…and this is a 
Scarcely do I mention that Texas goes recruiting in Minnesota for kooks, but I learn that John Charles Wilson is running for governor of Minnesota.
Wilson's Edgertonite National Party is based on the Lauraist religion, a movement he created that believes Laura Ingalls Wilder is God and that the Lauraist homeland will occupy an area within a 240-mile radius of Minneapolis.
"A new nation, to be called Edgerton, with its capital at Minneapolis, should be created on the land from approximately Hibbing to Des Moines, and from Fargo to Madison," says Wilson's campaign Web site.
Communism is the mode of government of said nation, with an abolition of all laws except those necessary for public safety.
Wilson has written two books, "The Principles of Lauraism" and "The Conscience of a Communist."
Wilson says he was institutionalized in the early 1980s because of his political and religious beliefs.
I should have also remembered that time that we had a vampire running for governor. Oh, yeah, and the professional wrestler.
Politics
Comments
Posted by: NewEnglandBob
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July 22, 2009 7:46 PM
Let me be the first to say this must be Poe!
Posted by: Ryan Egesdahl
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July 22, 2009 7:56 PM
I believe this falls under the heading of "How not to run for political office." Or, as Samuel Clemens would have said it, "It is better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."
Posted by: Russell Blackford | July 22, 2009 7:59 PM
Jesse Ventura has his faults, but I'd take that particular professional wrestler over a lot of the more mainstream politicians any day.
Posted by: Janine, OMnivore | July 22, 2009 8:00 PM
Still no where near as embarrassing as Blago.
Posted by: @BangClangCrash | July 22, 2009 8:00 PM
It's okay, Professor M. My state had Gary Coleman and the guy from Predator running for Governor. And Ronald Reagan. I apologize to the rest of the world on behalf of the state of California for that last one.
Posted by: eugyppius | July 22, 2009 8:05 PM
The article notes that he's opposed to the police brutality associated with the RNC last year, and that he wants to unseat local officials in response. It's hard to disagree with that.
Otherwise, I can't see how Lauraism differs in degree of absurdity from other more mainstream delusions. This blog in particular has drawn attention to the popular cracker/God confusion.
I'd take Lauraist or a vampire over, for example, Sessions, any day. Just saying.
(Also this guy is almost certainly joking.)
Posted by: JM Inc. | July 22, 2009 8:05 PM
Definitely a Poe.
Still he's gonna give commies a bad name.
Posted by: PlaydoPlato | July 22, 2009 8:06 PM
Blasphemer! Everyone knows that goD wouldn't be caught dead in a gingham dress... now sheer silk and a pair of strappy manolos, well, that's quite a different story.
Posted by: Alan C | July 22, 2009 8:06 PM
OK, PZ, I guess that makes my home state of Florida your number three! Woohoo! It'll be a difficult task to top so much woo, but I'm sure my fellow Floridians can meet this challenge. We will NOT be bested in 'tard! ... Sigh!
Posted by: deang | July 22, 2009 8:08 PM
Apparently, Wilson doesn't know what communism is.
Posted by: Rick R | July 22, 2009 8:12 PM
Finally! A religion I can endorse whole-heartedly!!
Little House in the Looniesphere!
Posted by: jay | July 22, 2009 8:16 PM
I've always liked what JV did. The Republican and Democratic machines (Republocrats devoted to keeping in power) were so accustomed to having the political spoils divided between them that it was absolutely beautiful that an unsponsored outsider bested both of them
[BTW JV's comment on waterboarding (he actually has experienced it in training): 'of course it's torture, give me one hour with Cheney and I'll get a confession to the Sharon Tate murders']
Posted by: luna1580 | July 22, 2009 8:30 PM
check out his site:
http://www.johncharleswilson.name/Minister.html
Posted by: MadScientist | July 22, 2009 8:33 PM
Hmmm ... I wonder if he'd get Michael Schermer's vote - it sounds like a libertarian society! Well, except for the "communism" bit, but what's a word?
Posted by: trj | July 22, 2009 8:39 PM
For reals? Lauraism sounds sufficiently ridiculous to be a joke demonstrating the absurdity of religion.
