Dominionism is a tyrannical ideology advocating for Christians to work toward transforming America into a nation governed by Christians, or one governed by a conservative Christian who will enforce biblical law; it is theocracy. The underlying principle behind Dominionism is founded on theology requiring Christians to rule over non-Christians whether they like it or not and it is one of the greatest threats to America’s representative democracy. There are no bounds to where Dominionist believe it is their dog-given duty to rule over non-Christians, and once again this year the fanatical Christian-right is targeting Girl Scout USA’s annual cookie sales for a boycott because the group fails to adhere to anti-choice Christian demands that Girl Scouts USA obey their biblical directives.
At the end of 2013, the official Twitter account of Girl Scout USA tweeted about a Huffington Post story about inspiring women who should be considered for the title of 2013’s “woman of the year.” Some of the women cited in a Huffington Post story were Beyonce, Malala Yousafzai, and Wendy Davis. The organization asked its Twitter followers which other women they thought could be added to a list of “incredible ladies” that sent anti-choice activists into biblical frenzy and drove them to call for a nationwide boycott of the annual Girl Scout cookie sales. Anti-choice groups do not want any American to enjoy delicious Girl Scout cookies because they claimed the Girl Scouts “endorsed” Texas state Senator Wendy Davis whom Christian fanatics claim is a “pro-abortion” politician. More on “pro-abortion” later.
The anti-choice Christians dedicated a new site to the Girl Scout cookie boycott and posted a statement saying “We’re asking you to boycott Girl Scout cookies in 2014,” and attempted to explain that Wendy Davis should not be lifted up as a “worthy role model for our children.” The groups leveled the same accusation against the Girl Scouts regarding Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius because she was included in a different news article about influential U.S. women the Girl Scouts shared on its Facebook page. The concept of “influential U.S. women” is anathema to conservative Christians whose idea of an influential woman is a barefoot and pregnant Christian wife in subjection to their misogynist Christian husband.
Apparently, the so-called “controversy” has been brewing for weeks since Fox News’ Megyn Kelly held a panel discussion over the Girl Scout’s tweeting about a list of “incredible ladies” for consideration of woman of the year. Kelly’s panelists suggested that sharing material about Wendy Davis, or even mentioning her name, violates Girl Scout USA’s policy to stay out of politics. The Girl Scouts did not endorse Davis, they only tweeted a Huffington Post story about influential women, but they did repeat Davis’s name and that is what inflamed Dominionists. The Girl Scouts’ so-called endorsement of Davis is hardly the first time the organization fell afoul of rabid anti-choice conservative Christians. The Girl Scouts national organization has been harshly assailed for its ties with Planned Parenthood over the past several years, and some conservative Christians propose that Girls Scouts USA actively promotes a “radical feminist agenda,” whatever that means.
Good Christian fanatics know, and advocate, that girls should be taught from infancy that their place is in the home, silent, and in subjection to a Christian conservative man; the Girl Scout organization fails to adhere to, or teach young girls, those theocratic rules and anti-women evangelicals want Americans to punish the girls who benefit from the cookie sales by boycotting Girl Scout cookies. The absurdly ridiculous idea that the Girl Scout organization promotes a radical feminist agenda prompted a right-wing preacher and radio host advocating for the “Christian subjection model” for females labeled the Girl Scouts a “wicked” group and “an agent of lesbianism.” It is unclear exactly what being an “agent of lesbianism” entails, but apparently it is the purview of fanatical anti-choice groups who regard anyone not promoting the “barefoot and pregnant” archetype an agent of lesbianism.
The truth is that the Girl Scout organization holds no official position on reproductive health whether it is abortion, rabid feminism, birth control, or lesbianism, and the group’s officials have repeatedly emphasized that topics related to reproductive health are best left for discussion between a girl and her parents. Conservative Christians disagree and have ruled that if there are any discussions on reproductive health it must be under the aegis of the religious right with enforcement handled by Republican men in state legislatures and Congress; not parents and their daughters. It is a portent of America under Dominionist rule.
Now, the idea that Wendy Davis, or any other American, is “pro-abortion” is a favorite Christian anti-choice accusation against any man or woman advocating for a woman’s right to choose their own reproductive health. No-one is pro-abortion and it is absurd to accuse Wendy Davis of being “pro-abortion” when she has two daughters she obviously could have, but did not abort. The Christian implication of pro-abortion is that advocating for women to make their own reproductive health choices is tantamount to crusading for every woman in America to engage in sexual relations, get pregnant, wait until the fetus is viable, and then abort it. Wendy Davis, pro-choice groups, reproductive health advocates, and human beings with a shred of cognition understand that women’s choice means each woman gets to decide for themselves when they start a family. Radical evangelicals anointed themselves to make that decision for all women and it drives the anti-contraception, personhood, and the anti-reproductive health cult to launch initiatives like boycotting Girl Scout cookies because they sent out a tweet asking for recommendations for women worthy of being woman of the year.
Dominionism has a stated goal of putting devout, bible-adhering Christians in control over what they call the seven forces (mountains) that shape society including business, government, media, arts and entertainment, education, the family, and religion; and now Girl Scouts USA. Anti-choice Christians have targeted the Girl Scouts as surrogates for Wendy Davis for her filibuster against restrictions on legal abortion the Supreme Court ruled were a woman’s Constitutional right of choice forty years ago, and obviously they believe boycotting Girl Scout cookies will cause pain and suffering to Davis. It is likely their boycott will do little to hurt Wendy Davis, but that is not their intent. Their goal is hurting Girl Scout cookie sales to teach the organization that failure to adhere to Dominionist dictates has economic consequences they better get used to because when Christians finally do control the seven forces that shape society, Girl Scout cookies will be the least of Americans’ worries. Until then, this author is buying Girl Scout cookies like there’s no tomorrow.
Born in the South, raised in the Mid-West and California for a well-rounded view of America; it doesn't look good.
Former minister, lifelong musician, Mahayana Zen-Buddhist.
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