Latest news with #ChristianNationalism
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Joe Rogan twists the knife on Trump urging liberal lawmaker to run for president
Joe Rogan took another shot at former buddy Donald Trump as he urged a liberal Texas lawmaker to run for president because, 'we need someone who is actually a good person.' The podcaster fawned over Democratic Texas state Rep. James Talarico on his show on Friday, telling the 36-year-old to bring in a new generation of leadership. Talarico is a former teacher who joined the Texas state legislature in 2018 at just 28. He often receives millions of views on Instagram clips where he shares his speeches and previously argued there are 'six genders'. He is known as a devoutly religious lawmaker who rails against the rise of 'Christian Nationalism' on the right, a topic that earned Rogan's seal of approval this week. After being told by Rogan to seek the White House, Talarico brushed off the remark. 'Can I actually push back on that?' he responded. 'We were talking about how politics has become a religion. This is one of the ways it does. People put all their faith in a politician.' Talarico name-checked Trump and former Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders as examples, saying that while he 'likes Bernie... some people treat him as if he's a messianic figure.' Rogan's shot at Trump is the latest in a string of breaks from the president following his endorsement of him last year. This week, he slammed Trump's bungled handling of the 'Epstein files', saying it appeared the White House was lying to the American people because 'they've got videotape and all of a sudden they don't.' He has also used his massive podcast platform to criticize Trump for some ICE raids on illegal immigrants without criminal records and has described his feud with Canada as 'stupid' in recent episodes. Talarico – an aspiring preacher who is in seminary school – said on Rogan's show this week that the 'problem' with modern politics comes from voters seeing politicians as deities and argued that those in office are far from perfect. After the state rep. cited Bernie Sanders as an example, Rogan countered that he 'is one of the only ones that has been remarkably consistent his entire career.' 'I know, but he's still a flawed human being, right? Just like we all are,' Talarico responded. 'The change is going to come from your listeners, not from me. I can be a part of that.' The high-profile interview comes as Talarico is seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party and is said to be mulling an underdog bid for the US Senate. Rogan, a former liberal who endorsed Trump in the presidential campaign, asked Talarico why he is a Democrat on the show. 'My mother saw Texas Democrats who fought for the little guy, for working people, people who were forgotten and left behind,' Talarico responded, saying that the party has lost its way in recent times. 'That was the classic Democratic Party.' After slamming Trump with an apparent insult at how America needs a president who is 'actually a good person', Rogan also hit out at the Republican Party. He singled out Republicans who have introduced strict abortion policies in recent years, which he described as 'very creepy.' Talarico has raised eyebrows with some past remarks, including in 2021 when he argued in the Texas statehouse that there are 'six genders.' 'The point is that biologically speaking, scientifically speaking, sex is a spectrum, and oftentimes can be very ambiguous,' he said at the time, per the New York Post. Immediately following his interview with Rogan, Talarico told Politico that he went on the show of the influential podcaster to turn him back to the liberal side, despite his endorsement of Trump last year. 'He speaks for a lot of people who don't feel like they belong in either political party, and are rightly suspicious of a corrupt political system,' Talarico said. He said he was surprised to be invited by Rogan onto the show, which came after the podcaster saw one of his viral social media videos where he explained his opposition to posting the Ten Commandments in public schools. 'When we got the email invitation, I originally thought it was a phishing scam,' he said. 'But we called them and realized it was legit, and it was a surprise — just given that I'm a state rep. — to get invited on such a big national platform. He said he had seen some of my videos and wanted to talk. So we jumped at the opportunity.' Asked about Rogan's turn towards conservatism, he added: 'After sitting with him for two and a half hours, I have a clearer understanding of where he's coming from on a lot of this stuff. I just got the overwhelming impression that Joe Rogan is not loyal to either political party, and is deeply skeptical of our political system as a whole. I think that skepticism also applies to Donald Trump, just like it did to Joe Biden last year.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Joe Rogan twists the knife on Trump as he urges liberal lawmaker to run for president
