The Rise of American Theocracy

Religion is cashing in on economic despair and political chaos.

(Image created by the author with DALL-E)

There was a moment not too long ago when it looked like America might finally shake off the ancient chains of superstition. Church pews sat emptier. “Nones” surged in every poll. Religion in the U.S. was on a slow, steady march toward irrelevance, losing old adherents to mortality and young ones to disinterest. Then, as if hell-bent on a comeback tour, the faithful dug in. Not just quietly clutching their rosaries, but strapping on cultural armor and rallying their numbers. What’s worse? It’s working.

If you’re part of the growing crowd that welcomed the exodus from organized religion (especially the twisted theatrics of American Christianity) you probably felt something close to relief. There was comfort in numbers, a sense that reason might finally get a foothold. We would mutter amongst ourselves, “There’s no hate like Christian love,” while watching zealots weaponize the Bible against gay rights, science, women’s autonomy, and basic empathy. For a while, it seemed like people were catching on.

But the backslide was inevitable. What we’re witnessing now isn’t a spiritual renaissance; it’s a desperate counterattack. The faithful have been cornered, and they’re lashing out with righteous fury. Evangelicals, white nationalists, fringe…