By Eric McDaniel
According to a May 2022 poll from the University of Maryland, 61% of Republicans favor declaring the United States a Christian nation – even though 57% recognized that it would be unconstitutional. Meanwhile, 31% of all Americans and 49% of Republicans believe “God intended America to be a new promised land where European Christians could create a society that would be an example for the rest of the world,” a recent survey from the Public Religion Research Institute found.
Those statistics underscore the influence of a set of ideas called “Christian nationalism,” which has been in the spotlight leading up to November 2022 midterm elections. Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has openly identified as a Christian nationalist and called for the Republican Party to do the same. Others, like Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert and Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano, have not claimed that label but have embraced its tenets, such as dismissing the separation of church and state.
Few Americans use the term “Christian nationalist” to describe themselves, but many more have embraced some aspects of this worldview. There is widespread confusion over what the label really means, making it important to clearly explain. My work on how race and religion shape Americans’ attitudes toward government led me to study Christian nationalism, and to co-write a book detailing how it shapes Americans’ views of themselves, their government and their place in the world.
Christian nationalism is more than religiosity and patriotism. It is a worldview that guides how people believe the nation should be structured and who belongs there.
Mission from God
The phenomenon of white Christian nationalism has been studied by historians, sociologists, political scientists scholars of religion and many others. While their definitions may differ, they share certain elements.
Christian nationalism is a religious and political belief system that argues the United States was founded by God to be a Christian nation and to complete God’s vision of the world. In this view, America can be governed only by Christians, and the country’s mission is directed by a divine hand.
In my recent book “The Everyday Crusade: Christian Nationalism in American Politics,” written with fellow political scientists Irfan Nooruddin and Allyson Shortle, we demonstrate that this worldview has existed since the Colonies and played a central role in developing American identity. During the American Revolution, political and religious leaders linked independence from the British as part of God’s plan to set the world right.
Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images
From then on, many Americans’ belief that God favors their nation has guided their view of pivotal events – such as supporting Manifest Destiny, the idea that the U.S. was destined to expand west across North America; or framing the “war on terror” as a conflict between Christians and non-Christians in the 21st century.
Today, only about 4 in 10 people in the U.S. are white Christians. The thought of no longer being the majority has prompted some of them to see Christian nationalism as the only way to get the nation back on the right track. Christian nationalism typically restricts adherents’ view of who can be considered a “true” American, limiting it to people who are white, Christian and U.S.-born, and whose families have European roots.
Dissidents, disciples and laity
The majority of Americans do not embrace Christian nationalism. Even so, its echoes appear everywhere from American flags in church pulpits, to the Pledge of Allegiance, to “In God We Trust” on money, license plates and government vehicles.
My book co-authors and I argue that Christian nationalist ideas exist along a spectrum. For our book project, we developed a measure we refer to as “American Religious Exceptionalism” and used it to analyze nationally representative and state surveys from 2008 to 2020. Based on that data, we categorized U.S. citizens into three groups: dissidents, laity and disciples.
“Dissidents” reject the idea of the U.S. having a divine founding and plan, and express a more open understanding of what it means to be an American. Among the nationally representative samples, the proportion of dissidents ranges from 37% to 49% of the population.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the “disciples” strongly believe in the divine founding and guidance of the U.S. and express more restrictive ideas about who can be a “real” American and who should be allowed to enter the country. Disciples, who represent between 10% and 14% of the population, are more likely to see immigrants as a threat to American culture, and to express concern about the decreasing percentage of Americans who are white and Christian.
Those in the “laity” in the middle represent between 37% and 52% of the population. They demonstrate support for many of the same views the disciples do, such as anti-immigrant, anti-Black, and anti-Muslim attitudes, but less intensely.
Master salesman
Politicians can be thought about as entrepreneurs constantly looking for new consumers. Some of them have found a devoted audience among the disciples, who tend to be politically engaged and eager to vote for a candidate who will advance their view of the nation.
Former President Donald Trump has been particularly successful at attracting voters who are sympathetic to Christian nationalist ideas, by portraying himself as a defender of Christians “under siege.” In June 2020, in the midst of upheaval over police killings of unarmed Black Americans, tear gas was used to disperse protesters to allow then-President Trump to have his picture taken holding a Bible in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. His open animus toward Muslims has also helped bring Christian nationalists from the fringes into the mainstream.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Images linking Christianity with the nation and with Trump, as part of a larger divine mission, were on full display during the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. In the most extreme Christian nationalist views, the government must be brought into alignment with this ideology – even if force is necessary.
