America

I came across a video on TikTok in which a pastor, Loran Livingston, explained to his congregation why America has never been, and never will be, a Christian nation. Just think about the boldness of that sermon! Consider what the congregation might have thought.

He presented some very compelling reasons supporting his point of view.

A Christian nation would never have killed 20 million Native Americans, who are still left out and living in poverty.

A Christian nation would never have thought that owning slaves was pleasing to God or that it lines up with scripture in any way, shape, or form. We not only practiced it but were so obsessed with it that we went to war over it. We had a civil war about it, where 500,000 Americans died so people could have the right to own other people as property. That is more Americans than died in WWII.

Christian belief has played a significant role in American society. The Constitution guarantees the right to practice religion or to abstain from it. Many evangelical Christians endorse Christian Nationalism as a guiding framework for the nation. They support laws and policies that require everyone to accept and follow their beliefs. This is risky because it echoes the very concerns Pastor Livingston raised with his congregation.

Two newly elected politicians, Zoran Mamdani in New York and Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, are viewed by some politicians and right-wing Christians as national threats. Their Muslim faith is often used to stir fear among Americans regarding their leadership. Consider (any) religion as a test of commitment to the community and to serve in public office. The election of these two leaders signals a shift in America’s social landscape where character, morality, and ethics matter over the religious hypocrisy spewed by self-righteous Christians. Mamdani’s and El-Sayed’s platforms and policies focus on people rather than special interests, lobbyists, or opportunities for self-enrichment.

Since his election, Mamdani has accomplished many successes and works tirelessly to address the needs of New Yorkers. However, despite the obvious achievements that many Americans have demanded for decades, some still label him a communist and a Muslim extremist. Historically, individuals who are not white, straight, Christian, or male are often viewed with suspicion. During the Great Depression, Fiorello LaGuardia, then mayor of New York, faced similar discrimination due to his Italian background. Despite this, he made significant contributions to the city, and the city honored him by naming an airport after him.

I don’t know what it will take for the evangelical movement to lose its influence over our politics and lives, but I do know a cultural shift is underway. Many Americans are realizing that commitment to the needs of the people who hired you ultimately matters. I am sick and tired of the rhetoric and the hijacking of the narrative that casts people who love America and want to serve our people in a negative light. Many politicians are corrupt and morally compromised, seeking office to enrich themselves. They get a pass from many on the right. This is not only insane but also racist and xenophobic.

The election of Mamdani and El-Sayed, both highly educated, intelligent, and charismatic, offers hope that Americans are quietly pushing back against the idea that only white, straight, Christian men are fit for public service. It’s important to reject religion, ethnicity, and skin color as conditions for holding public office.