OH dear, things appear to be going horribly wrong for Michele Bachmann, the religious wingnut who hopes to be America’s next President.
Michele and Marcus Bachmann. Photo Michele McGaughey
First there was that little upset last week over a pledge she signed which seemed to support slavery. Now she’s up to her fundamentalist eyeballs – and what eyeballs they are! -Â in two more rows involving the US homosexual community and Catholics.
The Gays, according to this report, are upset over the revelation that the loopy Minnesota candidate co-owns, with her husband, “faith-based” counselling clinics which allegedly offer a “gay cure” service funded in part by American taxpayers; and the Catholics – including the mad Bill Donohue, who heads the Catholic League – are foaming at the mouth after it was revealed that a church Bachman attended has identified Pope Ratzinger as the Antichrist.
Although it has been denied that Bachmann & Associates, run by her husband “Dr” Marcus, has an agenda of trying to turn gay men and women straight, gay activists claim the clinics practice a controversial and professionally discredited “pray away the gay” policy, in which counsellors invoke God as a way of turning people against the “choice” of homosexuality.
One former patient told ABC News that he was told by a therapist at the clinic that if he read the Bible and prayed, he “would no longer be gay”. Andrew Ramirez, who had been taken to Bachmann & Associates by his parents after coming out to them aged 17, was told that the clinic could “cure” him of his homosexuality.
Undercover footage taken by gay rights organisation Truth Wins Out appears to support his claim. In it, a gay man is told by a counsellor that God created men to be heterosexual:
The truth is God has designed our eyes to be attracted to the woman’s body, to be attracted to, you know, everything. To be attracted to her breasts.
This bullshit aside, there appears to be an element of hypocrisy here. Bachmann doesn’t much like tax dollars being spent on frivolities like … um … healthcare, but the Bachmann clinics were quite happy to accept at least $30,000 in state payments and $137,000 in federal payments to help fund their crazy Christian quackery.
In an interview last year, Dr Bachmann appeared to equate gay people with barbarians:
We have to understand, barbarians need to be educated. They need to be disciplined.
He later claimed that his remarks were directed at children, not homosexuals.
And Michele is on record stating her belief that homosexuality is a “disorder”. She also vehemently opposes gay marriage.
Meanwhile, the conservative Lutheran church she belonged to for many years – the Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stillwater, Minnesota – has been trying to explain its doctrinal position vis-Ã -vis the Pope. Or all popes to be more precise. Joel Hochmuth, its communications director, said:
Some people have this vision of a little devil running around with horns and red pointy ears. Luther was clear that by ‘Antichrist’ [he meant] anybody who puts himself up in place of Christ. Luther never bought the idea of the Pope being God’s voice in today’s world. He believed Scripture is God’s word.
Hochmuth hastened to add that despite a lengthy doctrinal statement on the subject, the belief that the Pope is the Antichrist “has never been one of our driving principles.”
Hochmuth also revealed that Bachmann was no longer a member of the congregation. “I do know that she has requested a release of her membership,” he said, adding that she took the unusual step of formally requesting that release in writing. “She has not been an active member of our fellowship during the last year.”
Hochmuth wouldn’t speculate on whether her presidential ambitions factored in this decision – the nation’s 70 million Catholics (who lean Republican) might not respond kindly to the Pope-as-Antichrist stuff – but he did emphasise that:
It’s not something you’re going to hear preached from our pulpits every Sunday.
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
July 16th, 2011 at 10:11 am
Sorry if this sounds like a racist generalisation, but what explains the propensity of North Americans to such wholehearted espousal of insane religious and political views? We have religious whack-jobs here in the UK, of course, but they are far less conspicuous, it seems to me, than in the US.
July 16th, 2011 at 10:53 am
The thing we often forget on this side of the Atlantic is that the so-called “Pilgrim Fathers” were a bunch of religious zealots we kicked out of the Britain for being erm… religious zealots.
July 16th, 2011 at 11:32 am
What foolish fundies never seem to recognise is that the branching away from “conventional” sexual roles by members of the gay community is actually one of the greatest of god’s gifts. Those males who find the breast of purely nutritional interest and later grow out of it altogether are, as it is often trivialised, simply “allowing greater access for the rest of us”. And while it is occasionally observed that lesbianism acts as some counterweight to this trend,
July 16th, 2011 at 11:42 am
I WILL CONTINUE.
