Wild Faith

1. The Christian Right's War: It's Always Been About Capturing Women and Children

But everyone who has an inch of cunning knows that the best way to win a war—particularly a war for the soul of a country, rather than its mere earthly trappings—is to capture the women and children.

Spiritual warfare. The Christian Right views American society as locked in a battle between good and evil, with women and children as key targets. This perspective fuels their efforts to control women's bodies and indoctrinate children with their beliefs. The author, a Jewish woman, emphasizes the constant awareness of this "music" of Christianity, a tune to which everyone else seems to dance, making her feel like an outsider.

Control over women. Laws restricting abortion and reproductive rights are seen as a way to reclaim women's bodies for God's purposes. The author argues that these laws are not just about morality but about power and control. The author highlights the story of Fran and Dan Keller, who were falsely accused of satanic ritual abuse in their day care, as an example of the dangers of religious zealotry.

Indoctrination of children. The Christian Right seeks to shape children's minds through homeschooling, religious education, and censorship of books in public schools. The goal is to create a generation that adheres to their values and worldview. The author emphasizes the importance of paying attention to the "music of war" unfolding all around us and learning its melody to prevail.

2. Demons in the Details: The Devil Drives Political Beliefs

To members of the Christian Right, Satan’s hand is everywhere extended, and it is the duty of each of the faithful to fight in the street, the court, and the heart.

Literal belief in demons. A significant portion of American evangelicals believe in the literal existence of demons and their influence on the world. This belief shapes their political views and actions. The author points to Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House, as an example of a high-ranking government official who believes in demons.

Satanic Panic never ended. The Satanic Panic of the 1980s, in which day care providers were falsely accused of satanic ritual abuse, is not a thing of the past. The same motivations and beliefs that fueled the panic are still alive and well in the United States. The author cites the case of the Kellers, who were wrongly convicted of child abuse based on fabricated allegations, as an example of the devastating consequences of this belief.

Spiritual warfare. Evangelicals see themselves as engaged in a spiritual war against Satan and his forces. This belief motivates their political activism and their efforts to transform American society. The author describes a "Jesus March" in Portland, Oregon, as an example of this spiritual warfare in action.

3. Faith and Filthy Lucre: How Belief Fuels the Right-Wing Grift Machine

What he asked his audiences to do was trust him. And to believe. And they were so good, so very good, at doing that already, especially when the voice was telling them what they really wanted to hear, deep down.

The business of belief. Faith can be a lucrative business, and the Christian Right is no exception. Many individuals and organizations profit from selling fear, paranoia, and religious certainty to their followers. The author points to Donald Trump as an example of a con man who has successfully exploited the faith of evangelicals for his own gain.

QAnon and conspiracy theories. The QAnon conspiracy theory, with its belief in a secret cabal of pedophiles and its depiction of Trump as a savior figure, is deeply intertwined with evangelical Christian beliefs. The author argues that QAnon is a modern-day version of the "nocturnal ritual fantasy," a recurring trope in Western history in which social out-groups are accused of perverse and ritualistic behaviors.

The "Seven Mountains Mandate." This mandate calls on believers to take control of the seven key areas of societal influence: government, family, education, religion, media, arts and entertainment, and business. The author argues that this mandate gives an intense spiritual gravity to every minute squabble in the culture wars.

4. Prophets in the Parlor: The Rise of Political Prophecy

The United States has always been a land overpopulated with prophets, and this unsettled decade has led to a new wave of self-proclaimed redeemers ready to reveal the blazing path toward righteousness—and use, in a favorite evangelical phrase, “the sword of the Lord” to cut down any in their path.

American susceptibility to prophecy. The United States has a long history of religious fervor and prophetic movements. The author points to the Great Awakenings and figures like Joseph Smith as examples of this phenomenon. The author notes that the prophetic spirit has been part of the American landscape since its very beginnings.

