Fundamentalism shuts down a thinking mind. It always has. It always will. Fortunate are those with the sense to figure that out and leave it far behind.
This is frightening! I am appalled that Trump and Christian are even used in the same sentence…is this really what Jesus would do??? Jesus really meant it when He said Love thy neighbor!
Jesus called the people who suck up to Donald Trump and always demand the best seats in the synagogue "whited sepulchers of death and corruption." He also kicked out the moneylenders from the Temple, if memory serves.
It's one of the only times in the New Testament that Jesus actually shows anger. There's absolutely nothing wrong with saying the same thing today. We know exactly who the false Trumpeters are. They travel in packs. They worship a brain-dead criminal and phony-baloney messiah who hates all the same people they do.
I truly appreciate these going deeper articles. We need more of this in our political discourse. This is an excellent piece that needs broad distribution.
As a lifelong Catholic, dt’s words and actions terrify me. They are so far from my beliefs and the gospel Jesus shared with all people. Thank you for this article
Exactly. People may not realize how deep some of these prejudices are. Catholics, Jews, Mormons, and heck even Methodists (!) were not seen as serious. The Baptists, Lutherans, and other Evangelicals are very suspicious of other faiths, and they still hold court in the small towns all over this country.
As a Lutheran I, too, haven't experienced anything resembling fundamentalism or evangelicalism (the Lutherans, of course, do use the word "evangelical" but with a different meaning). But there are some very conservative Lutheran bodies, such as the Missouri Synod and the Wisconsin Synod, that frown on ecumenism and have some extreme right-wing adherents, even though their views are largely incompatible with Lutheran doctrinal documents. Not every member of those churches is like that, of course, but there are enough to be noticeable.
I am also a lifelong Catholic who is disappointed by the increasing conservatism in the Church. More Catholics sided with Trump than Harris because of the “culture wars” as if that was the only issue that mattered. While the Church is now speaking up for immigrants and against Trumps wars many are still anti “woke”. BTW I HATE that word.
The Buddha means the "awakened one." Woke-ness has been around for over 2000 years (Buddhism predated Jesus by about 500 years) -- Jesus and Buddha both encouraged similar beliefs and behaviors and actions.
Well said. As the son of a southern Baptist preacher (actually, an Army Chaplain for many years), I was also raised in a deeply religious, very conservative home, but my father rejected the whole Falwell movement. He was a firm believer in the 10 Commandments, but opposed posting them in schools. He was a staunch Republican, but if he had lived to see the tRump phenomenon, I am convinced he would have left the Republican Party. Yes, a Christian theocracy would be as terrifying as a Muslim theocracy, or any other religious theocracy.
Is the Pope Jewish? Does Little Marco have big feet? Is Pam Bondi a nice person? Does Stephen Miller NOT resemble Josef Göbbels? Was Mother Teresa a streewalker before she became a nun? Is a cesspool of corruption and stink actually a clear running stream filled with chirping birds?
Some things don't even need to be asked. "We hold these truths to be self-evident....etc."
This is one of the clearest explanations I've read of how Christian Nationalism evolved from Falwell through the Tea Party to Trump — and why the Iran framing is its most dangerous expression yet. The threat isn't the theology; it's the actionable obligation some feel to bring it about. Brilliant and necessary writing.
They aren't just a threat to our country, but to the entire world. I wouldn't put it past Trump's advisors to try to get him to use nuclear weapons in the Middle East. That's especially true if Iran manages to do great damage to a carrier or attack the continental US, for just two examples. They want Armageddon and will do anything they can to set it off, in spite of what Christ said.
Christ said we must love our neighbors as ourselves. there is no evidence anyone in the christian nationalist movement believes that. although they use Christ's name they are more steeped in the blood and guts old testament. that is where revelations is found, of course. and, before armageddon, trump wants to make sure the haitians can be deported, because christian nationalists are white, of course.
"they are more steeped in the blood and guts old testament. that is where revelations is found" -- it is founded in the old testament, and found at the end of the new testament.
As a Christian myself it seems as if the “Christian” Nationalists were deceived into thinking one of Satans best representatives on earth should be their leader. I think they’re wrong.
