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          Christian Reconstructionism (CR) is an extremely conservative Calvinist theology. Chalcedon was established in 1965 to further the spread of CR beliefs by Rev. Rousas John Rushdoony. Later his son-in-law, Gary North helped to popularize CR beliefs. With R. J. Rushdoony now deceased, Chalcedon is run by his son, the Rev. Mark R. Rushdoony. No legitimate religious department attached to any American university accepts the CR tenants including the most conservative branches of Methodism, ostensibly the well-spring of Rushdoony's interpretation of the Bible. Yet, by appealing directly to religious right church-goers, CR theology has filtered into the reactionary fringe of the conservative religious movement and is slowly becoming more and more mainstream among religious conservatives. Most people who hold CR beliefs do not self-identify as CR, just as many women who are in fact feminist do not share the feminist label. Indeed, many of them have never heard of CR theology. Nonetheless, they are CR supporters.

          This section of Sunshine for Women is intended to teach a broader spectrum of American people about the precepts of CR theology so that they can become better consumers of political news by identifying CR influences in the information in political and social discussions. The CR website is at http://www.chalcedon.edu. All of the articles which I will critique come from that web site.

          I do not have a problem with some one holding CR beliefs and living their own personal life according to CR philosophy. I do have a problem with giving a CR any sort of power whether that power is as a politician, a religious leader, an educator, a judge, or a lawyer, for that power will be used to force their religious beliefs on others.

          Further, I not against organized (or disorganized) religion, in general. I just have a problem with the political and social ramifications of the teachings of CR.

Writings by Christian Reconstructionist Writers with Commentary

          "Deuteronomy 6:7ff. and the Public School Question" By Brian M. Swertley, M. Div., accessed March 30, 2001 at http://www.chalcedon.edu/report/2001jan/swertley_public_schools.htm, added April 2, 2001

          A Conflict of Catholicities

          What Chalcedon Believes (Chalcedon is the preimer Christian Reconstructionist organization.) - without commentary

          Creed of Christian Reconstruction (without commentary)

Writings About Christian Reconstructionism

What is Christian Reconstructionism? By Fredrick Clarkson of The Public Eye

Quotes from Christian Recosntructionists and Other Members of the Religious Right

"We are engaged in a social, political, and cultural war. There's a lot of talk in America about pluralism. But the bottom line is somebody's values will prevail. And the winner gets the right to teach our children what to believe."
                    -- Gary Bauer, Family Research Council

"But integration and equality are myths; they disguise a new segregation and a new equality...Every social order institutes its own program of separation or segregation. A particular faith and morality is given privileged status and all else is separated for progressive elimination."
                    -- R.J. Rushdoony, The Institutes of Biblical Law (Nutley, NJ: Craig Press, 1973), p. 296

Quotes by Church-State Separationists

from James Madison's 1785 Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments To the Honorable the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia

"The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries."
                    --James Madison, letter objecting to the use of government land for churches, 1803, quoted from James A. Haught, "2000 Years of Disbelief"

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