I mentioned before that I am reading a book, The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism, by Katherine Stewart. I have almost finished the book and it has been an informative and frightening read. It’s unfortunate that more people are not aware of the well-funded and extensive assault on democracy that is being done under the guise of ‘religious freedom,’ not only in America but around the world. And when these people talk about religious freedom they are talking specifically about evangelical Christian beliefs.
I mention this only because I believe it is playing a much bigger role in one of the hot issues facing the government today than most people might want to believe. And that is the whole fiasco about the House approving the $60 billion aid package to Ukraine. As we all know, Mike Johnson, the evangelical Speaker of the House, has refused to bring the package to the floor of the House where all indications are that it would pass with bipartisan support.
Most people place all the blame on Johnson’s fealty to Trump. That is no doubt a huge part of it. However, I do not think that is all of it. The evangelical Christian right has deep ties to Russia and are supportive of Putin’s close relationship with the Russian Orthodox Church. They admire how he has passed laws against the LGBTQ community and praises ‘family values,’ and the close ties between the Church and the Russian government. That is exactly what they want to have happen in the United States.
I believe that Mike Johnson, in addition to wanting to please his puppet master, Trump, actually wants Russia to prevail in this conflict because Putin’s government is more of the Christian focused government that he envisions for this country. He is on record as saying that he is against secular governments and that government should be based upon biblical principles. Christian nationalism was once thought of as more of a fringe thing, but I believe it is here, front and center, influencing policy of the United States at the highest levels.
It seems odd that so-called Christians can reconcile their faith with a man like Putin who murders and jails his opponents, invades sovereign countries, and enriches himself at the expense of his people but it is really a symbiotic relationship. Putin needs the support of the church, and, in turn, the church is given the power to push their policies and belief system. It is no different here in the U.S. Trump needs the support of the evangelicals and, in return for their ability to overlook his lying, sexual assaults, and grifting, he will help them push their agenda.
I would suggest everyone start paying closer attention to this insidious movement. It has already infiltrated the highest levels of government and is influencing U.S. policy. There is no doubt in my mind that if Trump is re-elected, this country will begin to look more and more like Putin’s Russia – an authoritarian theocracy. And that would make Donald Trump (authoritarian) and Mike Johnson (theocracy) very happy! And that is the real reason the Ukraine aid package is stuck! It is the perfect example of how right-wing, Christian nationalist organizations are pushing to undermine democracy at home and abroad.
