[QUOTE=sunstone]
Having run into reconstructionists on school boards (regarding the teaching of evolution), I can tell you that they told me that their biblical beliefs were first in determining what should be done. This included the idea that the government and its laws do not have to be obeyed if there is a conflict with (biblical) beliefs.
I was also told that regardless of losing the particular issue (teaching evolution) at that time, they would never give up trying to get it banned…regardless of the law, science education and the scientific community consensus on evolution, or what the general population desired.
Only the threat of a lawsuit made them stop…momentarily.
The movement is to be greatly feared.
[/QUOTE]
I agree with all but the last sentence. Christian Reconstructionism is more of a philosophy of how to govern than an organized movement. While it is widespread, it is not organized, and for the reasons I posted upthread, I do not think it ever will be. Successful religious movements are nearly always led by central charismatic figures whose egos do not allow room for the type of shared leadership that an effective movement needs. This is a philosophy embraced by many leaders of small groups (conservative pastors, e.g.) and a few leaders of large but loosely organized followers (Dr Dobson, e.g.).
Nothing will come of it. It will remain a minority view with vocal adherents pushing their agenda at local levels with only intermittent successess rarely effective in establishing long-term toe-holds.
Democracy.
The days of the Puritans are long gone and Islamic countries are teaching us nicely that religious zealots are not the folks to put in charge of a free people.