Our research found that 68% of disciples agree that force may be necessary to maintain the traditional American way of life. Most disciples express strong support for representative democracy; however, 48% of disciples support the idea of military rule, compared with 6% of dissidents.
Heading to the polls
Christian nationalism’s movement toward the mainstream is evident in the 2022 midterms, as several candidates have announced their support for Christian nationalism or made statements highly in line with it. Not only does such rhetoric mobilize disciples, but it has the potential to persuade the laity that these candidates will best represent their interests. An atmosphere of increasing partisan polarization, where political debates are sometimes portrayed as between angels and demons destroying the country, provides a fertile environment.
What this means for American democracy is unclear. But as some white and Christian Americans fear a loss of status, I believe Christian nationalism is coming back – attempting to reclaim its “holy land.”
Eric McDaniel is Associate Professor of Political Science, The University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts.
Reader Interactions
Comments
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Timothy Patrick Welch says
We are a Christian nation…
The very fabric of our society was influence and created on long held Christian beliefs. The morals and norms of our society are rooted in the Christiaan religion. Look at a Hindu nation , a Muslim nation, a communist nation, we act different, look different and worship different. The fact that it’s 2022 means the worlds calendar is rooted on Jesus. As he is the point of time BC/AD or BCE/CE it still centers on him.
Accept or not, it changes not the fact.
Carolamae says
Keep your ‘evangelical/ white nationalist christian fascism in the indoctrination facility where YOU can consume it, keep it our of my life.
YankeeExPat says
From your impassioned response I am assuming you are referring to a nation based on Catholicism, as The first Catholic chapel in Virginia was erected by the Jesuit priests led by Father Juan Baptista de Segura in 1570.
To that end, Spanish conquistadors and settlers were in present-day Florida from 1513.
I could be wrong , and I do apologue if I am, but I have a hunch that you probably would not agree that these are true Christians.
.
Timothy Patrick Welch says
Not for me to judge…
They may have been, but their morals and norms were also influenced by the knowledge and beliefs commonly held in that era. And of course by the King/Queen, the Capitan of the boat, etc..
Timothy Patrick Welch says
A small contingent of Jesuits was sent to Florida. One of the first to arrive, Fr. Pedro Martinez was clubbed to death by the Indians on October 6, 1566 on the sands of Fort George Island.
JimBob says
The ongoing mutual slaughter among Catholics and Protestants here in Florida during the 16th century emphasizes how Christianity shaped our nation. Has religious hatred abated any at all since then?
Michael Cocchiola says
We are NOT a Christian nation! Our nation clearly was founded upon the principle of freedom of – and from – religion.
You are mistaking a simple majority for all. In fact, if I can presume you are a white Christian, you are now in the minority in America and fading fast. My guess is that by 2040, with traditional Christians dying and a new generation of young Americans rejecting formal religion, coupled with immigrants who have their own ideas on religion, you will be in the minority in this country. And I might say you’ve earned your demise.
Christian zealotry has caused death and destruction the world over for centuries. Your predesessors have purposely raped, murdered, enslaved, and purged native peoples from their lands to enrich… you guessed it, white Christians. They have stolen the treasures, the history and the pride of destroyed civilations and grown fat and wealthy over the dead bodies of non-believers. I would surmise that Christian churches the world over avoid these inconvient truths.
Now you are imagining the subjugation of all of America under a single religion… yours! Under the Christian nationalist banner, religious zealots are disrupting voting and attacking other democratic processes. They are absolutely destroying faith in American institutions and attempting to steal elections through fraud, fear and intimidation. Is that the Christianity you all so admire?
If this is a Christian nation, may you all burn in your own hell so we can get on with building the perfect secular union.
Aj says
Great comment, I was going to talk about the destruction caused by the white man upon other people. You covered that, I’m very glad other people see the cruel past of the white man. Thanks for your comment.
Timothy Patrick Welch says
Such is the reason for separation of Church and State. Historically strong nations concorded weak nations and plundered their treasure. That was the way the world operated and that evil still lurks in our hearts.