The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). This movement seeks to establish a new branch of Christianity that makes contemporary prophets and apostles central to the faith. The author argues that NAR also explicitly aims to establish a kingdom of Christ on Earth, gaining as much temporal power as possible. The author points to figures like Sean Feucht and Dutch Sheets as examples of NAR leaders.

Prophecy and politics. Many evangelicals see current events through the lens of biblical prophecy. This leads them to support certain political figures and policies that they believe will hasten the end times. The author points to the comparison of Donald Trump to Cyrus the Great as an example of this phenomenon.

5. Agony and Ecstasy: Christian Zionism and the Apocalyptic Endgame

It is these evangelicals who consider themselves Christian Zionists and whose unswerving support for Israel has a profound impact on Republican foreign policy.

Christian Zionism. This movement views the modern state of Israel as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy and believes that its existence is necessary for the second coming of Christ. The author argues that this belief has a significant impact on Republican foreign policy. The author notes that Christian Zionists have spent millions of dollars in support of ongoing Israeli settlement within the disputed territory of the West Bank.

The red heifer. The author describes a joint project among evangelical Christians and Jewish zealots to breed a red heifer without blemish, as its ashes are a precondition for the return of Jewish sacrifice in a rebuilt holy temple. The author notes that this is a literal vision of a world-swallowing inferno.

John Hagee and CUFI. The author describes John Hagee, the founder of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), as a prominent figure in the American evangelical landscape and in the Republican Party. The author notes that Hagee has expressed anti-Semitic views and that his book Jerusalem Countdown predicts a vast and bloody war preceding Christ's return.

6. Sex and Death: The Christian Right's War on Bodily Autonomy

The signature, fizzing mix of strong emotions that constitute Trumpism may originate from its figurehead, but unlike prosperity, it has a tendency to trickle down.

Abortion as a central issue. Opposition to abortion has become a defining issue for the Christian Right. The author argues that this is a strategic political decision that has allowed the movement to gain broader support. The author notes that the Christian Right has used a variety of rhetorical strategies to oppose abortion, including comparisons to the Holocaust and slavery.

Violence against abortion providers. The author describes a history of violence against abortion providers and their patients, including the attempted murder of Dr. George Tiller and the arson attacks on abortion clinics. The author argues that this violence is a direct result of the Christian Right's rhetoric and beliefs.

The overturning of Roe v. Wade. The author argues that the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 was the culmination of the Christian Right's long-term efforts to restrict abortion access. The author notes that this decision has led to a wave of restrictive state laws that are endangering the lives of women.

7. "Train Up a Child": Indoctrination and the Loss of Childhood

The world of the Christian Right is largely insular, shunning worldly influence. It has its own schools and universities, its own movies, its own microcelebrities, its own methods of parenting and marriage, its own trends.

Insular world. The Christian Right has created its own insular world, with its own schools, universities, media, and cultural products. The author argues that this insularity is designed to protect children from the corrupting influences of the outside world. The author notes that the Christian Right has set up a parallel universe of homeschool curricula and legal defense groups that fundraise off fear.

Seven Mountain Mandate. The author notes that the Seven Mountain Mandate demands that believers "take the seven mountains of culture for Christ's Kingdom." The author argues that total dominion over these spheres is key to winning the spiritual war against Satan. The author notes that the seven mountains are government, family, education, religion, media, arts and entertainment, and business.

The Seven Mountain Mandate demands that believers “take the seven mountains of culture for Christ’s Kingdom.” The seven mountains are as follows: government, family, education, religion, media, arts and entertainment, and business. Total dominion over these spheres is key to winning the spiritual war against Satan.

8. Good Christian Fathers: The Call to Dominate and Control

White Evangelicals have come to view themselves as a besieged minority, and Donald Trump, for all his faults, has committed to a common desire to take America back to its days of greatness in the 1950s.

Patriarchal model. The Christian Right promotes a patriarchal model of the family, in which men are the heads of households and women are submissive to their husbands. The author argues that this model is rooted in a desire to control women and maintain traditional gender roles. The author points to the teachings of Bill Gothard as an example of this patriarchal model.