Joe Rogan took another shot at former buddy Donald Trump as he urged a liberal Texas lawmaker to run for president because, 'we need someone who is actually a good person.' The podcaster fawned over Democratic Texas state Rep. James Talarico on his show on Friday, telling the 36-year-old to bring in a new generation of leadership. Talarico is a former teacher who joined the Texas state legislature in 2018 at just 28. He often receives millions of views on Instagram clips where he shares his speeches and previously argued there are 'six genders'. He is known as a devoutly religious lawmaker who rails against the rise of 'Christian Nationalism' on the right, a topic that earned Rogan's seal of approval this week. After being told by Rogan to seek the White House, Talarico brushed off the remark. 'Can I actually push back on that?' he responded. 'We were talking about how politics has become a religion. This is one of the ways it does. People put all their faith in a politician.' Talarico name checked Trump and former Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders as examples, saying that while he 'likes Bernie... some people treat him as if he's a messianic figure.' Rogan, who endorsed Trump for president last year, appeared to insult Trump as he told Talarico to run for the White House telling Talarico (pictured) 'we need someone who is actually a good person' Rogan's shot at Trump is the latest in a string of breaks from the president following his endorsement of him last year. This week, he slammed Trump's bungled handling of the 'Epstein files', saying it appeared the White House was lying to the American people because 'they've got videotape and all of a sudden they don't.' He has also used his massive podcast platform to criticize Trump for some ICE raids on illegal immigrants without criminal records and has described his feud with Canada as 'stupid' in recent episodes. Talarico - an aspiring preacher who is in seminary school - said on Rogan's show this week that the 'problem' with modern politics comes from voters seeing politicians as deities, and argued that those in office are far from perfect. After the state rep. cited Bernie Sanders as an example, Rogan countered that he 'is one of the only ones that has been remarkably consistent his entire career.' 'I know, but he's still a flawed human being, right? Just like we all are,' Talarico responded. 'The change is going to come from your listeners, not from me. I can be a part of that.' The high-profile interview comes as Talarico is seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party, and is said to be mulling an underdog bid for the US Senate. The high-profile interview comes as Talarico (pictured recently with his niece) is seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party, and is said to be mulling an underdog bid for the US Senate Rogan, a former liberal who endorsed Trump in the presidential campaign, asked Talarico why he is a Democrat on the show. 'My mother saw Texas Democrats who fought for the little guy, for working people, people who were forgotten and left behind,' Talarico responded, saying that the party has lost its way in recent times. 'That was the classic Democratic Party.' After slamming Trump with an apparent insult at how America needs a president who is 'actually a good person ', Rogan also hit out at the Republican Party. He singled out Republicans who have introduced strict abortion policies in recent years, which he described as 'very creepy.' Talarico has raised eyebrows with some past remarks, including in 2021 when he argued in the Texas statehouse that there are 'six genders.' 'The point is that biologically speaking, scientifically speaking, sex is a spectrum, and oftentimes can be very ambiguous,' he said at the time, per the New York Post. Immediately following his interview with Rogan, Talarico told Politico that he went on the show of the influential podcaster to turn him back to the liberal side, despite his endorsement of Trump last year. 'He speaks for a lot of people who don't feel like they belong in either political party, and are rightly suspicious of a corrupt political system,' Talarico said. He said he was surprised to be invited by Rogan onto the show, which came after the podcaster saw one of his viral social media videos where he explained his opposition to posting the Ten Commandments in public schools. 'When we got the email invitation, I originally thought it was a phishing scam,' he said. 'But we called them and realized it was legit, and it was a surprise — just given that I'm a state rep. — to get invited on such a big national platform. He said he had seen some of my videos and wanted to talk. So we jumped at the opportunity.' Asked about Rogan's turn towards conservatism, he added: 'After sitting with him for two and a half hours, I have a clearer understanding of where he's coming from on a lot of this stuff. 'I just got the overwhelming impression that Joe Rogan is not loyal to either political party, and is deeply skeptical of our political system as a whole. I think that skepticism also applies to Donald Trump, just like it did to Joe Biden last year.'
