Redefining religion to suit power politics

The West has hit the wall with attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs that formed the bases for good governance.

Atlantic magazine contributor, McKay Coppins, seems to have hunted down consultants that fit his description of religious scholarship to support his interpretation of prayer rendered for Donald J. Trump. Coppins’ take on what Christian prayer should be comprised has colored his concept of righteousness, which is mischaracterized by non-believers as an elevation of self above that of others.

Beginning with that misunderstanding of the word within the sphere of biblical terminology, there can only be one outcome of secularist opinion mirroring how they see themselves, which is superior to those of faith.

Being righteous in regard to God is not what Christian outsiders think it is. It is having right standing with God due to placing all faith in Him instead of in oneself. That is a submission to esteeming God as sovereign over oneself, not esteeming oneself as better than others.

Starting from this premise, Coppin is self-righteous in his derogation of prayer that is rendered for office-holders and those seeking to represent the electorate. Prayers offered for the nation and candidates by believers are to glorify God first, asking His blessing on them for guidance and, yes, righteousness as biblically understood, which is not the same as Coppin and his consultants’ definition.

Now that’s been cleared up, there is a problem with non-believers doing their best to paint Christians, in particular, with the brush of intolerance. There is, however, example after example of secularists, i.e. godless, imposing their belief system (a religion unto itself) onto others.

The opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Paris exemplified a minority inflicting on viewers their irreverence for others’ beliefs, while expecting viewers to celebrate that disrespect. Its a one-way street according to non-believers.

Coppin demonstrates his deep offense of Christianity, and, in effect, other religious convictions by making it his mission to criticize prayer, or mention of God and Christ, at the opening of public events. Thus, he finds himself a competent judge of Trump supporters, that the candidate is “presented as an infallible hero.” Surmising what are others’ opinions instead of compiling first-hand knowledge is an interesting formula to reach a conclusion. That is how detractors of conservative and Christian beliefs make their assumptions, and Coppin is, apparently, no exception.

The obvious reverse of this is that individuals like Coppin do think their own candidates can do no wrong despite prima facia evidence that is rapidly being rewritten. Check how Google redirects inquiries about Trump to positive stories about Kamala Harris. Nor do they believe that their progressive stances can do harm.

To the contrary, the political pressure being applied to conservatives, particularly Christians, have resulted in egregious misapplication of law. Examples are grandmothers being sentenced to prison after praying at an abortion clinic or “parading” in the Capitol, and women being physically battered in competition with men stating they are women (the volleyball match where a transgender targeted a female player; in the Olympic boxing ring where a man – previously denied a pass to compete – used his physical superiority to “win” against a female). These are actions that have endangered lives, they are not benign.

Policies enacted supporting or sponsoring secular beliefs to serve special interests abrogates free expression of religion and speech enshrined by the Constitution. David Barton of Wallbuilders makes a coherent argument that secularism should be considered a religion itself, as adherents exhibit ardent faith in their beliefs. The same argument could be made that Communism and climate change are religious in nature as well.

Religion has become the political bludgeon du jour, whether it’s wielded against Christianity, or implemented as unassailable to promote secular beliefs and antisemitic crimes. There are no longer consequences for publicly denigrating, physically injuring, or, in some instances, raping and murdering believers and bystanders if the perpetrator comes under the wing of secular protection. That includes LGBTQ+ activists, illegal immigrants, Antifa, BLM, Hamas supporters, and violent leftist extremists.

In today’s world, much as in ancient cultures like Rome or Babylon, religion is defined by the State, creating itself as sovereign and to be worshipped as god. Monotheistic religions of Judaism and Christianity are judged incompatible with ideologies that elevate social aberrations as righteous according to the secular concept. The faithful are defamed and punished for honoring God with their prayers and non-violent actions.

Politics has taken the form of religion by government-worshipping antagonists of the Christian and Judaic tenets that inspired this nation’s foundation. ‘Everything is political’ is now further interpreted by secularists as ‘politics is religion.’ Hence their derogatory application of “Christian Nationalist” directed at anyone who believes in God and also stands by the Constitution.

Former newspaper publisher, A. Dru Kristenev, grew up in the publishing industry working every angle of a paper, from ad composition and sales, to personnel management, copy writing, and overseeing all editorial content. During her tenure as a news professional, Kristenev traveled internationally as a representative of the paper and, on separate occasions, non-profit organizations. Since 2007, Kristenev has authored five fact-filled political suspense novels, the Baron Series, and two non-fiction books, all available on Amazon. Carrying an M.S. degree and having taught at premier northwest universities, she is the trustee of Scribes’ College of Journalism, which mission is to train a new generation of journalists in biblical standards of reporting. More information about the college and how to support it can be obtained by contacting Kristenev at cw.o@earthlink.net.

ChangingWind (changingwind.org) is a solutions-centered Christian ministry.

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