Posted by: Kris | July 22, 2009 8:43 PM
He's left two comments on the online version of the source article:
http://minnesotaindependent.com/24603/laura-ingalls-wilder-is-god-and-her-disciple-is-running-for-mayor
I'd vote for him. His religion doesn't seem any crazier than any other I've come across, and he seems at least thoughtful and eloquent.
Posted by: 'Tis Himself
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July 22, 2009 8:45 PM
Ventura made a statement about religion that's pretty good:
Source: Jesse Ventura on Principles
Posted by: Kris | July 22, 2009 8:46 PM
P.S. I can't help but post this gem from the aforementioned comments:
Posted by: Jillian | July 22, 2009 8:53 PM
The funny thing about this is that Laura Wilder's personal philosophy was about as far from Communist as you can get. Her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, was one of the earliest Libertarian writers in America. Apparently, her works are still influential among Libertarians.
Posted by: charley
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July 22, 2009 8:56 PM
From his website:
Why didn't anyone tell me this before?
Posted by: Janine, OMnivore | July 22, 2009 9:00 PM
Poor Jimi, never had a chance to watch MTMS. Missed out on the death of Chuckles The Clown.
Posted by: Rob Jase | July 22, 2009 9:00 PM
RE: John Charles Wikson
Goodnight John-boy.
Posted by: charley
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July 22, 2009 9:06 PM
Don't know if anyone else is having difficulty commenting, but I only got through when I skipped the preview step.
Probably as much causality there as changing the northern lights with hand signals.
Posted by: SEF | July 22, 2009 9:09 PM
It depends rather on whether the LIW in question was the dead author or merely the TV actress playing the part. Getting institutionalised for stalking would be fair enough.
Posted by: Zeno
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July 22, 2009 9:30 PM
Ha, ha, ha! I make fun of your state and mock you mercilessly, PZ! Ha, ha, ha!
Oh. Wait a minute.
I'm from California.
Forget the whole thing. I take it back.
Never mind.
Posted by: Savior Breath | July 22, 2009 9:43 PM
After careful consideration of the evidence PZ has presented, combined it with personal experience, I have constructed an unassailable list of weirdo-laden states:
5. Minnesota
4. Texas (my home)
3. Utah
2. California
1. Louisiana
Florida would have the number five spot were it not for "Lauraism". It's just that close.
Posted by: Savior Breath | July 22, 2009 9:47 PM
Dammit, it's "combined", not "combined it".
Hey, I just posted without a timeout! Nice job scienceblogs techies!
Posted by: Charles | July 22, 2009 9:47 PM
It seems he's actually running for mayor of Minneapolis, not Governor of Minnesota.
Posted by: Sastra
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July 22, 2009 9:58 PM
I love the description of his book, The Conscience of a Communist:
Now if that doesn't make you want to rush right out and buy it, I guess nothing will.
One of his campaign platforms seems to be:
Uh oh. If anyone goes to hear him speak, I suggest they sit somewhere in the back.
Posted by: Alyson Miers | July 22, 2009 9:59 PM
I think Lauraism would be a far less destructive religion than most of the major ones in power today. At least LIW actually existed at one point and published in her own words.
Posted by: Sastra
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July 22, 2009 10:04 PM
For some reason the new system will not allow me to post anything I preview, or preview anything more than once. Is anyone else having this problem?
(please forgive any typos: I cannot preview)
Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp | July 22, 2009 10:06 PM
yeah i think that's going on for everyone
Posted by: Sphere Coupler | July 22, 2009 10:19 PM
Had the same problem, tho I thought it was because I had more than one hyperlink...now I know diff.
Posted by: atomjack | July 22, 2009 10:28 PM
@29: Sounds like JCW needs his brain washed.
And if LIW is the one who was called "half-pint" on the old TV show, she's a goddess worth worshipping now. Accomplished, and beautiful, to boot.
Posted by: bastion of sass | July 22, 2009 10:38 PM
What I really want to know is, does Lauraism have a creation story? And if so, should it, as well as Pastafarianism's scientific ID, be included when school boards want to teach the controversy.
Posted by: Azkyroth | July 22, 2009 10:42 PM
You know, the funny thing is, I don't see a major difference between Lauraism and, say, Mormonism (mainstream Christianity's older).
Posted by: Lilith | July 22, 2009 10:46 PM
I'd pay good money to see a fundy fight between the Lauraists and the followers of the FSM.