Time Magazine
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
Netflix's Sobering Apocalypse in the Tropics Depicts the Rise of Evangelical Christianity in Brazilian Politics
In the opening shot of Apocalypse in the Tropics, the camera pans across a cracked canvas on which a group of nude figures, all with blurred expressions, seek shelter inside the protective cocoon of a cracked white egg. This detail is part of the enigmatic triptych The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch, a painting that serves as a moral warning about the destructive power of unchecked desires. It's a fitting introduction to a documentary that examines the rise of Christian Nationalism in Brazil, which hits Netflix today after premiering at last year's Venice Film Festival. Directed, co-written, and narrated by Petra Costa, whose 2019 film The Edge of Democracy was nominated for an Academy Award, this eye-opening documentary is divided into chapters, each one recounting a seismic sociopolitical moment that gripped the nation. The cinematography blends the historical with the mythic and personal, combining archival footage and interviews with spiritual leaders and political officials. Among the most prominent are televangelist Silas Malafaia and Brazil's current and former presidents, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (known as Lula) and Jair Bolsonaro. 'Making this film was an epic journey. We filmed for four years, almost uninterruptedly, during one of the darkest and most difficult times in Brazil's history,' Costa tells TIME. Her team sifted through thousands of hours of archival footage, filed many freedom of information requests in Brazil and the U.S., gained access to a powerful televangelist and two presidents engaged in power struggles, and navigated COVID-19 wards, mass graves, and the homes of the poor. 'Our desire was to capture the pulse of Brazilian society from the streets to the congress, up to the presidential palace. In doing so, what came into focus through the material was the extraordinary grip religious leaders were holding on political power, and the threat religious fundamentalism is posing to the separation of church and state,' says Costa. Laying the groundwork for Christian nationalism Following the period of colonial rule and tradition, during the fourth Brazilian Republic, President Juscelino Kubitschek envisioned a new future for Brazil centered on democracy, not grounded in faith in God but in progress and equality. He encouraged a nationalistic spirit and the belief that the country would become a great world power. Kubitschek constructed the new federal capital, Brasilia, designed by Oscar Niemeyer and Lúcio Costa, and inaugurated it in April 1960. Brazilians considered the capital city, which replaced Rio de Janeiro, a symbol of the nation's future significance on the world stage. This vision did not fully come to fruition. In recent years, Brazil has become increasingly fragmented, amplified by a widespread subscription to hateful doctrines, culture wars, anti-intellectualism, disinformation on social media, apocalyptic messaging, doomsday conspiracy theories, and ethno-religious identity politics. Apocalypse in the Tropics depicts the Christian nationalists and fundamentalists who have risen to power in Brazil as beholden to a belief in divine retribution. Political and religious leaders such as Malafaia and Magno Malta embrace a vengeful Jesus willing to strike down non-believers and perceived enemies of God. Some of this stems from what the documentary positions as a misinterpretation of the often-cited and controversial Book of Revelation. Their goal is to establish a Christian nation and defend cultural conservatism. Costa's filmmaking firmly establishes the view that this group will pursue these objectives even at the cost of 'loving thy neighbor' and the interests of society at large. For centuries, Catholicism brought by Portuguese colonizers—serving as both a spiritual framework and a political tool—laid the groundwork for Christian nationalism to grow. 'While it provided rituals and beliefs that shaped Brazil's cultural identity, it was also used to legitimize the violent subjugation of Indigenous peoples and the enslavement of millions of Africans forcibly brought to the country,' Costa says. In the past 40 years, evangelism has surged from 5 percent to over 30 percent of Brazil's population. Though it once wielded great influence over people's lives, the Holy See's power has waned in recent times. Still, with the rise of populist and ultra-conservative politicians utilizing nationalistic rhetoric, theocracy is becoming a greater concern for secular societies. Costa sees the message of Apocalypse in the Tropics as having resonance far beyond Brazil. 'From Hungary to India, Italy to the United States, a whole generation of far-right leaders has emerged with strong ties to fundamentalist theologies. And as their movements grow, so does the power of the individual religious leaders at their forefront,' she says. During the 1960s, a vastly different movement emerged within Brazil's Catholic Church: Liberation Theology, rooted in values of social justice and defending the poor. During the Cold War, this was viewed as a threat to U.S. interests, and followers were branded as communists. In archival footage shown in the documentary, Henry Kissinger warns President Nixon that the Catholic Church is no longer an ally in Latin America. The administration worked with a lobbying group called 'The Family' to convert people there to evangelical Christianity. 