I've written for years about the Christian right's calls for "spiritual warfare" against demonic enemies of Christian America. They used to claim their struggle is against "powers and principalities" not "flesh and blood," citing Ephesians 6:12. But it was still dangerous. Now we see how.
One striking detail in this story: The Pastor at Lake Church, where Mark Robinson gave this speech, told me he and Robinson expected these remarks to be "scrutinized." Then the Pastor defended them!
(also worth noting Christian Nationalist overtones in rest of speech cc @sarahposner.bsky.social)
You see how Robinson invokes an *actual* war (WWII) to establish that this is, in fact, a "war" with combatants (who are the fellow citizens of the warriors he's inciting). He claims they are trying to make 1776 (i.e. the Christian founding) a "distant memory":
newrepublic.com/article/1834...
Robinson positions himself as a truth teller against "wicked people doing wicked things, torturing and murdering and raping" and that "some folks just need killing." There could not be a more explicit call to commit violence against perceived enemies "because we have forgotten who we are."
It reminds me of the Heritage Foundation leader's recent statement that the new American Revolution is coming, and it will be bloodless 'if the left allows it.'
They've escalated past implications and reached the stage of outright threatening violence. Bet money, we'll be seeing more of that now.
The patriarchy's greed is unlimited. Whether it's a 1/2 billion dollar bizjet, palatial mansions, or building political power, none of these pursuits are doing the work of god. Maybe misusing the name of God for more wealth and influence, but not aiding the downtrodden, or comforting the poor.
