Christian Nationalism - 2021
2021 -Dec-Jan 2021
dec 2021
December 21, 2021:
CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM RISING (still): Re: Donald Trump Jr
Donald Trump Jr. told young Republicans attending a conference Sunday that biblical teachings have gotten the party nowhere after damning new texts revealed he was aware of the magnitude of the Capitol riots.
'We've turned the other cheek and I understand the biblical reference, I understand the mentality,' he said. 'But it's gotten us nothing." Where they go now carrying that kind of religious dogma can be dangerous.
The problem is that they will use the Bible and God as an excuse to continue to push racism and fascism. Similar to what happened in the the 1930s with Hitler. He used the Bible and Christianity to gain followers and then when he had Naziism locked into place...he became a dictator. Granted, it wont gain them anything eternally..but short sighted Christianity never has. Its temporal fruit, though, is a dangerous dogma.
The US is “closer to civil war than any of us would like to believe”, a member of a key CIA advisory panel has said. The analysis by Barbara F Walter, a political science professor at the University of California at San Diego who sits on the Political Instability Task Force, is contained in a book due out next year and first reported by the Washington Post.
CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM RISING (still): Re: Donald Trump Jr
Donald Trump Jr. told young Republicans attending a conference Sunday that biblical teachings have gotten the party nowhere after damning new texts revealed he was aware of the magnitude of the Capitol riots.
'We've turned the other cheek and I understand the biblical reference, I understand the mentality,' he said. 'But it's gotten us nothing." Where they go now carrying that kind of religious dogma can be dangerous.
The problem is that they will use the Bible and God as an excuse to continue to push racism and fascism. Similar to what happened in the the 1930s with Hitler. He used the Bible and Christianity to gain followers and then when he had Naziism locked into place...he became a dictator. Granted, it wont gain them anything eternally..but short sighted Christianity never has. Its temporal fruit, though, is a dangerous dogma.
The US is “closer to civil war than any of us would like to believe”, a member of a key CIA advisory panel has said. The analysis by Barbara F Walter, a political science professor at the University of California at San Diego who sits on the Political Instability Task Force, is contained in a book due out next year and first reported by the Washington Post.
December 16, 2021:
This paragraph is from an article from Charisma News:
As the popularity of the tour grew and the demand for Clark to appear on various media outlets rose, someone sent him the Kim Clement prophecy from April 20, 2013, that seems to have a clear connection to his calling to reawaken America. It mentions a "man by the name of Mr. Clark," and says in part, "You have been determined through your prayers to influence this nation. You're watching me; you're an influential person. The Spirit of God says, 'Hear the word of the prophet to you as a king, I will open that door that you prayed about.'"
In essence, it is Christian Nationalism in its formative stages in the Charismatic movement today. Clay Clark is a part of the "Reawaken America" (being sponsored by Charisma Magazine) tour. To begin with, a prophecy only points to revelation about Jesus Christ. Clark, for the record, is NOT Jesus...though he appears to claim a relationship. Kim Clement is a faux self-proclaimed prophet and has been spewing pro-Trump "prophecies" for a few years now. Don't be deceived. Clark is a grifting charlatan who uses worse from the Bible to meet his end. Good and bad things came out of the Charismatic Movement...but more bad than good...and a lot of hurt people who may have walked away from God forever because of it. Fellow members of Reawaken America include Michale Flynn, Roger Stone, Mike Lindell, Sam Sorbo, Sidney Powell, Alan Keyes, Alex Jones, Lara Logan and Ken Paxton, among others.
The thing that makes people like Cark dangerous is that they believe they are on a mission from God.
This paragraph is from an article from Charisma News:
As the popularity of the tour grew and the demand for Clark to appear on various media outlets rose, someone sent him the Kim Clement prophecy from April 20, 2013, that seems to have a clear connection to his calling to reawaken America. It mentions a "man by the name of Mr. Clark," and says in part, "You have been determined through your prayers to influence this nation. You're watching me; you're an influential person. The Spirit of God says, 'Hear the word of the prophet to you as a king, I will open that door that you prayed about.'"
In essence, it is Christian Nationalism in its formative stages in the Charismatic movement today. Clay Clark is a part of the "Reawaken America" (being sponsored by Charisma Magazine) tour. To begin with, a prophecy only points to revelation about Jesus Christ. Clark, for the record, is NOT Jesus...though he appears to claim a relationship. Kim Clement is a faux self-proclaimed prophet and has been spewing pro-Trump "prophecies" for a few years now. Don't be deceived. Clark is a grifting charlatan who uses worse from the Bible to meet his end. Good and bad things came out of the Charismatic Movement...but more bad than good...and a lot of hurt people who may have walked away from God forever because of it. Fellow members of Reawaken America include Michale Flynn, Roger Stone, Mike Lindell, Sam Sorbo, Sidney Powell, Alan Keyes, Alex Jones, Lara Logan and Ken Paxton, among others.
The thing that makes people like Cark dangerous is that they believe they are on a mission from God.
December 13, 2021:
The American family Association, based out of here in Mississippi, is looking to establish a center "like a Pentagon" in order to furth er efforts of Christian Nationalism. The announcement with a plea for donations (something Wildmon, the founder, has been doing many many many years) Part of the description says "Like the Pentagon in Washington, the Don Wildmon Center will serve as command central as we combat the forces that seek to destroy Christian influence in America and overthrow the founding principles of our republic."
If you look at other parts of the website the "action alerts" are just a litany of far right wing agendas. They "hold to a form of godliness but deny the power thereof." (II Tim 3) (Which is, in essence, a foundation of what "Christian Nationalism" is) Link is Here: https://www.afa.net/donwildmoncenter?fbclid=IwAR0VA9LSIgBqlxhLxEonnuEfw5bXBimVo6e9vGzP-WCmDVzDTLBiKmm5j9Y
The American family Association, based out of here in Mississippi, is looking to establish a center "like a Pentagon" in order to furth er efforts of Christian Nationalism. The announcement with a plea for donations (something Wildmon, the founder, has been doing many many many years) Part of the description says "Like the Pentagon in Washington, the Don Wildmon Center will serve as command central as we combat the forces that seek to destroy Christian influence in America and overthrow the founding principles of our republic."
If you look at other parts of the website the "action alerts" are just a litany of far right wing agendas. They "hold to a form of godliness but deny the power thereof." (II Tim 3) (Which is, in essence, a foundation of what "Christian Nationalism" is) Link is Here: https://www.afa.net/donwildmoncenter?fbclid=IwAR0VA9LSIgBqlxhLxEonnuEfw5bXBimVo6e9vGzP-WCmDVzDTLBiKmm5j9Y
September 10, 2021:
Jesus stood against the politically religious of his day.
Jesus didn't instruct us to try to setup God's kingdom on earth and over take secular systems.
He indicated that we (individually) work out our own salvation with fear and trembling - not that we work out societies salvation with force of religion being inscribed into law.
Jesus stood against the politically religious of his day.
Jesus didn't instruct us to try to setup God's kingdom on earth and over take secular systems.
He indicated that we (individually) work out our own salvation with fear and trembling - not that we work out societies salvation with force of religion being inscribed into law.
December 8, 2021:
Found this from an article posted at Wesmont College:
Implying that Americans are blessed by God simply for being Americans cheapens the biblical concept of blessing and often equates it with material prosperity. What about those Christians living and often suffering in other lands? Are we blessed by God and they are not? What about the dirt-poor Pentecostals in Ukraine who in Soviet times suffered because of their faith? Are we blessed by God and they are not? The lyrics of “God Bless America” are not statements of fact. They are, in fact, a prayer. In 1938, that is what Irving Berlin had in mind.
While studying recently I came across this quote: “Treason is in the air around us everywhere. It goes by the name of patriotism.” -Ambrose Bierce (Civil War era). Reminds me of a quote (attributed to several people) that says "when facism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."
That kind of conflation I mentioned above could easily set a lot of people up for such a person...and I think it is a large part of what drives the hard core Trumplicans for Trump.
Found this from an article posted at Wesmont College:
Implying that Americans are blessed by God simply for being Americans cheapens the biblical concept of blessing and often equates it with material prosperity. What about those Christians living and often suffering in other lands? Are we blessed by God and they are not? What about the dirt-poor Pentecostals in Ukraine who in Soviet times suffered because of their faith? Are we blessed by God and they are not? The lyrics of “God Bless America” are not statements of fact. They are, in fact, a prayer. In 1938, that is what Irving Berlin had in mind.
While studying recently I came across this quote: “Treason is in the air around us everywhere. It goes by the name of patriotism.” -Ambrose Bierce (Civil War era). Reminds me of a quote (attributed to several people) that says "when facism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."
That kind of conflation I mentioned above could easily set a lot of people up for such a person...and I think it is a large part of what drives the hard core Trumplicans for Trump.
oct 2021
Oct 18, 2021:
Going forward I will use "Religious Nationalism" instead of "Christian Nationalism." Christianity is already taking a big hit via the "Nationalism" and the non religious just see the word "Christian" and there are already many Anti-theism folks ready to pounce on Christianity. The big issue right now is lots of calls for taxing the church because of politics. The condition of the non tax status is to keep church and state separate as per the Constitution. So I am not in favor of taxing all the churches, but I believe the ones that are pushing politics should have their tax exempt status removed. If you havent noticed..the most vocal Religious Nationalists leaders usually come from Mega-churches who push tithing and, hence, always seem to have unending bankrolls of money.
I Came across a great example of Religious Nationalism today while looking at an Iowa newspaper. Written by several Iowa pastors, It states: Whereas, God is the ultimate and highest authority, and his laws are the highest laws; and Whereas, masks cover the image of God by obscuring personal identity and violate the holy law of God by restraining the healthy in place of the symptomatic sick;
Keeping people healthy violates the holy law of God???
And the mask shouldn't be worn because it "covers the image of God??"
This has got to be a horrible revelation if you live on really cold parts of the country...like Iowa, for instance. And what about those sunglasses that covers the eyes of God's creation??? I cant imagine why the logic didnt push itself to its end and start condemning people for wearing any clothes at all because it would cover man who was made in Gods image.
The article goes on and conflates the Constitution on an even level with God's Holy law. There are a lot of people pushing Religious Nationalism ideas who are totally oblivious to the fact they are doing it because they see little to no difference between doing Gods will and pushing a political agenda. As I have stated before, we are seeing the culmination of a generation of Christian Americans who believe that the only way to serve God is through politics.....and the idea is to win political points for Jesus. (however they are scored)
Going forward I will use "Religious Nationalism" instead of "Christian Nationalism." Christianity is already taking a big hit via the "Nationalism" and the non religious just see the word "Christian" and there are already many Anti-theism folks ready to pounce on Christianity. The big issue right now is lots of calls for taxing the church because of politics. The condition of the non tax status is to keep church and state separate as per the Constitution. So I am not in favor of taxing all the churches, but I believe the ones that are pushing politics should have their tax exempt status removed. If you havent noticed..the most vocal Religious Nationalists leaders usually come from Mega-churches who push tithing and, hence, always seem to have unending bankrolls of money.
I Came across a great example of Religious Nationalism today while looking at an Iowa newspaper. Written by several Iowa pastors, It states: Whereas, God is the ultimate and highest authority, and his laws are the highest laws; and Whereas, masks cover the image of God by obscuring personal identity and violate the holy law of God by restraining the healthy in place of the symptomatic sick;
Keeping people healthy violates the holy law of God???
And the mask shouldn't be worn because it "covers the image of God??"
This has got to be a horrible revelation if you live on really cold parts of the country...like Iowa, for instance. And what about those sunglasses that covers the eyes of God's creation??? I cant imagine why the logic didnt push itself to its end and start condemning people for wearing any clothes at all because it would cover man who was made in Gods image.
The article goes on and conflates the Constitution on an even level with God's Holy law. There are a lot of people pushing Religious Nationalism ideas who are totally oblivious to the fact they are doing it because they see little to no difference between doing Gods will and pushing a political agenda. As I have stated before, we are seeing the culmination of a generation of Christian Americans who believe that the only way to serve God is through politics.....and the idea is to win political points for Jesus. (however they are scored)
October 11, 2021:
I believe we are seeing the culmination of an entire generation of American church goers who have been raised their entire life believing that the only productive thing you could do "for Jesus" is to do something with politics.
I think abortion became the topping on that cake. Apparently you could commit many sins but the unforgivable one was abortion..or just not being against it.
The roots of that can be found in the teachings of the late Francis Schaeffer who a few years before he died proclaimed that the most important thing that Christians should be defeating is abortion. Schaeffer carried a lot of weight with the nondenominational/charismatic movements; along with the southern Baptists. That was about 7 years after Roe v Wade. Schaeffer died in 1984 but, then, Ronald Reagan made Koop his surgeon general...and voila...the movement began. I was there at the beginning and, at the time, went right along with it. I became a political activist for Jesus. Initially a Democrat... I was told that being a Democrat was not a good Christian witness (by my pastor) and joined the Republicans and the Reagan revolution "for Jesus."
And this is where we are.
I believe we are seeing the culmination of an entire generation of American church goers who have been raised their entire life believing that the only productive thing you could do "for Jesus" is to do something with politics.
I think abortion became the topping on that cake. Apparently you could commit many sins but the unforgivable one was abortion..or just not being against it.
The roots of that can be found in the teachings of the late Francis Schaeffer who a few years before he died proclaimed that the most important thing that Christians should be defeating is abortion. Schaeffer carried a lot of weight with the nondenominational/charismatic movements; along with the southern Baptists. That was about 7 years after Roe v Wade. Schaeffer died in 1984 but, then, Ronald Reagan made Koop his surgeon general...and voila...the movement began. I was there at the beginning and, at the time, went right along with it. I became a political activist for Jesus. Initially a Democrat... I was told that being a Democrat was not a good Christian witness (by my pastor) and joined the Republicans and the Reagan revolution "for Jesus."
