In the soap opera of American politics, the white evangelical church and the GOP are like that dramatic couple who just can't keep their hands off each other, much to the dismay of the 'separation of church and state' that's constantly third-wheeling. They've turned political rallies into tent revivals and Supreme Court nominations into Sunday School selections. The evangelicals have essentially swiped right on policies that have less to do with the Good Book and more with the good ol' boys club, all while singing....
"What a Friend We Have in Trump."
Then there’s the Christian nationalist crowd, who seem to have their Bible in one hand and a voter suppression guidebook in the other, turning political discourse into a cosmic battle royale. They've got the kind of commitment to merging church and state that would make a medieval king blush. And don't get me started on the history lesson—apparently, theology's been moonlighting as a real estate agent, with doctrines that handed out indigenous lands like goody bags at a conquistador's birthday party.
Oh, and just when you thought our show couldn't get any more dramatic, enter the white evangelical church, not just as the moral compass that's lost its North but as the ensemble cast member whose performative activism deserves an Oscar for 'Best Dramatic Pretense.' They've been rehearsing their lines in the theater of racial unity, but alas, often end up playing the villain in the historical saga of racial injustice.
Their script? A mix of selective memory and 'All Lives Matter' monologues, with a stubborn refusal to acknowledge their role in propping up the status quo. It’s a performance so convincing that it almost distracts from the real work needed to dismantle systemic racism. So, will the white evangelical church turn in their costumes and join the rest of the cast in the 21st century? Or will they stick to their revival of yesteryear's classics? Tune in for more riveting, if not cringe-worthy, episodes!
So here we are, folks, in the satirical sitcom of modern times, where democracy is up for interpretation, and the line between a campaign speech and a sermon is blurrier than Bigfoot's headshot. Let's give a round of applause for the political strategists, who could probably sell snow cones to Eskimos—or in this case, theocratic ideals to a country founded on religious freedom!
Anneshia Hardy | The Hardy Exchange