Something that's interesting to me as I read about various religious "movements" is the idea of 'training up warriors' for the faith. It seems this idea overlaps between Christian Nationalists, within the 'Shiny Happy People' doc (and maybe a good chunk of those individuals would also be quiverfull? You'd know better than me), and also the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement...and as I've read books about cults, I've found that exact idea as a common thread there too.
There's definitely a ton of overlap and cross-pollination. The Duggars are for sure Quiverfull, as are most of Bill Gothard's most ardent followers. And you're right about the connection between Quiverfull and Christian Nationalism: Mary Pride's book and Rick and Jan Hess's "A Full Quiver" for present prolific childbearing in undisguisedly political terms: Not to punch the "Nazi!" button too quickly, but it really is very reminiscent of Germany's pronatalist campaign where women were urged to prioritize marriage and family in order to raise up the next generation of soldiers.
Just now able to get back to this...older kids = busier school activity schedule. It really is crazy! As I've read various articles about CN events, I see lots of similarities to NAR (which is becoming a big issue in my area), and then add in all these other movements...the overlap is uncanny! Different movements but similar strategy and talking points...and all actually point away from the gospel.
I also appreciated your bringing out that childbearing is often empowering for a woman in these circles where significance and authority rise with number of children. The second wife of our Central Asian neighbors was able to usurp the position and honor of the first wife this way.
Yes, this was also a priority in the Soviet Union where women who bore 5 or more children were called Mother Heroines of the State. Outbreeding the enemies, world domination, weaponizing child-bearing, militarizing the home---these are not new ideas, nor are they specifically “Christian.”
Something that's interesting to me as I read about various religious "movements" is the idea of 'training up warriors' for the faith. It seems this idea overlaps between Christian Nationalists, within the 'Shiny Happy People' doc (and maybe a good chunk of those individuals would also be quiverfull? You'd know better than me), and also the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement...and as I've read books about cults, I've found that exact idea as a common thread there too.
There's definitely a ton of overlap and cross-pollination. The Duggars are for sure Quiverfull, as are most of Bill Gothard's most ardent followers. And you're right about the connection between Quiverfull and Christian Nationalism: Mary Pride's book and Rick and Jan Hess's "A Full Quiver" for present prolific childbearing in undisguisedly political terms: Not to punch the "Nazi!" button too quickly, but it really is very reminiscent of Germany's pronatalist campaign where women were urged to prioritize marriage and family in order to raise up the next generation of soldiers.
Just now able to get back to this...older kids = busier school activity schedule. It really is crazy! As I've read various articles about CN events, I see lots of similarities to NAR (which is becoming a big issue in my area), and then add in all these other movements...the overlap is uncanny! Different movements but similar strategy and talking points...and all actually point away from the gospel.
I also appreciated your bringing out that childbearing is often empowering for a woman in these circles where significance and authority rise with number of children. The second wife of our Central Asian neighbors was able to usurp the position and honor of the first wife this way.
Yes, this was also a priority in the Soviet Union where women who bore 5 or more children were called Mother Heroines of the State. Outbreeding the enemies, world domination, weaponizing child-bearing, militarizing the home---these are not new ideas, nor are they specifically “Christian.”