Conservative columnist recognizes weaponizing Christianity in the GOP might not have been the best i

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

idea

Conservative columnist Gary Abernathy has a history working in Republican politics, but as he sees the GOP's new holy war he writes that he sees emerging into a movement for Christian nationalism.

Writing in the Washington Post Wednesday, Abernathy talked about the small church he went to as a child with about 75 people on an average Sunday. The sermons were about the message of Christianity with a touch of fire and brimstone for good measure. He noted that only on occasion was there a commentary on the Christian "underpinnings" of the country with quotes of Founding Fathers saying the word "God." It wasn't about rage over a political party or policies being good or evil.

"But in the wake of Roe v. Wade and other perceived attacks on that Old-Time Religion by an increasingly liberal world, Christianity had by the 1980s become politically weaponized, with 'Christian soldiers' mostly aligning with the GOP. That war rages today," he wrote.

In retrospect, Abernathy realizes that turning Christianity into a conservative political movement perhaps wasn't the best idea. It hasn't done well for Christianity either, with a large number of Americans leaving the religion, according to the Pew Research. The columnist thinks this is likely due to the most vocal practitioners weaponizing a faith that was once based on compassion, peace and love.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/conservative-columnist-recognizes-weaponizing-christianity-in-the-gop-might-not-have-been-the-best-idea/ar-AA11PgoI

[Effete Snob]

1. "that was once based on compassion, peace and love"

When?

Christianity has had no issues aligning itself with authoritarian politics as, indeed, the appearance of democracy of any sort within "Christendom" generally, is pretty much a very recent blip on the radar of two millenia of history.

For the vast majority of its history, Christianity, in any given jurisdiction of Western civilization, has supported whatever despot graced the local throne.

The "be a nice person and maybe you go to heaven" version of Christianity is a pretty recent invention, relative to the "kill the unfaithful over in the next kingdom" version, which lasted a lot, lot longer.

There are Christian organizations which have a far longer history and reach than 20th Century American liberal protestantism...

[ret5hd]

2. Compassion, peace and love? Not since (at least) Emperor Constantine...

who changed xtianity from a religion of the oppressed to a religion of the oppressor.

[BootinUp]

3. No shit. Nt

[Grins]

4. This may be the ONLY time I will agree with Abernathy.

He has been an oily, Reich-wing apologist for decades. I read him and wind up cursing him - and the WaPo for hiring this weasel.

[Rebl2]

5. Golly Mr

Abernathy now ya think it wasn’t a very good idea? Hummmmm. I think you are right. A bit late now though mr. Abernathy.

[lees1975]

6. Not just "weaponizing" Christianity, it is being "radicalized."

https://signalpress.blogspot.com/2022/09/we-keep-calling-it-out-white-christian.html

I think it goes beyond weaponizing Christian faith. The effects of Trumpism among those in the church who are part of that extremist political movement, is a radicalization of Christianity in the same way the militant islamics radicalized Muslims. They are preaching a "different gospel," encouraging Christians to abandon core principles of the Christian faith such as "turning the other cheek" and "loving your enemies," pointing out that taking those positions won't get you anywhere in the world. And they are using God to justify political violence. Christ was diametrically opposed to violence as a means of gaining position, pointing out that the kingdom he was bringing was "not of this world." And he rebuked anyone who tried to defend him with violence.

Christianity is a faith that was intended to be practiced in any cultural or political environment, not to be used as a means to achieve political power or exploited to gain wealth.