Opposition to no-fault divorce. The Christian Right opposes no-fault divorce, which allows women to leave abusive or unhappy marriages without having to prove wrongdoing on the part of their husbands. The author argues that this opposition is part of a broader effort to restrict women's autonomy and keep them under male control. The author notes that the Republican Party of Texas has called for the rescinding of unilateral no-fault divorce laws.

Militant masculinity. The Christian Right promotes a vision of masculinity that emphasizes strength, dominance, and a willingness to fight for one's beliefs. The author points to the Power Team and the Promise Keepers as examples of this trend. The author notes that this vision of masculinity can lead to violence and aggression.

9. Gentle, Smiling Mothers: The Submissive Ideal and Its Discontents

The world of MAGA is a chaotic assortment of individuals who work day and night to capture that fizz, even to bottle it.

The "help meet." The Christian Right promotes the idea that women were created to be "help meets" to their husbands, providing support and assistance but never taking the lead. The author argues that this ideal is rooted in a desire to control women and limit their opportunities. The author points to the writings of Debi Pearl as an example of this ideal.

Rejection of feminism. The Christian Right rejects feminism and its emphasis on women's equality and independence. The author argues that this rejection is part of a broader backlash against social change and a desire to return to a more traditional social order. The author notes that Phyllis Schlafly, a prominent figure in the Christian Right, opposed the Equal Rights Amendment.

The "stay-at-home daughters" movement. This movement encourages young women to remain at home under the authority of their fathers, forgoing careers and higher education in order to focus on domestic duties. The author argues that this movement is a way to control women and limit their opportunities. The author points to the Botkin sisters as examples of leaders in this movement.

10. One Big Happy Family: Homeschooling and the Fortress Mentality

The world of the Christian Right is largely insular, shunning worldly influence. It has its own schools and universities, its own movies, its own microcelebrities, its own methods of parenting and marriage, its own trends.

Homeschooling as a means of control. The Christian Right has embraced homeschooling as a way to protect children from the corrupting influences of public schools. The author argues that this is a way to indoctrinate children with their beliefs and limit their exposure to different perspectives. The author notes that the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) has played a key role in promoting homeschooling and fighting against regulations.

Lack of oversight. The author argues that the lack of oversight in homeschooling allows for abuse and neglect to go undetected. The author points to the Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE) as an organization that is working to address this issue. The author notes that only Pennsylvania and Arkansas prevent convicted child abusers or sex offenders from homeschooling.

The "Joshua Generation." The author notes that some Christian homeschoolers see themselves as part of a "Joshua Generation" that will rise up and take positions of power and influence in government, law, and beyond, and in so doing help restore the United States as a Christian nation. The author points to Alex Harris as an example of this trend.

11. The Burning Path: Theocratic Control and the Erosion of Democracy

All around you is the white-hot music of belief, the rigid goose steps getting closer, of those whose movements are guided by its beat.

Theocratic goals. The author argues that the Christian Right seeks to establish a theocracy in the United States, imposing its religious beliefs on all members of society. The author notes that this goal is reflected in the rhetoric and policies of Republican politicians. The author points to the "Millstone Act" in Oklahoma as an example of this trend.

Erosion of democracy. The author argues that the Christian Right's pursuit of power is undermining democracy in the United States. The author points to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the gerrymandering of voting districts, and the January 6th insurrection as examples of this trend. The author notes that the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 lays out a comprehensive vision for a conservative future that would undermine federal institutions and promote a Christian nationalist agenda.

The need for resistance. The author concludes by arguing that it is essential to resist the Christian Right's efforts to impose its beliefs on American society. The author calls for a "countermarch" against the "rough music of God's justice" and for a defense of free will and pluralism. The author emphasizes the importance of listening to the voices of those who have been harmed by the Christian Right and of working to create a more just and equitable society.

Last updated: February 4, 2025