The only slightly odd candidate I've ever had an opportunity to vote for was a professional female impersonator in a burleque show who was running for the Victorian House of Reps about 15 years ago. (S)he did get my vote because (s)he was the only candidate who didn't have a single policy I disagreed with. IIRC, (s)he came a reasonably close second in our electorate.
Posted by: SC, OM | July 22, 2009 10:49 PM
Rev. BDC,
You still around? I need to email you about something - will you check it?
Posted by: Canuck | July 22, 2009 10:51 PM
You can't make this shit up. Nobody would believe it. Where do people get these batshit insane ideas?
Posted by: MAJeff, OM | July 22, 2009 11:14 PM
This is the state with a giant statue of a blue ox. This is a state with the world's largest ball of twine. This is a state where lutefisk is a treasured food. You expect normal?
Posted by: Wowbagger, OM | July 22, 2009 11:16 PM
Well, I'd imagine many of them are concocted with the deliberate notion of attracting followers and exploiting them - just ask L Ron Hubbard. Alternatively, they might be though up by genuinely speculative - though not very well grounded - people and then stolen by the exploitative types for the aforementioned purposes.
I once started constructing a literary fantasy world - more as an exercise than for the purpose of setting any stories there - but I never got around to determining what the races' religious beliefs would be. But I'm kind of keen on polytheism; it's just a lot more interesting than boring old monotheism.
One of many things I dislike about Christianity is how freaking dull it is compared to so many other world religions.
Posted by: MAJeff, OM | July 22, 2009 11:16 PM
Oh, yeah. This is the state that gives the world SPAM. (not the email kind)
Posted by: MAJeff, OM | July 22, 2009 11:18 PM
I love this talk about Laura Ingalls Wilder. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Highway is less than 100 yards from my parents' front door :)
Posted by: Rev. bigDumbCHimp | July 22, 2009 11:19 PM
hell yeah, fire away
Posted by: SC, OM | July 22, 2009 11:20 PM
But no state has embraced it like Hawaii.
Posted by: MAJeff, OM | July 22, 2009 11:22 PM
But no state has embraced it like Hawaii.
From Albert Lea to Honolulu.
Posted by: SC, OM | July 22, 2009 11:27 PM
Thanks! On its way in a minute.
Don't make me link, man.
Posted by: GMacs | July 22, 2009 11:32 PM
I should have also remembered that time that we had a vampire running for governor. Oh, yeah, and the professional wrestler.
Or the worst of all:
Norm Coleman.
Posted by: Cowcakes | July 22, 2009 11:49 PM
The man is evil incarnate, and obviously a Shadow agent. Melissa Gilbert who played Laura Ingalls was captured by the Shadows on Zahadum and turned.
So as his religion is based on her he must be getting his orders direct from Zahadum. Has anybody seen a movement on either side of him, a half seen arachnid looking shape?
Quick despatch a White Star fleet to destroy him, the fate of the galaxy is at stake. ;-)
Posted by: Benjamin Geiger | July 23, 2009 12:06 AM
"There is no god but Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Melissa Gilbert is her prophet."
That's got a nice ring to it.
(I just hope Lauraism doesn't have the same "no pictures of the prophet" policy Islam has, because... soooo-WEEE that woman's a serious MILF.)
Posted by: Levi in NY | July 23, 2009 12:29 AM
I don't know. Still sounds like an improvement over Pawlenty if you ask me.
Posted by: Troy | July 23, 2009 1:01 AM
I checked wikipedia, there is no mention of Laura Ingalls Wilder being called god.
Posted by: tsg | July 23, 2009 1:01 AM
Not to worry, PZ. Any idiot can run for governor, but Texas elected him.
Posted by: jackstraw | July 23, 2009 1:15 AM
A vampire, a professional wrestler, and a Lauraist walk into a bar...
Posted by: Daddy Stegosaurus | July 23, 2009 1:17 AM
Hey don't leave Arizona out!
Look at this Phoenix church. Luckily, I didn't have any demons, but he had some nice DVDs and books to recommend anyway.
http://www.demontest.com/
Posted by: natural cynic | July 23, 2009 1:29 AM
So no one has informed him that commies are supposed to be atheists?
When Little Laura walked barefoot, she made "Little Marks on the Prairie".
