The Real Anti-Christian Bias in America
How Capitalism and Power Corrupt the Gospel and Destroy The Constitution
So I thought about it and I’ve changed my mind. I believe there IS an “anti-Christian bias” in America these days. But hang on, let me explain.
The wolves of capitalism have their teeth in the necks of whole flocks of American Christians who are easy prey in this manufactured climate of fear, loathing, and anti-reason.
Some people I know get real worked up when somebody says “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” or when Starbucks cups don’t have a nativity scene on ‘em. Or heaven forbid a Christian preacher stands up in her church and actually preaches the Gospel.
But let me tell you something—if we’re gonna talk about what’s really standing against the message of Jesus, we need to talk about capitalism and those who defend it while claiming to be Christian.
That’s right. The biggest threat to Christianity in America isn’t some coffee shop or some Happy Holidays. It’s not DEI, or Pride parades. And it sure as hell isn’t immigrants. It’s the whole system Americans are living under—the profit before people, pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps, winner-take-all capitalism.
Jesus and the Poor: The Beatitudes Ain’t for Billionaires
Let’s go straight to the source—Jesus himself. In Matthew 5, He sits on a mountainside and starts telling a whole bunch of folx what kind of people are blessed:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Now, let me ask y’all something. Where in that list do you see anything about the rich? The powerful? The CEOs and hedge fund managers? The billionaires?? You don’t. In fact, over in Luke’s version (Luke 6:20-26), Jesus doubles down and adds some woes for the wealthy:
Woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.
Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.
That doesn’t sound like a blessing for people who piss into gold toilets to me. That sounds like Jesus saying the system is upside-down, and that those who are crushed by it—the poor, the hungry, the mourning—are the ones God is holding in the light of love and mercy.
Some of y’all think Trump is Christian; bless your hearts
Donald Trump and his cult pf personality love to paint him as some kind of defender of Christianity (or in more heretical circles, as the second coming of Jesus. Lord, help). But let’s take a look at just a smidgen of Orange Menace’s record and see if it lines up with what Jesus taught:
He worships money. Jesus said, “You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24), yet Trump has built his entire identity around wealth, boasting about it at every turn.
He mistreats the poor. Jesus told us to care for “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40), but Trump slashed food aid, attacked healthcare access, and let countless people suffer for corporate profit.
He promotes greed and corruption. Trump ran a presidency full of tax cuts for the rich, corporate bailouts, and policies designed to make billionaires even richer while the working class suffered.
He shows no love for his neighbor. Jesus commanded us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31), yet Trump built his platform on hate—whether it was against immigrants, refugees, or marginalized communities.
He lies constantly. Jesus said, “Let your yes be yes and your no be no” (Matthew 5:37), yet Trump has told tens of thousands of lies, even when the truth would serve him better.
He lacks humility. The Bible says, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (James 4:6), but there’s not a humble cell in Trump’s body.
He stokes violence and division. Jesus told us, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9), yet Trump encouraged violence at his rallies and incited an insurrection against democracy itself.
He ignores (or abhors) the sick and suffering. Jesus healed the sick without charge, while Trump downplayed a deadly pandemic, mocked the differently abled, and scorned soldiers who died for America.
And of course, in a recent display of rabid anti-Christian bias, President Donald Trump rebuked Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde after she delivered a sermon at the National Prayer Service, urging him to show mercy toward immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community. Bishop Budde implored, "In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now," highlighting the fears of marginalized groups. Instead of embracing this faithful, biblical call for compassion—a core Christian value—Trump labeled Bishop Budde as "nasty" and dismissed her plea, demonstrating his persistent rejection of the Christian principles of love and mercy.
The Kingdom of God Isn’t a Corporation
Jesus didn’t say, “Go out and make a name for yourself.” He didn’t say, “Make sure you get yours first.” He didn’t say, “Blessed are the stockholders.” No, He said:
“You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)
And yet, in America, the economy is built on the worship of money. We call billionaires “self-made” while ignoring the underpaid, under-insured, interchangeable/disposable workers (plus generations of enslaved humans) who actually built that wealth on land stolen from first inhabitants.
