DELAY Declares 'Neo-Conservative' war and reveals the vacuous mind of the neo-con bullies DeLay Urges Christians To Stand Against Cultural 'War On Christians' By SCOTT SHEPARD Cox News Service Wednesday, March 29, 2006 WASHINGTON — Embattled former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, invoking the "glory of God," urged religious conservatives Tuesday to stand against an American culture the Texas congressman said is hostile to Christianity. "Our faith has always been in direct conflict with the values of the world," Delay said in a speech to politically active religious conservatives. "We are, after all, a society that provides abortion on demand, has killed millions of innocent children, degrades the institution of marriage and all but treats Christianity like some second-rate superstition." DeLay, facing political corruption charges in his home state, was one of several prominent Republicans to address a "War On Christians" conference sponsored by Vision America, a group founded by the Rev. Rick Scarborough, a fellow Texan and key organizer of "values voters" in the 2004 presidential election. Quoting extensively from the Bible and religious writings, DeLay agreed with conference organizers that "of course, there is a war on Christianity" in America today. But "no matter how cowardly the evil before us may be, it is nothing compared to the power and glory of God," the Houston-area congressman said. Scarborough, the longtime minister of a 27-acre Baptist church near Houston, alluded to DeLay's legal difficulties and offered encouragement as the lawmaker exited the event. "God always does his best work right after a crucifixion," Scarborough said. DeLay was indicted six months ago on conspiracy and money laundering charges linked to fund-raising activities by his Texans for a Republican Majority political action committee ahead of the 2002 state legislature elections. The conspiracy charge was thrown out by a state court, but prosecutors have appealed in an attempt to get it reinstated. He has denied any wrongdoing and has charged that the indictment was politically motivated, designed to undercut his political power in Washington and Texas. Once the second highest ranking Republican in the House, DeLay was forced to step aside from his position after the indictment but remains a member of Congress. DeLay's activities in Congress have also come under the scrutiny of a federal anti-corruption task force that brought charges against the congressman's longtime friend, former Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Abramoff has pleaded guilty to fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy to bribe public officials and is cooperating with the investigation. Scarborough said he believes DeLay is "a man God has appointed ... to represent righteousness in government" even as, in his view, the courts and the news media attempt to destroy the Texas lawmaker. The "War On Christians" conference has taken aim at Hollywood, the news media, the courts and organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and the Anti-Defamation League as hostile to Christianity. Its organizers raised similar issues during the last Christmas season, alleging a "war on Christmas." But the Rev. Barry Lynn, who heads Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said the gathering is more about partisan politics than religion or cultural values. "This 'war' is nothing real," Lynn said in a telephone interview. "The fact is Christians in America are a cultural majority, and they are an extremely powerful group. But what you have here are second-tier preachers who are hoping to hit the big time, desperately hoping for a national spotlight, to be the next Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson or James Dobson." Scarborough plans to lead a news conference on Capitol Hill on Wednesday to unveil a "Values Voters' Contract with Congress" as part of his organization's strategy for the upcoming congressional election and to discuss his dissatisfaction with Republican leadership in Congress. "The Republican Party often takes the values vote for granted," Scarborough said in a statement. "They court us as elections approach and forget us as soon as they're over. And we fall into line. Well, I'm here to tell you that those days are rapidly drawing to a close." About 300 people attended the conference Tuesday, significantly fewer than the thousands typically drawn to similar gatherings in the past featuring Falwell, Robertson and Dobson. But the conference was large enough to attract some of the luminaries of the conservative movement, including American Values President Gary Bauer, Eagle Forum Founder Phyllis Schlafly, former Ambassador Alan Keyes and Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, a possible candidate for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination.