The First Amendment of the US Constitution states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” In spite of that clarity, recent events have tested our commitment to its principles.
Schools and university campuses have, for some time, been on the front lines of government efforts to censure classroom speech, curriculum, and books, even as the administration and others claim to fight for “free speech”. In the name of anti-DEI efforts, Executive Orders have sought to abolish government efforts to highlight, help, or portray the history of marginalized groups. Law firms and media platforms have been threatened into silence.
Charlie Kirk’s murder poured gasoline on those fires and Sunday’s memorial seemed to truly be a “Turning Point.” Speaker after speaker eulogized Charlie’s life and values—a return to Faith and Family that, as expressed, seemed difficult to fault. Erika’s description of their marriage was exemplary, as was her willingness to forgive the assassin. So why did my gut churn as I listened?
To begin, multiple high-level administration officials not only attended the memorial service, but also spoke, describing Charlie’s faith in glowing terms, liberally quoting Hebrew and Christian scriptures in a way that was reminiscent of an evangelical revival meeting. The appearance was that of an official government endorsement (dare I say establishment) of Charlie Kirk’s brand of Christianity, further cemented by the presence of Governor Cox and other Utah Republicans officials at the Utah State University Turning Point event.
Although the scriptures cited by speakers expressed laudable thoughts and ideals, the broader context of their words and actions convey very different messages. As has been noted at length, Kirk’s words of faith and family often wrap around statements that are controversial and viewed as demeaning toward racial minorities, immigrants, the LGBTQ community, women, and others. Similarly, the words and actions of the Trump administration are littered with overt corruption, criminality, sexual predation, and other actions that fail to model the life teachings of the first century Jewish rabbi named Jesus. To quote James 3:11, “Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” No.
More specifically, the administration’s words and promised actions have clearly attacked our First Amendment freedoms, signaling a sharp turn toward white supremacist Christian nationalism. Trump, in his comments, dismissed Erika’s offer of forgiveness for the assassin by stating his hatred for his opponents and threatening to leverage the full force of the government against all who dare criticize him. Punitive actions against universities, law firms, media platforms, cities, and “independent” federal agencies are already well underway. Sunday’s rhetoric reinforced the threats.
The history of the German Church and the Third Reich are informative. To quote one summary, “Many German Christians at first openly welcomed Hitler’s Nazi party to power as a historic moment of Christ’s work on earth through and for the Aryan people. A leading Lutheran theologian wrote in 1934, “Our Protestant churches have welcomed the turning point of 1933 as a gift and miracle of God.”” Protestant churches coalesced and a new constitution established the Protestant Reich Church which quickly became Hitler’s tool. “Restrictions were immediately placed on the clergy. They had to be “politically reliable” and accept the superiority of the Aryan race. Pressure was exerted to expel Jewish Christians from ministry. The Nazi “Führer Principle” was to be adopted by the churches, which was a claim that Hitler was “lord” over the German church and that its Christ and Christianity were uniquely Aryan.” Theologians, who opposed eventually paid with their lives.
Dr. Ellen Brady is a retired physician with a public health degree. She spent most of my career in the pharmaceutical industry. She currently serves as the Issues Director for the Women’s Democratic Club.