And this is where we are.
sept 2021
September 15, 2021:
Christ didnt die on the cross to protect my freedom of speech, my right to assemble or bear arms. He died that evil men would be redeemed.
American Christian Nationalists do not believe this.
Franklin Graham accused Democrats of going against the principles of Christianity and wants Christians to move away from the Democratic Party.
Franklin is a poster boy for Christian Nationalism. He learned it from his dad, Billy Graham, who wrote as early as 1954 that "Communism is a religion that is inspired, directed and motivated by the Devil himself who has declared war against Almighty God."
Franklin sees Democrats & Soviet Communists as the same thing and preaches accordingly.
Christ didnt die on the cross to protect my freedom of speech, my right to assemble or bear arms. He died that evil men would be redeemed.
American Christian Nationalists do not believe this.
Franklin Graham accused Democrats of going against the principles of Christianity and wants Christians to move away from the Democratic Party.
Franklin is a poster boy for Christian Nationalism. He learned it from his dad, Billy Graham, who wrote as early as 1954 that "Communism is a religion that is inspired, directed and motivated by the Devil himself who has declared war against Almighty God."
Franklin sees Democrats & Soviet Communists as the same thing and preaches accordingly.
Sept 28, 2022: Doug Pagitt: Newsweek: We Can't Pray Away Christian Nationalism. We've Got to Vote it Out | Opinion
September 7, 2021:
John MacArthur believes he was right about his fight against "religious liberty" because he won the case in court. MacArthur believed tyranny was being committed against him because he had a right to ignore any government mandate concerning the pandemic because God was on his side. He won an $800,00 settlement in court. Leading the fight was the Thomas More Society and lawyers Jenna Ellis and Charles LiMandri. These lawyers won an $800,000 settlement from the State of California and the County of Los Angeles. It's interesting that he does not apply that same "logic" on other issues, like Roe V Wade, and all the times that losses were made in court that it wasnt considered a victory.. MacArthur is one of several mainstream pastors who are very much entrenched in Christian Nationalism.
This is disturbing:
New Apostolic Reformation = Christian Nationalism. Al Jazeera called the NAR "America's Own Taliban"
Last April, Rick Joyner, head of Morning Star Ministries in Charlotte, N.C., told Jim Bakker about a revelatory dream from 2018. Joyner urged “true disciples of Christ” to get their weapons ready because, according to Jesus, we are heading for a second American Revolution (or Civil War) in which God-ordained “militias would pop up like mushrooms.” The good news, he said, was that victory was assured.😳😳😳
1. Don’t equate the biblical kingdom of God with any human political party or nation. We must maintain the distinctiveness between God’s kingdom and the kingdoms of this world. We must never fuse the two (John18:36; Matt.6:33).
2. Don’t elevate a politician to messianic status. People often falsely think a politician can single-handedly produce supernatural social results. We have one Lord, and we must resist any attempt to exalt politicians to unrealistic heights (Matt.7:15; 1Pet.3:15).
3. Don’t just vote, but pray for the leaders of all political parties. Christians can be tempted to bless the politician of their choice, and curse his or her opponent, but remember, we must pray even for our enemies (1Tim.2:1–2; Matt.5:44).
4. Don’t forget that your ultimate security is in the unshakeable kingdom of God. Many Christians often elevate the outcome of presidential elections to an apocalyptic status. If a particular presidential candidate does not win, we begin to think or act as if the world will end. In so doing, however, we express an unbelief in the active sovereignty of God over human affairs (Heb.12:26–29).
5. Don’t bring the polarization of partisan politics into the family of God. Every Christian has freedom of conscience before God, and we must guard against allowing political perspectives to divide the church (Rom.16:17; 1Cor.1:11–12).
6. Don’t demonize anyone. Every person has been created in the image of God, and Christians must not demonize or dehumanize other people, whether we agree with them politically or not (Col.3:8; James4:12).
7. Don’t engage in angry, hostile confrontation. Present your political convictions through civil debate and rational dialogue instead. Confrontational arguments demonstrate an ugly pride that demeans Jesus Christ (James1:19–20; 2Tim.2:14).
8. Don’t become so intertwined with one political party that you forfeit your independence. When you do, you lose your right to be heard and to speak and clarify biblical truth to all politicians and political parties (1Tim.3:15; Rom.3:4).
9. Don’t allow yourself to support attempts to divide races, male and female, rich and poor, or young and old. Partisan politics often divides society into voting blocks, and separates society instead of uniting it. Christians should function as peacemakers and reconcilers in the public square and should resist every temptation to join the game of dividing people for political gain (Matt.5:9; 2Cor.5:18–19).
10. Don’t simply curse the darkness, but constructively engage it. The cultural and missional mandate of kingdom Christians is not to curse the darkness in our world, but to act as illuminating light and preserving salt. We must share the light of God’s truth and work to maintain the common welfare of our nation by overcoming evil through doing good (Matt.5:13–16).
This list appeared in the Viewpoint column of the Christian Research Journal, volume 31, number 04 (2008).
John MacArthur believes he was right about his fight against "religious liberty" because he won the case in court. MacArthur believed tyranny was being committed against him because he had a right to ignore any government mandate concerning the pandemic because God was on his side. He won an $800,00 settlement in court. Leading the fight was the Thomas More Society and lawyers Jenna Ellis and Charles LiMandri. These lawyers won an $800,000 settlement from the State of California and the County of Los Angeles. It's interesting that he does not apply that same "logic" on other issues, like Roe V Wade, and all the times that losses were made in court that it wasnt considered a victory.. MacArthur is one of several mainstream pastors who are very much entrenched in Christian Nationalism.
This is disturbing:
New Apostolic Reformation = Christian Nationalism. Al Jazeera called the NAR "America's Own Taliban"
Last April, Rick Joyner, head of Morning Star Ministries in Charlotte, N.C., told Jim Bakker about a revelatory dream from 2018. Joyner urged “true disciples of Christ” to get their weapons ready because, according to Jesus, we are heading for a second American Revolution (or Civil War) in which God-ordained “militias would pop up like mushrooms.” The good news, he said, was that victory was assured.😳😳😳
1. Don’t equate the biblical kingdom of God with any human political party or nation. We must maintain the distinctiveness between God’s kingdom and the kingdoms of this world. We must never fuse the two (John18:36; Matt.6:33).
2. Don’t elevate a politician to messianic status. People often falsely think a politician can single-handedly produce supernatural social results. We have one Lord, and we must resist any attempt to exalt politicians to unrealistic heights (Matt.7:15; 1Pet.3:15).
3. Don’t just vote, but pray for the leaders of all political parties. Christians can be tempted to bless the politician of their choice, and curse his or her opponent, but remember, we must pray even for our enemies (1Tim.2:1–2; Matt.5:44).
4. Don’t forget that your ultimate security is in the unshakeable kingdom of God. Many Christians often elevate the outcome of presidential elections to an apocalyptic status. If a particular presidential candidate does not win, we begin to think or act as if the world will end. In so doing, however, we express an unbelief in the active sovereignty of God over human affairs (Heb.12:26–29).
5. Don’t bring the polarization of partisan politics into the family of God. Every Christian has freedom of conscience before God, and we must guard against allowing political perspectives to divide the church (Rom.16:17; 1Cor.1:11–12).
6. Don’t demonize anyone. Every person has been created in the image of God, and Christians must not demonize or dehumanize other people, whether we agree with them politically or not (Col.3:8; James4:12).
7. Don’t engage in angry, hostile confrontation. Present your political convictions through civil debate and rational dialogue instead. Confrontational arguments demonstrate an ugly pride that demeans Jesus Christ (James1:19–20; 2Tim.2:14).
8. Don’t become so intertwined with one political party that you forfeit your independence. When you do, you lose your right to be heard and to speak and clarify biblical truth to all politicians and political parties (1Tim.3:15; Rom.3:4).
9. Don’t allow yourself to support attempts to divide races, male and female, rich and poor, or young and old. Partisan politics often divides society into voting blocks, and separates society instead of uniting it. Christians should function as peacemakers and reconcilers in the public square and should resist every temptation to join the game of dividing people for political gain (Matt.5:9; 2Cor.5:18–19).
10. Don’t simply curse the darkness, but constructively engage it. The cultural and missional mandate of kingdom Christians is not to curse the darkness in our world, but to act as illuminating light and preserving salt. We must share the light of God’s truth and work to maintain the common welfare of our nation by overcoming evil through doing good (Matt.5:13–16).
This list appeared in the Viewpoint column of the Christian Research Journal, volume 31, number 04 (2008).
august 2021
August 28, 2021:
I have read a lot of RJ Rushdoony's books with my favorite being his "Institutes of Biblical Law." My position has changed on this considerable since when I first read them. Now when I look at his writings I see he was really encouraging a battle between Christianity and the state (government)....which is also Christian Nationalism. I was steeped into it much more than I realized. Rushdoonys organization, Chalcedon" is largely a Reconstructionest movement designed to build Gods kingdom on earth.
I have read a lot of RJ Rushdoony's books with my favorite being his "Institutes of Biblical Law." My position has changed on this considerable since when I first read them. Now when I look at his writings I see he was really encouraging a battle between Christianity and the state (government)....which is also Christian Nationalism. I was steeped into it much more than I realized. Rushdoonys organization, Chalcedon" is largely a Reconstructionest movement designed to build Gods kingdom on earth.
sept 2021
January 9, 2021:
I listened to a short video today by a preacher named Perry Stone. It was short but it caught my attention so I started listening to another one by him and it went south real quick as he started making him the subject and started making it clear that God was giving him prophetic insights that most people wouldn't understand and then going into politics and banging that Christian Nationalist gong.
I put his name in google and apparently he has a lot of sexual misconduct charges against him lately.
That would probably make sense because the "faux" in Christian Nationalist would not really have a moral compass. Which makes Trump the ultimate poster boy for Christian Nationalism.
I listened to a short video today by a preacher named Perry Stone. It was short but it caught my attention so I started listening to another one by him and it went south real quick as he started making him the subject and started making it clear that God was giving him prophetic insights that most people wouldn't understand and then going into politics and banging that Christian Nationalist gong.
I put his name in google and apparently he has a lot of sexual misconduct charges against him lately.
That would probably make sense because the "faux" in Christian Nationalist would not really have a moral compass. Which makes Trump the ultimate poster boy for Christian Nationalism.
August 10, 2021:
In Christendom, conservative humanism is no better than a liberal humanism. It's the humanism that is wrong not merely the political coloration. The First Amendment was enacted that there would be no united church of the 13 colonies and that the state would never interfere with religion. The concept of the "separation of church and state" was to keep the state out of your religion. It did not, however, forbid, religious people from being involved in government.
What is not there (and never was) is an invite for people who call themselves Christian (or any other religion) to take over the state. The Bible makes no case for that either. Even the late theologian Francis Schaffer stated "there is no place this side of the New Testament for a theocracy...there should be no theocracy til the King comes back."
Too many Christians over the span of the last few decades have bought the idea that America is Christian by foundation and gives them license to push theocratic Christianity. Today this is more commonly known in todays vernacular as Christian Nationalism. CN's claim to do it in the name of freedom of religion and "for God," but it is truly fascist and tyrannical at its very nature. ....and would likely be worse as it attempts to implement.
"Religion" per the Constitution, does not give Christianity any special designation. CNs, however, view themselves as the only protected religion and cite books or ill informed blogs or pastors that say that since America was founded as a Christian nation that only Christian religions should be protected. That idea gives them license to hate anyone from any other religion and often race.
Democracy, however, and the Constitutional protections naturally works against that notion. Pushing back against the tyrannical efforts of Christendom, Athiests and even Satanists in recent years have declared themselves religions. I am not endorsing their world view but it is tyrannical efforts by Christian themselves that created that dilemma. What they are doing now could cause unimaginable harm as the events of Jan 6 testify to.
Jesus referred to Christians as the salt of the earth. When salt is mixed with water, the salt dissolves because the covalent bonds of water are stronger than the ionic bonds in the salt molecules. So diluted Christianity eventually destroys itself. As Jesus pointed out "but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."
Christianity and the freedom thereof only works through Jesus Christ. There is no substitute for it.
In Christendom, conservative humanism is no better than a liberal humanism. It's the humanism that is wrong not merely the political coloration. The First Amendment was enacted that there would be no united church of the 13 colonies and that the state would never interfere with religion. The concept of the "separation of church and state" was to keep the state out of your religion. It did not, however, forbid, religious people from being involved in government.
What is not there (and never was) is an invite for people who call themselves Christian (or any other religion) to take over the state. The Bible makes no case for that either. Even the late theologian Francis Schaffer stated "there is no place this side of the New Testament for a theocracy...there should be no theocracy til the King comes back."
Too many Christians over the span of the last few decades have bought the idea that America is Christian by foundation and gives them license to push theocratic Christianity. Today this is more commonly known in todays vernacular as Christian Nationalism. CN's claim to do it in the name of freedom of religion and "for God," but it is truly fascist and tyrannical at its very nature. ....and would likely be worse as it attempts to implement.
"Religion" per the Constitution, does not give Christianity any special designation. CNs, however, view themselves as the only protected religion and cite books or ill informed blogs or pastors that say that since America was founded as a Christian nation that only Christian religions should be protected. That idea gives them license to hate anyone from any other religion and often race.
Democracy, however, and the Constitutional protections naturally works against that notion. Pushing back against the tyrannical efforts of Christendom, Athiests and even Satanists in recent years have declared themselves religions. I am not endorsing their world view but it is tyrannical efforts by Christian themselves that created that dilemma. What they are doing now could cause unimaginable harm as the events of Jan 6 testify to.
