It’s Not So Good To Be The King
By: Interfaith Alliance
Tags: Religious Right, Chosen Ones, Trump Administration, Trump, Religious Freedom

It’s Not So Good To Be The King

I hope none of us needs reminding that the United States was founded in rebellion against a monarchy, one which proclaimed itself divinely ordained. George Washington himself ferociously rejected an offer to be made king of America. And our founders rejected the notion that leadership was ordained rather than elected.

Since the middle of the twentieth century, increasingly aggressive right-wing Christian groups have attempted to place a faith-based overlay on political leadership. Originally, conservative businessmen concerned about the godlessness of Communism sought to infuse American culture with affirmations of faith in God, and especially in a Christian notion of God. They were responsible for inserting the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance, and for designating “in God we trust” as the national motto.

However, since the late 1980s, groups identifying as right-wing politically and evangelical Christian religiously have attempted to activate like-minded people to redefine the American republic as a modern-day kingdom of God.

President Donald Trump speaks to press, remarking “I am the chosen one.” (Photo courtesy of Reuters White House Correspondent Jeff Mason, via Twitter, August 21, 2019.)

We at Interfaith Alliance have warned about the blending of government and religious triumphalism for twenty-five years. Until now, most public figures have had the common sense at least to pretend to deny it. Now, we have both figures in the religious right and the President of the United States dropping any pretense.

This week, controversy exploded — again — over statements by the President Trump stating that American Jews who support Democrats are either ignorant or disloyal. Predictably and appropriately, objection was raised from almost every corner (except for those afraid to suffer Trump’s vindictiveness). It fell to one right-wing evangelical radio host and conspiracy theorist, Wayne Allyn Root, to offer the ultimate defense: Trump is viewed as King of the Jews and the second coming of God.

The president has never rejected a compliment, independent of its truth, and he tweeted Root’s words with an appreciation. Later that same day, he declared that the trade war with China was long overdue, and that he was “the chosen one” to pursue it. He lifted his hands and looked heavenward as he claimed the mantle.

President Trump has surrounded himself with sycophantic pastors who have proclaimed him a divinely-promised leader and a vessel for God’s will. Happy to accept their support and the congregations they bring along, Trump has, in turn, used the language of faith in pursuing policies that are far from grounded in the teachings of any version of religious faith among his endorsers.

But to this point, he has not had the hubris to lay claim to a divine endorsement of his presidency.

Trump’s acolytes will dismiss this outrage as mere rhetorical flourish, Trump being Trump, much as his Jewish Republican cheerleaders sought to frame his “disloyalty” comment as insight instead of insult.

But we know better, not because of any special knowledge of the workings of the mind of the man, but because of the public record of his self-aggrandizement and bombastic fabrications. Donald Trump is indeed the perfect vessel for the political aspirations of the religious right. By naming him “god” and proclaiming him “king,” they can attempt the next step in their long-game plan to strip the Constitution of its authority and make it subservient to their narrow and controversial reading of Scripture.

The United States cannot survive on those terms.