Listen carefully to right-wing rhetoric in America and you will hear active hints of support for fascism - even though the very Christians who are subtly supporting fascism would never admit it, and would vehemently reject the notion that they support a fascist form of government.
Many (but of course not all) Christians in America support Christian Nationalism, with an end goal of creating a Christian theocracy.
Let's begin with a few definitions:
Fascism: a political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition.
Christian Nationalism: a type of religious nationalism that is affiliated with Christianity, in which the end goal is to achieve a Christian Theocracy.
Christian Theocracy: a strong Christian government that is necessary for the salvation of humankind - there is no separation of church and state.
Kayleigh McEnany, former Trump White House Press Secretary recently praised the new Speaker of the House Mike Johnson as a Christian who will be led by God in his new role in our government.
Jen Psaki, former Biden White House Press Secretary recently warned that Americans should be scared of Speaker Johnson because he is a Christian fundamentalist.
Which is it - should House Speaker Mike Johnson be praised or feared? That's a question that transcends into a broader question about Christianity and America.
Many Americans falsely believe that America was founded on Christianity. The truth is that America was founded by mostly Christians that started this country on the foundation of religious freedom. Fleeing the Church of England's authoritarian demands of the people, a group of brave Christians sought to create a nation where religious freedom was a basic right. America was founded on religious freedom and it happened to be mostly Christians that founded America, but their goal was not to establish a Christian nation - their goal was to establish a nation where people were free to pursue their religious beliefs.
Republican Presidential Candidate Ron DeSantis and newly-elected Louisiana Governor-elect Jeff Landry represent the many politicians who are preaching the idea that America is a Chrsitian nation and leaders should use their specific fundamental Christian beliefs to govern.
As a Christian, I resent the idea that political leaders with fundamental beliefs are dedicated to using those beliefs to guide the decisions they make as political leaders. From the criteria for determining what books belong in libraries to abortion rights, debates about who we can love and how we should assemble our families - Americans should not tolerate this desire to dictate beliefs and behavior.
I have many conversations with devout Christian listeners who totally disagree with my opinion on this topic and believe that America should be run by Christian leaders, but a caller today - Jacob from Mississippi - and I engaged in a mostly rational conversation about the movement toward Christian Nationalism.
Much of what we believe to be true is actually based on our faith and not facts. There are Jews, Muslims, and other religions represented in America by individuals who are every bit as American as Christian Americans. That's a reality that is impossible for some Americans to believe - but it is supported by the intent of our Founding Fathers.
This prevailing desire to force Christianity on Americans through the power of government is disturbing and rejects the true foundation upon which America was created.
