Flynn is ‘reawakening’ the dangerous alliance of Christianity and nationalism
The Hill
by Tom Mockaitis, opinion contributor - 08/15/23
Critics of organized religion are quick to point out the violence inspired by theology through the ages. “What has been a source of greater death and destruction than religious conflict?” they ask.
The answer? — nationalism.
Worse than either is the two working together.
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Nowhere is the unhealthy alliance of religion and politics more blatantly manifest than in the “ReAwaken America Tour” wending its way across the country.
Retired general and Trump national security advisor Michael Flynn launched the movement in the aftermath of the failed Jan. 6 insurrection. At one gathering, Flynn declared, “there is a spiritual war and there is a political war” going on in the United States.
The “ReAwaken” road show holds conferences in cities around the country touting a bizarre blend of QAnon conspiracy theories, political rhetoric and revivalism. Events feature Trump-supporting speakers like Eric Trump, MyPillow founder Mike Lindell and former Trump advisor Roger Stone, as well as Flynn. Vendors hawk expensive merchandise while others distribute literature featuring “research recommendations” including “Alex Jones’s InfoWars, a John Birch Society speech and the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a notorious, century-old antisemitic hoax,” according to NPR. Speakers repeat the big lie that Trump won the 2020 election and promote QAnon conspiracy theories. Attendees can even get a full immersion baptism.
The ReAwaken America Tour is the latest manifestation of Christian Nationalism. Christian nationalists believe that the United States was founded as a Christian nation and must return to being one, governed according to their conservative religious principles.
Many of its adherents go further, embracing “American exceptionalism.” They see the United States as a nation blessed by God, provided it remains true to its Christian identity and provides an example to the rest of the world.
Christian nationalists advocate for school prayer, state funding for religious education and abortion bans. Its adherents have been s upporting politicians like Georgia gubernatorial candidate Kandiss Taylor, who summed up her platform as such: “Jesus, Guns, & Babies.”
Like much of far-right extremism, Christian nationalism manifests itself pervasively as an ideological movement rather than as an organization, although members of many designated extremist groups espouse its beliefs.
Christian nationalists figured prominently in the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville. Some could be identified by the “Deus Vult” (“God wills it) symbol displayed on their signs and flags.
The red cross on white background was supposedly introduced by Pope Urban III when he called for the first crusade in 1095.
A prominent photo from the Jan. 6 riots features a man with a different version of the Crusader cross on his shirt.
Contrary to what the movement claims, the framers of the Constitution were not evangelical Christians.
Drafters of the Bill of Rights created the disestablishment clause of the
First Amendment for a good reason. To avoid the intolerance and bloodshed caused by established churches in Europe they mandated that “Congress shall make no law respecting establishment of religion.”
Most Christian nationalists realize they cannot get Christianity declared the national religion, so they pursue an equally pernicious agenda: legislating their narrow version of Christian morality at the state and local level and using the courts to support that agenda.
Everyone who wants to live in a tolerant, pluralistic society, but especially those of us who claim to be progressive Christians must oppose them at every turn.
Tom Mockaitis is a professor of history at DePaul University and the author of “Violent Extremists: Understanding the Domestic and International Terrorist Threat.”
The Hill
Published: August 14, 2023
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