Here's what the Christian right wants from a second Trump term

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Here’s what the Christian right wants from a second Trump term

Religious conservatives see opportunities for fresh gains after a series of victories during Trump’s first term. Rights advocates see a dangerous blurring of church and state.

By Michelle Boorstein and Hannah Knowles
June 13, 2024 at 6:00 a.m. EDT



Christian leaders pray with President Donald Trump on Sept. 1, 2017, after he signed a proclamation for a national day of prayer. (Evan Vucci/AP)

Donald Trump’s presidency delivered to Christian conservatives some of their most coveted goals: Hundreds of sympathetic judges joined the federal bench. The U.S. Embassy in Israel moved to Jerusalem. And the center of gravity on the Supreme Court shifted firmly to the right.

Since Trump lost his reelection bid, they have claimed additional successes, with Republican-run red states enacting legislation that restricts transgender care and limits the books that can be taught in school or borrowed from the library. The Supreme Court in 2022 ended the legal right to abortion. Last year, Sen. Mike Johnson (R-La.), an evangelical Christian who has said his worldview is the Bible, became speaker of the House.

But far from declaring victory, those who advocate for a more pronounced role for hard-line conservative Christian doctrine in American public life are actively planning to enact a fresh wave of changes in a second Trump term. Should Trump reclaim the presidency in November, they say, it would represent a historic opportunity to put their interpretation of Christianity at the center of government policy.

{snip}

By Michelle Boorstein
Michelle Boorstein has been a religion reporter since 2006. She has covered the shifting blend of religion and politics under four U.S. presidents, chronicled the rise of secularism in the United States, and broken financial and sexual scandals from the synagogue down the street to the Mormon Church in Utah to the Vatican. Twitter https://x.com/mboorstein

By Hannah Knowles
Hannah Knowles is a national politics reporter covering campaigns at The Washington Post. She previously reported for The Post's general assignment desk. Twitter https://x.com/KnowlesHannah

[bucolic_frolic]

1. I wish God would get His act together and punish criminals. /nt

[jmbar2]

2. Mainstream media need to do a better job of interviewing the leaders of this movement

Since Christian Supremacists are planning to become the defacto rulers over the US, the people have a right to know a lot more about their plans, and how they will impact American democratic principles and the rule of law.

Questions I'd like to see asked/answered
- In case of differences in prophecies, philosophies between our soon-to-be theocratic rulers, who will decide which one prevails? (Insert policy, philosophy differences, and explain).

- The church has a severe pedophilia/sexual abuse problem. How will the newly appointed rulers be screened and monitored? Who will remove them from their thrones when they transgress? Will the crimes be made public?

-How will biblical-interpretation disputes over American law be resolved? Will gays be murdered? Adulterers stoned?

- Will Christian immigrants be rounded up and deported, separated from their children? Will they be treated preferentially over non-Christian?

- Will non Christians still enjoy the full constitutional rights as before? Will nonbelievers lose any of their constitutional rights?

- If the Bible and the constitution are found to be in conflict, which one prevails? How will that decision be made?

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What questions would you like to see answered?

[J_William_Ryan]

3. "Here's what the Christian right wants from a second Trump term"

Actually, a second Trump term isn’t necessary for the Christian right to get what it wants.

A Supreme Court dominated by conservative ideologues can realize the Christian right’s goals regardless who occupies the WH.

In the coming years we’ll likely see the following:

The elimination of Establishment Clause jurisprudence – mandatory prayer in public schools, Christian dogma sanctioned and favored by government, and Christian iconography displayed on public property absent other religious representation.

[2naSalit]

4. To HELL with that noise!

JFC.

[lees1975]

5. This is where we are headed

better step up and stop this now!

[slightlv]

6. It's really hard to step up and stop it,

when only the PTB can do anything about SCOTUS (and maybe Appeals courts where a lot of this is decided in stages). There's nothing we can do except complain, yell, and scream. We sure aren't going to vote for T*! But for all the yelling and screaming last time, all we got was a commission who actually came up with some good recommendations, and then were summarily disbanded and dismissed. That's the ONE thing I'll never forgive Biden for. They actually had work arounds for Biden, and he refused to do anything about it... wanting to focus instead of comity. Bullcrap! Comity with a Republican?! May 50+ years ago; for now, dream the frack on.