significance of the project. BrioTV is an effort to wrest the platform of the media from “the enemy” that has controlled it for too long, she said. “We’re done. He cannot maintain this space any longer.”
“When did Christians feel like other people had the right to be in office over ourselves, right?” Hill said during her interview with Landon. “We need to stand up for our Constitution. We need to stand up for what is the right thing to do, based on our Judeo-Christian principles that our country was founded on.”
BrioTV’s promotional push at NRB is not the first effort to get the project off the ground. A January 2018 Keep Faith in America livestream kickoff event featured David Barton, Randy Forbes, Samuel Rodriguez and Star Parker, among others. Pat Robertson’s longtime 700 Club co-host Ben Kinchlow played a prominent role in the 2018 launch and hosted a talk show called “Real America.” Kinchlow died in July 2019.


rightwingwatch--2020-04-03--Charlie Kirk Worries Coronavirus Stimulus Shows That Medicare for All Is ‘Perfectly Affordable’

Charlie Kirk , founder and president of Turning Point USA , and The Daily Wire ’ s Michael Knowles are worried that the recently passed $ 2 trillion federal coronavirus relief package demonstrates that the policies conservatives passionately oppose—such as universal healthcare—are not actually too expensive for the country to afford .
Knowles hosted Kirk for a “ Quarantined Chat ” during which the duo covered a myriad of topics , including the government ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic .
President Donald Trump signed a bill last week that provides $ 2 trillion in economic stimulus—the largest amount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for trillions more in spending .
Kirk and Knowles expressed mutual concerns over the stimulus bills .
“ Here ’ s the long and short of it is that middle America , real small business relief , the best stimulus they could have , Michael , is the green light to go back to work , ” Kirk said .
“ I mean , that ’ s what they want .
I understand it ’ s not that simple , and I understand there ’ s all sorts of competing data and all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am of the opinion , like , hey , posting a $ 4 trillion deficit , that should be something that should be deliberated so thoughtfully and critiqued so carefully , not jammed through and passed in what I consider with some of the most egregious waste that I ’ ve seen in a bill in the history of the U.S. government.
” Knowles agreed and said that the part of the stimulus package that is “ so scary ” for conservatives is the “ precedent ” quickly passing trillions in federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ element of the stimulus package that will give cash directly to adult citizens .
“ The sticking point for me is that we are now setting the precedent of the government on a massive scale sending direct checks to people because of a time of crisis , ” Knowles said .
“ Well , look , maybe this is a serious crisis—at least an economic one—but what about the next time ?
” Kirk raised his own concern regarding the proposed Medicare for All plan to make health care free at the point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 200 a year for each person .
“ Yeah , but Michael , Medicare for All costs $ 32 trillion , but not $ 32 trillion a year , ” Kirk said .
“ That number that Bernie said was over 10 years .
So now we ’ ve set a precedent that $ 3 trillion a year for Medicare for All is not that much , ” Kirk said .
“ In fact , it ’ s perfectly affordable .
UBI [ Universal Basic Income ] , why not do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
”

Charlie Kirk, founder and president of Turning Point USA, and The Daily Wire’s Michael Knowles are worried that the recently passed $2 trillion federal coronavirus relief package demonstrates that the policies conservatives passionately oppose—such as universal healthcare—are not actually too expensive for the country to afford.
Knowles hosted Kirk for a “Quarantined Chat” during which the duo covered a myriad of topics, including the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. President Donald Trump signed a bill last week that provides $2 trillion in economic stimulus—the largest amount in American history—and politicians are already calling for trillions more in spending. Kirk and Knowles expressed mutual concerns over the stimulus bills.
“Here’s the long and short of it is that middle America, real small business relief, the best stimulus they could have, Michael, is the green light to go back to work,” Kirk said. “I mean, that’s what they want. I understand it’s not that simple, and I understand there’s all sorts of competing data and all that sort of stuff. However, I am of the opinion, like, hey, posting a $4 trillion deficit, that should be something that should be deliberated so thoughtfully and critiqued so carefully, not jammed through and passed in what I consider with some of the most egregious waste that I’ve seen in a bill in the history of the U.S. government.”
Knowles agreed and said that the part of the stimulus package that is “so scary” for conservatives is the “precedent” quickly passing trillions in federal spending sets in broader policy debates—especially the element of the stimulus package that will give cash directly to adult citizens.
“The sticking point for me is that we are now setting the precedent of the government on a massive scale sending direct checks to people because of a time of crisis,” Knowles said. “Well, look, maybe this is a serious crisis—at least an economic one—but what about the next time?”
Kirk raised his own concern regarding the proposed Medicare for All plan to make health care free at the point of service and capping prescription costs at $200 a year for each person.
“Yeah, but Michael, Medicare for All costs $32 trillion, but not $32 trillion a year,” Kirk said.
“That’s right,” Knowles said.
“That number that Bernie said was over 10 years. So now we’ve set a precedent that $3 trillion a year for Medicare for All is not that much,” Kirk said. “In fact, it’s perfectly affordable. UBI [Universal Basic Income], why not do it every quarter? Why not every month?”


rightwingwatch--2020-04-03--E.W. Jackson: Rep. Adam Schiff’s Call to Examine Coronavirus Response Is Treason

Right-wing pastor and radio host E.W .
Jackson is outraged by Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff ’ s call for Congress to establish a nonpartisan commission to examine the nation ’ s response to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak in an effort to “ identify where we got it wrong and how we can be prepared for the next pandemic.
” Though Schiff has made it clear that any such commission will not be established until after the current crisis has passed , Jackson used his radio program yesterday to accuse Schiff of treason for even suggesting such a thing .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strongly , ” Jackson said .
“ If you want to talk about being a traitor to America , if you want to talk about being treasonous—I understand people have a right to disagree with the president , I don ’ t knock that , I don ’ t dispute that—but to try to distract the president at this critical time with a bunch of nonsense from a man who is a proven liar and , frankly , a hater of the Constitution … Here he is trying to distract everybody from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another investigation of the president of the United States.
” “ There is no law against it , but there probably ought to be , ” Jackson added .
“ This man is betraying every single American with what he is doing right now .
It ’ s not just about hurting President Trump , he ’ s hurting us all .
”

Right-wing pastor and radio host E.W. Jackson is outraged by Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff’s call for Congress to establish a nonpartisan commission to examine the nation’s response to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak in an effort to “identify where we got it wrong and how we can be prepared for the next pandemic.”
Though Schiff has made it clear that any such commission will not be established until after the current crisis has passed, Jackson used his radio program yesterday to accuse Schiff of treason for even suggesting such a thing.
“I can’t state this too strongly,” Jackson said. “If you want to talk about being a traitor to America, if you want to talk about being treasonous—I understand people have a right to disagree with the president, I don’t knock that, I don’t dispute that—but to try to distract the president at this critical time with a bunch of nonsense from a man who is a proven liar and, frankly, a hater of the Constitution … Here he is trying to distract everybody from the issue at hand and get involved in another investigation of the president of the United States.”
“There is no law against it, but there probably ought to be,” Jackson added. “This man is betraying every single American with what he is doing right now. It’s not just about hurting President Trump, he’s hurting us all.”