1 Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
By immigrants I assume you mean Muslims. Look at how life is in Muslim majority countries, that’s not how I want to live. Or maybe you meant the Central and South American Catholics? Or maybe the Haitians who basically rejected the Christian faith, that’s not how I want to live either.
There are still a few utopian countries basically free of religion, the first that comes to mind is China. Russia was under Stalin, but that has changed.
Basically the Government shall not prohibit the exercise of Religion.
DaleL says
Authoritarian regimes promote the “religion” of the state or the deification of the leader. They are the opposite of non-religious. North Korea is the most modern example. Kim Jong-Un is regarded as a deity. A cult of personality (Kim, Stalin, Hitler) is as much a religion as one in which the deified person died two thousand years ago. A person who was dead and “buried” for about 36 hours, and then rose from his tomb. (Late Good Friday afternoon to early Sunday morning = about 36 hours.)
In many countries, non-religious people or people who follow the “wrong” religion are taxed, left out, or even punished. In thirteen countries, all Muslim majority, Atheism is punishable by death.
The countries which are actually the least religious are western democracies in which people are able to openly reject religion. The countries with the most non-believers (not religious + Atheist) according to Win/Gallup polling are Sweden 73%, Czech Republic 72%, United Kingdom 69%, Belgium 64%, Australia 63%, Norway 62%, Denmark 61%, Germany 60%, Japan 60%, etc.
DMFinFlorida says
Thank you, Michael Cocchiola. Absolutely nailed it. I was raised staunchly Catholic, but through life experience came to choose a different path later in life. My dad was raised Methodist, but rarely attended an organized church. As he said to the chaplain before he died, “I don’t need a middle man, I talk to the Big Guy directly.” You can be deeply spiritual in your own way without bowing to some greedy brick and mortar church. Throughout history, as you said, religion has been responsible for millions of deaths, all in the name of “God.”
All of you who think otherwise and are trying to shove your beliefs down everyone else’s throats need to ask yourself what Christ would do, were he here on Earth now. I assure you it would not vaguely resemble what you are doing. Separation of Church and State. Stay out of my bedroom and out of my choice of how I communicate with the Creator. I respect and accept whatever other people choose to practice, as long as they conduct themselves as good humans. Period. Try it – you might find it refreshing and allow you to let go of all your misplaced rage.
Timothy Patrick Welch says
Well, it’s true soldiers that are Christian have killed, most under the authority on their commanding officer.
But if you look at Wikipedia for massacres, you might come do a different conclusion.
Most were Chinese, Soviet, Muslim, or Pagans like the Romans.
Pierre Tristam says
Not correct. Historically, factually, no one snd nothing comes close to Christianity’s genocidal record.
DaleL says
Debating which belief system caused the most death or was the most genocidal is not as clear cut as some may think. The stone castles of Europe were the result and response to centuries of warfare. Much of Europe was subject to invading Muslims and Mongols. The Christian Byzantine (Eastern Roman Empire) Empire was overrun and destroyed by the Muslim Ottoman Turks. The Ottomans even reached the gates of Vienna at one point. Spain was overrun by the Muslim Moors who were only stopped in France by Charles (Charlemagne) the “Hammer”. All of Christian North Africa and the Middle East was lost. In Africa, Christianity survived in Ethiopia and as a minority religion, taxed, in Muslim countries.
Most of the deaths of indigenous peoples in the Americas and Australia were because of the inadvertent introduction of diseases.
Nephew of Uncle Sam says
No where, I’ll repeat for the slow ones, No where is the word “Christ” mentioned in the Declaration of Independence, nor is the word “Christ” or “God” mentioned in the United States Constitution. If anything Catholicism was most likely practiced here first, especially in Florida, followed in the 1600’s by Judaism. Many other of the original religions in America are lost to time or were absorbed into other religions. When you got away from the coast many early colonists didn’t even practice a religious belief or for that matter own a Bible. Maybe a traveling Pastor or other religious person would cross paths and be welcomed to talk but even that was rare for many in the interior. This country, from the beginning, has been welcoming and hostile at times to many different religions but it was never set up as a christian nation.
Timothy Patrick Welch says
In God We Trust… Its on our money!