The wealthy love to say the poor “deserve” their lot because they didn’t work hard enough, much like the “friends” told Job he deserved his lot because he was somehow not faithful enough (spoiler alert, he was faithful and God said those numbskulls were wrong. You can read it for yourself in the Book of Job).
When a nation closes its ears to the cries of the suffering because we don’t want to upset the market. That’s not Christianity—that's capitalism.
Jesus talked more about money than He did about heaven or hell, and He never once said it was a sign of God’s favor. Instead, He told a rich man that if he wanted to enter the kingdom, he had to sell all he had and give to the poor (Mark 10:21). And when the man walked away sad, Jesus turned to His disciples and said:
“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:25)
That ought to make every millionaire politician and prosperity preacher in America very uncomfortable.
God Stands with the Least of These
Jesus made it real clear in Matthew 25:40:
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Now let’s take a hard look at America. It has the highest incarceration rate in the world, locking up the poor while the rich walk free. It has the highest homelessness rate among developed nations, with millions of people sleeping on the streets while luxury apartments sit empty. Domestic violence is rampant, with women and children suffering in silence while politicians cut funding for shelters. And don’t even get me started on healthcare—this country lets folks go bankrupt just for getting sick, while insurance companies rake in billions.
God is not on the side of the landlords evicting families. God isn’t with the politicians slashing aid. God ain’t sitting in the boardrooms of oil companies destroying creation. God is with the imprisoned, the sick, the homeless, and the abused. If your
Christianity is propping up the rich instead of tearing down injustice, it’s not Christianity—its empire worship.
The Gospel is Liberation, Not Exploitation
Christianity in America has been hijacked by folks who twist the Gospel to justify greed. They use Jesus as a mascot for capitalism, willfully ignoring His actual message.
The real anti-Christian bias in this country isn’t coming from secular folx or other religions—it’s coming from the way the American economy treats the poor and calls it “God’s plan.”
But here’s the good news: Jesus is still calling us to something better. The Kin-dom of God in NOT about hoarding wealth or climbing the corporate ladder. It’s about lifting each other up, sharing what we have, and making sure no one is left behind.
The White House Faith Office: Both Unconstitutional and Anti-Christian
The newly minted White House Office of Faith-Based is being heralded by MAGA “Christians” as a necessary moral backbone of America. I call heaping piles of BS.
This office isn’t about faith—it’s about political power.
Not only is it unconstitutional, violating the First Amendment’s guarantee of separation between church and state, but it’s also anti-Christian, contradicting Jesus’ teachings on humility, justice, and the role of faith.
The First Amendment and the Separation of Church and State
The United States was founded on the principle of religious freedom. The First Amendment explicitly states:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
This means the government has no business promoting or favoring any one religion over another. Yet, the Faith Office will precisely do just that—allowing one sect of so-called Christians to influence policy and practices in America.
Historically, the U.S. has functioned best when religion and government are separate. Thomas Jefferson himself warned against the dangers of entangling the two, adamant about the need for a “wall of separation” between church and state. And for good reason—history shows that when governments mix with religious institutions, corruption, oppression, and coercion inevitably follow.
By embedding religion into the highest office in the land, the Faith Office undermines the pluralism upon which America once claimed to be built. It creates a dangerous precedent where certain faith groups gain political power while others are marginalized.
Your god is mightily small if he needs an office at The White House
Now, let’s turn to scripture. Jesus was crystal clear on how faith should function in society—humbly and without self-aggrandizement. In Matthew 6:5-6, Jesus explicitly warned against using faith for public spectacle:
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
Yet, what does the White House Faith Office encourage? Grandstanding, public displays of piety, and the use of religion as a political weapon. This is precisely the kind of hypocrisy Jesus condemned. The Faith Office is not about deepening spiritual practice or even defending Christians (certainly not the Christan writing this post); it’s about pseudo-religious leaders currying favor with politicians and wielding faith as a means of control.
The Faith Office and the Politics of Power
Beyond the unconstitutional nature of this office, it’s worth asking: who benefits from its existence? The Faith Office will overwhelmingly serve politically powerful religious groups, giving them access to federal funding and influence over policy.
This is not the work of God. This is the work of empire.
