[ad_1]
An American firearms manufacturer and a rural church whose members worship with AR-15-style rifles are presiding over a weekend-long event that unites a far-right movement anticipating civil war with high-profile figures on the American right and allies to former president Donald Trump.
Kahr Firearms Group and Rod of Iron Ministries – both run by the same wealthy family with direct ties to the international Unification religious movement – host the annual “Freedom Festival” in rural Pennsylvania through 10 October, with a lineup that appears to bridge the GOP denialism of 2020 presidential results with fringe figures amplifying violent conspiracy theories interpolated with Christian themes.
Dana Loesch, a former NRA spokesperson turned media personality, and former Trump adviser and Breitbart founder Steve Bannon are scheduled to appear.
There also are presentations from certified NRA instructors, an AR-15 giveaway, and gun raffles and auctions, with seminars on the Second Amendment and gun ownership, “more guns, less crime” and the state of firearm-related legal battles across the US.
Those panels segue into baseless conspiracy theories, including a “new world order” United Nations plot (“The Great Reset: What is Agenda 21 and 30 and What should we do?”) and end-times scenarios, including “surviving the onslaught” and a warning that “political persecution is just a cover for religious persecution.”
Other guest speakers include Covid-19 vaccine conspiracy theorists and members of Patriot Prayer, a group accused of collaborating with Proud Boys and white nationalist groups in its violent clashes with antifascist demonstrators.
Two pastors also will discuss reviving “the black robed regiment,” a reference to American Revolutionary War-era clergy.
Former firearm industry executive Ryan Busse told The Daily Beast – which first reported on the 2021 event – that the presence of high-profile figures provides fringe movements with a degree of credibility.
“It’s going to send a message across the country that this is normal, that this is OK. This is American fascism being developed right before our eyes,” he told The Daily Beast. “This is like 1936 Germany in a symposium.”
While the Rod of Iron is not the first “doomsday” movement in the world, “it’s the first one that a former spokesperson for the NRA is speaking at,” Mr Busse said.
Kahr CEO Justin Moon and Rod of Iron Ministries founder Sean Moon are both sons of Sun Myung Moon, a self-proclaimed messiah and “father” of the Unification movement, whose followers are part of a sprawling business and political enterprise to promote its goals, which include the unification of North and South Korea into a single Christian state.
Upon arrival in the US, Sun Myung Moon emerged as a prominent figure within the American right and helped found The Washington Times newspaper – its current managing editor is scheduled to join the Freedom Fest opening ceremony.
Rod of Iron founder Sean Moon incorporates American resentment and culture-war politics into his syncretic-Christian ideology, adopted from the Unification movement.
Sean Moon claims his inclusion of AR-15s into the movement’s worship is Biblically based, citing a passage in the Book of Revelation that speaks of Jesus using a “rod of iron” to assert his authority during the end of days.
The Independent has requested comment from the NRA and festival organisers.
[ad_2]
Source link
210864 608213Right after examine a couple of with the weblog posts on your web website now, and I actually like your manner of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website record and will probably be checking back soon. Pls take a appear at my web page as well and let me know what you think. 893581
166879 97995Hi there! Someone in my Myspace group shared this internet site with us so I came to give it a look. Im undoubtedly loving the data. Im bookmarking and is going to be tweeting this to my followers! Outstanding blog and wonderful style and design. 442246
709087 45156Nowhere on the Internet is there this significantly quality and clear info on this topic. How do I know? I know because Ive searched this topic at length. Thank you. 964904
910952 896458Hi there! Do you use Twitter? Id like to follow you if that would be ok. Im undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts. 128045
345756 624036hi and thanks for the actual weblog post ive recently been looking regarding this specific advice on-line for sum hours these days as a result thanks 497239
664108 541612Cheapest speeches and toasts, as effectively as toasts. probably are designed building your own at the party and will likely be most likely to turn into witty, humorous so new even. very best man toast 334413
380446 166398Official NFL jerseys, NHL jerseys, Pro and replica jerseys customized with Any Name / Number in Pro-Stitched Tackle Twill. All NHL teams, full range of styles and apparel. Signed NFL NHL player jerseys and custom team hockey and football uniforms 632944
259298 871044Maintain up the wonderful piece of function, I read few posts on this internet website and I feel that your blog is truly interesting and holds bands of amazing information. 654976
518581 331607It is hard to discover knowledgeable individuals on this topic, but you sound like you know what youre talking about! Thanks 361355
310215 920505I enjoy your composing style, do carry on creating! I is going to be back! 173607
536251 112925Some genuinely intriguing info, nicely written and broadly user pleasant. 55705
633158 794338Black Ops Zombies is now available […]Take a look here[…] 795057
880713 11380Hosting a weblog composing facility (in a broad sense) requires unlimited space. So I suggest you to discover such internet hosting (internet space provider) that give flexibility inside your internet space. 631446
572060 583153Read more on that Post.Useful information. 59583
832423 313810so a lot wonderful information on here, : D. 467618
707563 483152Hi, Neat post. Theres a difficulty along with your site in web explorer, could test this IE nonetheless will be the marketplace leader and a great portion of folks will omit your outstanding writing because of this difficulty. 416745
975610 479235I adore your wordpress internet template, wherever would you download it from? 417040
837281 553807Normally I do not read article on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up extremely forced me to try and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, quite good write-up. 337408
154561 51046I was just seeking this info for some time. After 6 hours of continuous Googleing, finally I got it in your site. 550650
842832 193952Intersting post and web site. Great that Google listed so i was able to get here. This internet site will go no in my bookmarks from now. 308514
717425 590800Hey there! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with us so I came to take a appear. Im certainly enjoying the data. Im bookmarking and is going to be tweeting this to my followers! Superb weblog and outstanding style and design. 863754
166790 656020Paris Hilton: So lovely spending time with Manny and h 280392