"Church and State" Flashback

Brandi Carlisle's new son "Church and State" has roots.  Nearly fifty years ago rock band U2 sprung from Irish religious conflict.  Their early songs had a distinct sound and often had religious themes.  

Around the same time conservative Christian groups formed in the United States.  Rev. Jerry Falwell started the Moral Majority and Rev. Pat Robertson established what is now Regent University. 

During the time Rev. Billy Graham allied with political leaders.  He later grew to rue this decision.

Billy Graham would have spoken less and studied more. As Billy Graham got older, he increasingly valued the life of the mind. Pragmatism and activism needed to be better balanced with more contemplation and deeper thought. 

The second regret was that he would have spent more time with his family. The demands of his work and extensive travel detrimentally impacted his family life. Both his wife and children have spoken transparently about the challenges they faced with a father and spouse who was so often absent. 

The third regret was not spending enough time in the spiritual nurture of his own soul and fellowship with other Christians who could have taught him, encouraged him, and rebuked him when necessary. 

The fourth regret may also be surprising. It was the regret of endorsing partisan politics. As a pastor to presidents and politicians, Billy Graham puts it this way, “There have been times I undoubtedly stepped over the line between politics and my calling as an evangelist.”

Christian Conservatives and U2 did not click.  Heavenly wisdom and earthly power usually mix poorly.

Those are the roots for "Church and State."  They exist in today's soil, the hardpan desert of Christian Nationalism, a harsh, violent Old Testament version where kings, jewels, armies, loyalty and obedience are prized and where Jesus, the One who taught us a better way, is shoveled to the side.

The roots exist in today's air, polluted by TechGods who have usurped God's domains.  God trusted creation to us, not inference machines (AI).  

God's heavenly promise of healing and wholeness in heaven is replaced by lurid TechGods wanting to live forever.  Revelations in The Bible has been twisted to keep government out of the TechGods business, which by their right is unfettered, unlimited and untaxed.

Some of us believe the TechGods next act (AI) will be legions more harmful than their last (social media).  

Some of us believe the people's government should protect us from clear evils, greed, violence (including from authorities), sexual predation, fraud, and persecution, religious and otherwise. 

Some of us believe faithfulness begins with  loving God and loving our neighbor and extends to keeping alive the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.   

I am grateful to Brandi Carlisle for taking me back and giving voice to the unheard and diminished in today's cacophonous environment, where politicians use religion to divide and manipulate.  

Loving God and loving your neighbor are nowhere to be seen in today's political environment.  How can that be in a State that wants a specific form of Church?  That church must not be real.