Jesus rejected the pursuit of earthly power. When offered the chance to rule in the ways of the world, He responded:
"My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36).
And yet, the White House Faith Office will function as though Jesus’ realm should be one of political maneuvering, government contracts, and policy influence.
That’s not Christianity—that’s empire-building.
The Bible consistently warns against corrupt alliances between religious and political elites. In Mark 12:38-40, Jesus rebukes religious leaders who use faith for power and prestige:
"Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely."
A faith that aligns itself with the empire ceases to be the faith of Christ. Jesus didn’t seek the favor of Rome, nor did He strive for political authority. Instead, He stood with the poor, the oppressed, and the forgotten.
The White House Faith Office, no matter who is in power, will always be an instrument of the state—not an instrument of Christ. True faith doesn’t need the validation of politicians, nor does it require federal funding. If people want to truly follow Jesus, they will do the work of feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, and standing up for the oppressed—not celebrating the powerful.
The White House Faith Office is a violation of the First Amendment and a betrayal of Jesus’ teachings. It exists not to serve God, but to serve those who wish to wield religion as a tool for power and political gain.
And if we’re going to start tinkering with the Constitution (which I’ve heard Republicans say for decades is not possible, even as our children are massacred), let’s start with the 2nd Amendment before we throw out the 1st.
A Prayer for A Way Forward
Holy Mystery of all names and none,
We come before you with broken hearts, seeking your wisdom and justice in a world where faith is too often used as a tool for power instead of a force for love. You have called us to nurture the poor, lift up the oppressed, and reject the idols of greed and control. Yet, we see a nation that distorts your message, where leaders invoke your name to justify cruelty rather than compassion.
Divine Parent of mercy, grant us discernment—to see through the false righteousness of those who exploit faith for political gain. Give us the courage to speak truth to power, just as our sibling, Jesus, did when he challenged the religious and political elites of his time. Remind us that God’s realm is not of this world and that no earthly government can claim divine authority while ignoring the cries of the most vulnerable.
We pray for the strength to follow Christ’s example—not seeking influence in high places, but serving where Jesus served: among the poor, the sick, the imprisoned, and the outcast. May our faith not be one of grandstanding or hollow words, nor scapegoating or xenophobia, but of real action, justice, and boundless love.
Infinite Light and Love, please guide the American nation away from hypocrisy and toward humility, away from empire and into community, away from power-seeking and toward the work of seeking justice, loving mercy and walking humbly with our God as we may understand them.
In the name of Jesus the Liberator, we pray.
Amen.
Underpinning:
The Beatitudes & Woes on the Wealthy – Matthew 5:3-12, Luke 6:20-26
Jesus Condemns Religious Hypocrisy – Matthew 23:23-24, Mark 12:40, Luke 11:39-42
Faith & Government Separation – Matthew 6:5-6; U.S. Constitution, First Amendment
Christian View on Money & Greed – Matthew 6:24, Mark 10:25
God Stands with the Oppressed – Matthew 25:40
Trump Mocking Disabled Reporter – BBC News, "Donald Trump: Disabled Reporter Incident,"
Trump's Comments on Dead Soldiers – The Atlantic, "Trump: Americans Who Died in War Are 'Losers' and 'Suckers',"
Trump’s Tax Cuts for the Wealthy – CNBC, "Trump's Tax Cuts Helped Billionaires More Than the Working Class," cnbc.com
Incarceration Rate: According to the Prison Policy Initiative's 2024 report, the United States has the highest incarceration rate of any independent democracy on earth.
prisonpolicy.org
Homelessness Rate: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported a record 18% rise in homelessness in 2024, totaling 771,480 individuals.
huduser.gov
Domestic Violence: The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence states that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner physical violence, highlighting the rampant nature of domestic violence in the U.S.
Healthcare Costs: A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that medical expenses contribute to about 66.5% of bankruptcies in the U.S., indicating the financial burden of healthcare on Americans.
The First Amendment and Separation of Church and State:
U.S. Constitution, First Amendment – “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
Thomas Jefferson, Letter to the Danbury Baptists (1802) – "…thus building a wall of separation between Church and State."
Jesus’ Warning Against Public Displays of Religion:
Matthew 6:5-6 – "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others..."