'Our film uncovered previously unreported material revealing how American evangelical missionaries were sent to Brazil to counteract the influence of Liberation Theology. Since then, Brazil has developed its own version of evangelicalism,' Costa explains. The country's poor found a home in this Christian movement that preaches the prosperity gospel, believing that church sermons and donations will lead to wealth on Earth. As shown in Apocalypse in the Tropics, evangelical churches in Brazil are plentiful and accessible, often operating out of people's homes, as compared to Catholic churches. The loud, brazen demeanor adopted by many pastors inspires mass trances and a sense of divine supremacy. Wealth is a draw for the rich and poor alike, a capitalist paradise rooted in fervent belief and devotion. Religion, government, and power The ambitious Pentecostal pastor and televangelist Malafaia—considered a kingmaker, is among those religious leaders in Brazil who have amassed wealth and celebrity through their sermons. Over the years, he has expanded his influence into politics, building close ties with politicians and endorsing presidential candidates, including the ultra-right-wing Bolsonaro, whom he claims was chosen and anointed by God to lead. Malafaia's support helped him win the presidency in 2019. He went on to support Lula in 2022, though the relationship disintegrated due to vastly differing values. In the documentary, Costa interviews Malafaia, who sometimes veers off into angry rants, especially concerning the country's leftists. He talks about the power evangelical leaders hold in politics and how they can make or break political candidates.. One major reason the incumbent Bolsonaro lost the 2022 election was his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, widely agreed to be a failure stemming from indifference. He ignored scientific consensus and strategies to fight the pandemic in favor of herd immunity, fasting, promises, and prayers, while also spreading conspiracy theories. When asked about Brazil's high death toll (becoming the second-worst-affected country in the world), in the documentary Bolsonaro chillingly responds, 'So what? What am I to do? I'm Messiah but I don't do miracles. Why make people panic when everyone will die?' Since Bolsonaro is currently ineligible to run for president again until 2030, Christian nationalist leaders, who are closely aligned with the far-right, are seeking a successor in the 2026 general election. 'These leaders have not disappeared, and their caucus is one of the most powerful in Congress,' says Costa. 'To make matters worse, this is also happening at a time when the legislature has essentially robbed the executive branch of much of its power.' In Apocalypse in the Tropics, Congressman and President of the Evangelical Caucus Sóstenes Cavalcante says that the group has grown from 50 members in 2002 to 142 in the Senate. President Lula is dealing with a conservative legislative branch that challenges his leadership and an inability to pass significant reforms, such as increasing taxes on Brazil's wealthiest. 'Taxing Brazil's ultra-wealthy would affect only 50 families and generate an estimated $260 billion USD,' says Costa. A portrait of more than just Brazil Costa suggests that one way to understand the chaos of our current era is as 'the hangover from an information revolution.' Just as the printing press sparked upheaval in its time, social media is now causing widespread fallout. Today's algorithms are not 'designed to foster democratic debate, collective decision-making, or the careful building of consensus,' but are crafted for virality, outrage, conflict, and emotional extremes—amplifying divisive messages. 'This makes these spaces particularly fertile ground for religious fundamentalism and other forms of extremism,' Costa explains. In a scene from a 2018 election rally, Bolsonaro addresses the enraptured crowd, saying, 'If I get there [as president], if it's up to me, every citizen will have a gun at home, there won't be an inch of land for indigenous people and no slavery reparations,' while pretending to shoot at Workers' Party voters from the Brazilian state of Acre with a machine gun. During his presidency, Bolsonaro and his cabinet members repeatedly hinted at challenging the rule of law against opponents like Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who has investigated him several times for illegal disinformation. Another scene where tanks drive through the streets—echoing Brazil's past military coups—Bolsonaro uses the military for protection, supported by his followers whom he encouraged to launch insurrections against perceived injustice. This unrest reached a climax after his defeat in the 2022 general election, when Bolsonaristas stormed the Three Powers Square on Jan. 8, 2023, just days after Lula's inauguration. The ex-president denied his election loss in October, seeking shelter in Florida while stirring discontent among his radicalized supporters. This chilling event, mirroring the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, closes the documentary's final chapter. Trump is now threatening to impose 50 percent tariffs on Brazil if the Supreme Court doesn't drop charges against Bolsonaro for the attempted coup. While making Apocalypse in the Tropics, it became increasingly clear to Costa that she was not making a film only about Brazil. 'This portrait is not just a reflection of siloed far-right movements. What we are seeing is how fundamentalist movements in different countries are sharing ideas and practices, forming alliances and acquiring immense global impact,' she says. We are living in divided times, searching for answers amongst the chaos. Amid uncertainty and confusion, people turn to leaders who promise to guide them out of darkness. 'Faced with a population that feels it has lost control of its destiny, whether due to economic globalization, distance from the exercise of power or the force of emerging technologies, the answer offered by the mysticism of the divine is welcomed with fervor and relief at a time of profound earthly uncertainty,' Costa says.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What is CREC? The Christian nationalist group has a vision for America − and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's support
