Christian Action Network
The Christian Action Network (CAN) was founded in 1990 by Martin Mawyer.[1] It is based in Forest, Virginia, USA.[2]
Contents
Homophobia
A 2005 profile by the Southern Poverty Law Center described the Network as one of the most influential anti-gay groups on the Christian right.[3]
1992 Election
The Federal Election Commission threatened to fine CAN up to £250,000 in 1992, charging that its attacks on Bill Clinton's stance on gay rights violated rules that prevent tax-exempt groups advocating for or against particular candidates. The case led CAN to issue a series of fund-raising letters, Christian Century reported:
- In one of the letters, dated May 13, Mawyer warned that if the fine sticks "then the militant homosexuals will have won ... and the murdering abortionists will have won ... and the anti-men, anti-family feminists will have won ... and the god-less atheists."[4]
Campaign against Muslims of America
In February 2007, CAN held a protest at the Charlotte County courthouse in Virginia against a road named after Sheikh Gilani of Muslims of America. Baron Bodissey and Christine Brim of the 910 Group were in attendance.[5]
Homegrown Jihad
In February 2009, Christian Action Network produced a documentary entitled Homegrown Jihad: The Terrorist Camps Around the U.S., which purported to uncover a network of nearly three dozen terrorist training compounds in the U.S.[6]
According to CBS News, US officials described the film as "sensationalistic" and without any real foundation:
- According to one official, it is strictly designed to upset and inflame people and does not present a true picture of any so-called “homegrown Jihad” danger. No current intelligence exists to suggest any threat connected with this group, which officials describe as “wannabes” and not terrorists.[7]
Staff
- Martin Mawyer - Founder and president
- Bonnie Mawyer - Director of Clerical Services
- Amber Mosher - Assistant Director of Clerical Services
- Michelle Matherly - Administrative Assistant
- Jerry Skirvin - Project Consultant
- Ryan Mauro - National Security Researcher
- John Eagle - Videographer
- Michelle Mawyer - Visual Services
- Jason Campbell - Media Director
- David Carroll - General Counsel
- Kayla Bryant - Customer services[8]
Notes
- ↑ About Us, Christian Action Network, accessed 14 September 2009.
- ↑ About the Christian Action Network, Christian Action Network, accessed 22 September 2011.
- ↑ 'A Mighty Army' A dozen major groups help drive the religious right's anti-gay crusade, Intelligence Report, Southern Poverty Law Center, Spring 2005.
- ↑ Christian Action Network faces fine, Christian Century, 13 July 1994.
- ↑ Baron Bodissey, “Gilani Lane Is Insane!”, Gates of Vienna, 20 February 2007.
- ↑ NEVER-BEFORE-REVEALED TERRORIST TRAINING VIDEO EXPOSES 35 COMPOUNDS ON AMERICAN SOIL, Christian Action Network, 28 January 2009.
- ↑ Bob Orr, Khaled Wassef and Christine Delargy, "Homegrown Jihad" Documentary Trailer, CBS News, 11 February 2009.
- ↑ About Us, Christian Action Network, accessed 14 September 2009.
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