I think they believe Trump to be the AntiChrist. The Antichrist brings about the second coming. My family believes, me, I think they are nuts. There are many valid interpretations of Revelations, most do not believe it is about the Second Coming. Many believe that Paul was giving a coded message to his followers about how to handle themselves in Rome. The seven seals were the seven hills of Rome, etc.
This is among your best commentary, clearly stating the extremism at control-center of the fully unhinged mental case elected president of our constitution based democracy. Our country needs strong voices speaking truth with credible knowledge of history. Yours is one. Thank you!
Thank you Sandee. I am also Jewish. I am close to 70 and never experienced anti-semetism until the rise of Donald Trump 10 years ago. For me it is now beyond fear and straight up to terror. There are 12 million of us left on the planet that could fit into the state of Ohio. There are good and bad of every religion. I am sick of people conflating being Jewish with being the same as Netanyahu and his ultra right wing nationalists. They are the same as Trump and MAGA. I am secular but honor all the holidays and traditions that I was brought up with. When Charlottsville happened and they took to the streets screaming "Jews will not replace us" I honestly freaked out. What and why do they think we want to replace them? What did we ever do to them? Do they think wiping us off the face of the earth will change anything?
I was born a Jew in a secular country and I will die a Jew, and it's not going to be in an American Christian Theocracy like the Taliban. They are a death cult if all they are looking for is the end of the world. I am as American as anyone of them! That is what will happen if the Seditious Six of SCOTUS get their way to remove separation of church and state. Most of my friends are Catholic and my family that has been here over 100 years have assimilated and intermarried and I have Christian family members that I love and none of them have heard of such a thing. Reading about this with the military sickens me. There are military members of all faiths. My father was a proud Jewish WWII vet. A navigator in the "Mighty Eighth AF (when it was still part of the army) based in England and flew 35 missions to defeat Hitler including the Battle of the Bulge. Now they are being told they are fighting to bring about the end times? I am glad my father is not alive to see this.
I am sorry that you and your fellow Jews have to worry about the awful spectre of Hitler and how he treated your people. I confess that I do not like some parts of the Israeli culture and politics, but do not consider myself anti-Semitic. I hate that Netanyahu and the extremely conservative wing of their government are so hard on the people of Gaza, but Hamas has embedded itself amid the civilians and Israel thinks that they have to keep indiscriminately bombing the people of Gaza--Hamas is diabolical and uses Gazans and Israelis alike to create chaos and to block peace. May God grant us all peace with justice.
Thank you for your reply Mary. I'm happy to hear you don't consider yourself anti-Semitic against me and "my people", but I'm an AMERICAN, just like you! That's who ""my people" are. It's my country and nationality and my home where I was born. Being Jewish was never an issue in my life before Donald Trump. (And hating Netanyahu and his policies and gov't is not anti-Semitism. Hating Jews for being Jews is anti-Semetism)
I am not Israeli. I am not a citizen of that country and there are non-Jews that are citizens of Israel too. . Are you proud of our country at this moment, because I'm not... Are you proud of Donald Trump and MAGA? I'm not. They disgust me the same way Bibi Netanyahu and his right wing ultra-Orthodox govt disgust me. He and Trump are exactly the same. Running from jail and aligning themselves with the worst of our countries and the worst religious extremist like the evangelicals here. Being Jewish is the least interesting thing about me to talk about, but I'm proud to be Jewish even if I'm non-practicing and agnostic. My parents taught me my Jewish values and my morals and my kindness (most times--I'm not infallible) towards others and my being charitable and my " do unto others"...just like you. My family have been here over 100 years...way before Hitler and the Holocaust. Before there was even a state of Israel. What I AM terrified of is being the target of such hatred by people who don't know me, or my character, my loved ones, or being blamed for something that we haven't done and wishing us death, and gas chambers, and being wiped off the face of the earth today, or G-d forbid hurting or hating my young family members by people who don't know or understand anything about us because they are lumping.us in with them. And that goes.for Jews all over the world. Terrorist attacks in Australia and France and England and other countries with Jewish populations. Especially Jews who are observant and wear head coverings or wear Jewish symbols. Is it right to be attacked or afraid to wear a.star of David when Christians can wear their crosses. Is that fair?
