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More Ensign: Maddow Talks To Hampton Interviewer, And Expert On Christian Fellowship Group
Last night, MSNBC's Rachel Maddow had two important interviews on the John Ensign story that are worth checking out.
The first was with Jon Ralston, who himself interviewed Doug Hampton over the last few days.
The second interview, perhaps even more interesting, was with Jeff Sharlet, whose 2008 book on The Family -- the secretive Christian fellowship group that looks to have helped Ensign cover up the affair -- we've cited several times in recent weeks. Among other things, Sharlet describes for Maddow how the group operates as a kind of closed "accountability" group, allowing members to confess their sins while ensuring that they remain unknown to the wider public -- as appears to have happened in the Ensign case.
Josh
Zachary
Wow. I didn't realize Walking With God met meeting in a closed room where men of the same flock helped you sort out your latest sins. Why isn't the national media all over this? Is it because it has to do with religion? Not necessarily religion but a cloak thereof.
July 10, 2009 2:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly. The media is "hands off" when it comes to "religion" on the mistaken premise that freedom of religion means its okay to be looney so long as one claims it's "religion," so not to be critiqued and exposed for what it isn't -- and is.
July 10, 2009 4:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I watched Rachel last night and I am going to buy the book The Family because it scared the beejebus out of me and I need to know more about these people.
Unbelievable stuff and scary.
July 10, 2009 3:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sounds like a classic case of doing what you want, and then coming up with a religion to justify it. Prosperity theology for the rich and powerful.
Anyone else noticed that Sen. Bible Thumper has no problems taking money from casino profits? Another layer of hypocrisy.
July 10, 2009 3:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, Eric! The senator's family pays off in casino profits and the employee (whose wife loves the senator slightly more than she loves her husband OR Jesus) not only takes the money but complains that it's not enough for him to pay off the house, which looks like a porno palace, and move to Colorado. Obeying the Lord C Street-style is sure different than any church I've ever been to.
July 12, 2009 12:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Since these "C" Street politicians are all anti-abortion and are against using any form of pregnancy protection, including the "morning after pill"; are there any illegitimate children running around? Or is this a classic case of "Do as I say, not as I do?".
July 13, 2009 8:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Like confession, but without a penance.
July 13, 2009 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink