Christian Right Observer Weekly (Volume 16)

CROW's 7 stories on the Christian Right that you need read this week.

1. Evangelical MAGA Lawyer Michael Farris Wants a Federal Constitutional Amendment to Ban Abortion in All 50 States ‘From Conception Until Natural Death’

Evangelical MAGA lawyer Michael Farris (who helped lead the effort to overturn Roe v. Wade) has acknowledged in a videotaped interview from 2022 that reversing Roe was just an interim step. In fact, he and his colleagues plan to also amend the U.S. Constitution to ban abortion in all 50 states “from conception until natural death” once they amass enough power. Here are his exact words:

“Our goal is for life to be protected from conception until natural death in all 50 states. And we have a plan for how that’s gonna work. It will take time after Roe v. Wade to do that. We’ll start with eleven to twelve states that will be pro-life immediately [after Roe’s reversal]. And then with a little work, we can get another ten or twelve states to join that. With a little more work, we think we can get up to about 30 states that are pro-life by the normal processes. And then we think we’ll have enough power at that stage to move to a federal constitutional amendment and move to all 50 states being protected.” (Link to full video.)

The public should take Farris seriously. Although most voters have never heard of him, he sits on the Board of Governors of the Council for National Policy (CNP), a powerful umbrella and networking organization for Christian Right leaders. The CNP’s Board of Governors also includes Federalist Society co-chair Leonard Leo, who effectively owns the Supreme Court as we explained previously in our newsletter. (See Brief #3.) 

Farris also co-founded the “Convention of States Project,” an ongoing effort to assemble enough states (34 is the threshold) to call a constitutional convention in order to amend the United States Constitution. Thus far, 19 states have passed resolutions supporting their plan. Farris’s Convention of States co-founder, Mark Meckler, recently said on video that he thinks North Carolina may soon make it 20.   

Farris also served until recently as president of the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which states on its website that the ADF is a “one of the leading Christian law firms committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, marriage and family, parental rights, and the sanctity of life” and has “represented parties in 15 victories at the Supreme Court” since 2011.  

Farris has previously boasted on video that he’s the guy who led the ADF “through the season where we were responsible for much of the Dobbs decision” that overturned Roe v Wade. “We drafted the law for the state of Mississippi that led to the Dobbs decision” and “did all kinds of legal work for them all through the process,” serving as “silent co-counsel,” he added.

Last year, Jenny reported on Farris in detail for the Bucks County Beacon. You can read her article here. 

2. Federalist Society Contributor Josh Craddock Identifies Five Strategies to Ensure ‘Equal Protection’ for Fetuses

During an interview with Live Action founder Lila Rose last year, Federalist Society contributor Josh Craddock said that “equal protection” for fetuses is the anti-choice movement’s new “North Star.” When asked about specifics, Craddock said that he wants to see: 

1. The Supreme Court to “have a new holding that recognizes the unborn child as a person entitled to equal protection” under the 14th Amendment (which would mean that abortion constitutes murder or manslaughter and that state constitutional amendments protecting abortion access are invalid);

2. “A congressional law to ensure equal protection [for fetuses]” 

3. “The President ensuring that within the [federal] agencies and departments they’re all guaranteeing equal protection for the unborn”(See Project 2025, which will go into effect if Trump is elected); and

4. “States stepping up to the plate to protect people [fetuses] within their jurisdictions.” 

But there’s a fifth strategy as well. In the past, Craddock has written that he also supports amending the U.S. Constitution to “clarify” that a fetus is a “person” under the 14th Amendment. 

Yes, we should take Craddock seriously. 

He’s a Harvard Law School graduate and contributor to the Federalist Society, which is co-chaired by Leonard Leo. The Leo connection matters because, as previously explained in our newsletter, Leo effectively owns the Supreme Court. (See Brief #3.) Last year, the Federalist Society published an article co-written by Craddock and Princeton University professor Robert George (a close associate of Leonard Leo) in which they advanced this same “fetal personhood” argument. 

We can expect to see more of it as they prepare to ask the Supreme Court’s right wing supermajority to further restrict access to abortion. 

3. City Elders Blueprint & Member Application Unveiled: Becoming a Government General for the Body of Christ

"You trying to turn America into THEOCRACY? And I say it's much WORSE than that. We're searching for THEONOMY."

- Christian Dominionist CityElders founder Jesse Leon Rodgers 

How does one join the theonomy seeking ranks of Christian Dominionist City Elders to participate in regular meetings with the prominent figures like Oklahoma School Superintendent Ryan Walters and hear speakers like Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt? Why does New Apostolic Reformation Apostle Jim Garlow endorse the City Elders Blueprint manual for taking over America county by county? 