I know you mean well by your comment, and I respect you and appreciate your feelings, but unless you are Jewish you cannot possibly understand. It's not your history or lived experience. This is beyond Hitler, Israel and Gaza.. For 5786 years this is how the entire world treated us. Anti-Semitism did not start with Hitler and the Nazis or Israel and Gaza. They are the culmination of thousands of years of unforgivable hatred that's not true. They think we run the world when we are a tiny minority, a fraction of the world. I read comments everywhere on Substack, youtube, NY Times, etc and it horrifies me. That's giving outrageous power and blame to 12 million of us while there are over 2 billion Christians and in 15-20 years Islam will have more and be the dominant religion. . Seems the only things the Jews are not blamed for is the sun rising in the east and setting in the west.
Please tell me what is it you don't like about Israeli culture? I myself have never been to Israel so I couldn't tell you.. Politics is not culture, and I can definitely understand hating politics.
"I hate that Netanyahu and the extremely conservative wing of their government are so hard on the people of Gaza, but Hamas has embedded itself amid the civilians and Israel thinks that they have to keep indiscriminately bombing the people of Gaza--Hamas is diabolical and uses Gazans and Israelis alike to create chaos and to block peace" Yes, I can agree with you on this. It's the very reason they do embed themselves in hospitals and schools. What makes us any different bombing a girls school (and not even at.least apologizing. They know it was us. They found.the bomb. Made is the USA with serial numbers.)
Hamas-Hezbollah and others that are agents of Iran want ALL of us destroyed and the world sent back to the 7th century. They want an Islamic Caliphate all over the world to live under Sharia law. Sadly, I don't believe there will ever be peace. Don't forget Russia, China, and North Korea too. We'll be lucky if we survive without a nuclear war...which is why Iran can NEVER get a nuclear weapon. When people value death more than life and think.they ate getting some great reward in the afterlife, you cannot rationalize with them. They don't fear death. They welcome it, and they are more than happy to take us along with them 😥
Sandee - Not all Christians feel this way. I understand your fear. My Christian faith tells me to love my neighbor - you. I don't understand the desire to follow our worst instincts - are we all so frightened that we must always find a victim to hate? What a waste!
Excellent analysis and needs to be shared. We moved to Houston a little over 20 years ago for my husband's job, and I started experiencing this world. Mind you, I was from the cradle of republican roots, literally born in Ripon, WI, with clergy in my family. But I had never experienced Christian Nationalism the way it has taken root and permeated Texas. I felt like I had moved to a foreign country. Now they control our government and are not going to give it up easily. Trump is just a figurehead and will likely be gone soon (he truly looks very frail these days); but Miller, Vance, Vought and others behind the scenes are all in on this movement.
Thanks for this history of the movement. Christian Nationalism has nothing to do with the life of Jesus as found in the gospels. Christian National is a distortion and manipulative tool.
Thank you for finally saying something about this. Your thoughts are exactly how I feel. I don’t want anyone telling me how to worship.
Fundamentalism shuts down a thinking mind. It always has. It always will. Fortunate are those with the sense to figure that out and leave it far behind.
Absolutely. That is what cults do. A lot of cults have sexual deviance.
This is frightening! I am appalled that Trump and Christian are even used in the same sentence…is this really what Jesus would do??? Jesus really meant it when He said Love thy neighbor!
Jesus called the people who suck up to Donald Trump and always demand the best seats in the synagogue "whited sepulchers of death and corruption." He also kicked out the moneylenders from the Temple, if memory serves.
It's one of the only times in the New Testament that Jesus actually shows anger. There's absolutely nothing wrong with saying the same thing today. We know exactly who the false Trumpeters are. They travel in packs. They worship a brain-dead criminal and phony-baloney messiah who hates all the same people they do.
Nothing to do with Christianity, this cult.
He uncorked with so much fervor, that Bertrand Russell denied Jesus’ divinity due to his anger issues.
“It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.”
Makes me think of Epstein Island.
