Experts say that the Christian nationalist rhetoric adds a dangerous dimension to the standoff between Texas and the Federal Government.

A trucker convoy of “patriots” is heading to the U.S. border with Mexico next week, as the standoff between Texas and the federal government intensifies. The organizers of the “Take Our Border Back” convoy have called themselves “God’s army” and say they’re on a mission to stand up against the “globalists” who they claim are conspiring to keep U.S. borders open and destroy the country.

“This is a biblical, monumental moment that’s been put together by God,” one convoy organizer said on a recent planning call. “We are besieged on all sides by dark forces of evil,” said another. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. It is time for the remnant to rise.” (The remnant, from the Book of Revelation, are the ones who remain faithful to Jesus Christ in times of crisis).

Experts say that the Christian nationalist overtones in this rhetoric adds a dangerous dimension to an already fraught situation.

“When people believe that they are working on behalf of God, they might be willing to resort to relatively extreme measures,” said Ruth Braunstein, assistant professor of sociology at the University of Connecticut and author of “Prophets and Patriots: Faith in Democracy Across the Political Divide.” ”And so you have a politically volatile situation that could become much more so, in part because of this rhetoric.”

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    6911 months ago

    Are they unaware that the migrants that they’ll be trying to stop are also overwhelmingly Christian?

  • stevedidWHAT
    link
    6711 months ago

    Classic Christianity, we love everyone but also the crusades, graves full of Indian children, probably countless Muslims, Hindus, etc. super cool logic, definitely not divine self-realization poisoned by pride, greed, etc. ironic tho!

  • @Boddhisatva
    link
    4711 months ago

    So they are “God’s army” but Blessed are the Peacemakers. I wonder how many will be carrying guns?

    • ddh
      link
      fedilink
      English
      511 months ago

      Carrying Colt M1873 Peacemakers

    • @CharlesDarwin
      link
      English
      211 months ago

      I think the question is what the average number of guns per member of gawd’s awmeee is…these people are nothing without their emotional support firearms.

    • @PenguinMage
      link
      411 months ago

      Yes… but the use of “globalist” makes me think Alex Jones is involved heavily too… gods I hate all this stupidity… I shall openly mock any I may come across.

    • @RealFknNito
      link
      English
      1111 months ago

      The last “Army of God” were slaughtered in their sleep. There’s always hope history will repeat.

  • Optional
    link
    2411 months ago

    (((globalists)))

    Angry ignorant fascists with guns and a cheap Hitler knockoff. Yay.

    • @jordanlundM
      link
      3
      edit-2
      11 months ago

      Removed, rule 6, no slurs. 24 hour ban.

    • @Blank
      link
      611 months ago

      So would God, if there were one.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    19
    edit-2
    11 months ago

    I kinda wish this was happening in August, when Meal Team Six would walk outside, feel the 100 degree heat and/or humidity, and nope the fuck out.

    Too hot for all their tacti-cool gear.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    17
    edit-2
    11 months ago

    "When people believe that they are working on behalf of God, they might be willing to resort to relatively extreme measures,”

    Ask the Cathars about “armies of God”

    • @agent_flounder
      link
      English
      711 months ago

      It’s worth reading the article to see what the supporters of this convoy have to say, following the quote above. Hopefully these lunatics stick to peaceful protesting but even that makes a tense situation worse. This dispute needs no more powder or matches right now.

      Hopefully it all blows over but I fear historians may point to this as marking a notable shift in the power struggle between (red) states and the federal government. If states whose political leadership opposes federal leadership successfully gain power through extra legal means, it seems to me that introduced some big cracks into the foundation of the union.

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        311 months ago

        Well, last time this happened, things got worse really fast. Still the most deadly war in US history

  • @CharlesDarwin
    link
    English
    1211 months ago

    These convoys should be treated like terrorist groups.

  • @quams69
    link
    911 months ago

    Christofascists are not a threat I saw coming growing up in the 90s

    • DrWorm
      link
      711 months ago

      I mean, Frank Zappa saw in the 80’s as a very real outcome.

    • Phoenixz
      link
      fedilink
      311 months ago

      I’m actually more amazed that this doesn’t happen more often. Christo fascist have been a real thing for a long, long time.