As I was saying, while it is occasionally observed that lesbianism acts as some counterweight to this trend, seeing groups of women come together in appreciation of our common interest has never been against the secular heterosexual male philosophy, and I think it never will be.
However, on this general subject I was a little disappointed after clicking on the secular link to The Melon Farmers.
July 16th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
Steve
It seems to me that in the States religion and patriotism have become almost indivisible since 9/11. It’s like a badge they wear, it defines their ‘Americanness’. And now there aren’t any real commies left to be afraid of (China isn’t your old-style, Iron-Curtain communist state any more), it’s the muslims who are held up as the enemy that’s out to get them. So if you subscribe to Michael Moore’s theory that capitalism actually needs an enemy to keep the populace held in a state of fear and spending like there’s no tomorrow, then a religious foe merely stokes the flames of fundamentalism in a people who are basically scared shitless that ‘the dream’ may come crashing down around their ears any day soon.
If 9/11 had only turned the Americans against all religious fundamentalism instead of just one faction of it, there might now be fewer religiots like the Bachmanns on the loose and the world might be a better and more enlightened place for it. (As they say, science flies men to the moon, religion flies planes into buildings.)
July 16th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
Anybody else think the Bachmann’s relationship is one of political expediency?
July 16th, 2011 at 2:34 pm
“Children are barbarians.”?
that’s just sad.
July 16th, 2011 at 3:01 pm
I thought the Pilgrim Fathers left here because of religious bigotry, not because they were.
July 16th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
@John Robson & AngieRS. The Pilgrim Fathers were not kicked out of England. They were deeply religious Puritans who despised what they saw as godlessness within society. They dressed only in black/white and shunned any form of merriment and frivolity. They left for the New World when they saw a chance to create a society, more a theocracy, in keeping with their own strict values.
However being religious people they were completely useless at anything practical. Instead of sowing crops and making preparations for the coming winter they built a church and prayed that their wizard would protect them. They would certainly have starved to death if the indiginous natives hadn’t shared their own meagre rations with them.
Come the spring they decided that their wizard had deserted them as punishment for the godlessness of the natives. So they killed them. This event is still celebrated every November in the feast of Thanksgiving. Religion eh – doncha just love it!
July 16th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Whilst I do somewhat agree that Ratzinger is The Antizombie, I find her attitude towards the gays very puzzling. If she hates them so much why did she marry one. And not just any gay, but the gayest gay in the land. Even freaky pop diva Cher has announced that ‘Dr’ Marcus is an arse-bandit, and he/she is never wrong.
If ‘Dr’ Bachmann really thinks he can cure the gay then maybe he should take heed of his own batty book – Luke 4:23 ‘Physician, heal thyself’.
Either he can’t, or he wont.
July 16th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
I wonder how old Bachmann was when she decided to be straight.
July 16th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
I reckon Marcus is doing something heterosexual to Michele’s butt in that photo.
July 16th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
Fundies have a flexible element when self interest kicks in. Didn’t the Reverend “Dr” Ian Paisley rant about the Pope being the anti christ and “Dr” Paisley had many unkind things to say about RCs. That didn’t stop him joining RCs in a friendly way when government office beckined.
They do love their doctorates, don’t they. I assume these are neither medical nor the result of a Ph.D. thesis.
July 16th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Fundies have a flexible element when self interest kicks in. Didn’t the Reverend “Dr” Ian Paisley rant about the Pope being the anti christ and “Dr” Paisley had many unkind things to say about RCs. That didn’t stop him joining RCs in a friendly way when the chance of government office arose.
They do love their doctorates, don’t they? I assume these are neither medical nor the result of a Ph.D. thesis.
July 16th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
These creatures inadvertently present the clearest argument yet for a modern, rationally defensible eugenics movement. The only way we are going to get rid of the religious nutjobs, in the long run, is by refusing them permission to breed. We’ve got to counter the mindless notion that reproduction is some kind of “right”. Filling the world with the spawn of congenital crazies is a crime against humanity.