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's affiliation with the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches – commonly called the CREC – drew attention even before his confirmation hearings in January 2025. More recently, media reports highlighted a Pentagon prayer led by Hegseth and his pastor, Brooks Potteiger, in which they praised President Donald Trump, who they said was divinely appointed. As a scholar of the Christian right, I have studied the CREC. Hegseth's membership in a church that belongs to the CREC drew attention because prominent members of the church identify as Christian nationalists, and because of its positions on issues concerning gender, sexuality and the separation of church and state. The CREC is most easily understood through three main parts: churches, schools and media. The CREC church is a network of churches. It is associated with the congregation of Doug Wilson, the pastor who founded Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho. Wilson grew up in the town, where his father was an evangelical minister. Wilson co-founded the CREC in 1993 and is the public figure most associated with the network of churches. Christ Church operates as the hub for Logos Schools, Canon Press and New Saint Andrews College, all located in Moscow. Logos is a set of private schools and homeschooling curriculum, Canon Press is a publishing house and media company, and New Saint Andrews College is a university, all of which were founded by Wilson and associated with Christ Church. All espouse the view that Christians are at odds with – or at war with – secular society. While he is not Hegseth's pastor, Wilson is the most influential voice in the CREC, and the two men have spoken approvingly of one another. As Wilson steadily grew Christ Church in Moscow, he and its members sought to spread their message by making Moscow a conservative town and establishing churches beyond it. Of his hometown, Wilson plainly states, 'Our desire is to make Moscow a Christian town.' The CREC doctrine is opposed to religious pluralism or political points of view that diverge from CREC theology. On its website, the CREC says that it is 'committed to maintaining its Reformed faith, avoiding the pitfalls of cultural relevance and political compromise that destroys our doctrinal integrity.' CREC churches adhere to a highly patriarchal and conservative interpretation of Scripture. Wilson has said that in a sexual relationship, 'A woman receives, surrenders, accepts.' In a broader political sense, CREC theology includes the belief that the establishment clause of the Constitution does not require a separation of church and state. The most common reading of the establishment clause is that freedom of religion precludes the installation of a state religion or religious tests to hold state office. The CREC broadly asserts that the government and anyone serving in it should be Christian. For Wilson and members of CREC churches, this means Christians and only Christians are qualified to hold political office in the United States. Researcher Matthew Taylor explained in an interview with the Nashville Tennessean, 'They believe the church is supposed to be militant in the world, is supposed to be reforming the world, and in some ways conquering the world.' While the CREC may not have the name recognition of some large evangelical denominations or the visibility of some megachurches, it boasts churches across the United States and internationally. The CREC website claims to have over 130 churches and parishes spread across North America, Europe, Asia and South America. Like some other evangelical denominations, the CREC uses 'church planting' to grow its network. Plant churches do not require a centralized governing body to ordain their founding. Instead, those interested in starting a CREC congregation contact the CREC. The CREC then provides materials and literature for people to use in their church. The CREC's expansion also owes a debt to Wilson's entrepreneurship. As the church expanded, Wilson founded an associated K-12 school called 'Logos' in September 1981, which since then has grown into a network of many schools. In conjunction with its growth, Logos develops and sells 'classical Christian' curriculum to private schools and home-school families through Logos Press. Classical Christian Schools aim to develop what they consider a biblical worldview. In addition to religious studies, they focus on classic texts from Greece and Rome. They have grown in popularity in recent years, especially among conservatives. Logos' classical Christian curriculum is designed to help parents 'raise faithful, dangerous Christian kids who impact the world for Christ and leave craters in the world of secularism.' Logos press regularly asserts, 'education is warfare.' According to the website, Logos schools enroll more than 2,000 students across 16 countries. Logos also has its own press that supplies the curriculum to all of these schools. On the heels of Logos' success, Wilson founded the Association of Classical Christian Schools in 1993 as an accrediting body for like-minded schools. The ACCS now boast 500 schools and more than 50,000 students across the United States and around the world. Additionally, Wilson founded New Saint Andrews College in Moscow, Idaho. New Saint Andrews is a Christian university that takes the classical Christian approach to education championed by Wilson into higher education. The New Saint Andrews College