Posted by: Phoesune | July 23, 2009 1:37 AM
Just to make sure Texas stays on top...They have Leslie (although with better politics.)
Posted by: skeptical | July 23, 2009 1:42 AM
Governor of Minnesota or Mayor of Minneapolis? Your article says one thing, and the article you link to says another.
Posted by: AH | July 23, 2009 1:46 AM
When I came to Minnesota I thought I was getting away from all the crazies in Texas! It just goes to show that you should always do your research. :(
Posted by: dsrt | July 23, 2009 1:53 AM
http://www.adire.jp/cashing/index.html
Posted by: Oursally | July 23, 2009 2:34 AM
This is what makes the rest of the world look to the USA for leadership in just about anything.
German politics is so boringly serious, we want a Lauraist too. The best we can come up with is the Pirate Party.
Posted by: Kitty | July 23, 2009 3:03 AM
But this is exactly what American politics needs.
We've had The Official Monster Raving Loony Party, founded by Screaming Lord Sutch (sadly now deceased) for decades. Candidates stand against the most prominent politicians in every election.
I'm particularly fond of article 16 of their Manicfesto
Tried to preview but the comment disappeared - seems not all is fixed!
Posted by: Didac | July 23, 2009 3:43 AM
Replace Laura for Jesus. Replace Lauraism for Christianism. Replace Edgerton for Israel. Replace Communism with free-market democracy. It's almost the same. This guy say he would abolish all laws other than laws for public safety. The same thing is proposed by some Anarchists and Anarcho-Capitalists. Personally, I would prefer a truly Anarchist-Anomist-Anexistentialist guy proposing the abolition of all government, law and existence. Thing will be a lot easier then. I suppose.
I hope this post will not be reposted, but I'm not sure of it. In order to prevent a full duplication I only add that Christianism was as absurd for ancient Romans than Lauraism is to (some of) us
Posted by: Kompani | July 23, 2009 3:46 AM
America, you give us foreigners so much entertainment. Sometimes it seems that all the nuts and paranoid people of the world reside within it's borders. Religion is certainly the pinnacle of American madness and source of much humour. It makes great entertainment while I eat my morning toast.
Posted by: Didac | July 23, 2009 4:15 AM
Well, well, Kompani. America is a matter of laugh for all you foreigners because Americans are transparent and in America there is still freedom of information. Surely, in other countries kooks that do not share the official religion are simply erased out and no problem at all. There is no matter of laughing in some countries because laughing is forbidden by law. Surely America is a matter of laugh. However, there is no religious lapidation and no religious child molestation is repressed. Separation of Church and State in public schools is surer in America than in other places. America has a 16% of atheists. This is more than the world average. In that last sense, America is an atheist country.
Posted by: Didac | July 23, 2009 4:18 AM
An error in #65 comment: "However, there is no religious lapidation and no religious child molestation is repressed" should read "However, there is no religious lapidation and religious child molestation is repressed".
Posted by: John M | July 23, 2009 5:56 AM
Americans just can't cut the mustard when it comes to nominating electoral loons or satirising xtianity. We Brits will always lead the way in these two fields, at least.
For the second of these see:
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/church-offers-voodoo-water-ceremony-to-protect-your-bastards-from-satan-200907231925/
Posted by: Rorschach | July 23, 2009 6:07 AM
Didac @ 65,
The 16% would be non-religious people,not atheists.Big difference.
And to say the USA, a country where atheists for all intents and purposes can not hold public office,is an atheist country, is somewhat weird.
As to averages for other countries,see here.
Posted by: Matt Pickard | July 23, 2009 7:05 AM
I always thought Melissa Gilbert was delicious. And then she was on Babylon Five... hubba hubba.
Posted by: Somnolent Aphid | July 23, 2009 9:23 AM
If you've never been to out Walnut, then you really can't be sure. It is a special place. We've always considered ourselves to be our own little country anyway, our own little slice of heaven. And so I heartily approve of a call for nationhood. But let's leave Tracy out of this. They get all uppity ever since they got the DQ. Revere and Lamberton are ok though. I'm with Wilson on this one, even if that leaves me on the fringes of the Pharyngulea. It's a risk I'm willing to take. Climb on board people, this is the way things get started.
Posted by: Not that Louis | July 23, 2009 10:09 AM
The Betsy-Tacyists declare a fatwa on this heretic.
