News from the Week May 23 – May 27, 2022
Friend:
Once again I write to you from a place of heartache and outrage. I’m sick for all the families in Uvalde, Texas; Buffalo, N.Y.; and the countless communities mourning lives stolen by gun violence and hate. I’m devastated for all parents and kids who have to worry every school day. And I’m tired of religious extremists’ disregard for American values and lives.
Yes, I mean to link gun violence with religious extremists. As Dr. Sam Perry, a University of Oklahoma professor who has written two books and numerous scholarly articles on Christian nationalism, explains, “guns are practically an element of worship in the church of white Christian nationalism.” And that’s because guns are necessary to preserve and protect what is perceived as God-given white Christian power. Indeed, many of the political responses to the Uvalde massacre are right out of the Christian nationalist playbook. Just a few examples:
- U.S. Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas) on Newsmax: “The United States of America has always had guns. It's our history. We were built on the Judeo-Christian foundation and with guns. … We took prayer out of school decades ago, we had the Roe v. Wade abortion [decision] in 1973. … Our founding fathers said this type of republic cannot survive unless you have people of faith."
- U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) on Twitter: “We don’t need more gun control. We need to return to God.”
- U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) on a conservative radio station: “I think the secularization of society, I think in many cases the loss of faith” are to blame for mass shootings. “I think the solution is renewed faith.”
- Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told Laura Ingraham on Fox News: “For those of us who are Christians we need to take a hold of our country and we do that through prayer. You cannot change the culture of a country without changing the character of the people, and you just cannot change character without changing a heart and you cannot do that without turning to God.”
Perry’s study demonstrates that many religious extremists hold gun rights “sacred above every other right.” Given the list of the rights provided in the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution—the Bill of Rights—more than 4 in 10 white people who said America should be a Christian nation named the right to keep and bear arms as the most important right. “Not freedom of speech. Not even freedom of religion. Gun rights,” bemoans Perry. You can read Dr. Perry's study in Time magazine here: [link removed].
We don’t yet know what motivated the teenager who murdered 19 children and two teachers in a Uvalde elementary school. But we know religious extremism has spurred plenty of others to commit acts of violence, including the recent shooting in Buffalo. We know Christian nationalism and gun worship are intimately correlated. And we know that, in pursuit of power, Christian nationalists are willing to topple our democracy and unwilling to do anything about gun violence beyond calling for more Christian nationalism.
With your support, Americans United will never stop fighting against religious extremism and the harm and havoc it wreaks on our society. We will continue to push for a country where parents feel secure in sending their children to school and where people feel safe to attend a house of worship—or to worship no religion at all. That is the vision of freedom and equality all Americans must work toward.
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In solidarity,
Rachel K. Laser
President and CEO
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In Russia, The Orthodox Church Has Devolved Into A Tool Of The State:
When religion allows itself to be co-opted by government, the church risks losing all integrity as it substitutes the state’s priorities for its own—and often ends up defending policies that are simply indefensible. We’re seeing a particularly toxic example of this play out in Russia.
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A Win In Congress For Church-State Separation—And For People In Need:
Americans United’s perseverance recently paid off when the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that got rid of a controversial policy called charitable choice, which had plagued a critical government program to help families in need—and undermined separation of church and state—for two decades.
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The Book Banners Are Now Coming For Your Local Bookshop:
Not content with banning books in public schools and public libraries, two far-right Republican legislators in Virginia are demanding that a bookstore curtail sales of two titles they dislike.
READ MORE » [link removed]
Two Scholars Have A Warning For America About White Christian Nationalism:
We saw the results of the poisonous belief that America is a white Christian nation on Jan. 6. 2021, and we saw it more recently in Buffalo, N.Y.
READ MORE » [link removed]
Get Involved—Check Out AU’s Upcoming Events:
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June 2, 8 p.m. ET (Virtual): “Youth Organizing Fellowship Information Session for Applicants,” for young people interested in applying. Presented by AU staff and current fellows. RSVP here: [link removed]
June 6, 5:30 p.m. ET (Virtual): “Education For All: Advocating for public education in Florida,” a discussion on Florida’s education system, especially the impact of private school vouchers. RSVP here: [link removed]
June 9, 8 p.m. ET (Virtual): “The Latest Assault on the Separation of Church and State,” featuring Dr. Marisa Richmond, who teaches history and women’s and gender studies at Middle Tennessee State University. Presented by AU’s Nashville Chapter. RSVP here: [link removed]
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