Reclaiming “Christian” From Christian Nationalism
“Cowardice asks the question, ‘Is it safe?’ Expediency asks the question, ‘Is it politic?’ Vanity asks the question, ‘Is it popular?’ But, conscience asks the question, ‘Is it right?’ There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it because one’s conscience tells one that it is right.” Such is the wisdom spoken by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Now is the time to take such a position.
Several weeks ago I received an email message from “Faithful America,” an organization to which I belong, inviting faith leaders on either June 30 or July 7th to “Preach and Pray to Confront Christian Nationalism.” After a split second of relief, “Pfew… I don’t have a church, dodged that bullet,” I remembered, ooooh dear, I am preaching on the 7th at Christ Lutheran Church in Santa Fe. Immediately I joined Moses protesting, “Oh God, you are mistaking me, for, well I do not know what. There is no way I can do this. I really do not know the people of Christ Lutheran, what they think? how they will respond? What good can possibly come of stirring this pot?”
But the angel of God would not let me go. The introductory words of the message from “Faithful America” relentlessly wrestled in my heart.
“Patriotism is good. Faith is good. Yet even on Independence Day, they are not the same thing, and they should never be blended and abused to become tools of empire, theocracy, or right-wing oppression.”
Please click here to hear the entire sermon. Once on the website scroll down to audio player.
But please, do not just listen to these words.
Do not be afraid.
Stand on your feet
Speak out for what your conscience tells you is right.
If you and I and people of every faith tradition (and none) fail to speak out against the people who identify as Christian Nationalists striving to establish their exclusive version of Christianity as the official religion of the United States and, arguably, the only way to experience God, if we do not call them out for employing any means to achieve their goal, including violence, fear mongering and deception while condemning people of other religions, ethnicities, beliefs or preferences, then we should not be surprised when these self serving forces that are bent on undoing democracy and undermining all that is good and right and precious about humanity prevail and assail us.
Wondering “What Can I Do?”
* Boldly live and speak your values :
love, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, generosity, self-control
* Speak bravely and openly about your concerns
* Get involved — check out Faithful America (even my Buddhist friends joined)
or Christians Against Christian Nationalism
* Share this post with your friends
- Thank YOU… for taking the time to read and listen to my rant. With all my heart I believe in original blessing, that humanity is fundamentally good, very good. I also believe the forces that oppose goodness are strong, sly and relentless. Together we can sure up our goodness and let it shine, illuminating the darkness and restoring light.
Learn more about me at
https://www.debraasis.org
All words are generated by grace and the grit of a real human being,
Debra Asis