Posted by: MAJeff, OM | July 23, 2009 10:12 AM
The Betsy-Tacyists declare a fatwa on this heretic.
ROFLMAO!
Posted by: daveau
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July 23, 2009 10:13 AM
Except for the separation of church and state issue, I'm all for it. Why is Lauraism any crazier than any other superstition, or ideology?
Posted by: Somnolent Aphid | July 23, 2009 12:35 PM
OK, clearly, this Betsy-Tacyist schism thing needs to be put down.
This is not like some cult where some "apostles" wrote some conflicting stories decades after some supposed event and which then had to be reconciled by wrapping them in mystery.
Next, we'll have some nutcase trying to tell us that The Laura never even existed. That the sod house was built later.
Hey, and ignore, please, the "big rock" controversy. We know that it did exist, because Laura wrote about it. It just moved a little, or sank, or something over the years. Completely explainable. jeeze, i know far too much about this.
Posted by: Sili
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July 23, 2009 6:44 PM
Well, at least LIW existed.
Odd, by the way, how I never paid much attention to the fact that LHotP took place in Minnesota when I was a kid. Nor made the connection when I first discovered this blog. Guess I'm not much of an acolyte to Lauraïsm.
Posted by: Kadin | July 24, 2009 4:50 AM
As a communist, I would just like to point out that most of us do not create religions based around dead writers. Except for the Trots.
Posted by: John Charles Wilson | July 24, 2009 1:11 PM
Comrades, Friends, Enemies, and Unbelievers:
As the person you've been commenting on, I'd like to kindly correct a few of your misconceptions.
First, my belief is in the divinity of the actual Laura Ingalls Wilder, not some sexual crush on Melissa Gilbert.
Second, I am not a traditional Communist and openly admit such. I was actually kicked out of the Communist Party USA for being too radical. I consider Lauraism to be "Communism 2.0". I am very much a libertarian on non-economic issues, though more of a consquentialist libertarian than an anti-State one. That means I believe State intervention can enhance liberty (public transit is an example) and I believe "private" restrictions on freedom (parental authority over children, shopping malls that deny freedom of speech, and so-called "civil society" are some examples) are just as harmful as those caused by organised government. I am a Communist in the dictionary sense of advocating State ownership of all business. That definition does not require one to be an atheist.
Third, I am fully aware of Rose Wilder Lane's libertarianism. There is also some evidence that as editor of her mother's manuscripts, she altered the stories to make the characters seem more individualistic and self-reliant than they actually were. IIRC, Laura wrote of having some Socialist leanings when she travelled to San Francisco in 1915 to see Rose. (Also IIRC, Rose herself was a Socialist until she had a freakout about something to do with the Russian Revolution.)
Fourth, as to Rob Jase's Comment (#22): Wrong show.
Fifth, I never stalked anyone or was even accused of doing so.
Sixth, While I may not be as hygenic as the average (fanatical IMHO) American, I'm not as bad as you make me out to be.... ~Jeez!~
Seventh, Lauraism has no creation story. Laura created the world according to a recipe that science is trying to reverse-engineer. No problem. Lauraists are mostly concerned about the time from about 200 years ago forward into the future and have little opinion about ancient history.
Eighth, Unlike L. Ron Hubbard, I did not "start a religion to make a million dollars" or to exploit followers. If I did, I sure failed. I am dirt poor. Ironically, I'd probably be rich today if I grew up in a functional family and didn't believe what I do. (Seperate factors but combined had a devastating effect on career prospects.)
Ninth, I used to live in Rochester, about a mile from the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Highway. If I ever get a driver's licence and a car, I'd love to see Walnut Grove, De Smet, and Pepin....
Tenth, pictures of Laura are fine. See my website http://www.johncharleswilson.name and click on "Minister".
Eleventh, I respect Wikipedia's policy against self-promotion. That's why I never added anything about Lauraism to it. Now, if other people consider it worth posting there, go right ahead....
Twelfth, if I don't win the mayoral race, I am considering running for governor next year.
Posted by: Somnolent Aphid | July 24, 2009 1:59 PM
Mr. Wilson I commend you for your forthright honesty and integrity. It takes a man of great vision, such as yourself, to see the simple honest truth that is Laura Ingalls Wilder. Good luck with your run for mayor.