I agree w/ the 1st sentence but I'm not so sure enough churches will do the work he talks about.
"Christian nationalism is not actually faithful to Christianity. In churches, pastors, they’re the ones who are going to be crucial to pushing back against the forces of extremism because they’re the ones who need to speak to their neighbors, friends and church members about the idea that America is a Christian nation is actually not faithful to historic Christianity."
https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/05/us/white-christian-evangelicals-blake-cec
@see_the_sus A few notable examples aside, for the most part, pastors are not leading this surge. It's a grassroots movement that is circumventing all of the structures, conventions, and guardrails.
Research is pointing to an on-record, intentional rejection of Jesus Christ's teaching, while people continue to tenaciously grasp the label "Christian" in order to push for conservative extremism.
This phenomenon is spreading internationally.
It's truly a bizarre moment.
The few times I've gone with my mom to her church, (Catholic), and every time I hear the Catholic radio she listens to, Relevant Radio, they're very vocal against and spread lies about women's rights to have control over our bodies, the LGBTQ community, anything to do with Biden & other members of his administration, climate change, etc. I'm no fan of Biden but I also don't stand for lies.
@see_the_sus It's saturated with lies, and it's all bent toward animosity.
Social media and talk radio are the places where the influence is being felt the strongest, in my opinion. They're taking free speech for a joyride,.
The internet is full of stories of the people fleeing this crap -- the numbers are bearing it out. The church is shrinking and its broader influence is shrinking...but that is making who is left behind more concentrated, more desperate, and in control of the resources.