Sunday, March 23, 2025
Sunday Reflection: Christianity and Politics Today
A lot of commentary has taken on the idea of "Christian Nationalism," which conflates Christianity with MAGA-style American nationalism. It exists, and it's abhorrent to many Christians who see it (as I do) as antithetical to much of which Christ actually taught.
I'm not going to repeat those arguments here. But I do have another points to make.
The deeper (and related) threat to Christianity may be the failure of Christians to take up a leadership role in combatting decaying moral and democratic norms under the Trump administration. For much of American history-- abolition of slavery, the Civil Rights movement-- faith leaders expressed righteous moral judgment on a government that failed to live up to the ideals of faith and the Constitution, both of which focus on sacrifice to a greater good, the value of human dignity, and a genuine concern for the least of those among us. Now, the closest, fleeting moment we have had of that was the brief encounter between Bishop Mariann Budde and President Trump at the National Cathedral. That moment came and went-- there is no movement behind it, no groundswell from those who share her faith.
Christ condemned cruelty and arrogance over and over, while preaching the importance of supporting those with the least. It is the right platform for a moral challenge to this administration, but no one seems to be carrying that flag.
One underlying issue may be similar to what we have seen with both Columbia University and the Paul Weiss law firm. In both instances, they cowered and caved before Trump's threats and compromised their principles because their finances were threatened. Churches have done this for a long time-- the Ministers avoid controversy (and thus avoid clear moral statement on the issues of the day) because they fear the reaction of their richest members. Sermons at those churches are about as compelling as a pageant contestant's answers to questions, as broad platitudes take the place of true moral challenge to the problems of the world.
Perhaps this will change. Perhaps a champion will rise and carry the true cross.
Or perhaps the church has become marked with a timidity never borne by Christ.
