Regular readers of this blog know that, when I address the threats posed by Christian Nationalism, I always put quotation marks around the word Christian. I do so because the movement we call Christian Nationalism seems–to this non-Christian–incredibly unChristian. I have several friends in the clergy, and they are admirable humans who follow a very different religious path from the proponents of bigotry and White Supremacy who have appropriated the title.
But because I do know wonderful people who identify as Christian, I have been frustrated by what I have seen as a tepid response by the genuinely Christian community to the usurpation of their identity. I would have expected members of the kind and thoughtful congregations that I know are “out there” to respond forcefully to those who are militarizing and distorting the tradition, but until very recently, there has been minimal pushback from people who are entitled to call themselves Christian.
It wasn’t until 2019 that Christians Against Christian Nationalism was formed, the first welcome sign of organized resistance of which I’m aware. And now, in an equally welcome response to ICE and its efforts to rid the country of Black and Brown people by categorizing them as “illegal immigrants,” a network of 5000 churches has organized to protect worshippers.
As The Bulwark has reported, a network of five thousand faith communities is now disseminating a blueprint for clergy and lay leaders who want to push back against what Trump and the agents of his newly emboldened ICE are doing to immigrants across the country.
This rapid-response action plan for churches and faith communities to protect people during ICE raids is the brainchild of evangelical pastor Doug Pagitt and his group Vote Common Good, which is not only providing these resources to the faith communities in his network, but also sending an open letter to the White House Faith Office calling for justice and compassion for immigrants, and slamming plans to open more detention centers like Florida’s Everglades detention facility. Thousands of faith leaders and congregations cosigned the letter.
The plan includes formation of rapid-response teams of volunteers willing to monitor reports of raids, verify them, and show up to raids as “moral witnesses.” They also coordinate shelter, transportation, and legal aid for vulnerable immigrants.
The activism of these congregations is largely in reaction to Trump’s over-reach: Churches are no longer safe from ICE incursions. But whatever the trigger, my reaction is “better late than never.”
The question that confronts adherents of all religions is deceptively simple: do you actively defend the core values of your faith, or do you simply wear the label? When that label is appropriated by people whose actions are diametrically opposed to the most fundamental values of your religion, what do you do? (It isn’t just American Christians who must choose a path under those circumstances; Jews in Israel who see Netanyahu’s actions as fundamentally inconsistent with Jewish values face the same decision.)
Of course, it isn’t just religious folks. When the fascists come calling, we are all obligated to choose a side. Lawyers must decide how dedicated they really are to the rule of law; university personnel must stand–or not–for intellectual freedom. These really are the times that try men’s (and women’s) souls–the times that challenge us to decide where our values really lie and how willing we are to defend them.
Pagitt, the founder of Vote Common Good, has been disappointed to see the way church groups have been co-opted and bullied during Trump’s second term. He isn’t the only one.
“Much to my sadness, we’ve seen faith communities quiver and shake and be afraid like universities and law firms and so many institutions,” he said. “We want to be on the other side of that and say to skeptical people of good conscience to not play the silent hypocrite card.”
It’s encouraging to see the real Christians begin to stand up. The rest of us need to emulate them.
Excellent letter! Thank you for your common sense voice among a sea of distractors and traitors of democracy
AMEN!
“Quiet hypocrites…”
Wow, I wonder what percentage that sucks in? Is it the “general masses”, as encapsulated in Adolph Hitler’s Mein Kampf? The “simple ones.” “Don’t rock the boat? You can’t fight city hall?”
Cowards with loads of excuses!
I made a statement in a meeting yesterday about how a pure Christian and/or Jew would suffer with their government aborting their primary commands from God and then Christ. Those who quickly defended their righteousness said that killing is okay, if…, or that…They told us about Paul that our government is the servant of God. Now that is some religious bullshit. I reminded them that Paul wasn’t Jesus and Christ was most definitely a pacifist, and he taught a new way from the harsher God in the Old Testament. MOST stayed silent. Why do you suppose they were silent?
I would guess that ignorance is the reason, so they can’t really take a stand one way or the other. They probably have no idea what the Bible says in the New Testament, so they stay quiet. They go to church to be told what to think?
That’s not my style, so I’ve been conversing with both Google Gemini and ChatGPT (Artificial Intelligence). We’ve had some fascinating discussions, like with those Christians who claimed that killing is okay as long as it meets “God’s conditions” that include “not for conquest,” and we are “defending the helpless.” The US Government certainly hasn’t fit that exclusion from Day 1 of our history. We’ve been conquerors from the beginning, and we’ve always fought for profit or against the weaklings because the oligarchy had something they wanted.
I’m grateful for being both a pacifist and a non-deist in a non-religion, so I don’t have to rationalize my way through man’s religious texts. After discussing this subject with AI, both parties have concluded that it ultimately comes down to an “individual’s conscience.”