is consistent with other CREC institutions. It considers secularism a weakness of other universities and society more generally. Its website explains: 'New Saint Andrews has long held a principled and clear voice, championing the truth of God's word and ways, while so many other colleges veer into softness and secularism.' The school is governed by the elders of Christ Church and does not accept federal funding. In addition to the Logos Press, which produces the CREC school curriculum, Wilson founded Canon Press. Canon Press produces books, podcasts, a YouTube channel and assorted merchandise including apparel and weapons, such as a flamethrower. The YouTube channel has over 100,000 followers. Books published by Canon include children's picture books to manuals on masculinity. A number of books continue the theme of warfare. The politics page of the press contains many books on Christian nationalism. Christian political theorist Stephen Wolfe's book 'The Case for Christian Nationalism' is one of the most popular among books on Christian nationalism. The website has dozens of books on Christian nationalism and media dedicated to the construction of a Christian government. Author Joe Rigney, a fellow of theology at New Saint Andrews College and an associate pastor at Christ Church, warns of the 'Sin of Empathy.' Rigney claims that empathizing with others is sinful because it requires compromise and makes one vulnerable in the fight against evil. As the church network has grown, it has drawn attention and scrutiny. Wilson's 1996 publication of a book positively depicting slavery and claiming slavery cultivated 'affection among the races' drew national attention. Accusations of sexual abuse and the church's handling of it have also brought national news coverage. Vice's Sarah Stankorb interviewed many women who talked about a culture, especially in marriage, where sexual abuse and assault is common. The Vice reporting led to a podcast that details the accounts of survivors. In interviews, Wilson has denied any wrongdoing and said that claims of sexual abuse will be directed to the proper authorities. Hegseth's actions as secretary of defense concerning gender identity and banning trans people from serving in the military, in addition to stripping gay activist and politician Harvey Milk's name from a Navy ship, have brought more attention to the CREC. I believe that given Hegseth's role as secretary of defense, his affiliation with the CREC will likely remain a topic of conversation throughout the Trump presidency. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Samuel Perry, Baylor University Read more: The term 'lone gunman' ignores the structures that enable violence How Christian nationalism played a role in incorporating the phrase 'so help me God' in the presidential oath of office Talk of 'Christian nationalism' is getting a lot louder – but what does the term really mean? Samuel Perry does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What is CREC? The Christian nationalist group has a vision for America − and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's support
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's affiliation with the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches – commonly called the CREC – drew attention even before his confirmation hearings in January 2025. More recently, media reports highlighted a Pentagon prayer led by Hegseth and his pastor, Brooks Potteiger, in which they praised President Donald Trump, who they said was divinely appointed. As a scholar of the Christian right, I have studied the CREC. Hegseth's membership in a church that belongs to the CREC drew attention because prominent members of the church identify as Christian nationalists, and because of its positions on issues concerning gender, sexuality and the separation of church and state. The CREC is most easily understood through three main parts: churches, schools and media. The CREC church is a network of churches. It is associated with the congregation of Doug Wilson, the pastor who founded Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho. Wilson grew up in the town, where his father was an evangelical minister. Wilson co-founded the CREC in 1993 and is the public figure most associated with the network of churches. Christ Church operates as the hub for Logos Schools, Canon Press and New Saint Andrews College, all located in Moscow. Logos is a set of private schools and homeschooling curriculum, Canon Press is a publishing house and media company, and New Saint Andrews College is a university, all of which were founded by Wilson and associated with Christ Church. All espouse the view that Christians are at odds with – or at war with – secular society. While he is not Hegseth's pastor, Wilson is the most influential voice in the CREC, and the two men have spoken approvingly of one another. As Wilson steadily grew Christ Church in Moscow, he and its members sought to spread their message by making Moscow a conservative town and establishing churches beyond it. Of his hometown, Wilson plainly states, 'Our desire is to make Moscow a Christian town.' The CREC doctrine is opposed to religious pluralism or political points of view that diverge from CREC theology. On its website, the CREC says that it is 'committed to maintaining its Reformed faith, avoiding the pitfalls of cultural relevance and political compromise that destroys our doctrinal integrity.' CREC churches adhere to a highly patriarchal and conservative interpretation of Scripture. Wilson has said that in a sexual relationship, 'A woman receives, surrenders, accepts.' In a broader political sense, CREC theology includes the belief that the establishment clause of the Constitution does not require a separation of church and state. The