I truly appreciate these going deeper articles. We need more of this in our political discourse. This is an excellent piece that needs broad distribution.
As a lifelong Catholic, dt’s words and actions terrify me. They are so far from my beliefs and the gospel Jesus shared with all people. Thank you for this article
They don't think Catholics are Christians anyway. If you aren't one of them, you're the "enemy."
Exactly. People may not realize how deep some of these prejudices are. Catholics, Jews, Mormons, and heck even Methodists (!) were not seen as serious. The Baptists, Lutherans, and other Evangelicals are very suspicious of other faiths, and they still hold court in the small towns all over this country.
I have not seen any Evangelical leanings in any Lutheran services I have attended. I don’t know why you added them.
As a Lutheran I, too, haven't experienced anything resembling fundamentalism or evangelicalism (the Lutherans, of course, do use the word "evangelical" but with a different meaning). But there are some very conservative Lutheran bodies, such as the Missouri Synod and the Wisconsin Synod, that frown on ecumenism and have some extreme right-wing adherents, even though their views are largely incompatible with Lutheran doctrinal documents. Not every member of those churches is like that, of course, but there are enough to be noticeable.
Lutheran teachings are closer to Episcopal than Evangelical
I am also a lifelong Catholic who is disappointed by the increasing conservatism in the Church. More Catholics sided with Trump than Harris because of the “culture wars” as if that was the only issue that mattered. While the Church is now speaking up for immigrants and against Trumps wars many are still anti “woke”. BTW I HATE that word.
They have perverted the word. We tell people all of the time to be careful and aware of their surroundings … that is what being woke really means.
Not just that -- to be aware of others' cares, concerns and needs, and to empathize and seek to help out and alleviate what suffering you can.
I heartily and defiantly embrace "woke," and try to live that standard of loving-kindness, goodness, benevolence, generosity, caring and compassion.
I was referring to the origins … it came out of the 1930s by African Americans to be vigilant against racial injustice.
It definitely evolved about awareness of all injustice. I embrace “woke” as well. It isn’t the insult that they think it is.
For the Christians who are against it … I believe Jesus was woke as well as an immigrant who was marginalized.
YES to all you said so well.
The Buddha means the "awakened one." Woke-ness has been around for over 2000 years (Buddhism predated Jesus by about 500 years) -- Jesus and Buddha both encouraged similar beliefs and behaviors and actions.
"Nam Myoho Renge Kyo ". https://www.sgi-usa.org/
Agreed! Thank you.
Well said. As the son of a southern Baptist preacher (actually, an Army Chaplain for many years), I was also raised in a deeply religious, very conservative home, but my father rejected the whole Falwell movement. He was a firm believer in the 10 Commandments, but opposed posting them in schools. He was a staunch Republican, but if he had lived to see the tRump phenomenon, I am convinced he would have left the Republican Party. Yes, a Christian theocracy would be as terrifying as a Muslim theocracy, or any other religious theocracy.
'Is Trump a true believer?'
Is the Pope Jewish? Does Little Marco have big feet? Is Pam Bondi a nice person? Does Stephen Miller NOT resemble Josef Göbbels? Was Mother Teresa a streewalker before she became a nun? Is a cesspool of corruption and stink actually a clear running stream filled with chirping birds?
Some things don't even need to be asked. "We hold these truths to be self-evident....etc."
thank you for saying that.
As an amateur student of history, I've long noticed that Stephen Miller could be a body double for Göbbels. (Thanks for the correct German umlaut.)
I think he looks even more like Heydrich.
This is one of the clearest explanations I've read of how Christian Nationalism evolved from Falwell through the Tea Party to Trump — and why the Iran framing is its most dangerous expression yet. The threat isn't the theology; it's the actionable obligation some feel to bring it about. Brilliant and necessary writing.
True! It's a clear statement because Adam says what he means without weasel words.
Absolute faith corrupts just as absolutely as absolute power corrupts absolutely. - Eric Hoffer
The end goal of absolute faith IS absolute power.
Hmmm... I may need to chew on that one a fair bit...
This post was so well written, that I decided to become a paid subscriber today.