July 16th, 2011 at 5:55 pm
@ AgentCormac,
If you haven’t already seen it, you should watch the excellent three-part documentary, The Power of Nightmares.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T.....Nightmares
It’s mainly about how the US government keeps control by keeping the people scared and always having to have an “enemy” to focus people’s attention on – communists, muslim terrorists, etc – and how they exaggerate the threats posed.
You can download an .ISO file here:
http://www.archive.org/details.....htmaresDVD
July 16th, 2011 at 7:04 pm
Much appreciated, Pete. I’ll have a watch of that.
July 16th, 2011 at 7:12 pm
Eugenics? Really? Come on now.
July 16th, 2011 at 7:39 pm
Just seen this and thought you guys might find it interesting (especially Broga). According to the Guardian, James Murdoch stumped up a six-figure donation towards the pope’s visit to the UK.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worl.....nedict-xvi
Why do loathsome people attract loathsome people?
And wonder if any of god’s messages got deleted off Ratty’s phone?
(BTW with you on that one, AngieRS.)
July 16th, 2011 at 8:03 pm
The sad thing is that such non-thinking, irrational people should even be able to get so much attention. What does that say about the people in this country, including the media, and exactly how possible it is for democracy to be a reality in the midst of such awful apathy and illiteracy?
July 16th, 2011 at 8:24 pm
Problem with working late shifts is that by the time I get home, everybody’s already said everything I want to say!
Had to post though, to echo AngieRS:
Bubblecar, be ashamed. Very ashamed.
July 16th, 2011 at 8:33 pm
Steve
Would this ever be allowed in the UK?
http://rationalists.files.word.....lboard.jpg
Given that advertising in this country has to be legal, decent and honest, I very much doubt it.
July 16th, 2011 at 9:34 pm
Make a cup of tea, sit down and put your feet up, and follow the links:
http://www.queerty.com/underco.....-20110711/
July 16th, 2011 at 9:57 pm
barriejohn
Snap!
A friend just mailed me this link about the same story. It’s the “from the horse’s mouth” version, so to speak.
July 16th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Daz: There is a link to that story, amongst others.
Here is more about Timothy Wiertzema:
http://www.bachmanncounseling......wiertzema/
The Bachmann site is fascinating. It is particularly amusing to see that Wiertzema offers counselling regarding “Spiritual Issues”. What the fuck does that mean?
July 16th, 2011 at 10:52 pm
barriejohn
Well I’d define ‘spiritual issues’ as: belief in spirits, gods, fairies, djinns, angels, ghosts, devils & demons, honest politicians and other beings for which no supporting evidence exists.
Something tells me Wiertzema might define it slightly differently…
July 16th, 2011 at 10:58 pm
Here he is!
http://youtu.be/bPJNKfcshl8
July 17th, 2011 at 8:56 am
Pete H,
Many thanks for the link to ‘The Power Of Nightmares’ I’m about half way through it on youtube.
May I highly recommend a similar book called ‘Scared To Death’ by Booker and North. It’s about media manipulation of the latest ‘scare’.
July 17th, 2011 at 10:07 am
Daz: Do you remember Alexei Sayle?
I love to spend time in libraries. I particularly like reading works of fiction: railway timetables, holiday brochures, political manifestos…
I can’t remember whether holy books were included in his list!
July 17th, 2011 at 11:13 am
@AgentCormac: Thanks for the Guardian piece. Very interesting and these are big bucks Murdoch was throwing at the Vatican. Quite a nice discussion on SUNDAY this morning about the benefits to Murdoch of being a papal knight: great opportunities for “networking.” I couldn’t be around to hear the comments on the Cloyne report but I am beginning to wonder if even the Vatican loving BBC can no longer hold the fort against Ratzinger and his priests. Some great comments in the Irish papers.
Regarding books: I have started reading “godless” by Dan Barker. (How an Evangelical Preacher became one of America’s Leading Atheists.) This book is the real deal. A great read and if you find anything more encouraging to atheists in the USA I will be surprised.
July 17th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Broga,
Regarding the vile BBC. I simply cannot understand why, especially in this era with the development of the internet, that they are still held in high regard.
