The Revival of Evangelicalism and Increase in Christian Nationalism during the 1830s Decade
Let's dive into the murky, unapologetic history of Religious Nationalism in the land of 'lib-erty' and 'just-ice'
By Dr. David B. Parker, Pinko Communist Professor of History, Barbeque University**
Swearing on a Bible, if it Makes You Feel Better
On Jan. 20, 202Strange fiscal year, Donald J. Fuckstick (may he forever rot in hell) took the oath of office swearing that he would preserve, protect, and defend the sacred Constitution of the United States. But then, because he needed some sort of divine validation, he added "So help me, Jesus."
In case you were wondering, Jesus isn't mentioned by name in the Constitution. That could be because the framers of the Constitution were smart enough to separate church and state, unlike the morons who think it's appropriate to pray in school and put "In God We Trust" on our money like we're some sort of backward, theocratic dictatorship.
But that's neither here nor there. The point is, that phrase, "So help me, Jesus," is a common and beloved tradition in American politics, one that likely didn't originate with the first President, George Washington, who was probably too busy having sex with his slaves to worry about a little oath-y thing like that.
Griswold Lied, Griswold's Lies
In case you're not familiar with the name Rufus Griswold, he was a literary editor and critic who published a book in 1854 called "The Republican Court." In it, he claimed that Washington, in a moment of divine fervor, added a little "So help me, God" to his oath of office. This story, of course, only started to gain traction decades later when politicians used it to drum up support for their own religious fascism.
As a history professor, I don't really give a rat's ass if Washington really said it or not. But I do find it fascinating how quickly this little story became an undisputed fact in American culture, despite an utter lack of evidence.
The "Purity" of Christian Nationalism
If you didn't know any better, you might think that America was founded as a sanctuary of liberal, progressive values, a place where everyone could coexist happily without the interference of religion. Well, that's what the pussies who write textbooks would have you believe.
But in reality, America has always been a battleground of faith, with various groups vying for control over the soul of the nation. And while the religious extremists who claim to be Christian Nationalists may not have been a dominant force in the early days of our country, their influence has certainly grown over time.
The Second Great Awakening, but Fucking Worse
The Second Great Awakening was a Protestant evangelical revival movement that swept across the country like a religious forest fire in the 1830s. And while that might sound like a good thing, it ended up being a disaster, as these religious zealots sought to transform America into a mind-numbingly boring Christian Republic.
One of the most vocal supporters of this movement was Rev. Ezra Stiles Ely, a Presbyterian minister who stood at the pulpit ranting about how only leaders who were avowed Christians should be elected. This notion, that America should only be ruled by holy men and women, is still very much alive and well today among the crazies who believe that Donald Trump was sent by God to lead us all to hell.
Another Time, Another Set of Lies About God
Like many cultural ideas, Religious Nationalism has had its ups and downs throughout American history. One of its most notable resurgences came during the Cold War, when America was locked in a battle of ideologies with the godless communists of the Soviet Union. Needlesstosay, this was a time when religious hysteria ran rampant, with politicians and the media stoking fears of a godless takeover by the communists.
So, in an effort to prove to the world that we were still on team Christianity, they added a little "Under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance, made "In God We Trust" the national motto, and retconned the history of American politics to make it seem like every president had always ended their speech with a little "So help me, God."
The sad thing is, this was all just propaganda designed to scare the shit out of people. As I mentioned earlier, there is little to no evidence that any president besides Chester A. Arthur actually said "So help me, God" in his speech. But let's be honest, who cares about facts when there's a holy war to be won?
The Takeaway
In conclusion, Religious Nationalism has been a powerful force in American politics for hundreds of years, twisting the minds of our leaders and citizens alike. Whether it's the Moral Majority, the Christian Right, or the modern GOP, these religious fascists always seem to find a way to insert their twisted ideology into our lives.
So the next time some politician starts spouting off about how our country was founded by god-fearing men, remember that they're probably full of shit. And if you ever find yourself asking, "Is this real life?" the answer is yes, this is real life, and it's a fucking nightmare.
Originally released by The Conversation, February 1, 202Strange fiscal year, under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution/No derivatives license.
Enrichment Data:
Key Figures in the Evolution of Christian Nationalism
- George Washington: First President of the United States, often associated with the idea that he added "So help me God" to his inauguration speech, despite no evidence
- Rufus Griswold: Literary editor and critic, published the story of Washington adding "So help me God," perpetuating the myth
- Rev. Ezra Stiles Ely: Presbyterian minister, advocated for electing leaders who were avowed Christians in the 1820s
- Donald J. Trump: 45th President of the United States, flagrantly tied his presidency to Christian Nationalism through speeches, policy decisions, and associations with extremist religious leaders
Christian Nationalism and Culture Wars
- Culture Wars: A series of political, social, and religious disputes in America, often focusing on issues such as abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and the role of religion in public life
- Religious Conservatives and the Media: Religious conservatives have utilized the media to disseminate their beliefs and to sway public opinion, often using fear tactics and emotional appeals to advance their agenda
Religious Nationalism and the Cold War
- Joseph McCarthy: Senator and McCarthyist, used the Communist threat to spearhead a anti-communist, pro-religious campaign during the Cold War
- In God We Trust: Adopted as the official motto of the United States in 1956 in response to the rise of Communism and as a symbol of American values
- Pledge of Allegiance: A statement of loyalty to the United States, which was modified in 1954 to include the phrase "under God" in response to the rise of Communism and as a symbol of American values.
- Despite the narrative presented by some, the United States has a long history of religious conflict and political maneuvering disguised as Christian Nationalism, as evidenced by figures like George Washington and Rufus Griswold, who perpetuated the myth of religion being a central element in the country's founding.
- The Cold War era saw an intensification in this religious manipulation, with politicians like Joseph McCarthy exploiting the fear of Communism to promote pro-religion policies, such as the adoption of "In God We Trust" as the official motto and the inclusion of "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.