most common reading of the establishment clause is that freedom of religion precludes the installation of a state religion or religious tests to hold state office. The CREC broadly asserts that the government and anyone serving in it should be Christian. For Wilson and members of CREC churches, this means Christians and only Christians are qualified to hold political office in the United States. Researcher Matthew Taylor explained in an interview with the Nashville Tennessean, 'They believe the church is supposed to be militant in the world, is supposed to be reforming the world, and in some ways conquering the world.' While the CREC may not have the name recognition of some large evangelical denominations or the visibility of some megachurches, it boasts churches across the United States and internationally. The CREC website claims to have over 130 churches and parishes spread across North America, Europe, Asia and South America. Like some other evangelical denominations, the CREC uses 'church planting' to grow its network. Plant churches do not require a centralized governing body to ordain their founding. Instead, those interested in starting a CREC congregation contact the CREC. The CREC then provides materials and literature for people to use in their church. The CREC's expansion also owes a debt to Wilson's entrepreneurship. As the church expanded, Wilson founded an associated K-12 school called 'Logos' in September 1981, which since then has grown into a network of many schools. In conjunction with its growth, Logos develops and sells 'classical Christian' curriculum to private schools and home-school families through Logos Press. Classical Christian Schools aim to develop what they consider a biblical worldview. In addition to religious studies, they focus on classic texts from Greece and Rome. They have grown in popularity in recent years, especially among conservatives. Logos' classical Christian curriculum is designed to help parents 'raise faithful, dangerous Christian kids who impact the world for Christ and leave craters in the world of secularism.' Logos press regularly asserts, 'education is warfare.' According to the website, Logos schools enroll more than 2,000 students across 16 countries. Logos also has its own press that supplies the curriculum to all of these schools. On the heels of Logos' success, Wilson founded the Association of Classical Christian Schools in 1993 as an accrediting body for like-minded schools. The ACCS now boast 500 schools and more than 50,000 students across the United States and around the world. Additionally, Wilson founded New Saint Andrews College in Moscow, Idaho. New Saint Andrews is a Christian university that takes the classical Christian approach to education championed by Wilson into higher education. The New Saint Andrews College is consistent with other CREC institutions. It considers secularism a weakness of other universities and society more generally. Its website explains: 'New Saint Andrews has long held a principled and clear voice, championing the truth of God's word and ways, while so many other colleges veer into softness and secularism.' The school is governed by the elders of Christ Church and does not accept federal funding. In addition to the Logos Press, which produces the CREC school curriculum, Wilson founded Canon Press. Canon Press produces books, podcasts, a YouTube channel and assorted merchandise including apparel and weapons, such as a flamethrower. The YouTube channel has over 100,000 followers. Books published by Canon include children's picture books to manuals on masculinity. A number of books continue the theme of warfare. The politics page of the press contains many books on Christian nationalism. Christian political theorist Stephen Wolfe's book 'The Case for Christian Nationalism' is one of the most popular among books on Christian nationalism. The website has dozens of books on Christian nationalism and media dedicated to the construction of a Christian government. Author Joe Rigney, a fellow of theology at New Saint Andrews College and an associate pastor at Christ Church, warns of the 'Sin of Empathy.' Rigney claims that empathizing with others is sinful because it requires compromise and makes one vulnerable in the fight against evil. As the church network has grown, it has drawn attention and scrutiny. Wilson's 1996 publication of a book positively depicting slavery and claiming slavery cultivated 'affection among the races' drew national attention. Accusations of sexual abuse and the church's handling of it have also brought national news coverage. Vice's Sarah Stankorb interviewed many women who talked about a culture, especially in marriage, where sexual abuse and assault is common. The Vice reporting led to a podcast that details the accounts of survivors. In interviews, Wilson has denied any wrongdoing and said that claims of sexual abuse will be directed to the proper authorities. Hegseth's actions as secretary of defense concerning gender identity and banning trans people from serving in the military, in addition to stripping gay activist and politician Harvey Milk's name from a Navy ship, have brought more attention to the CREC. I believe that given Hegseth's role as secretary of defense, his affiliation with the CREC will likely remain a topic of conversation throughout the Trump presidency. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Samuel Perry, Baylor University Read more: The term 'lone gunman' ignores the structures that enable violence How Christian nationalism played a role in incorporating the phrase 'so help me God' in the presidential oath of office Talk of 'Christian nationalism' is getting a lot louder – but what does the term really mean? Samuel Perry does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