However, no matter how ‘right on’ that those who work for this company think they are, the reality is that they work for a state run news agency, just the same as pravda. They also follow the party line, with no individual thinking allowed.
July 17th, 2011 at 11:01 pm
barriejohn
I remember the quote. I can’t remember if holy books were on the list either. Oddly, back then it would have hardly raised an eyebrow, whereas these days…
July 17th, 2011 at 11:31 pm
Great article. Try to resist the ‘gays = barbarians’ jibe. It’s not needed (Marcus’ public position on homosexuality is much more damning) , and a cursory reading of the transcript reveals he is talking about children, not homosexuals.
July 18th, 2011 at 12:52 am
@ Tony E,
Many thanks for the recommendation – looks like an interesting read.
*adding it to his wishlist*
July 18th, 2011 at 8:47 am
>Bubblecar, be ashamed. Very ashamed.<
OK, I was tired and emotional, but I make no apologies. A rationally-conceived eugenics programme should arguably be a defensible humanist/transhumanist ideal. Indeed, significantly improving humanity is not likely to be possible without taking charge of our evolutionary destiny. But yes, I agree that it shouldn't be necessary to use coercion. If parents one day get the chance to choose genes for higher intelligence for their prospective offspring, even religious parents are likely to come under much pressure to make that choice. And a more intelligent population will be a less religious population. Here's an interesting article to be going on with: "What is immoral about eugenics?" from the British Medical Journal
http://findarticles.com/p/arti....._57943210/
July 19th, 2011 at 11:34 pm
Greetings FreeThinkers,
Many of us here in America find Bachmann/Palin types ridiculous and frightening too.
AgentCormac: Religion and patriotism were intertwined here long before 9/11. Before Al Qaeda, there were the “godless commies”. Most war movies here manage to show the heroes as believing in god and have as far back as I can remember.
I am an atheist and an Iraq veteran. I didn’t notice as much of an increase in religious fervor in the military after 9/11 as I did in the civilian population. I think that is largely due to the fact that most people here are unwilling to actually do anything substantive in support of the war(s). Most Americans are too fat and lazy to join the military and refuse to pay more taxes to finance the conflict. Being obnoxiously vocal in declaring one’s support of god and country is considered by many here as equivalent to military service. In much the same way, people like the Bachmanns use their religion as a substitute for actual qualifications. The “faith-based” clinics are unlicensed as I understand it.
Bubblecar: I definitely sympathize with wanting to place some restrictions on breeding. I often feel outnumbered by the wingnuts here. I don’t know about eugenics, but it might be nice to require some sort of certification to have kids. One must have a license to cut hair here, but not to have a child or five.
Also, I don’t know if this has been mentioned here before, but the movie “Idiocracy” is quite amusing and still touches on some of these issues. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387808/
August 11th, 2011 at 2:04 pm
It is very important to question whether Marcus Bachmann’s qualifications actually qualify him to run any sort of counseling clinic. His master’s degree education/counseling comes from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, a private Christian university, founded by the American televangelist Pat Robertson in 1978 as Christian Broadcasting Network University. (That’s the man who thought the earthquake in Haiti was God’s punishment for signing a pact with the Devil.)
Marcus Bachmann received his Ph.D degree in clinical psychology from Union Graduate Institute located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Union Institute, a non-profit private college based in Cincinnati, Ohio, specializes in limited residence and distance learning programs. Union Institute & University currently has a retention rate of approximately 67% and holds a graduation rate of approximately 52%. Union Institute has received a number of complaints in recent years, claiming that credits obtained from the university’s doctorate program are essentially “worthless .”One complainant writes, “Back in 2004, I was sent an email by the President of Union Institute and University, Roger Sublett, that stated that UI&U had been censured by the United States Department of Education. All of the doctoral students received that email… ” (One assumes that Marcus Bachmann must be aware of the problems.)
As another graduate of Union Institute, talk show host Gary Null, notes, “This school isaccredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools but its accreditation does not cover awarding of PhDs in the sciences, only in the humanities.
How the state of Minnesota allows a person with this background to run such a clinic is really worth a closer look.
http://goo.gl/uSplH