Jesus referred to Christians as the salt of the earth. When salt is mixed with water, the salt dissolves because the covalent bonds of water are stronger than the ionic bonds in the salt molecules. So diluted Christianity eventually destroys itself. As Jesus pointed out "but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."
Christianity and the freedom thereof only works through Jesus Christ. There is no substitute for it.
August 8, 2021
Been doing a lot of study on the subject of Christian Nationalism lately. I'm using dozens of sources and last week I had a timeline traced back to Barry Goldwater. Now I'm back to Eisenhower. I am not labeling either of them CN but things they did helped further it. There are people who probably have a timeline but it helps me to understand it better if I do it myself.
Looking at history, It's kind of inevitable that we would be where we are at. I can say that if Trump was a smart person and not such a egomaniacal narcissist we could be in a very different place today. So in a sense we should consider ourselves blessed that Trump needs psychological help. I'll call that God's grace. The danger would be someone who is smart learning from Trumps mistakes in the future. That's why the Jan 6 Commission is so important.
Trump and evangelicals used each other. Trump, who has never exhibited any fruit of being Christian, used Christians to further his agenda (himself manily)...at the same time Evangelicals...fueled by some insane propaganda they devoured which made them fearful after 8 years of Obama, grabbed on to anything they could who they thought would help further their interests and save them from "Communism". Hence, came the dangerous concoction which became Christian Nationalism. Most CN's dont know they are CN. They see their devotion to God as patriotic and believe their patriotic actions have Gods blessings as they attempt to "build God's kingdom on earth." AND they believe God is on their side. God, however, is not an American.
Early in my Christian growth I was introduced to the teachings of JR Rushdoony. If I were to list the most impactful books on my life, for many years it was "The Institutes of Biblical Law" by Rushdoony. Had God not steered me away from CN..it would have been through those teachings that I would have gone full on CN. Rushdoony was only a part of it, but, as a life long culture watcher I have seen the trends the church has taken...and most silly trends fail without doing long lasting damage. Rushdoony's teachings are part of what he called "Reconstructionist" ideology. There are similarities to Calvinism and a lot of Baptist churches share that in their foundations....particularly southern Baptists (which explained a lot of stuff I see down here on that subject). CN combines the energy we give to being patriotic and the energy we give to our Christian duties. That merge becomes a powerful dogma...dangerous...and powerful.
There is nothing wrong with being patriotic. But never is it equal with my duty as a Christian to love one another. CN's have long lists of people they hate and demonize. They claim they do not fear...but it is fear that brought them to CN in the first place. Becoming a CN gave the, an energy which repressed their fear. I have held from the beginning the idea that the covid deniers were deniers because they were motivated by fear. Anger gave them a sense of power over their fear. Still does. And that combination with the insane antics of Trump this last year brought us all to Jan 6. AND to where we are now. I am praying and studying over this all. Not sure where we are going from here... should be interesting but maybe also miraculous.
As Christians we have a responsibility: Love the Lord they God with your heart, mind and soul...and love your neighbor as yourself. Keep those tenants and it will take us all home.
On a final note, I will mention I have had many an email and message from people I have been friends, associates and affiliated with in some way who have been bothered that I have switched my "political position" (Ex GOP) and rail against their "dear leader" (aka...apparently their saviour Donald Trump). I have been called a Democrat (I am not, but I dont see it as bad....which also offends them BTW). I have been called a socialist, a person on the wrong side of "this thing", and a whole bunch of 4 letter words that also come from people who both claim to be Christian and "Constitutional Conservatives.") and I have had friends that I have known personally for many years as far back as South Dakota apparently discontinue our "friendship." And they love to throw around the word "prolife" as a weapon or point of guilt..not sure. C'est la vie. I pray for them any way. Prayer is my Christian duty. Storming the Capitol isn't
Been doing a lot of study on the subject of Christian Nationalism lately. I'm using dozens of sources and last week I had a timeline traced back to Barry Goldwater. Now I'm back to Eisenhower. I am not labeling either of them CN but things they did helped further it. There are people who probably have a timeline but it helps me to understand it better if I do it myself.
Looking at history, It's kind of inevitable that we would be where we are at. I can say that if Trump was a smart person and not such a egomaniacal narcissist we could be in a very different place today. So in a sense we should consider ourselves blessed that Trump needs psychological help. I'll call that God's grace. The danger would be someone who is smart learning from Trumps mistakes in the future. That's why the Jan 6 Commission is so important.
Trump and evangelicals used each other. Trump, who has never exhibited any fruit of being Christian, used Christians to further his agenda (himself manily)...at the same time Evangelicals...fueled by some insane propaganda they devoured which made them fearful after 8 years of Obama, grabbed on to anything they could who they thought would help further their interests and save them from "Communism". Hence, came the dangerous concoction which became Christian Nationalism. Most CN's dont know they are CN. They see their devotion to God as patriotic and believe their patriotic actions have Gods blessings as they attempt to "build God's kingdom on earth." AND they believe God is on their side. God, however, is not an American.
Early in my Christian growth I was introduced to the teachings of JR Rushdoony. If I were to list the most impactful books on my life, for many years it was "The Institutes of Biblical Law" by Rushdoony. Had God not steered me away from CN..it would have been through those teachings that I would have gone full on CN. Rushdoony was only a part of it, but, as a life long culture watcher I have seen the trends the church has taken...and most silly trends fail without doing long lasting damage. Rushdoony's teachings are part of what he called "Reconstructionist" ideology. There are similarities to Calvinism and a lot of Baptist churches share that in their foundations....particularly southern Baptists (which explained a lot of stuff I see down here on that subject). CN combines the energy we give to being patriotic and the energy we give to our Christian duties. That merge becomes a powerful dogma...dangerous...and powerful.
There is nothing wrong with being patriotic. But never is it equal with my duty as a Christian to love one another. CN's have long lists of people they hate and demonize. They claim they do not fear...but it is fear that brought them to CN in the first place. Becoming a CN gave the, an energy which repressed their fear. I have held from the beginning the idea that the covid deniers were deniers because they were motivated by fear. Anger gave them a sense of power over their fear. Still does. And that combination with the insane antics of Trump this last year brought us all to Jan 6. AND to where we are now. I am praying and studying over this all. Not sure where we are going from here... should be interesting but maybe also miraculous.
As Christians we have a responsibility: Love the Lord they God with your heart, mind and soul...and love your neighbor as yourself. Keep those tenants and it will take us all home.
On a final note, I will mention I have had many an email and message from people I have been friends, associates and affiliated with in some way who have been bothered that I have switched my "political position" (Ex GOP) and rail against their "dear leader" (aka...apparently their saviour Donald Trump). I have been called a Democrat (I am not, but I dont see it as bad....which also offends them BTW). I have been called a socialist, a person on the wrong side of "this thing", and a whole bunch of 4 letter words that also come from people who both claim to be Christian and "Constitutional Conservatives.") and I have had friends that I have known personally for many years as far back as South Dakota apparently discontinue our "friendship." And they love to throw around the word "prolife" as a weapon or point of guilt..not sure. C'est la vie. I pray for them any way. Prayer is my Christian duty. Storming the Capitol isn't
Aug 4, 2021:
👉As a book collector I was interested in buying a book written by Steve Gallagher called "Walking in Truth in a World of Lies." I had heard a couple of his teachings through Pure Life Ministries. The dueling realities we are now facing is baffling to me.
👉For an example, The other day I posted a quote by HL Mencken. (“It is the natural tendency of the ignorant to believe what is not true.”). I liked the quote and it makes sense but the odd thing about finding it was that it was posted on the profile intro of a a person who is so buried in conspiracies and Maga nonsense it will be a long time before he sees the light of day. But there's that dueling realities problem.
👉I have listened to Gallagher speak a few times and see seemed OK. He made claims he was "conservative" which made my ears perk up but he said nothing about politics. Not that I am anti-conservative but the word "conservative" also has a dual meaning with the rise of the Maga vernacular.
Since I dont really watch TV much I do have my TV set up to watch Youtube. I happened to see a series of videos by Gallagher hyping his book. He said a couple things about Trump but nothing indicating he sold his soul to him..but then he started talking about Democrats and people opposed to Trump and the wreckless socialist course they were going to take us on and other similar stuff. About there I shut it off and unsubscribed to his channel. And will skip the book. Interestingly, normally when I get a sense that I should buy a book I just do it immediately. I did look the book up ...but....I hesitated. Saved me $18. I will likely be doing some more research and study just based off the premise of the title of the book.
👉Demonizing people you disagree with is, unfortunately, the sad nature of American politics...and something I suspect there will not be a cure for any time soon...if at all. But Gallagher is presenting Christianity. I just have a real problem with Christians demonizing anyone that way. Unless it's a real demon....but I havent heard a politician or Christian make a legit case for that yet. There are such things as Christian Democrats. There are athiest Republicans. God is not a member of either party. Lots of non-Christians see Christians as very hateful. In my rightwing days I did not see it. But now its glaring.
👉Jesus never said "Go Ye unto the earth..unless they do not think like you...then judge them and demonize them and go your way." That, however, is the Maga marching orders I seem to see from Maga folks all the time. It's all part of the "Christian Nationalism Syndrome" that has taken over rational Christian thought. One of my favorite theologians, Francis Schaeffer, use to talk about man and his "escape from reason" way back in the 60s. Almost 60 years later, for many "Christians" the escape has been made. It puts people like myself in a precarious spot. How does one reach the Twilight Zone from here?
👉As a book collector I was interested in buying a book written by Steve Gallagher called "Walking in Truth in a World of Lies." I had heard a couple of his teachings through Pure Life Ministries. The dueling realities we are now facing is baffling to me.
👉For an example, The other day I posted a quote by HL Mencken. (“It is the natural tendency of the ignorant to believe what is not true.”). I liked the quote and it makes sense but the odd thing about finding it was that it was posted on the profile intro of a a person who is so buried in conspiracies and Maga nonsense it will be a long time before he sees the light of day. But there's that dueling realities problem.
👉I have listened to Gallagher speak a few times and see seemed OK. He made claims he was "conservative" which made my ears perk up but he said nothing about politics. Not that I am anti-conservative but the word "conservative" also has a dual meaning with the rise of the Maga vernacular.
Since I dont really watch TV much I do have my TV set up to watch Youtube. I happened to see a series of videos by Gallagher hyping his book. He said a couple things about Trump but nothing indicating he sold his soul to him..but then he started talking about Democrats and people opposed to Trump and the wreckless socialist course they were going to take us on and other similar stuff. About there I shut it off and unsubscribed to his channel. And will skip the book. Interestingly, normally when I get a sense that I should buy a book I just do it immediately. I did look the book up ...but....I hesitated. Saved me $18. I will likely be doing some more research and study just based off the premise of the title of the book.
👉Demonizing people you disagree with is, unfortunately, the sad nature of American politics...and something I suspect there will not be a cure for any time soon...if at all. But Gallagher is presenting Christianity. I just have a real problem with Christians demonizing anyone that way. Unless it's a real demon....but I havent heard a politician or Christian make a legit case for that yet. There are such things as Christian Democrats. There are athiest Republicans. God is not a member of either party. Lots of non-Christians see Christians as very hateful. In my rightwing days I did not see it. But now its glaring.
👉Jesus never said "Go Ye unto the earth..unless they do not think like you...then judge them and demonize them and go your way." That, however, is the Maga marching orders I seem to see from Maga folks all the time. It's all part of the "Christian Nationalism Syndrome" that has taken over rational Christian thought. One of my favorite theologians, Francis Schaeffer, use to talk about man and his "escape from reason" way back in the 60s. Almost 60 years later, for many "Christians" the escape has been made. It puts people like myself in a precarious spot. How does one reach the Twilight Zone from here?
July 21, 2021:
Ive noticed a lot of folks on social media who claim both Christianity and Nationalism love to put out the most absurd nonsense and even QAnonsense and then follow it up by posting a Bible verse. Marco Rubio is one of the most notorious ones that do it. Ted Cruz does it.
Before Cruz went off the rails for The former guy he often touted his Christian convictions. But not having any real moral convictions anymore he seems to scream out crazy stuff with a Bible verse on top. Its like an absurd scoop of ice cream with a cherry picked random Bible verse: A cherry-picked Bible verse on top of his nutty "I Screamed."
In my life as a Christian I know very well that there were times (too many times) I did something stupid then tried to justify with a Bible verse but I also know, from experience, that doing that is not a road to maturity by any means....and has no good end.
As a non Christian I self justified stupid stuff by lying about it (wasn't me") or denying I did it...all designed to make me appear better then I knew I was. I think thats why these people like Cruz and Rubio do it:
they know better and throwing out the Cherry picked Bible verse to cover the "I screamed" stuff helps them comfort their guilt.
It is also a hallmark of Trump Evangelicals. They post the most absurd stuff and then throw out a post and a Bible Verse about how God is prolife. It doesnt help their absurdities by any means. But, I suspect it maybe it helps them sleep at night believing that God is so proud of them for standing up for the "prolife" cause while pushing lies simultaneously
Ive noticed a lot of folks on social media who claim both Christianity and Nationalism love to put out the most absurd nonsense and even QAnonsense and then follow it up by posting a Bible verse. Marco Rubio is one of the most notorious ones that do it. Ted Cruz does it.
Before Cruz went off the rails for The former guy he often touted his Christian convictions. But not having any real moral convictions anymore he seems to scream out crazy stuff with a Bible verse on top. Its like an absurd scoop of ice cream with a cherry picked random Bible verse: A cherry-picked Bible verse on top of his nutty "I Screamed."