Rep. Charles Bennett (D-Fla.) was the chief advocate for the measure’s passage. “Nothing can be more certain,” Bennett said, “than that our country was founded in a spiritual atmosphere and with a firm trust in God.” “While the sentiment of trust in God is universal and timeless,” he added, “these particular four words ‘In God We Trust’ are indigenous to our country.”
My, how times have changed.
Laurel says
“In God We Trust” was put on US money in 1957, nearly 200 years after our country was formed. That’s hardly “indigenous.”
Ray W. says
In her master’s thesis, Chapel Hill journalism student Carol B. Cole recounts an interview she conducted in 1991 of Katherine Twine, described as a St. Augustine resident who, with her husband, Henry, participated in a leadership role in the St. Augustine racial crisis in 1964.
Mrs. Twine recalled a meeting held one evening in Dr. Hayling’s office to plan the next day’s events. Dr. Martin Luther King was present, amidst many other local and out-of-state leaders from the Black community. A white man armed with a gun burst into the office and strode toward Dr. King. He then broke down into sobs and put down his gun. He said he had intended to kill Dr. King but he couldn’t do it after seeing Dr. King’s face. “He said it looked like Christ was written all over [King’s] face”, Twine said. Twine told Cole that the leaders “gathered around the man, prayed with him, and then he left.”
Constitution Plaza Under Siege: Media, Marchers and the First Amendment in St. Augustine, 1964, Carole B. Cole (1992)
Ms. Cole also included a quote by journalist Pat Waters, who described the racial crisis as follows:
“If there has been a failure of the non-violent movement, the failure has been that of the many Americans who have been incapable of responding to its appeals and justice. And if the dread, pale and deathly spirit which prevailed for a time over St. Augustine should ever overwhelm America, the blame would not be put on the ignorant and shabby and essentially pitiable people who follow the limping step of a professional hate-monger through dark and narrow streets. We would have to examine instead the institutions and society which produced them, and produced also the more numerous others who for many years were unable to act against human need and injustice, and were eventually incapable of acting for law, democracy and human freedom itself.”
Pat Waters, “The American Middle Ground in St. Augustine,” New South 19 (September 1964): 20.
Would that today’s white nationalist hate-mongers among us could only see the face of Christ on the people they oppose when they take to the radio waves to express their desire to start beheading Democrats or when they shout out at political rallies held after January 6th asking when they can start killing Democrats!
Laurel says
Ray W.: They (medias, influencers, politicians) see only ratings and money, focused on by their egos, their spirits being ignored. Empty shells watched and followed by the most vulnerable.
Ray W. says
Or the most gullible.
Thank you, Laurel, for adding your perspective to the thread.
Ray W. says
Timothy Patrick Welch, from the beginning of your comment thread to its end, it appears that you have come to accept the idea that the European colonists, mostly English, almost universally identified as Christian people, but that our founding fathers did not create a Christian nation, or am I reading too much into your comments?
What a Load of Ca-Ca says
I am not, nor will I ever be a “christian”. I will not be forced to become a so called Christian fanatic. These frightening statistics just reinforce my dislike of all religion. It is one of the major causes of wars, greed, injustice and turmoil in the world. Every religion thinks it’s the only one and how many religions are there anyway? The “right to lifers” say they are pro-life and they will KILL to show how much. It’s utter insanity. Phooey on religion.
Bill Green says
Selfish people with selfish, self serving agendas which include “believers” and excludes – and even scorns – disbelievers. This isn’t the all inclusive America which I and our sacred Constitution endorse, It’s deliberate separatism to maintain their brainwashing religious tenets while keeping out the non-Christian riff-raff. They don’t want assimilation where they mingle with non-believing “outsiders”, so they gather together in their incestuous bubble and convince each other that their way is the only way to live, worship and love. Ignorance is bliss!
DaleL says
The fact is that the US was NOT founded as a Christian nation. God is not mentioned even once in the Constitution. Religion is mentioned just twice. In the first instance it is that no religious test shall be required to hold an office of trust in the US government. The second in in the First Amendment, which states that Congress (US government) cannot establish a religion for the US or interfere with the free exercise of religion.
