I admittedly haven't read all of this this thread...but I've been thinking about recent events and what they reflect about American Christianity.
I have seen a number of photos and videos of the storming of the Capitol. If you look, you can see a lot of "tribal" symbols that showed who the crowd identified with. Obviously, the main markers and common denominators in the group were US flags, patriotic colors, and Trump paraphernalia (MAGA hats, Trump Flags, etc.). The crowd outside and in was largely made up of self-described "Trump Patriots," probably most of whom were not there with violent intent, but more than a few of them got caught up in the passion and frenzy.
Secondarily, the hardcore/militant among those present (including a good percentage of those who stormed the building itself) had markers identifying themselves as part of militias (Proud Boys, Three Percenters, Boogaloo Bois, Oath Keepers, etc.), or part of a general militarized uprising (camouflage, flak jackets, helmets, weapons, etc.). This was the insurrectionist sub-set of the crowd.
I initially thought
Christian Nationalism was also a sub-set of the group, however the more I looked the more ubiquitous the Christian symbols (crosses, Bibles, "Jesus Saves" signs, etc.) and actions (prayer sessions, Christian rhetoric) became. It seems that
Christian Nationalism was not a sideshow at all, but a main player behind much of what happened Jan. 6th.
Professor Samuel L. Perry of Perdue university (author of a book on
Christian Nationalism called "Taking America Back for God") recently said this about the storming of the Capitol:
- "The Capitol insurrection was as Christian nationalist as it gets. Obviously the best evidence would be the use of sacred symbols during the insurrection such as the cross, Christian flag, Jesus saves sign, etc. But also the language of the prayers offered by the insurrectionists both outside and within the Capitol indicates the views of white Americans who obviously thought Jesus not only wanted them to violently storm the Capitol in order to take it back from the socialists, globalists, etc., but also believed God empowered their efforts, giving them victory.
Together, the evidence reflects a mind-set that clearly merges national power and divine authority, believing God demands American leadership be wrested from godless usurpers and entrusted to true patriots who must be willing to shed blood (their own and others’) for God and country. Christian nationalism favors authoritarian control and what I call “good-guy violence” for the sake of maintaining a certain social order."
As a follower of Jesus I don't take any ownership for what happened at the Capitol on January 6th, or the theology behind
Christian Nationalism, any more than I would expect the members of my local mosque to take ownership of Islamic terrorism. But when terrorism has occurred, I have hoped law-abiding Muslims would be bold enough to admit that their spiritual house includes some vile elements, and that they would publicly denounce the wrong that has been done in the name of Allah. Furthermore, I would hope that they would work from inside their faith community to battle and correct the sick and potentially violent ideologies that exist. I have, at times, been saddened when some have not spoken up...or worse yet, when they have justified (even passively) extremist thinking.
Well...I believe that we who claim to follow the way of Christ need to be willing to do the same - calling out the idolatry of
Christian Nationalism and working to correct this heresy where-ever it begins to make inroads...even among good conservative Mennonite folks.