In my life as a Christian I know very well that there were times (too many times) I did something stupid then tried to justify with a Bible verse but I also know, from experience, that doing that is not a road to maturity by any means....and has no good end.
As a non Christian I self justified stupid stuff by lying about it (wasn't me") or denying I did it...all designed to make me appear better then I knew I was. I think thats why these people like Cruz and Rubio do it:
they know better and throwing out the Cherry picked Bible verse to cover the "I screamed" stuff helps them comfort their guilt.
It is also a hallmark of Trump Evangelicals. They post the most absurd stuff and then throw out a post and a Bible Verse about how God is prolife. It doesnt help their absurdities by any means. But, I suspect it maybe it helps them sleep at night believing that God is so proud of them for standing up for the "prolife" cause while pushing lies simultaneously
April 24, 2021:
👉 As one who used to espouse "Christian Nationalist" ideas unwittingly, I wish to now make it clear that the USA does protect Christians..but so does it protect every other religion.
👉"Christian Nationalism" (faux christianity) was at the forefront and a driving force of groups like the KKK. That can only come by a poor interpretation of the words of Jesus and other Biblical authors who said clearly: Love One Another. No one said "Love One Another unless they are different then me."
👉My grandparents migrated from Poland to the US in the 30s. I have foreign blood in my line as do most Americans. And the OT declares: "You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land..." And we are all strangers in the thing called life who are here but for a season. Why use that time to hate and defame anyone or everyone that does not think or look like you do?
👉Last note: the word "prolife" is batted around like its a special designation from God to Christians. But its become a meaningless political term used by political candidates to gain support. "Christian Nationalists" use it to pat themselves on the back for doing Gods work and give themselves a sense of "godliness" in their politics. Ive seen people support evil and vile candidates and sugar coat it with "prolife" language to give them some sense of "Christian" identification.
I accept the word prolife but only if it is actually applied to ALL things life:
👉gun violence (if you need an AR to hunt youre doing it wrong),
👉a pandemic (NOT "just a flu"),
along with lots of folks worldwide that used to look to the USA as a beacon.
......but now see us a fragile & maybe failing democracy. Jesus said love one another. Dont Pretend you do.
👉 As one who used to espouse "Christian Nationalist" ideas unwittingly, I wish to now make it clear that the USA does protect Christians..but so does it protect every other religion.
👉"Christian Nationalism" (faux christianity) was at the forefront and a driving force of groups like the KKK. That can only come by a poor interpretation of the words of Jesus and other Biblical authors who said clearly: Love One Another. No one said "Love One Another unless they are different then me."
👉My grandparents migrated from Poland to the US in the 30s. I have foreign blood in my line as do most Americans. And the OT declares: "You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land..." And we are all strangers in the thing called life who are here but for a season. Why use that time to hate and defame anyone or everyone that does not think or look like you do?
👉Last note: the word "prolife" is batted around like its a special designation from God to Christians. But its become a meaningless political term used by political candidates to gain support. "Christian Nationalists" use it to pat themselves on the back for doing Gods work and give themselves a sense of "godliness" in their politics. Ive seen people support evil and vile candidates and sugar coat it with "prolife" language to give them some sense of "Christian" identification.
I accept the word prolife but only if it is actually applied to ALL things life:
👉gun violence (if you need an AR to hunt youre doing it wrong),
👉a pandemic (NOT "just a flu"),
along with lots of folks worldwide that used to look to the USA as a beacon.
......but now see us a fragile & maybe failing democracy. Jesus said love one another. Dont Pretend you do.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, unless they are socialists or Democrats or evangelicals unsupportive of Maga, are in high places and we lobby against them and embrace election lies, against their powers (because they are weak and God is on our side and not theirs), and the rulers of darkness in this world whom we defeat in anyway we can to get them locked up.
-Ephesians 6:12 -American Christian Nationalist Revised Version
-Ephesians 6:12 -American Christian Nationalist Revised Version
Leslie A Hahner Files
“Christian Nationalism,” she explained, “is a set of ideological beliefs expressed by [some] white, evangelical Christians. Their beliefs champion the U.S. as a Christian nation, as one that is ordained by God. It’s often connected to, if not an outright embodiment of, ideologies of white supremacy.........Christian Dominionism is a set of beliefs and practices [that] often manifest through a smaller sect of white, evangelical Christians and some sections of Catholicism.” According to Hahner, followers of Christian Dominionism, many of whom are supporters of former Pres. Trump, believe that “God gave [them] the [United States]…and that God’s battle with Satan is currently playing out in the arena of politics and elsewhere.” In that way, she says, “Dominionism suggests that white supremacy manifests through God’s hand.”
-Leslie A Hahner; 2.14.21
-Leslie A Hahner; 2.14.21
February 5, 2021:
I saw most of Marjorie Taylor Greene's press conference. She could very well be the next Trump-swamp queen. Trump never knew much about Christianity so he didnt use the language. Greene appears to know something about it.
MTG spouted all kind of Christianese while at the same time demonizing everyone and everything that did not think like she does. Jeremiah came to mind after contemplation on her speech. “From the least to the greatest,
all are greedy for gain;
prophets and priests alike,
all practice deceit.
They dress the wound of my people
as though it were not serious.
‘Peace, peace,’ they say,
when there is no peace.” (Jer 8).
The tongue is a powerful force and when you break it down most of politics is about using and confronting that force. Today she claimed "peace" while, at the same time in the same press conference pushed back against Democrats & socialism and even the press because she didnt like being asked certain questions and pushing her red herring world views.
She is now playing the victim card after she was removed from committees and lashed out against all the Democrats and the 11 Republicans who voted to have her removed.
She may be the new Poster Child for Christian Nationalism.
I saw most of Marjorie Taylor Greene's press conference. She could very well be the next Trump-swamp queen. Trump never knew much about Christianity so he didnt use the language. Greene appears to know something about it.
MTG spouted all kind of Christianese while at the same time demonizing everyone and everything that did not think like she does. Jeremiah came to mind after contemplation on her speech. “From the least to the greatest,
all are greedy for gain;
prophets and priests alike,
all practice deceit.
They dress the wound of my people
as though it were not serious.
‘Peace, peace,’ they say,
when there is no peace.” (Jer 8).
The tongue is a powerful force and when you break it down most of politics is about using and confronting that force. Today she claimed "peace" while, at the same time in the same press conference pushed back against Democrats & socialism and even the press because she didnt like being asked certain questions and pushing her red herring world views.
She is now playing the victim card after she was removed from committees and lashed out against all the Democrats and the 11 Republicans who voted to have her removed.
She may be the new Poster Child for Christian Nationalism.
Doug Pagitt Files
This Christian nationalist fight to “save America” is far from over. In September, a poll commissioned by Politico found that 61 percent of Republican respondents supported the idea of declaring the United States a Christian nation. And an October survey from the Pew Research center found that even while political leaders are embracing the Christian nationalist label with never-before-seen fervor, more than half of all U.S. adults have not heard or read anything about Christian nationalism. An additional 16 percent claimed they didn’t know enough about the movement to take a position.
That needs to change. And that’s why this preacher gave up his pulpit for a big orange bus in the run-up to the midterms. That bus took me and other leaders from my group, Vote Common Good, from Dallas, to Grand Rapids, to Columbus to Pittsburgh, educating voters about the dangers of Christian nationalism. We were joined by hundreds of church leaders at rallies urging people of good faith and conscience to vote against candidates who stand for political violence and Christian nationalism.
In Pennsylvania, we rallied alongside Democrat Josh Shapiro — who won last Tuesday’s gubernatorial race — to denounce Mastriano’s full-fledged Christian nationalist campaign. In Columbus, a woman who has voted Republican all of her life attended one of our training sessions on how to identify and confront Christian nationalism. Afterward, she told me she is terrified by her party’s embrace of the idea.
Slowly, politicians are starting to realize the stakes. But with the 2024 elections looming, Democrats can’t afford to delay any longer — they need to call out Christian nationalism now.
As an evangelical pastor, I believe in the power of spirituality. I also believe in the power of speaking out against those who use spirituality for their own political gain, rather than the common good of all people. It’s time Democrats started making some noise. --Doug Paggit; Op-Ed in The Hill; 2.24.21
That needs to change. And that’s why this preacher gave up his pulpit for a big orange bus in the run-up to the midterms. That bus took me and other leaders from my group, Vote Common Good, from Dallas, to Grand Rapids, to Columbus to Pittsburgh, educating voters about the dangers of Christian nationalism. We were joined by hundreds of church leaders at rallies urging people of good faith and conscience to vote against candidates who stand for political violence and Christian nationalism.
In Pennsylvania, we rallied alongside Democrat Josh Shapiro — who won last Tuesday’s gubernatorial race — to denounce Mastriano’s full-fledged Christian nationalist campaign. In Columbus, a woman who has voted Republican all of her life attended one of our training sessions on how to identify and confront Christian nationalism. Afterward, she told me she is terrified by her party’s embrace of the idea.
Slowly, politicians are starting to realize the stakes. But with the 2024 elections looming, Democrats can’t afford to delay any longer — they need to call out Christian nationalism now.
As an evangelical pastor, I believe in the power of spirituality. I also believe in the power of speaking out against those who use spirituality for their own political gain, rather than the common good of all people. It’s time Democrats started making some noise. --Doug Paggit; Op-Ed in The Hill; 2.24.21
A coalition of evangelical Christian leaders is condemning the role of "radicalized Christian nationalism" in feeding the political extremism that led to the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 by supporters of former President Donald Trump.
In an open letter, more than 100 pastors, ministry and seminary leaders, and other prominent evangelicals express concern about the growing "radicalization" they're seeing, particularly among white evangelicals.
The letter notes that some members of the mob that stormed the Capitol carried Christian symbols and signs that read, "Jesus Saves," and that one of the rioters stood on the Senate rostrum and led a Christian prayer. The letter calls on other Christian leaders to take a public stand against racism, Christian nationalism, conspiracy theories and political extremism.
The letter reads, in part:
"We recognize that evangelicalism, and white evangelicalism in particular, has been susceptible to the heresy of Christian nationalism because of a long history of faith leaders accommodating white supremacy. We choose to speak out now because we do not want to be quiet accomplices in this on-going sin."
--Wyoming Public Media: Evangelical Leaders Condemn 'Radicalized Christian Nationalism' 1.24.21
In an open letter, more than 100 pastors, ministry and seminary leaders, and other prominent evangelicals express concern about the growing "radicalization" they're seeing, particularly among white evangelicals.
The letter notes that some members of the mob that stormed the Capitol carried Christian symbols and signs that read, "Jesus Saves," and that one of the rioters stood on the Senate rostrum and led a Christian prayer. The letter calls on other Christian leaders to take a public stand against racism, Christian nationalism, conspiracy theories and political extremism.
The letter reads, in part:
"We recognize that evangelicalism, and white evangelicalism in particular, has been susceptible to the heresy of Christian nationalism because of a long history of faith leaders accommodating white supremacy. We choose to speak out now because we do not want to be quiet accomplices in this on-going sin."
--Wyoming Public Media: Evangelical Leaders Condemn 'Radicalized Christian Nationalism' 1.24.21
Jan 24, 2021: Wyoming Public Media: Evangelical Leaders Condemn 'Radicalized Christian Nationalism'
A coalition of evangelical Christian leaders is condemning the role of "radicalized Christian nationalism" in feeding the political extremism that led to the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 by supporters of former President Donald Trump.
A coalition of evangelical Christian leaders is condemning the role of "radicalized Christian nationalism" in feeding the political extremism that led to the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 by supporters of former President Donald Trump.
January 13, 2021:
👉Some people are suggesting we might be seeing a civil war. I don't know that its escalated to that point yet, but the similarities are there if compared to our first Civil War.
👉The Confederacy was largely Christian Nationalists (the faux Christian belief that God and Country are same thing). It was also an insurrection of southern states. If you've paid attention to where a lot of the people involved in the Jan 6 Capitol insurrection who have been arrested were from, it is mostly from southern states.
👉Christian Nationalism was alive and well before & during the Civil War and they viewed their battle against the Northern states as their Christian duty to defend. Slavery was, to them, a Christian right. Though Slavery was a central theme, one could also argue that money was also a motivation. If they lost their slaves they would have to pay a wage to other people to do their work. I am not saying Magas are pro-slavery...but there is a strong connection with White Supremacy groups.
👉Christian Nationalism never died in the south and is now making a comeback in the Maga Movement. I am not saying all southerners are that way, but it is here amongst us (I live in Mississippi).
👉Christian Nationalism still has money as motivation somewhat as many of the Maga crowd will tell you that under Trump they made more money and are sure that under Democrats they will lose that. It is also why many of the prosperity preachers became supporters of the Magas: prosperity preachers thrive in capitalist driven countries because God is not really blessing their methods they are just playing the economy...and living off the donations of unsuspecting Christians who are actively contributing to the economy with their labor.
👉Christian Nationalism and Maga are pretty much the same thing. It is why they can be involved in a seditious move on the US Capital where Police officers were beaten and carry Christian and Confederate flags with them. They see no contradiction in their philosophies. It is why the social media Magas can suggest killing elected officials while decrying abortion simultaneously. It is why you can look at one of their FaceBook profiles and see many hateful posts about Democrats and other enemies while they mix in Bible Verse memes in between.
👉They do not see contradiction or contradictions to their contradictions. They watch only news they agree with and are otherwise uninformed about what is going on in the world or even their own country. Science means little. They have created their own reality. Whatever they do they see as God ordained and is what makes them dangerous. Donald Trump, who actually knows very little about the Bible or the Constitution (and if he did he wouldn't care). In fact, his niece, Mary Trump , says Donald Trump does not read anything. Mary Trump has not been wrong about anything she has written about her uncle but too many people didn't pay attention.