In 1796 the US entered into the Treaty of Tripoli, ratified by the US Senate. Article 11 of the Treaty in part reads: “As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility, of Mussulmen (Muslims);…”
Note that this treaty was signed just EIGHT years after the ratification of the US Constitution. Those who claim the US was founded as a Christian nation are either lying or woefully ignorant.
Timothy Patrick Welch says
The county was founded on the Christian belief, the government was not, so the government would not and could not corrupt the religion for its purpose or gain.
Laurel says
TPW: The right wing government politicians are sure trying to corrupt the religion for its purpose or gain now!
joe says
“My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight for it.”
– Jesus
Laurel says
Joe: Your quote from Jesus gave me goosebumps! Seriously.
I have no use for organized religion as it always has its pecking orders and translations that push individual agendas, Jesus not being that individual. The few teachings I have learned do not support what these “Christian Nationalists” claim. People are not learning history anymore, if they were, they would understand that people, including white Europeans, came here to escape religious restrictions, and a King’s religious preference.
Again, thank you for the quote. It made my day. :)
Timothy Patrick Welch says
John 18:36
“My kingdom is not of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
Michael Cocchiola says
Extremist Republicans are their hateful god’s messengers of cruelty and violence. White Christian nationalism is an insidious brain disorder that afflicts only extremist Republicans because of their signature low intelligence and a debilitating propensity to live in religious bubbles fervently praying to exorcize that which they abhor in a modern progressive society. They avert their eyes and brains from science, history, the humanities and reality, all of which contradict their false religious fantasies.
I know good Christians. Extremist Republicans are not Christian. They are a minority of religious mutants on a 12th century crusade to inflict their madness on all Americans. This will not happen.
Timothy Patrick Welch says
Science, history, the humanities all support the reality in which we live.
American reality is biased on Christian morals and norms engrained into the society in which we live, like it or not.
Other countries are not so fortunate like, Haiti, Iran, China, India, and may African countries.
Timothy Patrick Welch says
All Christians are not Republicans…
President Joe Biden is Catholic.
Pierre Tristam says
Most Christians are not even Christian. Not even close.
justsayin says
Your words have never rang so true. People believe good deeds will get them into heaven. It does not work that way.
Let’s look at the senator from Georgia, Reverend Raphael Warnock has a PH. D and is an “ordained minister”. Yet he is one of most radical left-wing politicians in the country. He is ok with slaughtering a baby at full term. I’m not a theologian; however, I did google the Ten Commandments and what do you know, “You shall not murder” was right there. It is sad to see a person like him and many others like him stand in the pulpit for sordid gain every Sunday.
The sad truth is tens of thousands of people who claim to be Christians will vote for him. Their belief in the democrat party will outweigh their so-called Christian beliefs. Next Sunday morning they will all go back to church with their “I VOTED” pin and pretend to praise God. Is it because he’s not a “White Christian” that he gets a pass or is it because he has a “D” after his name “Reverend” Raphael Warnock (D) that he gets a pass.
Jesus Christ, the one whom “Christ”- ian is the one who they are to emulate says this, “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. “He who hates Me hates My Father (God) also.
Identity politics has destroyed this country from the inside out. It’s imploding. First, it was white privilege. Now, it’s white Christians. If you vote Republican and your white, you’re a ” White Terrorist” and more dangerous the ISIS. Never in my life have I seen a party divided as it is today.
DaleL says
Warnock supports a woman being able to choose. Her choice as to whether to have an abortion is between her, her doctor, and her god. That is FREEDOM. Warnock has never, to my knowledge, encouraged or paid for an abortion. It is a flat out lie that: “He is ok with slaughtering a baby at full term.” In contrast Warnock’s opponent, Walker has paid for abortions. If a person truly believes that an abortion is the same as murder, then paying for an abortion is the same as hiring a “hit man”.
The Ten Commandments include more that just “Thou shall not kill” which in some translations is “Thou shall not murder”. All the Commandments presumably are equal. Honesty, “Thou shall not bear false witness” and “Thou shall not commit adultery” are commandments that Walker has broken. (Walker has fathered several children out of wedlock.)
Jesus reportedly turned water into wine, the good stuff that is normally served first. He also threw the money changers out of the temple. He preached charity and forgiveness. He would be branded a “radical leftist” by many people today.
