There are extremists in every religion.

You will find Hindu extremists in the Indian subcontinent, Jewish extremists in the Middle East and high profile Islamic extremists in Africa, Asia and elsewhere.

But what about Christian extremists?

In the United States, a movement fitting that description called “Christian Dominionism” has recently been making a name for itself.

What is “Dominionism”, you ask?

This is the belief that Christians were provided the God-given right to control all “earthy institutions until the second coming of Jesus”. One of the more prominent branches, Christian Reconstructionists, believe the laws of the Bible should replace secular laws. ( Sounds vaguely “Sharia-esque”).

What about separation of church and state? Not in their book.

Though no US politicians explicitly identify themselves as “Dominionists”, that hasn’t stopped its influence in politics. This recent Dominionism emergence started in 2011 when ties between a Dominionist group and GOP candidates Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann were revealed.

Some are pointing out links between Dominionism and the recent government shutdown.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas is the son of Rafael Cruz, a Texas pastor who directs Purifying Fire Ministries and is involved with a movement to involve conservative Christians in politics. Cruz has preached to his followers:

“God has given you an anointing to go to the battlefield. And what’s the battlefield? The marketplace. To go to the marketplace and occupy the land. To go to the marketplace and take dominion.”

Now we don’t know, nor can we assume Senator Cruz is like his father, but Rafael is very popular within the Tea Party. Heritage Action for America, an organization whose stances are closely watched by conservatives, flies Rafael around to give speeches.

Many people are scared of this movement emerging in politics, especially with the power the Tea Party had in the recent shutdown.

Is it foolish for people to think that the Dominionist’s view of a theocratic government in the USA could ever become a reality?

Or is there going to be hell to pay?