👉And now he has become their leader. To many he is actually elevated to Messiah.
👉I dont know how this is all going to end. I pray that it will end well. Sanctions against any and all, including Trump, is a good start. But it will not end the fact that they think they are doing Gods will and if you mix that with political ideology it makes you think you are the smartest person in the room. Mix that with a gun and you have a very real danger. "God, Guns & Liberty" are the battle cry of the Magas, along with Trump2020...though now they have to find flags and signs that dont include Mike Pence.
I may be adding more to this as I think about it more....or fix grammatical errors (Its hard to edit your own material😉)
👉Some people are suggesting we might be seeing a civil war. I don't know that its escalated to that point yet, but the similarities are there if compared to our first Civil War.
👉The Confederacy was largely Christian Nationalists (the faux Christian belief that God and Country are same thing). It was also an insurrection of southern states. If you've paid attention to where a lot of the people involved in the Jan 6 Capitol insurrection who have been arrested were from, it is mostly from southern states.
👉Christian Nationalism was alive and well before & during the Civil War and they viewed their battle against the Northern states as their Christian duty to defend. Slavery was, to them, a Christian right. Though Slavery was a central theme, one could also argue that money was also a motivation. If they lost their slaves they would have to pay a wage to other people to do their work. I am not saying Magas are pro-slavery...but there is a strong connection with White Supremacy groups.
👉Christian Nationalism never died in the south and is now making a comeback in the Maga Movement. I am not saying all southerners are that way, but it is here amongst us (I live in Mississippi).
👉Christian Nationalism still has money as motivation somewhat as many of the Maga crowd will tell you that under Trump they made more money and are sure that under Democrats they will lose that. It is also why many of the prosperity preachers became supporters of the Magas: prosperity preachers thrive in capitalist driven countries because God is not really blessing their methods they are just playing the economy...and living off the donations of unsuspecting Christians who are actively contributing to the economy with their labor.
👉Christian Nationalism and Maga are pretty much the same thing. It is why they can be involved in a seditious move on the US Capital where Police officers were beaten and carry Christian and Confederate flags with them. They see no contradiction in their philosophies. It is why the social media Magas can suggest killing elected officials while decrying abortion simultaneously. It is why you can look at one of their FaceBook profiles and see many hateful posts about Democrats and other enemies while they mix in Bible Verse memes in between.
👉They do not see contradiction or contradictions to their contradictions. They watch only news they agree with and are otherwise uninformed about what is going on in the world or even their own country. Science means little. They have created their own reality. Whatever they do they see as God ordained and is what makes them dangerous. Donald Trump, who actually knows very little about the Bible or the Constitution (and if he did he wouldn't care). In fact, his niece, Mary Trump , says Donald Trump does not read anything. Mary Trump has not been wrong about anything she has written about her uncle but too many people didn't pay attention.
👉And now he has become their leader. To many he is actually elevated to Messiah.
👉I dont know how this is all going to end. I pray that it will end well. Sanctions against any and all, including Trump, is a good start. But it will not end the fact that they think they are doing Gods will and if you mix that with political ideology it makes you think you are the smartest person in the room. Mix that with a gun and you have a very real danger. "God, Guns & Liberty" are the battle cry of the Magas, along with Trump2020...though now they have to find flags and signs that dont include Mike Pence.
I may be adding more to this as I think about it more....or fix grammatical errors (Its hard to edit your own material😉)
January 10, 2021:
👉God has and is using Trump to expose the stupidity and evil hearts of those who call Him Lord. "Christian Nationalism" is not of God. God demands devotion to love Him with all your heart your mind and your soul. Then to love your neighbor as yourself (even if you disagree with your neighbor).
👉The kingdom of God focuses on the advancement of the gospel. Nationalism focuses on the advancement of the politics of the nation. Politics and economics are vital and, to an extent, can represent biblical ethics. But Jesus made it clear that being committed to making disciples and seeing humanity change was more important, and a change that would be real and lasting.
👉It is also possible for a committed Christian to be a faithful witness for Jesus while serving in public life as an elected official. But anything that potentially distracts my energy and focus away from advancing the Gospel should take a backseat in my personal life and ministry.
1️⃣The kingdom of God produces loyalty to Christ above all else. Nationalism produces loyalty to the nation above all else.
2️⃣The kingdom of God produces martyrs for the cause of Christ. Nationalism produces citizens who are willing to die for their nation based simply on a political ideology.
3️⃣The kingdom of God raises the banner of Jesus above all else. Nationalism raises the national flag above all else...or based on what we saw this week, the Trump flag and even, more sadly, the Confederate flag.
4️⃣The kingdom of God promotes the interests of God above the world. Nationalism promotes the interests of the nation above the kingdom.
👉Christian Nationalism is a very dangerous dogma. When you think God is on your side and your politics is from Him...you see yourself as the smartest and the strongest person in the room. It is a dangerous faux humility.
▶️“His soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence” (Psalm 11:5). Solomon instructed us, “Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways” (Proverbs 3:31).◀️
👉God has and is using Trump to expose the stupidity and evil hearts of those who call Him Lord. "Christian Nationalism" is not of God. God demands devotion to love Him with all your heart your mind and your soul. Then to love your neighbor as yourself (even if you disagree with your neighbor).
👉The kingdom of God focuses on the advancement of the gospel. Nationalism focuses on the advancement of the politics of the nation. Politics and economics are vital and, to an extent, can represent biblical ethics. But Jesus made it clear that being committed to making disciples and seeing humanity change was more important, and a change that would be real and lasting.
👉It is also possible for a committed Christian to be a faithful witness for Jesus while serving in public life as an elected official. But anything that potentially distracts my energy and focus away from advancing the Gospel should take a backseat in my personal life and ministry.
1️⃣The kingdom of God produces loyalty to Christ above all else. Nationalism produces loyalty to the nation above all else.
2️⃣The kingdom of God produces martyrs for the cause of Christ. Nationalism produces citizens who are willing to die for their nation based simply on a political ideology.
3️⃣The kingdom of God raises the banner of Jesus above all else. Nationalism raises the national flag above all else...or based on what we saw this week, the Trump flag and even, more sadly, the Confederate flag.
4️⃣The kingdom of God promotes the interests of God above the world. Nationalism promotes the interests of the nation above the kingdom.
👉Christian Nationalism is a very dangerous dogma. When you think God is on your side and your politics is from Him...you see yourself as the smartest and the strongest person in the room. It is a dangerous faux humility.
▶️“His soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence” (Psalm 11:5). Solomon instructed us, “Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways” (Proverbs 3:31).◀️
“On the afternoon of Jan. 6, 2021, as congressional members hid from the MAGA mob running through the Capitol hallways, some of the insurrectionists made their way into the Senate Chamber. Luke Mogelson of The New Yorker captured video as rioters sorted through desks and papers in a quest for some sort of “evidence” of wrongdoing. Then in walked Jacob Chansley, nicknamed the “QAnon Shaman” for spouting conspiracy theories while wearing face paint and a fur hat with horns. After dropping a couple of f-bombs, he saw a guy with blood on himself and said, “Look at this guy. He’s covered in blood. God bless you.”
A badly-outnumbered police officer asked them to leave the Senate Chamber because “this is like the sacrediest place.” The insurrectionists ignored his plea and instead lined up behind the podium.
“Jesus Christ, we invoke your name! Amen!” one of them shouted with a hand raised upward.
Others also shouted “amen” as Chansley, suddenly inspired, added, “Let’s all say a prayer in this sacred space.” So, he set down the American flag he’d been carrying and picked up a bullhorn to pray. He started, paused for everyone to take off their Trump hats (or furry horns), and then started again.
“Thank you, Heavenly Father, for this opportunity to stand up for God-given unalienable rights,” he offered. “Thank you, Heavenly Father, for being the inspiration needed to these police officers to allow us into the building, to allow us to exercise our rights, to allow us to send a message to all the tyrants, the communists and the globalists that this is our nation, not theirs.” (Rom. 12:9). .”
~ Brian Kaylor and Beau Underwood; A Public Witness
A badly-outnumbered police officer asked them to leave the Senate Chamber because “this is like the sacrediest place.” The insurrectionists ignored his plea and instead lined up behind the podium.
“Jesus Christ, we invoke your name! Amen!” one of them shouted with a hand raised upward.
Others also shouted “amen” as Chansley, suddenly inspired, added, “Let’s all say a prayer in this sacred space.” So, he set down the American flag he’d been carrying and picked up a bullhorn to pray. He started, paused for everyone to take off their Trump hats (or furry horns), and then started again.
“Thank you, Heavenly Father, for this opportunity to stand up for God-given unalienable rights,” he offered. “Thank you, Heavenly Father, for being the inspiration needed to these police officers to allow us into the building, to allow us to exercise our rights, to allow us to send a message to all the tyrants, the communists and the globalists that this is our nation, not theirs.” (Rom. 12:9). .”
~ Brian Kaylor and Beau Underwood; A Public Witness
John D Wilsey Files
Nationalism...is the multifaceted and contested ideology that forms the vocabulary and imagination of a political community. And religion has always played an important role in the development of nationalism. Sometimes nationalism is harmful, but sometimes it is a necessary part of our collective effort at identifying ourselves and our ideals. In one sense, we are all nationalists. If we look to the Constitution as the supreme law of the land, then we are nationalists of one sort. If we look to America as a New Israel, then we are nationalists of another sort. But not all nationalisms are the same.
Elie Kedourie, a twentieth-century scholar who taught at the London School of Economics, mapped nationalism’s subtleties and complexities, particularly those introduced by the influence of religious and philosophical ideas. Kedourie wrote or edited over twenty books in his career, and Anthony Smith summarized his work on nationalism by observing that he saw three kinds of relationships between nationalism and religion. First, some nationalistic expressions are secular. Secular, revolutionary nationalism displaces and stamps out traditional religion as a partner alongside the state in securing order and social cohesion. Its key marker is its open hostility to traditional religion. This kind of nationalism is exemplified by eighteenth-century revolutionary France and twentieth-century revolutionary Russia. But even the violently secular revolutionary French and Soviets employed religious rituals, symbols, and behaviors for nationalistic purposes.
Second, some nationalistic expressions find an alliance with traditional religion. In this model, institutional religion subordinates itself to a nation in support of its political agenda. Under this kind of nationalism, acquiescent religions are subsumed into the state and become defined by the nation’s aims rather than by trans-political creedal tenets. An example of this would be the Anglican established church in England, with the monarch as the head of the church. English nationalism, especially as it was manifested in the nineteenth century, was informed by the sacred texts, images, symbols, and rites of the Anglican establishment.
We do not have to look far for examples of Christian nationalism emanating from the right. But equally troubling is the secular nationalism and state-driven civil religion that’s emerging from the left.
Third, nationalism often takes traditional religion and fashions it into a political theology. This kind of nationalism consists in a composite of theological themes that are articulated for a nationalistic agenda. For example, biblical ideas such as mission or election are borrowed from a coherent theological framework and redefined according to political goals. So in the 1840s, American manifest destiny represented a redefinition of the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19–20 from carrying the gospel of salvation in Christ to the world to extending the American Union over all North America. This third brand of nationalism takes religious doctrines and perverts them for purposes for which they were never designed, as opposed to the second brand of nationalism, in which traditional religion is not essentially redefined. Such a model seems consistent with how Andrew L. Whitehead and Samuel L. Perry define today’s Christian nationalism in their book, Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States (Oxford, 2020).
-John D Wilsey ; Public Discourse; Progressive Nationalism 2.22.22
Elie Kedourie, a twentieth-century scholar who taught at the London School of Economics, mapped nationalism’s subtleties and complexities, particularly those introduced by the influence of religious and philosophical ideas. Kedourie wrote or edited over twenty books in his career, and Anthony Smith summarized his work on nationalism by observing that he saw three kinds of relationships between nationalism and religion. First, some nationalistic expressions are secular. Secular, revolutionary nationalism displaces and stamps out traditional religion as a partner alongside the state in securing order and social cohesion. Its key marker is its open hostility to traditional religion. This kind of nationalism is exemplified by eighteenth-century revolutionary France and twentieth-century revolutionary Russia. But even the violently secular revolutionary French and Soviets employed religious rituals, symbols, and behaviors for nationalistic purposes.
Second, some nationalistic expressions find an alliance with traditional religion. In this model, institutional religion subordinates itself to a nation in support of its political agenda. Under this kind of nationalism, acquiescent religions are subsumed into the state and become defined by the nation’s aims rather than by trans-political creedal tenets. An example of this would be the Anglican established church in England, with the monarch as the head of the church. English nationalism, especially as it was manifested in the nineteenth century, was informed by the sacred texts, images, symbols, and rites of the Anglican establishment.
We do not have to look far for examples of Christian nationalism emanating from the right. But equally troubling is the secular nationalism and state-driven civil religion that’s emerging from the left.
Third, nationalism often takes traditional religion and fashions it into a political theology. This kind of nationalism consists in a composite of theological themes that are articulated for a nationalistic agenda. For example, biblical ideas such as mission or election are borrowed from a coherent theological framework and redefined according to political goals. So in the 1840s, American manifest destiny represented a redefinition of the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19–20 from carrying the gospel of salvation in Christ to the world to extending the American Union over all North America. This third brand of nationalism takes religious doctrines and perverts them for purposes for which they were never designed, as opposed to the second brand of nationalism, in which traditional religion is not essentially redefined. Such a model seems consistent with how Andrew L. Whitehead and Samuel L. Perry define today’s Christian nationalism in their book, Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States (Oxford, 2020).