Nancy N. says
Nobody thinks that “slaughtering a baby at full term” is ok. The fact that you’ve somehow come to the twisted misbelief that your political opponents actually support that (and that you actually think that it is a thing at all) says more about you than about anyone else. It is, frankly, downright offensive to every person who supports abortion rights to be mischaracterized that way. You need to educate yourself on the reality of abortion as healthcare, especially in the third trimester, and stop listening to inflammatory disinformation on the topic.
justsayin says
Here is what women’s health care sounds like. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvwwCZMrNXI
Remember what’s being ” Slaughtered” when you hear the loud machine for the suction.
Timothy Patrick Welch says
I like to think some are just further along the path.
Best, Tim
Aj says
White men have said for years this country was founded on Christian Values. Rapes, lynchings, burnings, denials of basic freedoms, is Christian in their thinking. I used to believe that, no more, after I studied some of the dark history of this country. To all that will read this it is a big lie this country was founded on Christian Values. That is a big brainwashing demonic lie from the white man. If they were so Christian why did they murder the Indians and steal their land?
Timothy Patrick Welch says
Evil lurks in the hearts of all men.
The Government assumed control over the land. Christians in general attempted to show compassion and love for their fellow man. Two separate entities.
Timothy Patrick Welch says
The American Government has the authority and is solely responsible.
There is a separation between Religion and Government in America.
Easy to look back at past atrocities, harder to move forward and do what is right.
Timothy Patrick Welch says
Not all Americans are Christian.
And not all persons that claim the faith act as Christian should all the time.
William Moya says
Tim, I think for now “Person of the Year” is out in your case. But I feel somehow indebted to you in the you so eloquently, concisely articulated what we atheists believe religion to be, part and parcel of politics, in your case a breeding ground for racists, nationalists, as others in their responses have made clear, as the Holocausts was a tool to cleanse humanity of all its “impurities”. Alas, America is paying for a history of genocide to the nations that had been here for centuries, slavery, lynching, concentration camps, wars to impose US hegemony, and have left its citizens with a political economic system that work against them. Next week will have an election and in spite of all the rhetoric, regardless of who wins, little will change. What happen to “We the People”?
Timothy Patrick Welch says
Stay free…
Lets hope for fewer laws, more tolerance, truthful books, and unbiased news reporting.
William, as an atheist on what do you base your morals?
Laurel says
TPW: Please understand that a person does not have to believe in any religion to behave in a manner that fits into society with respect, compassion, wisdom, empathy, sympathy, intelligence or spirituality if wanted. I was not raised with religion, and you would have to take me kicking and screaming into a church. Yet, I don’t steal, cheat, abuse or defame those around me. I don’t call normal people “demons.” I am free to think for myself, and not forced to take on other’s interpretations of how to live. I don’t want it from so called “White Christian Nationalists,” either.
And no, I do not fear God. My God is the universe and its common vibration. It’s the Earth. What are we doing to it? It’s the feeling of acknowledging when something is right, and not negative, and not trying to run other people’s lives.
It’s actually hard to live my way, and I understand that it is much easier to have something to follow. A book to tell people what to do. A preacher to show people a path. That way, a person doesn’t have to think too much, and cannot be blamed for actions unless that person has gone off the path. Some of us don’t want that, and should not be forced into it.
We are fortunate to live where there is freedom of religion and well as freedom from religion, so far.
Jacie says
Laurel,
Your comments are right on. The reality is that most do not even understand how Abrahamic religions developed. In particular, they do not understand how religion was once female-oriented. It was designed on nature, and that meant a natural respect for women as the ones who bring forth life. Male oriented religions “copied” those aspects and made males the “life givers” which is highly disrespectful to women. I agree with you. I do not fear God, as I see God as the source of love and creation – not to be feared. It was patriarchal religion which taught us to fear “Father God.” I am grateful too that we live in a country where we are free from religion and can see God as we choose. I only wish there was a church with our beliefs around here.
William Moya says
In my love and respect for other humans, and understanding that life is a learning experience, bad and good which makes us a mixed bag, and towards the end your realize that it just isn’t enough time to make up for all the pain you caused and the people you forgot to thank for all their help. You see Dickens was on to something, is about evolving and keeping the ghosts away, he was much closer to Freud than you think.