Christian Exodus is instructive because it reveals the real goals of many in the evangelical movement. Like many evangelical groups, CE wants to expand its influence to the secular realm. It openly admits to seeking political power. It wants to remake the U.S. government into Bible Nation.
But the real threat to secular democracy comes not from fringe groups like CE, but from the evangelical megachurches. Megachurches are nondenominational churches with thousands (or tens of thousands) of members and lots of money and political influence. Leaders of the largest megachurches meet regularly with Bush and the neocons in the administration. They are ferociously market-driven and openly seek to influence policy. They contribute heavily to right-wing evangelical candidates, and apply pressure on issues like illegalizing abortion, federal money for churches to run social programs, prayer in schools, and prohibition of gay marriage. (See article in February issue of The Atlantic Monthly, "Welcome to the Next Church.")
