As I have mentioned in many of my publications over the last three years, I have called out the dangerous ideology which wages war on the oppressed and the marginalized from dangerously mixing religion and politics. Until recently, I didn’t have a name for it, nor did I connect it to Neo-Nazi ideology. Now I am calling American Neo-Nazi fascism the standard name, Christian Nationalism or White Christian Nationalism. This ideology is not only a growing threat in the USA, it’s a growing threat in countries of different geographical locations who are using their religion to wage war on the oppressed and the marginalized who don’t fit an “X, Y, Z mold.” This goes against the entire message of the Gospel and against any faith which teaches us to love our neighbor as ourselves.
This dangerous Christian Nationalist rhetoric couldn’t be more threatening. When a man like Mike Johnson in his new position of power speaks rhetoric against LGBTQ+ youth publicly, it places them in even more danger for the risks of abuse, suicide, bullying, violence, self-harm, substance abuse, self-hatred, etc……in their own comminutes. As an Educational Therapist, more LGBTQ+ youth are identifying this way because they are allowed to finally exist as they have always existed. In the past, they stayed more closeted at the expense of their own health, well-being, and lives. As many professionals similar to myself say, more LGBTQ+ youth are identifying this way just as left-handed youth were finally allowed to exist back in the 1950s. It is why we saw such a huge increase in those who were left-handed which finally leveled out.
As someone who has loved the Christian faith all of my life, I can tell you that this dangerous Christian Nationalist ideology and rhetoric from places of power is antithetical to the Gospel, the message of Jesus Christ, and Pope Francis’ message of radical love and inclusion. For those who cannot see the danger, please look at the track record of the far right. If you have already reviewed the traits of fascism I listed before, you are welcome to skip over this last portion. Let’s review the traits of fascism again. These hard-core Christian Nationalists share many if not all of these common traits.
1. Sources and capitalizes on economic woes and anxieties–Currently in Texas, instead of expanding programs like food stamps, Medicaid, and other programs which help people who are destitute, the state of Texas is squeezing and reducing these types of programs. According to the Texas Tribune, Greg Abbott is redirecting funds from Health and Human Services Commission and the Texas Department of Public Safety to the border, leaving those in great need with less access to social services. Greg Abbott redirects $500 million from other agencies for border mission | The Texas Tribune
2. Shifts political blame on to scapegoat groups like minority groups, the Democrats,
immigrants, and other groups while taking away blame from where it belongs, on the leadership–The treatment of migrants at our Texas border is downright criminal. President Biden had to end razors on buoys in the Rio Grande recently by suing our governor, Governor Abbott. Biden administration sues Texas governor over Rio Grande buoy barrier that’s meant to stop migrants – ABC News
3. Propagates extreme nationalism going hand-in-hand with racism and militarism–The United Nations is even concerned and published an article about it.—-Victims mount as extreme nationalism fuels racism | OHCHR
4. A melding of church and state when there should be a separation–According the Texas Tribune, opponents of church-state separation have been emboldened by recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions and the growing acceptance of Christian nationalism on the right. Conservative Christians push Texas Legislature on church-state separation | The Texas Tribune
5. Subjugation of women and sexism–The Austin-American Statemen wrote an article a year ago stating that Texas has always been tough on women, and now it’s worse. Commentary: Texas has always been tough on women. It’s worse now. (statesman.com)
6. A disdain for human rights except those of the elite, especially a disdain for those who identify as LGBTQIA+–The number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills which strip away basic human rights are skyrocketing in the United States and have over the last two years. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) gives further details. Mapping Attacks on LGBTQ Rights in U.S. State Legislatures | American Civil Liberties Union (aclu.org)
7. Obsession with crime and punishment–You can review the statistics of crime and arrests in Texas here through the Texas Department of Public Safety. Crime Records Reports and Statistical Information | Department of Public Safety (texas.gov)
8. Identification of enemies as a unifying cause for political action–According to a recent article in the Washington Post, the list of enemies in the Republican Party rises. Opinion | Republicans’ list of enemies keeps growing – The Washington Post
9. Disdain for intellectualism, science, history, and the arts–According the Texas Tribune, book banning is at an all-time high. Texas has banned more books than any other state | The Texas Tribune
10. Control of different types of media, including books–see #9
11. Rampant cronyism and government corruption–According to an article from the Texas Observer in 2021, Texas politicians face very little to no accountability for their actions. In Texas, Corrupt Politicians Face Little Accountability (texasobserver.org)
12. Attempt to control elections, like through voter suppression–Last, the Brennan Center for Justice gives account for the multiple attempts Texas Republican politicians make to suppress voter rights, particularly those who are of minority groups. Texas’s Voter Suppression Law Is On Trial | Brennan Center for Justice
After reviewing these articles, I don’t think we are in the outer rim of a fascist state anymore. We are closer to a variation of the Holocaust.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In