At Haymarket Books recent Socialism Conference- several facilitators spoke of speaking to mainstream Christians in their churches Explaining how Not to Equate- Church/Religious “Israel “ with The State of Israel. They explained that many They spoke to/with- had major “Aha”- moments understanding the Horrific Genocide WE fund and have funded for Decades! One speaker said that Christian Theologians were often the Resistors. Fida Jiryis -author of “Stranger in My Own Land” is an Israeli Citizen and a devout Roman Catholic- Do you know that the Genocide has and continues to Destroy Catholic and other Christians? Do you speak out and work against John Haggee’s leadership of The Strongest Zionist group in our Country? Have you heard of him?
Joe Biden spoke yesterday of Jill and his Horror of Parents coping with the Deaths in Minneapolis yesterday! Joe’s had personal experiences in 1972 and 2015 with the Deaths of two of his children. Joe and Jill – Conveniently are 100% Silent about- the Many Thousands of US funded Palestinian Children in Gaza and the West Bank whose Deaths he was Responsible for- and WE- are Responsible for. Are you speaking out? Don’t Buy the Continuing Lies- that HAMAS is at Fault!!
Sorry George, but Biden is NOT responsible for the deaths of Palestinian children. You’re thinking of Netanyahu … you know, the guy who controls the IDF and keeps bombing to keep power. Our MIC has long been compromised in supporting the dogs of war – EVERYWHERE. And guess who funds the Republicans and Democrats in Congress who approve their “business” deals with Israel. As mentioned in recent days, this guilt sloughing by the West has been going on since 1948. Keep it in perspective.
I have a friend who is a retired Lutheran minister who is also dismayed at the very wrong turn of the C-Nationalists. Cherry-picking scripture and then misinterpreting those “selected” readings is done in all modern religions to validate political points of view. See the Taliban for yet another example.
The Israel response to the Hamas attack on Oct 7 was designed, from the start, to further divide Israel and Palestine. It succeeded and Netanyahu has created one or two future generations of Palestinians who hate and fear Israel and can sustain the conflict. Israel, like most countries run by dictators, always has a spin to make them the victims. They, like us, are the victims of their own stupidity and short-sightedness.
Better late than never is worth something, but the lateness appears to have encouraged the CNs for too long!
Still, I cheer the “good guys” on.
It’s a beginning! Now…let’s see them making noise about keeping the ”commandments” out of public schools…let’s see them standing up for LGBTQ people….and protecting women’s choice in reproductive issues, etc.,
One of your best, Sheila. You have made even more clear how important it is to make one’s values clear and heard. It’s scary to stand up to bullies with guns, but if we don’t, we can say goodbye to the United States of America.
Vernon – yes Netanyahu – is Directly Responsible – no Question! Killing Children and Civilians – began decades ago – and really beyond a century ago! I quote a lot of Facts – on my personal blog: myfirstnamemylastnamedotorg – but also listen/read – I can suggest plenty of excellent readings/videos- Even Rabin – who was assassinated (by a “fanatical Jew”) – supported Genocide. Biden’s policies – repeatedly sanctioned and supported the Genocide. The Bombs – we actually – test our systems “live” – through the Israeli Military. Trump – is horrific – Biden was also! George HW Bush and even I think Reagan – did a little faintly positive, Jimmy Carter -was “the most honest” – but Clinton and Biden – both have been horrible. Richmond, California – where I live – first city in the country to – have its City Council Call for a Ceasefire – yesterday – after a City Council Vote – the Palestinian Flag was (and will continue to be) put above the California and Richmond flags. I’m proud of that, though I had nothing to do with it! US funding – keeps Netanyahu Afloat- Biden was the first – from well before October 1st until January 20, 2025! My Congressman – speaks out – he’s no “radical” – but he listens and has a Heart! If you are Christian – I hope you will speak out with fellow Christians and others – related to the rise of Fascism- and the Genocide is directly related – as are other critical issues – like Abortion and Racism. Mainstream Christians remain far too silent – check out Jonathan Kuttab and SABEEL – both Christian lead/focused!
Let’s just call them White Nationalists.
My mental meanderings lead me to see things this way.
Mankind is losing its appetite for formal religion for many reasons. Primary among them is that science has solved so many of the universe’s mysteries without uncovering a single role for God, regardless of who people believe Him to be.
That is a threat to the means of production of religion, including pastors, buildings, and institutions.
That threat has rewritten the script for all religions in countries where that threat exists.
All religions rely on storytelling, symbolic art, and ancient texts to convey their teachings. The story must capture imaginations to capture minds, and when conditions change, the story must adapt to maintain viability and function.
Here, the stories have become divisive, as they continue to be supported by insufficient numbers of believers to sustain the existing means of production, with the potential for modest growth.
I want to be careful about saying all of that because it challenges what is essential in many lives, and I respect those who find comfort in their beliefs. However, religion has always had both a mystical and a pragmatic side.
Christian Nationalism and the Klu Klux Klan go together like salt and pepper. They are always side by side on the table.
What Pete says rings true. Thanks.
Related to what Pete said, I think that Yes – Mainstream – most religions – stuck. At the same time – my young (23 year old) triad- Anti-Racism Ally – L – in a small – heavily white city – is converting to Judaism, a lot of “us” – are finding deep meaning in religious ritual and connection, and I’d guess – that there are – radical connections for others of other faiths.