Mark 12:38-40 – "Watch out for the teachers of the law... They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely."
Faith and Political Power:
John 18:36 – "My kingdom is not of this world."
History of the White House Faith Office:
George W. Bush’s establishment of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (2001)
Barack Obama’s White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (2009)
Donald Trump’s expansion of the Faith Office to support evangelical influence (2017)
Joe Biden’s continuation of the Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Office (2021)
Dangers of Religious-Political Alliances:
Mark 12:38-40 – Jesus’ rebuke of religious leaders who seek power and status.
Historical precedent: Religious entanglement with political power leading to corruption, as seen in medieval Europe and state-sponsored religion in history.
A woefully short reading list
Foundational Texts of Liberation Theology
Gustavo Gutiérrez – A Theology of Liberation: History, Politics, and Salvation (1971)
The foundational text of Latin American liberation theology, emphasizing the preferential option for the poor and the intersection of faith and justice.
Leonardo Boff & Clodovis Boff – Introducing Liberation Theology (1987)
A concise and accessible introduction to liberation theology, explaining its origins, principles, and goals.
James H. Cone – Black Theology & Black Power (1969)
A seminal work in Black liberation theology, Cone critiques white Christianity and argues for a theology rooted in Black experience and resistance.
Dorothee Sölle – Suffering (1973)
A powerful feminist and political theological analysis of suffering, exploring the connection between oppression, theology, and justice.
Jon Sobrino – Jesus the Liberator: A Historical-Theological View (1991)
Examines Jesus’ life and ministry from the perspective of the poor and oppressed, emphasizing his radical call for justice.
Black Liberation Theology
James H. Cone – God of the Oppressed (1975)
A deeper development of Black liberation theology, arguing that God’s work is inseparable from the struggle for racial justice.
Kelly Brown Douglas – Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God (2015)
Connects contemporary racial injustice, particularly anti-Black violence, with theological and historical perspectives.
Delores S. Williams – Sisters in the Wilderness: The Challenge of Womanist God-Talk (1993)
A foundational womanist theological work centering Black women’s experiences in biblical and theological discourse.
Feminist & Womanist Liberation Theology
Elizabeth A. Johnson – She Who Is: The Mystery of God in Feminist Theological Discourse (1992)
A groundbreaking feminist theological text reclaiming God-language beyond patriarchal structures.
Ada María Isasi-Díaz – Mujerista Theology: A Theology for the Twenty-First Century (1996)
A Latina feminist theology emphasizing the struggles and faith experiences of Hispanic women.
Kwok Pui-lan – Postcolonial Imagination and Feminist Theology (2005)
Merges feminist and postcolonial theological perspectives, emphasizing liberation in global contexts.
Indigenous & Decolonial Liberation Theology
George E. Tinker – Missionary Conquest: The Gospel and Native American Genocide (1993)
A critique of Christian missions and their role in the destruction of Indigenous cultures, arguing for a theology rooted in Native identity.
Andrea Smith – Conquest: Sexual Violence and American Indian Genocide (2005)
Explores the intersection of colonialism, gender, and faith, making the case for Indigenous feminist theology.
Randy Woodley – Shalom and the Community of Creation: An Indigenous Vision (2012)
Calls for a reimagined theology based on Indigenous wisdom, creation care, and communal justice.
Eco-Theology & Creation Care
Leonardo Boff – Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor (1997)
Connects environmental destruction with social injustice, arguing that liberation theology must include ecological responsibility.
Ivone Gebara – Longing for Running Water: Ecofeminism and Liberation (1999)
An ecofeminist theology that integrates environmental justice with liberationist critiques of patriarchy.
Pope Francis – Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home (2015)
A papal encyclical emphasizing environmental justice, economic inequity, and the moral duty to protect creation.
Contemporary & Global Liberation Theology
Miguel A. De La Torre – Embracing Hopelessness (2017)
A provocative challenge to traditional Christian hope, arguing that radical liberation requires confronting despair.
Richard Rohr – The Universal Christ: How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For, and Believe (2019)
A mystical and liberative re-examination of Jesus’ presence in the world, centering on solidarity with the marginalized.
