America's Christian Revival? More Like a Scam.
A recent conference hosted by Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a powerful organization in the Republican Party, was touted as the perfect platform for a "Christian revival." However, what attendees witnessed was more like a fundamentalist evangelical Christianity takeover. The event's speakers, including TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk and several influential figures from the Christian right, delivered sermons that extolled the virtues of a narrow, right-wing version of Christianity.
Bryce Crawford, a 22-year-old who claims to be "winning souls" for Christ by accosting strangers, declared that we're in the "last days" and that those who don't believe his version of the gospels will soon face eternal damnation. Russell Brand, facing seven charges of sexual assault, including three rape charges, also took the stage, declaring Christianity as the key to resolving conflicts between Israel and Gaza.
Even rapper Nicki Minaj, newly out as MAGA, got in on the action, claiming she's had a "kind of faith" since childhood. The event's organizers, however, seem to be pinning their hopes on this alleged religious awakening to deliver big wins for Republicans in November's elections.
But what about the numbers? A Pew Research report from December found that young adults are less religious than older Americans and that they remain so even after a decade of aging. It appears that the "Christian revival" is more of an illusion, perpetuated by right-wing media outlets and social media influencers who exploit the desires of conservative Christians.
TPUSA's founder Charlie Kirk has been shifting the organization's agenda towards Christian nationalism, arguing there should be no separation between church and state. This newfound focus on Christianity has led to a significant increase in donations, with half of TPUSA's $55 million haul in 2020 coming from anonymous donors who support this agenda.
The false narrative of a mass religious revival among young people is a lucrative business, with platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok awash with young influencers claiming they have access to Biblical prophecy or know how to perform exorcisms. These individuals are exploiting the desires of conservative Christians, who want desperately to believe in a religious revival.
In reality, the upcoming elections are looking bleak for Republicans, but TPUSA is here to take their money and sell them a story about how all the kids are coming to Jesus. As GOP leaders try to convince themselves that they'll win the midterm elections, this fantasy of a Christianizing America will continue to fuel their base's misplaced optimism.
The truth is, there's no evidence-based reason to believe in this alleged religious revival. It's nothing more than a scam perpetuated by right-wing media and social media influencers who are making a profit off the gullibility of conservative Christians. As we head into the elections, it's essential to separate fact from fiction and not fall for these false narratives that threaten to undermine our democracy.
A recent conference hosted by Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a powerful organization in the Republican Party, was touted as the perfect platform for a "Christian revival." However, what attendees witnessed was more like a fundamentalist evangelical Christianity takeover. The event's speakers, including TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk and several influential figures from the Christian right, delivered sermons that extolled the virtues of a narrow, right-wing version of Christianity.
Bryce Crawford, a 22-year-old who claims to be "winning souls" for Christ by accosting strangers, declared that we're in the "last days" and that those who don't believe his version of the gospels will soon face eternal damnation. Russell Brand, facing seven charges of sexual assault, including three rape charges, also took the stage, declaring Christianity as the key to resolving conflicts between Israel and Gaza.
Even rapper Nicki Minaj, newly out as MAGA, got in on the action, claiming she's had a "kind of faith" since childhood. The event's organizers, however, seem to be pinning their hopes on this alleged religious awakening to deliver big wins for Republicans in November's elections.
But what about the numbers? A Pew Research report from December found that young adults are less religious than older Americans and that they remain so even after a decade of aging. It appears that the "Christian revival" is more of an illusion, perpetuated by right-wing media outlets and social media influencers who exploit the desires of conservative Christians.
TPUSA's founder Charlie Kirk has been shifting the organization's agenda towards Christian nationalism, arguing there should be no separation between church and state. This newfound focus on Christianity has led to a significant increase in donations, with half of TPUSA's $55 million haul in 2020 coming from anonymous donors who support this agenda.
The false narrative of a mass religious revival among young people is a lucrative business, with platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok awash with young influencers claiming they have access to Biblical prophecy or know how to perform exorcisms. These individuals are exploiting the desires of conservative Christians, who want desperately to believe in a religious revival.
In reality, the upcoming elections are looking bleak for Republicans, but TPUSA is here to take their money and sell them a story about how all the kids are coming to Jesus. As GOP leaders try to convince themselves that they'll win the midterm elections, this fantasy of a Christianizing America will continue to fuel their base's misplaced optimism.
The truth is, there's no evidence-based reason to believe in this alleged religious revival. It's nothing more than a scam perpetuated by right-wing media and social media influencers who are making a profit off the gullibility of conservative Christians. As we head into the elections, it's essential to separate fact from fiction and not fall for these false narratives that threaten to undermine our democracy.