Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

ItsjustMe

(11,730 posts)
Mon Oct 30, 2023, 10:34 AM Oct 2023

It's Time to Talk About Violent Christian Extremism

It’s Time to Talk About Violent Christian Extremism

There’s a “strong authoritarian streak” that runs through parts of American evangelicalism, warns Elizabeth Neumann. What should be done about it?

For two decades, the U.S. government has been engaging with faith leaders in Muslim communities at home and around the world in an attempt to stamp out extremism and prevent believers vulnerable to radicalization from going down a path that leads to violence.

Now, after the dangerous QAnon conspiracy theory helped to motivate the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, with many participants touting their Christian faith — and as evangelical pastors throughout the country ache over the spread of the conspiracy theory among their flocks, and its very real human toll — it’s worth asking whether the time has come for a new wave of outreach to religious communities, this time aimed at evangelical Christians.

“I personally feel a great burden, since I came from these communities, to try to figure out how to help the leaders,” says Elizabeth Neumann, a former top official at the Department of Homeland Security who resigned from Trump administration in April 2020. The challenge in part is that, in this “particular case, I don’t know if the government is a credible voice at all,” she says. “You don’t want ‘Big Brother’ calling the local pastor and saying, ‘Hey, here’s your tips for the week.’”

Neumann, who was raised in the evangelical tradition, is a devout Christian. Her knowledge of that world, and her expertise on issues of violent extremism, gives her a unique insight into the ways QAnon is driving some Christians to extremism and violence.
5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
It's Time to Talk About Violent Christian Extremism (Original Post) ItsjustMe Oct 2023 OP
Thank you for this greatly needed post, ItsjustMe. This discussion MUST happen. nt CaliforniaPeggy Oct 2023 #1
And, please note, still preaching against 'Big Brother' stopdiggin Oct 2023 #2
'God told me to kill you/them.' keithbvadu2 Oct 2023 #3
Like Tim McViegh? czarjak Oct 2023 #4
I always end up thinking about... 2naSalit Oct 2023 #5

stopdiggin

(12,887 posts)
2. And, please note, still preaching against 'Big Brother'
Mon Oct 30, 2023, 10:56 AM
Oct 2023

So - a little bit of paranoia and conspiracy is okay ...
We just don't want these people to get off the leash ...

keithbvadu2

(40,239 posts)
3. 'God told me to kill you/them.'
Mon Oct 30, 2023, 11:36 AM
Oct 2023

The teachings of Christ are 'weak' acc to today's conservative Christians.

2naSalit

(92,969 posts)
5. I always end up thinking about...
Mon Oct 30, 2023, 12:50 PM
Oct 2023

Children of the Corn when I see groups of these people anymore, that and jonestown.

Latest Discussions»Editorials & Other Articles»It's Time to Talk About V...