PROSELYTIZING LAS CRUCES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

     Since the social and political climate in America has changed dramatically over the past few decades, the traditionally staid United States Chamber of Commerce had boldly shown its move from representing the business health of communities, to that of an evangelical, hell-fire religious force to be reckoned with.  In the past, the common belief was that the Chamber had a connection to civic responsibility.  Since the Chamber is a private organization, it voices no claims to any responsibility outside its closed doors.

     The traditional Chamber membership sticker in business windows was believed to portray the image that the business was approved by the Chamber for its honesty and good service to the community.  That is no longer the case.  While many members are still legitimate, the image now is suspect.  Shopping at those businesses may provide money beyond the dues to the new development in the proselytizing business of the Chamber. Some leaders and members are steadfast in their belief that our United States is a Christians-only country, which means get out if you ain't.

     Here in Las Cruces, New Mexico, a Third World entity with ties closer to Juarez, Mexico, and El Paso, Texas, than with the economic and post-Spanish cultural centers of Albuquerque and Santa Fe, the Chamber has developed its own 'army' of Christian evangelical emissaries.  These members of the Chamber labor under the local Chamber's trinitarian logo which suddenly evolved after lawsuits challenged the City and school district's use of similar symbols that enjoy world-wide acceptance as totally Christian.

     Part of the local fake lore in Las Cruces is that Latin crosses displayed by the City are not religious.  Is the City the organ-grinder and the Chamber dances, or is the Chamber the organ-grinder?

     Marching hand-in-hand with Governor Martinez, the Chamber has taken a not-unexpected bold step to show its true intent of extending its realm of evangelical proselytizing the residents of Las Cruces, and their children, the real aim.  The Chamber has joined with Osteen Publishing Company (OPC, LLC, new owners of weekly Las Cruces Bulletin.) to promote a Christians-Only "Junior Leadership Program."

     Shown here for informational purposes only, this is the logo for the "Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce's Jr. Leadership program, modeled on our highly successful [adult] Leadership Las Cruces."  "a unique program .....for Las Cruces area high school junior."

     One can see that this logo has a double meaning.  One meaning represents the Christians-only evangelical intent of the training sponsored by the Las Cruces Chamber; the other meaning of the crosses is a warning to non-Christians to stay away.  The above referenced "Leadership Las Cruces" has only used the Chamber logo to deliver the message of the intent, at least in the public advertisements.

     "Applications.....will be available.....at all area high schools." shows a cooperation between the Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education and the Chamber to introduce the Christians-only program.

     Any connection between the well-known televangelist Joel Osteen and the family-owned Osteen Publishing Company, in Sumter, South Carolina, is unknown.