How Christianity Became a Tool of Division in American Politics
Christianity, often referred to as a "religion of peace," has paradoxically played a central role in fostering division in the run-up to recent U.S. elections. While its core teachings emphasise love, forgiveness, and unity, the faith has been weaponised in political discourse, deepening societal fractures and inflaming partisanship.
From a Faith of Peace to a Tool of Power
Historically, Christianity has been both a unifying moral compass and a tool of exclusion and power. In the United States, its entanglement with politics is nothing new. However, recent decades have seen an alarming escalation in its role as a partisan weapon. Politicians invoke scripture not as a guide for ethical governance but as ammunition to rally their base and vilify opponents.
The result? A religion that should inspire harmony is instead driving a wedge through American society. Evangelical Christians, in particular, have become a powerful political bloc, aligning with the Republican Party and championing issues like abortion bans, opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, and immigration crackdowns. Meanwhile, progressive Christians, often aligning with the Democratic Party, focus on social justice, climate change, and inclusivity, creating a theological tug-of-war that mirrors America’s broader cultural divide.
The Manufactured Morality Wars
Much of this enmity stems from the deliberate politicisation of Christianity. Conservative leaders frame political battles as moral crusades, creating an "us versus them" dichotomy. Policies are no longer debated on pragmatic grounds but as existential battles for the "soul of the nation." This framing inflames tensions, making compromise impossible and dissent heretical.
Take, for example, the debate over abortion. By reducing this complex issue to a binary moral imperative, the Christian right has fostered deep animosity, ignoring the nuanced realities of healthcare, autonomy, and socio-economic inequality. Similarly, the weaponisation of "religious freedom" has been used to justify discriminatory policies, eroding the very foundation of equality that Christianity ostensibly upholds.
The Identity Crisis Within American Christianity
This politicisation has led to an identity crisis within Christianity itself. For many Americans, being Christian is as much about cultural and national identity as it is about faith. The cross becomes a symbol of Western superiority, a rallying cry against perceived threats from secularism, Islam, or progressive ideology.
Yet, this identity-driven approach often betrays the essence of Christ’s teachings. Jesus championed the marginalised, denounced hypocrisy, and rejected power for its own sake. In today’s America, his message is often lost amidst the clamour of political grandstanding and culture wars.
Toward a Christianity Beyond Partisan Politics
If Christianity is to reclaim its role as a force for peace and unity, it must disentangle itself from partisan politics. Faith leaders have a responsibility to challenge the co-option of their religion, reminding followers that Christianity is not a vehicle for tribalism but a call to transcend it.
1. Reaffirming Universal Values: Churches must emphasise compassion, humility, and service—principles that transcend political ideology.
2. Rejecting Partisan Alliances: Faith communities should resist being co-opted by political parties, reaffirming the separation of church and state.
3. Encouraging Dialogue: Christianity must become a bridge, not a barrier, fostering conversations across ideological and religious divides.
The Cost of Failing to Change
Without such reform, Christianity risks becoming a relic of division rather than a beacon of hope. Its credibility as a moral authority will erode further, alienating younger generations and deepening the fractures within American society.
As a faith built on the teachings of peace, Christianity’s greatest challenge may be to turn its gaze inward, confronting how far it has strayed from its foundational ideals. Only then can it fulfil its promise as a force for healing in a world desperately in need of it.
