The Family - Power in invisibility

A series, which is five programs that came out on Netflix a documentary, starts with a speaker, later we know as Doug Coe giving an example of the Nazis and the Mafia. These organizations, Doug said, were successful because their members always put their organizations' interest before themselves. That they put the organization even before family and outside friends, he further stated.

"The more invisible you can make your organization, the more influence it will have." Doug Coe

Now, what organization do you think Doug was talking about, it is not the mob, or the illuminate, or the Lodge or any sinister club he in an organisation whom people who claim to be born again Christians. They are "doing the Lord's work in the Devil's playground". They are responsible for the National Prayer Breakfast, which occurs on the first Thursday in February of every year. Every President, since Eisenhower, has never missed it. There are important world leaders, master of industries, influential people, dictators, murders, and thieves who have made it a point to attend if ever invited. One would have the wrong impression that it was a government official organized event.

 

The series has five parts.

1. Submersion
2. The Chosen
3. New World Order
4. Murders, Dictators and Thieves
5. Wolf King
   

 

An investigative journalist Jeff Sharlet who was very young then just turned 23 when he joined the organization, the most important thing is that he said it was very secretive. It had no name, but the members referred to it as "The Family". You could only join by being recommended, and you could not enter it directly or by writing an application letter. The young men he lived with described it as being a kind of frat house. A pious frat house for God, where there was no TV, no newspapers, no alcohol, no drugs, no swearing, no sex, etc., but all they did was study the gospel, pray, and play many games. Also, they do work like raking leaves, cleaning the house, etc. and given a disciplined upbringing. Before he joined, they asked him a series of questions, later he found out that this was an interview about whether he had an active lifestyle and had a history of substance abuse. He noticed that they were not much Bible reading as such, it was not a theology school. They did not describe themselves as Christians but followers as Jesus. They did not belong to any particular party as they are bipartisan. He also found out although he tried to find out there seem to be no structure or any hierarchical framework of the organization, it even appears to have no name. A lot of the young men who were invited later became people of influence. It was also based on small groups of men looking out for one another and encouraging one another.

There is one crucial aspect you have to be Chosen or selected. The Family did not see Jesus has humble meek nor as turn the over cheek when hit most of the time. But Jesus has a Prince, Lord of Hosts and warrior, they used texts in the Bible the display strength and power. Such as putting on the whole amour of God, fighting spiritual battles against darkness in high places. The archetypal example of being Chosen is King David of Israel. Who, despite murdering a man and taking his wife, was a favourite of God. He believes that it is a powerful anti-democratic Christian lobby and is concerned about issues of the first amendment and the separation of Church and State. He was knowing fully well that the USA is a secular country and the importance of this separation. He could but ask with The Family, which has some tax-exempt status and is highly involved in government. 

 

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." First Amendment of the United States of America

Maria Butina was a Russian who often attended the NRA convention as said to have founded an organization in Russia called "Right to Bear Arms"  (Право на оружие) described as a Russian gun-rights organization. She set up a backchannel via the National Prayer Breakfast. This program exposes the Russians to the power brokers in the US, senators, ministers, Congress members, and businessmen week-long event, men and people of influence worldwide. The documentary describes the organization as naïve as the Russians secret services could use them for their covert activities. Under Putin, the new Russian government presents itself as Christian and for traditional Christian values, for the family, anti-gay, and antiabortion. On the 12th of December, 2018, Ms Butina pleaded guilty to conspiring as a covert foreign agent on behalf of the Russia government. It is just a pity that a simple Christian act could be misinterpreted as such. There is concern that way Doug Coe was secretive about his work for God as he made an extra effort to remain in the shadows. Initially, the family was called International Christian Leadership and later Fellowship Foundation, but it became invisible under Doug. There is no letterhead or staff or membership. If you were to attend the National Prayer Breakfast, you would have to be invited. Doug Coe does not speak, but occasionally you will catch people nodding their heads to him at the event and acknowledging him. Various governments are present there, there seem to be not an organization, but it is organized. Doug never seems to want his name mentioned and was comfortably working behind the screens. Although in the Christian faith meekness and being humble are seen as attributes and all Christians should seek. Many people are not comfortable with an individual deliberately avoiding the spotlight, working behind the screens and being able to influence so much power.

"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" Matthew 5:5 (KJV)

The series also indicated that one way to spread the gospel was the 'man method' or what was known as being off the books. The Prayer Breakfast organised across the world was an informal way to arrange meetings between influential individuals. These were between former Christian members of Congress and business people to render services, like borrowing them their private jet or an entire conference venue. When it involves foreign leaders or dictators, it could be easily misinterpreted as an official US policy. Mark Silijander was sentenced after meeting with Jihadist after being sponsored by Muslims. Meetings also have happened between Libya's Ghaddafi and Nigerian's General Sani Abacha. 

Trump was seen as "God's chaos candidate", this man was by no means a Christian as even defined by in The Family. After speaking a minute with him, it was easy to find that out. His outrage at The Prayer Breakfast was about comparing his ratings and those of Arnold Schwarzenegger, the new host of The Apprentice. Trump was by no means a pious man, but he was someone The Family could work with, some ready to be used by God to do his work. Since the death of Doug Coe, The Family has become more open and transparent of its activities and allowed more women and people of colour. It is not that Doug was racist, but he believed that God used people in different ways. 

I watched the series in horror as it painted why it is usually an innocent activity as it seems part of an international conspiracy. I have been a member of a Christian prayer group that meets frequently. Who discuss the constant challenges we face in this increasingly secular world. It is not that we are planning a coup or a government within a government, but while others go to their pubs and parties, men of God need a place where they can meet and offload their burdens and pray about it. But I agree that the secrecy and working behind the shadows are a bit too much, and Doug's reference to the Mob and the Nazis did make me uncomfortable.