They aren't just a threat to our country, but to the entire world. I wouldn't put it past Trump's advisors to try to get him to use nuclear weapons in the Middle East. That's especially true if Iran manages to do great damage to a carrier or attack the continental US, for just two examples. They want Armageddon and will do anything they can to set it off, in spite of what Christ said.
Christ said we must love our neighbors as ourselves. there is no evidence anyone in the christian nationalist movement believes that. although they use Christ's name they are more steeped in the blood and guts old testament. that is where revelations is found, of course. and, before armageddon, trump wants to make sure the haitians can be deported, because christian nationalists are white, of course.
"they are more steeped in the blood and guts old testament. that is where revelations is found" -- it is founded in the old testament, and found at the end of the new testament.
As a Christian myself it seems as if the “Christian” Nationalists were deceived into thinking one of Satans best representatives on earth should be their leader. I think they’re wrong.
I think they believe Trump to be the AntiChrist. The Antichrist brings about the second coming. My family believes, me, I think they are nuts. There are many valid interpretations of Revelations, most do not believe it is about the Second Coming. Many believe that Paul was giving a coded message to his followers about how to handle themselves in Rome. The seven seals were the seven hills of Rome, etc.
This is among your best commentary, clearly stating the extremism at control-center of the fully unhinged mental case elected president of our constitution based democracy. Our country needs strong voices speaking truth with credible knowledge of history. Yours is one. Thank you!
Do Christians understand how all this talk makes we Jews uncomfortable? And with the rise of antisemitism it borders on fear.
Thank you Sandee. I am also Jewish. I am close to 70 and never experienced anti-semetism until the rise of Donald Trump 10 years ago. For me it is now beyond fear and straight up to terror. There are 12 million of us left on the planet that could fit into the state of Ohio. There are good and bad of every religion. I am sick of people conflating being Jewish with being the same as Netanyahu and his ultra right wing nationalists. They are the same as Trump and MAGA. I am secular but honor all the holidays and traditions that I was brought up with. When Charlottsville happened and they took to the streets screaming "Jews will not replace us" I honestly freaked out. What and why do they think we want to replace them? What did we ever do to them? Do they think wiping us off the face of the earth will change anything?
I was born a Jew in a secular country and I will die a Jew, and it's not going to be in an American Christian Theocracy like the Taliban. They are a death cult if all they are looking for is the end of the world. I am as American as anyone of them! That is what will happen if the Seditious Six of SCOTUS get their way to remove separation of church and state. Most of my friends are Catholic and my family that has been here over 100 years have assimilated and intermarried and I have Christian family members that I love and none of them have heard of such a thing. Reading about this with the military sickens me. There are military members of all faiths. My father was a proud Jewish WWII vet. A navigator in the "Mighty Eighth AF (when it was still part of the army) based in England and flew 35 missions to defeat Hitler including the Battle of the Bulge. Now they are being told they are fighting to bring about the end times? I am glad my father is not alive to see this.
I am sorry that you and your fellow Jews have to worry about the awful spectre of Hitler and how he treated your people. I confess that I do not like some parts of the Israeli culture and politics, but do not consider myself anti-Semitic. I hate that Netanyahu and the extremely conservative wing of their government are so hard on the people of Gaza, but Hamas has embedded itself amid the civilians and Israel thinks that they have to keep indiscriminately bombing the people of Gaza--Hamas is diabolical and uses Gazans and Israelis alike to create chaos and to block peace. May God grant us all peace with justice.