-John D Wilsey ; Public Discourse; Progressive Nationalism 2.22.22
"I do not believe these are days for mincing words. I’m 63 1/2 years old & I have never seen anything in these United States of America I found more astonishingly seductive & dangerous to the saints of God than Trumpism. This Christian nationalism is not of God. Move back from it. Fellow leaders, we will be held responsible for remaining passive in this day of seduction to save our own skin while the saints we’ve been entrusted to serve are being seduced, manipulated, USED and stirred up into a lather of zeal devoid of the Holy Spirit for political gain." - Beth Moore December 2020
|
Christian nationalism is quite simply a movement that uses Christianity as an excuse for prejudice and discrimination. It disavows many of God’s teachings and solidly opposes the concept of separation of church and state. This country’s Founding Fathers specifically disavowed any connection between religion and government. 
Dec 27, 2022
|
|
January 6 Shows Us the Path to Religious Freedom is Not Christian Nationalism Auburn Senior Fellows
Christian Nationalism, General, Peace & NonviolencePolitical pundits will fine tooth comb the January 6 committee’s highly anticipated report. As faith leaders, that is not our job. Our work is to reach into the moral conscience of our country, into the core values we share. Among those is freedom and among those blessed freedoms, our much-cherished freedom of religion.
Freedom of religion thrives in a strong and vibrant democracy and ours is currently under assault by an authoritarian faction that claims to value freedom of religion—as long it’s theirs. Cloaked in the cross, white Christian Nationalists were visible and violent during the January 6 Capitol Hill insurgency against the peaceful transfer of power. They have made it abundantly clear that they are willing to take away a breathtaking range of rights in the name of their faith. That is neither religion nor is it freedom.
It is important everyone understands Christian Nationalism. Christian Nationalism twists our
constitutionally-protected freedoms toward unconstitutional ends. It falsely claims the U.S. was founded by and for certain kinds of Christians and believes it must remain that way. With cult-like characteristics, Christian Nationalists are forcing their way into our homes, bedrooms, schools, and governments. They perpetrate violence that is spilling into our houses of worship. White Christian Nationalists have massacred Sikhs, Jews, Muslims, and Christians as they prayed.
White Christian Nationalists are a very useful weapon for the MAGA movement, a tool to unravel everything from our personal safety to the guardrails of our democracy. They are being used in the battle against voting rights and in support of desperate candidates—local, state, and federal—who promise to overturn elections they lose. Pillars of power are manipulating their Christian Nationalist followers in order to hold onto the Golden Calves of power and money. That power and money does not trickle down to their followers. Their lives do not improve. Instead, leaders cultivate rage to keep them in line. As we’ve seen, sometimes that rage turns deadly.
People join extremist groups to meet needs that become pronounced in times of profound transition. Economic disparity, climate disaster, the opioid crisis, the breakdown of governance, have served as tinder for the bonfire of white Christian Nationalism, which rears its head at moments such as these, in every generation since the founding of this nation.
Christian Nationalism is not Christian. Christian values, like kindness, humility, and love of neighbor, are shouted down as to no longer be audible. Christian Nationalism is a violent and divisive problem for us all. When extremists co-opt the language of faith, it’s no wonder many are tempted to throw faith out the window. It’s easy to see democracy and society as safer and freer if religion was erased.
The answer is not to disengage from faith, but to engage deeper into the wisdom of spiritual traditions, and our nation’s guiding values. Freedom of religion was so important, the Founders enshrined it in the very first amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The First Amendment guarantees the separation of church and state. The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment prohibits government from encouraging or promoting (“establishing”) religion in any way. The Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment guarantees our freedom to worship as we choose.
The path to religious freedom is a healthy democracy. The multifaith community must work to strengthen the ties between us in pursuit of dignity and justice for all. We must take a vocal stand and call on the government to continue the January 6 investigation no matter where it leads. We must call on the government to secure voting rights because strong vibrant communities depend upon the right of every citizen to vote, no matter their religion, race, political party, or zip code. We must push for voter protections to secure the integrity of our election process. And we must be on the front line of the freedom to worship as one chooses.
If you have a relative or are part of a church caught up in white Christian Nationalism, please let them know your concerns and invite them into an honest and respectful conversation. We must do our best to reach out to those caught up in Christian Nationalism with this message: Don’t be fooled by those who seek to eradicate certain constitutional freedoms, certain votes, and certain values. You are already next.
-Lisa Sharon Harper, President and Founder, Freedom Road
Author of Fortune: How Race Broke My Family And The World—And How To Repair It All
-Rev. Jen Butler, Founder, Faith in Public Life
Author of Who Stole My Bible: Reclaiming Scripture as a Handbook for resisting Tyranny
-Brian D. McLaren, Author, teacher with Center for Action and Contemplation
-Sr. Simone Campbell, SSS, Co-Founder, Understanding US
Author of Hunger for Hope
-The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, IX Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire, The Episcopal Church
Stosh Cotler, Former CEO, Bend the Arc Jewish Action
-Valarie Kaur, Sikh American activist, Executive Director of Revolutionary Love Project
Author of See No Stranger
-Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, Public theologian; Senior Minister, Middle Collegiate Church
Author of Fierce Love
-Otis Moss, III, Senior Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ
CEO Unashamed Media
-Wajahat Ali, Writer, commentator, Daily Beast columnist
Author of Go Back to Where You Came From
-Rev. angel Kyodo williams, Senior Zen Priest; Founder, Transformative Change
Author of Radical Dharma: Talking Race, Love and Liberation
-Linda Sarsour, Executive Director, MPower Change
Author, We Are Not Here to be Bystanders
-Rev. Michael-Ray Mathews, Faith in Action Host, Prophetic Podcast
-Rabbi Sharon Brous, Senior Rabbi, IKAR
-Rev. Dr. Peter Goodwin Heltzel, Public Theologian, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Author, Resurrection City: A Theology of Improvisation
-Rev. Traci D. Blackmon, Associate General Minister, Justice & Local Church Ministries, United Church of Christ
-Rabbi Stephanie Kolin, Congregation Beth Elohim
-Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan-Simpson, President, Auburn Seminary
About the authors:
The Auburn Senior Fellows represent six religions and many Christian denominations, dozens of organizations, and pulpits with global reach; the fellowship convened by Auburn Seminary in New York City.
Christian Nationalism, General, Peace & NonviolencePolitical pundits will fine tooth comb the January 6 committee’s highly anticipated report. As faith leaders, that is not our job. Our work is to reach into the moral conscience of our country, into the core values we share. Among those is freedom and among those blessed freedoms, our much-cherished freedom of religion.
Freedom of religion thrives in a strong and vibrant democracy and ours is currently under assault by an authoritarian faction that claims to value freedom of religion—as long it’s theirs. Cloaked in the cross, white Christian Nationalists were visible and violent during the January 6 Capitol Hill insurgency against the peaceful transfer of power. They have made it abundantly clear that they are willing to take away a breathtaking range of rights in the name of their faith. That is neither religion nor is it freedom.
It is important everyone understands Christian Nationalism. Christian Nationalism twists our
constitutionally-protected freedoms toward unconstitutional ends. It falsely claims the U.S. was founded by and for certain kinds of Christians and believes it must remain that way. With cult-like characteristics, Christian Nationalists are forcing their way into our homes, bedrooms, schools, and governments. They perpetrate violence that is spilling into our houses of worship. White Christian Nationalists have massacred Sikhs, Jews, Muslims, and Christians as they prayed.
White Christian Nationalists are a very useful weapon for the MAGA movement, a tool to unravel everything from our personal safety to the guardrails of our democracy. They are being used in the battle against voting rights and in support of desperate candidates—local, state, and federal—who promise to overturn elections they lose. Pillars of power are manipulating their Christian Nationalist followers in order to hold onto the Golden Calves of power and money. That power and money does not trickle down to their followers. Their lives do not improve. Instead, leaders cultivate rage to keep them in line. As we’ve seen, sometimes that rage turns deadly.
People join extremist groups to meet needs that become pronounced in times of profound transition. Economic disparity, climate disaster, the opioid crisis, the breakdown of governance, have served as tinder for the bonfire of white Christian Nationalism, which rears its head at moments such as these, in every generation since the founding of this nation.
Christian Nationalism is not Christian. Christian values, like kindness, humility, and love of neighbor, are shouted down as to no longer be audible. Christian Nationalism is a violent and divisive problem for us all. When extremists co-opt the language of faith, it’s no wonder many are tempted to throw faith out the window. It’s easy to see democracy and society as safer and freer if religion was erased.
The answer is not to disengage from faith, but to engage deeper into the wisdom of spiritual traditions, and our nation’s guiding values. Freedom of religion was so important, the Founders enshrined it in the very first amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The First Amendment guarantees the separation of church and state. The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment prohibits government from encouraging or promoting (“establishing”) religion in any way. The Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment guarantees our freedom to worship as we choose.
The path to religious freedom is a healthy democracy. The multifaith community must work to strengthen the ties between us in pursuit of dignity and justice for all. We must take a vocal stand and call on the government to continue the January 6 investigation no matter where it leads. We must call on the government to secure voting rights because strong vibrant communities depend upon the right of every citizen to vote, no matter their religion, race, political party, or zip code. We must push for voter protections to secure the integrity of our election process. And we must be on the front line of the freedom to worship as one chooses.
If you have a relative or are part of a church caught up in white Christian Nationalism, please let them know your concerns and invite them into an honest and respectful conversation. We must do our best to reach out to those caught up in Christian Nationalism with this message: Don’t be fooled by those who seek to eradicate certain constitutional freedoms, certain votes, and certain values. You are already next.
-Lisa Sharon Harper, President and Founder, Freedom Road
Author of Fortune: How Race Broke My Family And The World—And How To Repair It All
-Rev. Jen Butler, Founder, Faith in Public Life
Author of Who Stole My Bible: Reclaiming Scripture as a Handbook for resisting Tyranny
-Brian D. McLaren, Author, teacher with Center for Action and Contemplation
-Sr. Simone Campbell, SSS, Co-Founder, Understanding US
Author of Hunger for Hope
-The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, IX Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire, The Episcopal Church
Stosh Cotler, Former CEO, Bend the Arc Jewish Action
-Valarie Kaur, Sikh American activist, Executive Director of Revolutionary Love Project
Author of See No Stranger
-Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, Public theologian; Senior Minister, Middle Collegiate Church
Author of Fierce Love
-Otis Moss, III, Senior Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ
CEO Unashamed Media
-Wajahat Ali, Writer, commentator, Daily Beast columnist
Author of Go Back to Where You Came From
-Rev. angel Kyodo williams, Senior Zen Priest; Founder, Transformative Change
Author of Radical Dharma: Talking Race, Love and Liberation
-Linda Sarsour, Executive Director, MPower Change
Author, We Are Not Here to be Bystanders
-Rev. Michael-Ray Mathews, Faith in Action Host, Prophetic Podcast
-Rabbi Sharon Brous, Senior Rabbi, IKAR
-Rev. Dr. Peter Goodwin Heltzel, Public Theologian, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Author, Resurrection City: A Theology of Improvisation
-Rev. Traci D. Blackmon, Associate General Minister, Justice & Local Church Ministries, United Church of Christ
-Rabbi Stephanie Kolin, Congregation Beth Elohim
-Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan-Simpson, President, Auburn Seminary
About the authors:
The Auburn Senior Fellows represent six religions and many Christian denominations, dozens of organizations, and pulpits with global reach; the fellowship convened by Auburn Seminary in New York City.
2020
SO WHAT DID PENCE SAY?Here’s the full quote from Pence’s speech that has people talking:
“Let’s run the race marked out for us. Let’s fix our eyes on Old Glory and all she represents. Let’s fix our eyes on this land of heroes and let their courage inspire. And let’s fix our eyes on the author and perfecter of our faith and freedom and never forget that where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom — and that means freedom always wins.”
THAT SEEMS VAGUELY FAMILIARThat may be because Pence references two different Bible verses in his remarks.
One is 2 Corinthians 3:17, which according to the New International Version translation reads, “Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
The other is Hebrews 12:1-2, the version of which he quoted most closely resembling the translation in the Berean Study Bible, with some notable changes.
That passage reads:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
WHAT DID HE CHANGE?First, Pence substituted “Old Glory” for “Jesus.” He took a similar approach in the next line, inserting an additional line: “Let’s fix our eyes on this land of heroes and let their courage inspire,” before returning to the biblical text.
He also described Jesus (or Old Glory, as the case may be) as “the author and perfecter of our faith and freedom,” adding the words “and freedom,” which do not appear in the Hebrews passage.
The inserted lines appeared to be references to the context Pence chose for his speech: The vice president delivered his address from Fort McHenry, where an 1814 battle inspired the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and he was speaking on the third night of the RNC, when the theme was “Land of Heroes.”
-Emily McFarlan Miller and Jack Jenkins; Christian headlines; Citing Scripture, Pence Switches out Jesus for the American Flag in Convention Speech 8.28.20
“Let’s run the race marked out for us. Let’s fix our eyes on Old Glory and all she represents. Let’s fix our eyes on this land of heroes and let their courage inspire. And let’s fix our eyes on the author and perfecter of our faith and freedom and never forget that where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom — and that means freedom always wins.”
THAT SEEMS VAGUELY FAMILIARThat may be because Pence references two different Bible verses in his remarks.
One is 2 Corinthians 3:17, which according to the New International Version translation reads, “Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
The other is Hebrews 12:1-2, the version of which he quoted most closely resembling the translation in the Berean Study Bible, with some notable changes.
That passage reads:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
WHAT DID HE CHANGE?First, Pence substituted “Old Glory” for “Jesus.” He took a similar approach in the next line, inserting an additional line: “Let’s fix our eyes on this land of heroes and let their courage inspire,” before returning to the biblical text.