Roberto S. Goizueta – Caminemos con Jesús: Toward a Hispanic/Latino Theology of Accompaniment (1995)
Advocates for a theology of accompaniment, rooted in the lived experiences of Hispanic/Latino communities.
Marcella Althaus-Reid – Indecent Theology: Theological Perversions in Sex, Gender, and Politics (2000)
A groundbreaking queer liberation theology challenging traditional Christian norms around sexuality and power.
Contemporary & Progressive Christian Theology
Brian McLaren – A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions That Are Transforming the Faith (2010)
Challenges traditional evangelical theology and explores a more inclusive, justice-oriented Christianity.
Rachel Held Evans – Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again (2018)
A fresh and liberative approach to Scripture, focusing on storytelling, justice, and reclaiming faith from fundamentalism.
Miguel A. De La Torre – Embracing Hopelessness (2017)
A provocative challenge to traditional Christian hope, arguing that radical liberation requires confronting despair.
Richard Rohr – The Universal Christ: How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For, and Believe (2019)
A mystical and liberative re-examination of Jesus’ presence in the world, centering on solidarity with the marginalized.
Roberto S. Goizueta – Caminemos con Jesús: Toward a Hispanic/Latino Theology of Accompaniment (1995)
Advocates for a theology of accompaniment, rooted in the lived experiences of Hispanic/Latino communities.
Marcella Althaus-Reid – Indecent Theology: Theological Perversions in Sex, Gender, and Politics (2000)
A groundbreaking queer liberation theology challenging traditional Christian norms around sexuality and power.
Liberation Theology in Practice
Paulo Freire – Pedagogy of the Oppressed (1970)
While not strictly a theological work, Freire’s philosophy of liberation through education is foundational to liberation theology.
Shane Claiborne – The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical (2006)
A modern Christian activist’s call to live out liberation theology in daily life, embracing simplicity and justice.
Cornel West – Democracy Matters: Winning the Fight Against Imperialism (2004)
Connects Christian prophetic tradition to the struggle against modern empires and neoliberal capitalism.
Connecting With REAL Offices of Christians in Action
Here is a list of just a few Christian organizations actively working to support the poor, and marginalized communities, promote racial equity, and care for creation:
The BTS Center: This organization works with a wide array of partners to protect, restore, and share our climate-changed world. They offer research, spiritual care, and actionable practices to provide resources to faith communities to promote environmental justice. Their vision is: human hearts renewed,
justice established, and creation restored.United Church of Christ – Racial Justice Ministries: Collaborating with national offices, this ministry advances justice work alongside UCC conferences, associations, and local churches, addressing issues related to hunger, poverty, peace, security, racism, and care for the earth.
SURJ Faith (Showing Up for Racial Justice): A space for white faith and spiritual individuals of all traditions, SURJ Faith partners with people of color-led and multiracial faith organizations to dismantle white supremacy through economic justice and abolition efforts.
Children Rescue Mission: This organization rescues children from extreme poverty, domestic slavery, forced child labor, and human trafficking. They also provide life-sustaining meals to the poor and support indigenous missionary pastors.
Faith in Action: Formerly known as PICO National Network, Faith in Action is a national network of faith-based community organizations in the U.S. that believes in a society free of economic oppression, racism, and discrimination. Their mission includes increasing access to healthcare, improving public schools, making neighborhoods safer, building affordable housing, redeveloping communities, and revitalizing democracy.
Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC): LVC is a full-time volunteer service and leadership program that places volunteers in urban areas across the U.S. to work for social justice with various nonprofit organizations. Volunteers live together in intentional communities, focusing on simple and sustainable living while serving in areas such as food justice, legal aid, environment, housing, immigration, education, and healthcare.
Focus: HOPE: Based in Detroit, Focus: HOPE is a non-denominational, non-profit organization aiming to overcome racism and poverty by providing education and training for underrepresented minorities and others.
National Council of Churches (NCC): The NCC has supported numerous poverty alleviation efforts, including increases to the minimum wage and ecumenical initiatives like the Circle of Protection and the Faithful Budget Campaign. They also engage in environmental advocacy through their Eco-Justice program, which was later spun off into Creation Justice Ministries.