The Secular State’s Slippery Slope

As thousands of cheering conservatives, evangelicals, and MAGA activists gathered on the National Mall for “Rededicate 250,” a sense of unease settled over me. This event, backed by the White House and funded with taxpayer money, marked a clear expression of the Trump-era effort to fuse American identity with Christianity.

The irony is rich, given Washington’s decades-long lectures to other countries about the dangers of mixing religion with nationalism. Yet now, it seems we’re witnessing a disturbing trend in our own backyard. The lines between church and state are becoming increasingly blurred.

Critics have long argued that President Trump’s administration is pushing the boundaries of separation of church and state. Events like “Rededicate 250” make it clear this isn’t just a partisan issue – it’s fundamental. The event featured references to God, redemption, and spiritual warfare, with speakers invoking the Founding Fathers as if they were modern-day Christian nationalists.

Thomas Jefferson would likely be bewildered by this development. He famously excised miracles from his personal Bible, while James Madison repeatedly warned against government entanglement with religion. George Washington spoke about morality and Providence but avoided evangelical language altogether.

For over two centuries, America’s presidents have largely respected the distinction between church and state. Even evangelicals like Jimmy Carter taught Sunday school without proposing a Baptist republic, and Ronald Reagan courted them enthusiastically without formally redefining America as explicitly Christian.

The shift towards an increasingly politicized Christianity is driven by evangelical support for Trump, which rests less on personal piety than political utility. They’ve seen the benefits of having a president who delivers conservative Supreme Court justices, abortion restrictions, and a culture-war agenda centered on gender, immigration, and secular liberalism.

But as we watch this trend unfold, it’s essential to remember that separation of church and state is more than just a constitutional nicety – it’s a fundamental aspect of our democracy. When politicians invoke God or Christianity to justify their policies, they risk eroding the very principles that have made America great.

This development means we need to pay attention to the language used by our elected officials and the events they sponsor. We must be vigilant in defending the separation of church and state and holding politicians accountable for their actions. It’s not just a partisan issue – it’s fundamental, affecting us all.

As I watched “Rededicate 250” unfold, I couldn’t help but think of George Washington’s wise words: “The freedom of religion is at the core of our liberties.” Let’s hope we don’t forget that any time soon.