Rodgers has now launched his City Elders University where "Godly, Bible believing, truth telling Christians are replacing unGodly in public offices.”

City Elders’ membership application first asks probing questions of applicants’ church backgrounds and understanding of the tithe. Then the application reveals for the first time the many City Elders subcommittees including:

"Business Executives"- those called to generate finances and underwrite kingdom initiatives and manifest the glory of God through business excellence

"Education Reformation"- protecting children from the woke agenda

"Executive Council"- This is a government of 24 elders which give oversite to every task force, target group and support group

"Generals of Intercession"- spiritual warfare and prayer covering

"Guardians of Government"- This team vets candidates, monitors voting, gives counsel and covering to government servants

"International Team"- This group is networking with ministries to spread the vision of City Elders to the nations of the world

John Birch Society" - Long standing anti-communist organization

'NAPAC"- National Association of Politically Active Christians

'Senior Pastors"- This is a governmental network

‘The Senior Council"- This group is the spiritual covering for the entire City Elders Movement. They vet membership and give guidance and council.

Potential members must then sign a pledge commitment and pledge of allegiance to City Elders.

Before members can even apply, they must complete the 13 chapter City Elders Blueprint manual. The manual focuses highly on the government mountain with chapters centering on “Who has the legitimate authority to rule?” and “Divine design for government.”

After instructing members how to create their own City Elders chapter, the manual answers the big question as to how it flourished financially in states like Oklahoma. 

“City Elders Tulsa receives an offering and appeals for monthly contributors at every weekly gathering; and every local City Elders council should do the same.”

This strategy has proven effective in raising funds to attract high level Christian Dominionist speakers like David Barton and Lance Wallnau.

City Elders members must commit to paying $25 a month. Additionally City Elders has kingdom philanthropist sponsors who contribute upward of $5,000 toward specific councils.

Rodgers has been actively recruiting City Elders members this year handing out blueprint manuals at Charlie Kirk's Dream City Church conference back in February.

How many pastors, business leaders and government officials will take the below City Elders Pledge across America beyond the five states they are already trying to OCCUPY for Christ?

City Elders Pledge 

We Declare

The kingdom of God has come to Tulsa

County and the State of Oklahoma

We Declare the City of Tulsa is:

A Fortress of Faith

A Garrison of Godliness

A Stronghold of Righteousness and

is known as the City of Faith

We Declare Jesus Christ is Lord over

Tulsa and the inhabitants are his inheritance.

Once City Elders members take their pledge, they can seek to carry out the aggressive local and national 10 year vision.

“City Elders mission can only be carried out by an aggressive and strategic plan of recruitment; the identification of called, equipped and prepared elders who are already in place, who simply need affirmation and a Biblical paradigm for engagement.”

“The City Elders Vision is to see...

-City Elders Established in the 77 counties of Oklahoma by December 2026

-A City Elders Governmental Office Established in OKC by 2026.”

“The City Elders Vision is to see...

-A City Elders Council established in every one of the 3141 County Seats of the United States by 2034

-City Elders established in the English- speaking nations by 2030 and the 10 most spoken languages groups of the world by 2035”

City Elders members are already taking the first steps in this Vision carrying it out into the hallowed halls of US Congress with closed meetings with Kevin Hern at their next June 7 banquet. And a Virginia US Senate Candidate May 17 forum including Scott Parkinson, Eddie Garcia, Chuck Smith and Jonathan Emord. You can watch the candidate forum here which has clear City Elders signage. Other prominent Virginia elected officials like Attorney General Jason Miyares have also appeared at City Elders events. According to the forum video, Miyares will also return for their summer picnic. Read more about Virginia City Elders here with Ashlyn Campbell's article.

4. God. Family. Country. In That Order. Hung Cao & His Godly Quest for Congress.

Last year Virginia Congressional candidate Hung Cao attracted attention for his quote about Wiccans taking over California in his interview with Christian Dominionist Sean Feucht. But that's not all that should get attention. Cao revealed to Feucht he has the backing of his 10,000 member strong church Cornerstone Chapel led by Biblical Worldview pastor Gary Hamrick.

Hamrick has notably spoken at New Apostolic Reformation Apostle Jim Garlow's recent National Gathering for Prayer & Repentance in Washington, D.C., where he beseeched for Biblical Truth. Hamrick has indeed visibly backed Cao's first campaign run in 2022. Constituents and reporters may want to revisit past Cornerstone sermons for potential Cao appearances. For example, Hamrick on Nov. 6, 2022 informed his congregation: “We have a few people running for different offices within our own church. Hung Cao from our own church running for that Congressional office.” 