He also described Jesus (or Old Glory, as the case may be) as “the author and perfecter of our faith and freedom,” adding the words “and freedom,” which do not appear in the Hebrews passage.
The inserted lines appeared to be references to the context Pence chose for his speech: The vice president delivered his address from Fort McHenry, where an 1814 battle inspired the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and he was speaking on the third night of the RNC, when the theme was “Land of Heroes.”
-Emily McFarlan Miller and Jack Jenkins; Christian headlines; Citing Scripture, Pence Switches out Jesus for the American Flag in Convention Speech 8.28.20
2007
Steve Gallagher Files
"As saints (literally 'called out ones') we are to live as "strangers and pilgrims on the earth." (Hebrews 11:13). We are to 'keep seeking the things above" (Colossians 3:1), 'for our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 3:20). True conversion results in a translation from the 'domain of darkness' into the 'kingdom of His beloved Son." (Colossians 1:13). When a man is saved out of darkness and into dominion of Light, and 'what fellowship has light with darkness?" (II Cor 6:14).
Paul told the Ephesians, "You were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light." (Eph 5:8). Our distinction in the world is supposed to be that we are light, which is frequently contrasted in the Bible with "the darkness of this world." Eph 6:12). So when does their Lifestyle of the American Christian offer little, if any, distinction from the lifestyle of the rest of the American population? If one is light and the other darkness, why is it nearly impossible to tell them apart?
The answer is a phenomenon that has become a hallmark of the evangelical movement; they are Americans first and Christians second. American Evangelicals have created a church subculture, and even a gospel, that suits their entertainment-driven and prosperity-laden lifestyles, and in doing so have introduced their own sanctified brand of the American dream. How many Christians that you know live just as much for the weekend as the rest of their unsaved coworkers? How many worldly fashions and in just as much debt while endeavoring to fill their houses full of all the same adult toys?
The heart of a person who has grown up in these kinds of environment is fertile ground for sexual sin. Consider what THE Lord said when He revealed the root of Sodom's sins:
Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. Thus, they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore, I removed them when I saw it."(Ezekiel 16:49-54)
This passage exposes the indulgent lifestyle that precipitated the gross immorality that became their hallmark. Their prosperity allowed them to pursue comfort and pleasure as the overriding concerns of life. Rather than meeting the needs of the poor, they lived for themselves. Eventually sexual sin overran their culture."
--Steve Gallagher; At The Idol of Sexual Idolatry [c]2007
Paul told the Ephesians, "You were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light." (Eph 5:8). Our distinction in the world is supposed to be that we are light, which is frequently contrasted in the Bible with "the darkness of this world." Eph 6:12). So when does their Lifestyle of the American Christian offer little, if any, distinction from the lifestyle of the rest of the American population? If one is light and the other darkness, why is it nearly impossible to tell them apart?
The answer is a phenomenon that has become a hallmark of the evangelical movement; they are Americans first and Christians second. American Evangelicals have created a church subculture, and even a gospel, that suits their entertainment-driven and prosperity-laden lifestyles, and in doing so have introduced their own sanctified brand of the American dream. How many Christians that you know live just as much for the weekend as the rest of their unsaved coworkers? How many worldly fashions and in just as much debt while endeavoring to fill their houses full of all the same adult toys?
The heart of a person who has grown up in these kinds of environment is fertile ground for sexual sin. Consider what THE Lord said when He revealed the root of Sodom's sins:
Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. Thus, they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore, I removed them when I saw it."(Ezekiel 16:49-54)
This passage exposes the indulgent lifestyle that precipitated the gross immorality that became their hallmark. Their prosperity allowed them to pursue comfort and pleasure as the overriding concerns of life. Rather than meeting the needs of the poor, they lived for themselves. Eventually sexual sin overran their culture."
--Steve Gallagher; At The Idol of Sexual Idolatry [c]2007
pre-2007
Words of Founders, Baptists and Others about Church and State Early Baptists:
"An enforced uniformity of religion throughout a nation or civil state, confounds the civil and religious, denies the principles of Christianity and civility, and that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh."
--Roger Williams (founder of First Baptist Church in America), The Bloody Tenet of Persecution (1640).
"When they [the Church] have opened a gap in the hedge or wall of separation between the garden of the church and the wilderness of the world, God hath ever broke down the wall itself, removed the Candlestick, etc., and made His Garden a wilderness as it is this day. And that therefore if He will ever please to restore His garden and Paradise again, it must of necessity be walled in peculiarly unto Himself from the world, and all that be saved out of the world are to be transplanted out of the wilderness of the World."
--Roger Williams, "Mr. Cotton's Letter Lately Printed, Examined and Answered," The Complete Writings of Roger Williams, Vol. 1, 108 (1644).
"Religious matters are to be separated from the jurisdiction of the state, not because they are beneath the interests of the state but, quite to the contrary, because they are too high and holy and thus are beyond the competence of the state."
--Isaac Backus, colonial Baptist from New England, An Appeal to the Public for Religious Liberty (1773).
"The notion of a Christian commonwealth should be exploded forever. ... Government should protect every man in thinking and speaking freely, and see that one does not abuse another. The liberty I contend for is more than toleration. The very idea of toleration is despicable; it supposes that some have a pre-eminence above the rest to grant indulgence, whereas all should be equally free, Jews, Turks, Pagans and Christians." --John Leland, "A Chronicle of His Time in Virginia," as cited in Forrest Church, The Separation of Church and State, 92 (2004).
The Church ought to be regarded as "a complete republic of itself, not to be controlled by civil government..." --John Leland, colonial Baptist from Virginia, "Christocracy," The Writings of the Late Elder John Leland, 278 (cited in Rogers, Traditions of Church-State Separation:..., The Journal of Law & Politics, Vol. XVIII, no. 1, 277-321).
"Experience...has informed us that the fondness of magistrates to foster Christianity has done it more harm than all the persecutions ever did." --John Leland, quoted in Gaustad, A Disestablished Society: Origins of the First Amendment, vol. 11, A Journal of Church and State (1969), 414.
"These establishments metamorphose the church into a creature, and religion into a principle of state, which has a natural tendency to make men conclude that Bible religion is nothing but a trick of state."
-- John Leland, Right of Conscience Inalienable, and Therefore, Religious Opinions Not Cognizable By The Law.
"Truth disdains the aid of law for its defense--it will stand upon its own merits."
--John Leland, Right of Conscience Inalienable, and Therefore, Religious Opinions Not Cognizable By The Law.
"I esteem it above all things necessary to distinguish exactly the business of civil government from that of religion and to settle the just bounds that lie between the one and the other."
--John Locke, A Letter Concerning Toleration, 1689.
"Persecution is not an original feature in any religion; but is always the strongly marked feature of all...religions established by law. Take away the law-establishment, and every religion re-assumes its original benignity." --Thomas Paine, The Rights of Man, 1791.
The constitutional provision to ban a religious test for public office is "a provision the world would expect from you in the establishment of a System founded on Republican principles in an age so liberal and enlightened as the present."
--Charles Pinckney, delegate to the Constitutional Convention from South Carolina, quoted in Stokes and
Pfeffer, Church and State in the United States, 485.
"The rights of conscience are a peculiar delicacy and will little bear the gentlest touch of government's hand."
--Daniel Carroll, delegate from Maryland to the First Congress, 1 ANNALS OF CONG. 757-58 J. Gales ed., 1834 (August 15, 1789).
"[I]f I could now conceive that the general government might ever be so administered as to render the liberty of conscience insecure, I beg you will be persuaded, that no one would be more zealous than myself to establish effectual barriers against the horrors of spiritual tyranny, and every species of religious persecution. ...[E]very man, conducting himself as a good citizen, and being accountable to God alone for his religious opinions, ought to be protected in worshipping the Deity according to the dictates of his own conscience."
--George Washington, letter to the United Baptist Church's General Committee, May, 1789, cited in Forest Church, ed., The Separation of Church and State, 106.
“We should begin by setting conscience free. When all men of all religions…shall enjoy equal liberty, property, and an equal chance for honors and power…we may expect that improvements will be made in the human character and the state of society.”
--John Adams, Letter to Dr. Price, April 8, 1785.
“…the government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.” ---Treaty of Tripoli, 1797, ratified and signed by John Adams, cited in The Works of John Adams (Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1856), volume IX, 636.
“I am for freedom of religion and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendancy of one sect over another.” --President Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Elbridge Gerry, January 26, 1799.
“I contemplate with sovereign reverence the act of the Whole American people which declared that their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.” --Thomas Jefferson, 1802 letter to Danbury Connecticut Baptist Association.
[T]o compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical.”
--Thomas Jefferson, A bill for the Establishing of Religious Freedom.
“Certainly, no power to prescribe any religious exercise, or to assume authority in religious discipline, has been delegated to the General Government.”
--President Thomas Jefferson, Letter to the Rev. Samuel Miller, January 23, 1808.
“The Religion of every man must be left to the conviction and conscience of every man; and it is the right of every man to exercise it as these may dictate…It is the duty of everyman to render to the Creator such homage…as he believes to be acceptable to him. The duty is precedent, both in order of time and in degree of obligation, to the claims of Civil Society…We maintain therefore that in matters of Religion, no Man’s right is abridged by the institution of Civil Society and that Religion is wholly exempt from its cognizance.”
--James Madison, A Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments, (1785).
“While we assert for ourselves a freedom to embrace, to profess and to observe the Religion which we believe to be of divine origin, we cannot deny an equal freedom to those whose minds have not yet yielded to the evidence which has convinced us.”
--James Madison, A Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments, (1785).
“Because the establishment proposed by the Bill is not requisite for the support of the Christian Religion. To say that it is, is a contradiction to the Christian Religion itself, for every page of it disavows a dependence on the powers of this world…”
--James Madison, A Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments, (1785).
“Whilst the number, the industry, and the morality of the Priesthood, & the devotion of the people have been manifestly increased by the total separation of the Church and the State.”
--James Madison, letter to Robert Walsh, 1819 in Gaillard Hunt, ed. The Writings of James Madison, v. VIII, 431-432.
“Religion flourishes in greater purity without than with the aid of government.”
--President James Madison, Letter to Edward Livingston, July 10, 1822.
“The amendment was discussed, and rejected, the opponents of the amendment having turned the feeling as well as judgment of the House [against] it by successfully contending that the better proof of reverence for that holy name [would] be not to profane it by making it a topic of legal discussion.”
--James Madison, on a provision to introduce Jesus Christ into a bill, undated memorandum, cited in Forrest Church, ed., The Separation of Church and State, 136.
“Every new and successful example of a perfect separation between ecclesiastical and civil matters is of importance.”
--President James Madison, Letter to Edward Livingston, July 10, 1822.
“When religion is good, I conceive it will support itself; and when it does not support itself, and God does not take care to support it so that its professors are obliged to call for the help of the civil power, it is a sign, I apprehend, of its being a bad one.”
--Benjamin Franklin, cited in Anson Phelps Stokes, Church and State in the United States (New York: Harper, 1950), vol. I, 298.
“Civil liberty can be established on no foundation of human reason which will not at the same time demonstrate the right to religious freedom.”
--President John Quincy Adams, Letter to Richard Anderson, May 27, 1823.
Various Presidential Affirmations of Religious Liberty
“It is my firm belief that there should be separation of church and state as we understand it in the United States—that is, that both church and state should be free to operate, without interference from each other in their respective areas of jurisdiction. We live in a liberal, democratic society which embraces wide varieties of belief and disbelief. There is no doubt in my mind that the pluralism which has developed under our Constitution, providing as it does a framework within which diverse opinions can exist side by side and by their interaction enrich the whole, is the most ideal system yet devised by man. I cannot conceive of a set of circumstances which would lead me to a different conclusion.”
--John F. Kennedy, in a letter to Glenn L. Archer, February 23, 1959.
“I believe in the American tradition of separation of church and state which is expressed in the First Amendment to the Constitution. By my office—and by personal conviction—I am sworn to uphold that tradition.”
--President Lyndon B. Johnson, interview, Baptist Standard, October 1964.
“The divorce between church and state should be absolute.”
--President James Garfield, quoted in Paul Blanshard, God and Man in Washington (Boston: Beacon Press, 1960), 226.
“I have a deep belief that the First Amendment separation between church and state is what guarantees the religious freedom of all people.”
--President Bill Clinton, campaign address, South Bend, Ind., September 1992.
“I believe in the separation of church and state and would not use my authority to violate this principle in any way.”
--President Jimmy Carter, Letter to Jack V. Harwell, August 11, 1977, Box RM1, White House Central Files, Jimmy Carter Library.
“The government ought to stay out of the prayer business.”
--President Jimmy Carter, press conference, Washington, D.C., 1979.
“Thank God, under our Constitution there was no connection between Church and State.”
--President James Knox Polk, in George Seldes, The Great Quotations, (New York: Lyle Stuart, 1960), 169.
(On the interference of government with religion and vice versa) “We believe that the cause of good government and the cause of religion suffer by all such interference.”
--Rutherford B. Hayes, statement as governor of Ohio, 1875.
“I am tolerant of all creeds. Yet if any sect suffered itself to be used for political objects I would meet it by political opposition. In my view church and state should be separate, not only in form, but fact. Religion and politics should not be mingled.”
--President Millard Fillmore, Address during 1856 presidential election in Robert J. Rayback, Millard Fillmore (Buffalo, N.Y.: Henry Stewart, Inc., 1959), 407.
“Religion is a difficult matter to handle politically.”
--President Herbert Hoover, quoted in Carl Sferazza Anthony, America’s First Families (New York: Touchstone Books, 2000), 217.
Other Public Figures
“All religions united with government are more or less inimical to liberty. All, separated from government, are compatible with liberty.”
