Here are a number of articles and interviews about the religious group in DC known as, "The Family" or "The Fellowship".

"FAMILY" : FUNDAMENTALISM, FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES

In the book The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power, author Jeff Sharlet examines the power wielded by a secretive Christian group known as the Family, or the Fellowship.

Founded in 1935 in opposition to FDR's New Deal, the evangelical group's views on religion and politics are so singular that some other Christian-right organizations consider them heretical

The group also has a connection to a house in Washington, D.C., known as C Street. Owned by a foundation affiliated with the Family, C Street is officially registered as a church; in practice, it serves as a meeting place and residence for politicians like South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, Nevada Sen. John Ensign and Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn.

The Family, Sharlet writes, is responsible for founding the annual National Prayer Breakfast, a supposedly ecumenical — but implicitly Christian — event attended by the president, members of Congress and dignitaries from around the world. These foreign delegations are often led by top defense personnel, who use it as an opportunity to lobby the most influential people in Washington — and who repay the Family with access to their governments.

TO READ THIS STORY AND LISTEN TO AN INTERVIEW WITH JEFF SHARLET ON NPR - CLICK HERE

THE POLITCAL ENCLAVE THAT DARE NOT SPEAK ITS NAME

On any given day, the rowhouse at 133 C St. SE -- well appointed, with American flag flying, white-and-green-trimmed windows and a pleasant garden -- fills with talk of power and the Lord. At least five congressmen live there, quietly renting upstairs rooms from an organization affiliated with "the Fellowship," the obsessively secretive Arlington spiritual group that organizes the National Day of Prayer breakfast, an event routinely attended by legions of top government officials. Other politicians come to the house for group spirituality sessions, prayer meetings or to simply share their troubles.

READ FULL STORY AT THE WASHINGTON POST - CLICK HERE

THE RELIGIOUS MAFIA AND AMERICAN POLITICS

As Progressive Americans marvel at the back-water, log cabin, religious fundamentalism displayed by Sarah Palin, they may not realize how very deeply this fanaticism runs through our politics. In fact, what has thought to be reserved for remote, fanatical fringes is actually a very influential movement in our country and is courted by our most prominent leaders.

It sounds like a conspiracy theory: a small group of powerful individuals have their hands on most important worldwide decisions.  They consider themselves to be chosen by God to rule and influence over the rest of us.  They try to remain in the background and work through their powerful influences.  You’ve probably heard it all before and attributed it to the imagination of some paranoid individuals who suffer from some kind of mental disorder.

This time, though, the story is coming from an editor of Harper’s Bazaar, reporters at NBC, and The Nation.

READ THE FULL STORY AT "THE EMPERORS NEW CLOTHES" - CLICK HERE