Thank you for your reply Mary. I'm happy to hear you don't consider yourself anti-Semitic against me and "my people", but I'm an AMERICAN, just like you! That's who ""my people" are. It's my country and nationality and my home where I was born. Being Jewish was never an issue in my life before Donald Trump. (And hating Netanyahu and his policies and gov't is not anti-Semitism. Hating Jews for being Jews is anti-Semetism)
I am not Israeli. I am not a citizen of that country and there are non-Jews that are citizens of Israel too. . Are you proud of our country at this moment, because I'm not... Are you proud of Donald Trump and MAGA? I'm not. They disgust me the same way Bibi Netanyahu and his right wing ultra-Orthodox govt disgust me. He and Trump are exactly the same. Running from jail and aligning themselves with the worst of our countries and the worst religious extremist like the evangelicals here. Being Jewish is the least interesting thing about me to talk about, but I'm proud to be Jewish even if I'm non-practicing and agnostic. My parents taught me my Jewish values and my morals and my kindness (most times--I'm not infallible) towards others and my being charitable and my " do unto others"...just like you. My family have been here over 100 years...way before Hitler and the Holocaust. Before there was even a state of Israel. What I AM terrified of is being the target of such hatred by people who don't know me, or my character, my loved ones, or being blamed for something that we haven't done and wishing us death, and gas chambers, and being wiped off the face of the earth today, or G-d forbid hurting or hating my young family members by people who don't know or understand anything about us because they are lumping.us in with them. And that goes.for Jews all over the world. Terrorist attacks in Australia and France and England and other countries with Jewish populations. Especially Jews who are observant and wear head coverings or wear Jewish symbols. Is it right to be attacked or afraid to wear a.star of David when Christians can wear their crosses. Is that fair?
I know you mean well by your comment, and I respect you and appreciate your feelings, but unless you are Jewish you cannot possibly understand. It's not your history or lived experience. This is beyond Hitler, Israel and Gaza.. For 5786 years this is how the entire world treated us. Anti-Semitism did not start with Hitler and the Nazis or Israel and Gaza. They are the culmination of thousands of years of unforgivable hatred that's not true. They think we run the world when we are a tiny minority, a fraction of the world. I read comments everywhere on Substack, youtube, NY Times, etc and it horrifies me. That's giving outrageous power and blame to 12 million of us while there are over 2 billion Christians and in 15-20 years Islam will have more and be the dominant religion. . Seems the only things the Jews are not blamed for is the sun rising in the east and setting in the west.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisemitic_trope
Please tell me what is it you don't like about Israeli culture? I myself have never been to Israel so I couldn't tell you.. Politics is not culture, and I can definitely understand hating politics.
"I hate that Netanyahu and the extremely conservative wing of their government are so hard on the people of Gaza, but Hamas has embedded itself amid the civilians and Israel thinks that they have to keep indiscriminately bombing the people of Gaza--Hamas is diabolical and uses Gazans and Israelis alike to create chaos and to block peace" Yes, I can agree with you on this. It's the very reason they do embed themselves in hospitals and schools. What makes us any different bombing a girls school (and not even at.least apologizing. They know it was us. They found.the bomb. Made is the USA with serial numbers.)
Hamas-Hezbollah and others that are agents of Iran want ALL of us destroyed and the world sent back to the 7th century. They want an Islamic Caliphate all over the world to live under Sharia law. Sadly, I don't believe there will ever be peace. Don't forget Russia, China, and North Korea too. We'll be lucky if we survive without a nuclear war...which is why Iran can NEVER get a nuclear weapon. When people value death more than life and think.they ate getting some great reward in the afterlife, you cannot rationalize with them. They don't fear death. They welcome it, and they are more than happy to take us along with them 😥
Sandee - Not all Christians feel this way. I understand your fear. My Christian faith tells me to love my neighbor - you. I don't understand the desire to follow our worst instincts - are we all so frightened that we must always find a victim to hate? What a waste!
Stephen Kimg could not scare me more than what you’re describing.
Excellent analysis and needs to be shared. We moved to Houston a little over 20 years ago for my husband's job, and I started experiencing this world. Mind you, I was from the cradle of republican roots, literally born in Ripon, WI, with clergy in my family. But I had never experienced Christian Nationalism the way it has taken root and permeated Texas. I felt like I had moved to a foreign country. Now they control our government and are not going to give it up easily. Trump is just a figurehead and will likely be gone soon (he truly looks very frail these days); but Miller, Vance, Vought and others behind the scenes are all in on this movement.
Thanks for this history of the movement. Christian Nationalism has nothing to do with the life of Jesus as found in the gospels. Christian National is a distortion and manipulative tool.
And it is idolatry, pure and simple. Christian nationalists worship power, wealth, cruelty, and a god of their own making.