Calvary Chapel

Jim Kerr’s letter in our local newspaper is perplexing. Mr. Kerr seems to think the debate being played out in the letters column between myself and others and Jay Grant, Al Enderle, and others is somehow personal.

The personal religious beliefs of people are none of my business. If Al Enderle and Jay Grant and Edward T. Graney and that crowd at Calvary Chapel want to speak in tongues, handle snakes, roll about on the floor, perform the “placing on of hands” rituals, or do whatever they do in their churches, temples, synagogues, or mosques, I have absolutely no objections. There is, however, a caveat. Once these folks come out of their respective houses of worship and attempt to dominate the public debate over public policy by means of intimidation, false claims of moral authority, back room political deal making, and outright lies, then as citizen of a democracy one must engage this dishonesty by clearly and forcefully pointing out publicly their fraudulent claims.

Mr. Kerr, If you had been paying attention to the letters of Al Enderle, Edward T. Graney, and Jay Grant et.al. over the last year, you would have read how these men write Bible based justifications for anti-semitism, anti-feminism, anti-enligtenment, homophobia, and just plain foolishness.

For example, in 1978 Chuck Smith, the head priest of Calvary Chapel and assuredly a hero of the crowd mentioned above, produced a “documentary” film titled Future Survival. The script of this so-called documentary was also published as a book titled Future Survival: How you can survive the coming crises! (ISBN 0-936728-02-7). In his book Chuck Smith tells us that as an expert on Biblical prophecy and according to his reading of the Book of Revelations, “I am convinced that the Lord is coming for His Church before the end of 1981”(pg. 20). How does Chuck Smith know the world will end in 1981? Because Israel was founded in 1948 and since a biblical generation is 40 years long and since the Tribulation where Jesus returns to earth last for 7 years, all of this adds up to the end of the world in 1981! (pg. 17,19-21). What signs should Christians be looking for so they may survive the coming crisis? According to Chuck Smith, Christians should be supporting increases in the Pentagon budget. Smith tells us “Russia has a decided military advantage over the United States....” and ”... that the SALT II treaty is selling the United States down the river.” What will Russia do with this decided military advantage according to Smith. The Pentagon must be strong enough in order to help Israel repel a Russian invasion of Israel. “Russia feels that the conquest of Israel and the Mideast will be her first strategic move to world conquest. So, as God said, ‘I’m going to bring Russia into the slaughter by bringing her into the Mideast against Israel.’ (pg. 19). Nowhere did Smith’s “expert” reading of Revelations show him that Russia would ignominiously collapse into economic depression and military decay. Smith made millions of dollars off his absurd and BS laden documentary and book. What did Smith do with all the ill gotten booty?

Mr. Kerr, you inserted your opinion into the debate based on a misreading of the facts. It is certainly your right to express your opinion, but in the words of Abraham Lincoln, “It is sometimes better to sit quiet and be thought a fool then to speak up and remove all doubt.”