--Henry Clay, address, U.S. House of Representatives, March 24, 1818.
“The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool.”
--Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength to Love (Harper & Row, 1963).
“It would disturb me if there was a wedding between the religious fundamentalists and the political right. The hard right has no interest in religion except to manipulate it.”
--Billy Graham, Parade (February 1, 1981).
“We will be a better country when each religious group can trust its members to obey the dictates of their own religious faith without assistance from the legal structure of the country.”
--Margaret Mead, anthropologist, Redbook magazine (February 1985).
Judicial Interpretation of First Amendment
“Jefferson’s use of the term “wall of separation between church and state” may be accepted almost as an authoritative declaration of the scope and effect of the amendment thus secured.”
--Reynolds v. United States (1878), 98 U.S. 145 at 164.
“The very purpose of the Bill of Rights was to withdraw certain subjects from the vicissitudes of political controversy, to place them beyond the reach of majorities and officials and to establish them as legal principles to be applied by the courts. One’s right to life, liberty, and property, to free speech, a free press, freedom of worship and assembly, and other fundamental rights may not be submitted to vote; they depend on the outcome of no elections.”
West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624, 638 (1943).
Denominational Acceptance
“Church and state should be separate. The states owe to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends…The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal.”
--1963 Southern Baptist Convention Annual 269-281, Article XVII “Religious Liberty.”
"An enforced uniformity of religion throughout a nation or civil state, confounds the civil and religious, denies the principles of Christianity and civility, and that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh."
--Roger Williams (founder of First Baptist Church in America), The Bloody Tenet of Persecution (1640).
"When they [the Church] have opened a gap in the hedge or wall of separation between the garden of the church and the wilderness of the world, God hath ever broke down the wall itself, removed the Candlestick, etc., and made His Garden a wilderness as it is this day. And that therefore if He will ever please to restore His garden and Paradise again, it must of necessity be walled in peculiarly unto Himself from the world, and all that be saved out of the world are to be transplanted out of the wilderness of the World."
--Roger Williams, "Mr. Cotton's Letter Lately Printed, Examined and Answered," The Complete Writings of Roger Williams, Vol. 1, 108 (1644).
"Religious matters are to be separated from the jurisdiction of the state, not because they are beneath the interests of the state but, quite to the contrary, because they are too high and holy and thus are beyond the competence of the state."
--Isaac Backus, colonial Baptist from New England, An Appeal to the Public for Religious Liberty (1773).
"The notion of a Christian commonwealth should be exploded forever. ... Government should protect every man in thinking and speaking freely, and see that one does not abuse another. The liberty I contend for is more than toleration. The very idea of toleration is despicable; it supposes that some have a pre-eminence above the rest to grant indulgence, whereas all should be equally free, Jews, Turks, Pagans and Christians." --John Leland, "A Chronicle of His Time in Virginia," as cited in Forrest Church, The Separation of Church and State, 92 (2004).
The Church ought to be regarded as "a complete republic of itself, not to be controlled by civil government..." --John Leland, colonial Baptist from Virginia, "Christocracy," The Writings of the Late Elder John Leland, 278 (cited in Rogers, Traditions of Church-State Separation:..., The Journal of Law & Politics, Vol. XVIII, no. 1, 277-321).
"Experience...has informed us that the fondness of magistrates to foster Christianity has done it more harm than all the persecutions ever did." --John Leland, quoted in Gaustad, A Disestablished Society: Origins of the First Amendment, vol. 11, A Journal of Church and State (1969), 414.
"These establishments metamorphose the church into a creature, and religion into a principle of state, which has a natural tendency to make men conclude that Bible religion is nothing but a trick of state."
-- John Leland, Right of Conscience Inalienable, and Therefore, Religious Opinions Not Cognizable By The Law.
"Truth disdains the aid of law for its defense--it will stand upon its own merits."
--John Leland, Right of Conscience Inalienable, and Therefore, Religious Opinions Not Cognizable By The Law.
"I esteem it above all things necessary to distinguish exactly the business of civil government from that of religion and to settle the just bounds that lie between the one and the other."
--John Locke, A Letter Concerning Toleration, 1689.
"Persecution is not an original feature in any religion; but is always the strongly marked feature of all...religions established by law. Take away the law-establishment, and every religion re-assumes its original benignity." --Thomas Paine, The Rights of Man, 1791.
The constitutional provision to ban a religious test for public office is "a provision the world would expect from you in the establishment of a System founded on Republican principles in an age so liberal and enlightened as the present."
--Charles Pinckney, delegate to the Constitutional Convention from South Carolina, quoted in Stokes and
Pfeffer, Church and State in the United States, 485.
"The rights of conscience are a peculiar delicacy and will little bear the gentlest touch of government's hand."
--Daniel Carroll, delegate from Maryland to the First Congress, 1 ANNALS OF CONG. 757-58 J. Gales ed., 1834 (August 15, 1789).
"[I]f I could now conceive that the general government might ever be so administered as to render the liberty of conscience insecure, I beg you will be persuaded, that no one would be more zealous than myself to establish effectual barriers against the horrors of spiritual tyranny, and every species of religious persecution. ...[E]very man, conducting himself as a good citizen, and being accountable to God alone for his religious opinions, ought to be protected in worshipping the Deity according to the dictates of his own conscience."
--George Washington, letter to the United Baptist Church's General Committee, May, 1789, cited in Forest Church, ed., The Separation of Church and State, 106.
“We should begin by setting conscience free. When all men of all religions…shall enjoy equal liberty, property, and an equal chance for honors and power…we may expect that improvements will be made in the human character and the state of society.”
--John Adams, Letter to Dr. Price, April 8, 1785.
“…the government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.” ---Treaty of Tripoli, 1797, ratified and signed by John Adams, cited in The Works of John Adams (Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1856), volume IX, 636.
“I am for freedom of religion and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendancy of one sect over another.” --President Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Elbridge Gerry, January 26, 1799.
“I contemplate with sovereign reverence the act of the Whole American people which declared that their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.” --Thomas Jefferson, 1802 letter to Danbury Connecticut Baptist Association.
[T]o compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical.”
--Thomas Jefferson, A bill for the Establishing of Religious Freedom.
“Certainly, no power to prescribe any religious exercise, or to assume authority in religious discipline, has been delegated to the General Government.”
--President Thomas Jefferson, Letter to the Rev. Samuel Miller, January 23, 1808.
“The Religion of every man must be left to the conviction and conscience of every man; and it is the right of every man to exercise it as these may dictate…It is the duty of everyman to render to the Creator such homage…as he believes to be acceptable to him. The duty is precedent, both in order of time and in degree of obligation, to the claims of Civil Society…We maintain therefore that in matters of Religion, no Man’s right is abridged by the institution of Civil Society and that Religion is wholly exempt from its cognizance.”
--James Madison, A Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments, (1785).
“While we assert for ourselves a freedom to embrace, to profess and to observe the Religion which we believe to be of divine origin, we cannot deny an equal freedom to those whose minds have not yet yielded to the evidence which has convinced us.”
--James Madison, A Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments, (1785).
“Because the establishment proposed by the Bill is not requisite for the support of the Christian Religion. To say that it is, is a contradiction to the Christian Religion itself, for every page of it disavows a dependence on the powers of this world…”
--James Madison, A Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments, (1785).
“Whilst the number, the industry, and the morality of the Priesthood, & the devotion of the people have been manifestly increased by the total separation of the Church and the State.”
--James Madison, letter to Robert Walsh, 1819 in Gaillard Hunt, ed. The Writings of James Madison, v. VIII, 431-432.
“Religion flourishes in greater purity without than with the aid of government.”
--President James Madison, Letter to Edward Livingston, July 10, 1822.
“The amendment was discussed, and rejected, the opponents of the amendment having turned the feeling as well as judgment of the House [against] it by successfully contending that the better proof of reverence for that holy name [would] be not to profane it by making it a topic of legal discussion.”
--James Madison, on a provision to introduce Jesus Christ into a bill, undated memorandum, cited in Forrest Church, ed., The Separation of Church and State, 136.
“Every new and successful example of a perfect separation between ecclesiastical and civil matters is of importance.”
--President James Madison, Letter to Edward Livingston, July 10, 1822.
“When religion is good, I conceive it will support itself; and when it does not support itself, and God does not take care to support it so that its professors are obliged to call for the help of the civil power, it is a sign, I apprehend, of its being a bad one.”
--Benjamin Franklin, cited in Anson Phelps Stokes, Church and State in the United States (New York: Harper, 1950), vol. I, 298.
“Civil liberty can be established on no foundation of human reason which will not at the same time demonstrate the right to religious freedom.”
--President John Quincy Adams, Letter to Richard Anderson, May 27, 1823.
Various Presidential Affirmations of Religious Liberty
“It is my firm belief that there should be separation of church and state as we understand it in the United States—that is, that both church and state should be free to operate, without interference from each other in their respective areas of jurisdiction. We live in a liberal, democratic society which embraces wide varieties of belief and disbelief. There is no doubt in my mind that the pluralism which has developed under our Constitution, providing as it does a framework within which diverse opinions can exist side by side and by their interaction enrich the whole, is the most ideal system yet devised by man. I cannot conceive of a set of circumstances which would lead me to a different conclusion.”
--John F. Kennedy, in a letter to Glenn L. Archer, February 23, 1959.
“I believe in the American tradition of separation of church and state which is expressed in the First Amendment to the Constitution. By my office—and by personal conviction—I am sworn to uphold that tradition.”
--President Lyndon B. Johnson, interview, Baptist Standard, October 1964.
“The divorce between church and state should be absolute.”
--President James Garfield, quoted in Paul Blanshard, God and Man in Washington (Boston: Beacon Press, 1960), 226.
“I have a deep belief that the First Amendment separation between church and state is what guarantees the religious freedom of all people.”
--President Bill Clinton, campaign address, South Bend, Ind., September 1992.
“I believe in the separation of church and state and would not use my authority to violate this principle in any way.”
--President Jimmy Carter, Letter to Jack V. Harwell, August 11, 1977, Box RM1, White House Central Files, Jimmy Carter Library.
“The government ought to stay out of the prayer business.”
--President Jimmy Carter, press conference, Washington, D.C., 1979.
“Thank God, under our Constitution there was no connection between Church and State.”
--President James Knox Polk, in George Seldes, The Great Quotations, (New York: Lyle Stuart, 1960), 169.
(On the interference of government with religion and vice versa) “We believe that the cause of good government and the cause of religion suffer by all such interference.”
--Rutherford B. Hayes, statement as governor of Ohio, 1875.
“I am tolerant of all creeds. Yet if any sect suffered itself to be used for political objects I would meet it by political opposition. In my view church and state should be separate, not only in form, but fact. Religion and politics should not be mingled.”
--President Millard Fillmore, Address during 1856 presidential election in Robert J. Rayback, Millard Fillmore (Buffalo, N.Y.: Henry Stewart, Inc., 1959), 407.
“Religion is a difficult matter to handle politically.”
--President Herbert Hoover, quoted in Carl Sferazza Anthony, America’s First Families (New York: Touchstone Books, 2000), 217.
Other Public Figures
“All religions united with government are more or less inimical to liberty. All, separated from government, are compatible with liberty.”
--Henry Clay, address, U.S. House of Representatives, March 24, 1818.
“The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool.”
--Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength to Love (Harper & Row, 1963).
“It would disturb me if there was a wedding between the religious fundamentalists and the political right. The hard right has no interest in religion except to manipulate it.”
--Billy Graham, Parade (February 1, 1981).
“We will be a better country when each religious group can trust its members to obey the dictates of their own religious faith without assistance from the legal structure of the country.”
--Margaret Mead, anthropologist, Redbook magazine (February 1985).
Judicial Interpretation of First Amendment
“Jefferson’s use of the term “wall of separation between church and state” may be accepted almost as an authoritative declaration of the scope and effect of the amendment thus secured.”
--Reynolds v. United States (1878), 98 U.S. 145 at 164.
“The very purpose of the Bill of Rights was to withdraw certain subjects from the vicissitudes of political controversy, to place them beyond the reach of majorities and officials and to establish them as legal principles to be applied by the courts. One’s right to life, liberty, and property, to free speech, a free press, freedom of worship and assembly, and other fundamental rights may not be submitted to vote; they depend on the outcome of no elections.”
West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624, 638 (1943).
Denominational Acceptance
“Church and state should be separate. The states owe to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends…The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal.”
--1963 Southern Baptist Convention Annual 269-281, Article XVII “Religious Liberty.”
“I’m so troubled, always, when I see people who are sure that they know exactly what God’s plan for the world is, what political party God belongs to, what God’s ideology is, and what God’s position on particular cases and controversies might be.” --Al Gore, VP, statement to civil liberties and religious leaders July 14, 1994
Richard Girnt Butler (1918-2004) was an American engineer and white supremacist. After dedicating himself to the Christian Identity movement, a racialist offshoot of British Israelism, Butler founded the neo-Nazi Aryan Nations and would become the "spiritual godfather" to the white supremacist movement, in which he was "a leading figure". He has been described as a "notorious racist".
"We will fight under one banner—the banner of Jesus Christ who is the Fuhrer … of the white people." - Richard Girnt Butler; 1918-2004, Protestant Pastor & Founder, Church of Jesus Christ Christian and Aryan Nations
"The white race is at war. Jesus Christ says you have to either be for it or against it. The war is directed at every white man, woman, and child in America. There is going to be the greatest ethnic cleansing that ever existed. We are saying that one day there will be no more Jews—ever!" - Richard Girnt Butler; 1918-2004, Protestant Pastor & Founder, Church of Jesus Christ Christian and Aryan Nations