His sermon also included a special exhortation from Mike Pompeo. Recently Cornerstone made headlines for mulling ballot collection efforts for 2024 which is an interesting development considering Hamrick said pastors should preach to their flocks which candidate is worthy of support according to Word & Way.

After Cao comments on Cornerstone in the Feucht interview, he mentions that they share a mutual friend: Aamon Ross. Ross is a political campaign consultant who helped propel Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt into office. Ross has now developed a campaign school with Christians Engaged where he told Apostle Garlow that he hopes to raise up 100,000 believers to run for office in ten years. 

Ross and Cao are not only friends, Cao attended Ross's Kingdom in Politics school according to a podcast interview.

Cao said to Feucht: “We just need to mobilize Christians across the nation.” And Cao is trying to connect with organizations who are doing just that. In 2023 Cao spoke with City Elders Action and the City Elders Facebook page shared his campaign video. Additionally the FRC Action PAC (Family Research Council Action) endorsed him back in 2022.

At the end of the interview Feucht prayed over Cao “Lord, use him, God, as a voice to raise up Christians and mobilize the army of God across America to be engaged and to take back our nation in Jesus name. Amen. Amen.”

5. North Carolina Christian Group Wants ‘Statewide Solution’ for Books It Doesn’t Like

It’s “terrifying” to be a school librarian in North Carolina, and it may just get worse thanks to Christian extremists.

The North Carolina Values Coalition’s mission is “To be a powerful positive ambassador of Jesus Christ that creates a culture in North Carolina where human life is valued, marriage & families flourish, and religious freedom thrives.”

And as part of that mission it is pushing for the NC legislature to pass a bill making it easier to ban books, many of which, not surprisingly, are by or about LGBTQ people and which are being labeled as “grooming materials.” 

“It’s time for a statewide solution,” said Tami Fitzgerald, Executive Director of NC Values.

They’ve enlisted the help of Gays Against Groomers. 

“The predators are using gay inclusion and acceptance as a gateway to bring this filth into our schools and into the minds of our children,” said GAG’s Brian Tarbert.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center:

“Gays Against Groomers is a chapter-based organization that amplifies dehumanizing anti-trans rhetoric, perpetuates anti-LGBTQ+ stereotypes by falsely claiming that LGBTQ+ supporters of trans rights are dangerous to society – including equating gender-affirming health care with pedophilia and calling trans people a ‘bloodthirsty terrorist cult.’”

The legislation being pushed would also penalize books that these far-right groups and their Republican lawmakers in Raleigh deem “obscene.”

“This bill creates a criteria,” state Rep. Jeff Zenger, a Forsyth County Republican, said at a news conference held in Raleigh’s Freedom Park. “It sets up with penalties, and it helps us to control that inappropriate material with our children.”

State Rep, Ken Fontenot, a Wilson County Republican, wants North Carolina schools to be spiritually safe, and says this bill will help get that done.  

“The bottom line is our schools should be safe not only physically but morally, intellectually and spiritually, and they currently are not,” Fontenot said. “This law will accomplish it. I support this law with all of my heart.”

6. In Oklahoma, ‘Church Bus Bill’ Will Make Public Schools Embrace Bible Study

The Lifewise Academy, which is a Christian wrecking ball trying to destroy the wall separating church and state in public education, is making progress in its crusade in Oklahoma. (We previously sounded the alarm about Lifewise in Volume 10.) The group that has brought prayer and bible study to over 300 public schools across the county is now using its social media and Oklahoma affiliates to promote and lobby for a bill in the state legislature that would “require public schools to allow students to miss up to three class periods a week for religious instruction” and make school districts “award a student credit for work completed.”

“It gives clarity on how public schools can literally provide a religious piece in their education,” Republican state Rep. Clay Staires, the author of the bill, told the Washington Examiner. 

7. Evangelical Lutherans Take a Stand Against Christian Nationalism

We need more Churches to take a stand against Christian Nationalism and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) did just that. ELCA just published a document We Are Christians Against Christian Nationalism rejecting “this damaging political ideology.” It states that Christian Nationalists “stand for things we in our tradition identify as contrary to the Gospel and opposed to what it means to be Christian.”

It also, importantly, provides guidelines about how members should respond and engage in defeating this anti-democratic and theocratic movement.