The Messianic Character of Contemporary American Politics: The Rise of Politics as Religion
The Rise of Politics as Religion
The decline of Christianity in American has coincided with the rise of the Messiah complex in American politics. "I alone can save you," says politicians on both the right and the left. The Christ-shaped vacuum left empty in the soul of America is being replaced by politics. Politics is the new religion.
The Elements of our New Religion
With any religion, liturgy is needed. The recent political conventions (RNC & DNC) play the part nicely, as carefully orchestrated liturgical expressions of America’s new religion. They represent a high-water mark akin to Easter.
With any religion, worship is needed. Amid the decline of church attendance and bible reading, our new (political) Messiahs stride confidently to the pulpit. There is even a hint of Pentecostalism spilling forth into our political gatherings. Instead of “arms raised to Jesus”, there is political emotionalism gone mad, a Pentecostalization of political enthusiasm wherein each candidate whips into a religiously-charged political fervor their adoring fans.
With any religion, transcendence is needed. People long to be part of “something greater” than their own small lives. Politicians ride into Jerusalem on modern donkeys (limos and private airplanes) with their political base waving palm branches (political signs). The Messiah will give you 90 minutes of a transcendent experience, replete with enthusiastic chants (more liturgy) coupled by the belief that you have taken part in a historic moment.
With any religion, a devil-figure is needed. The opposition plays the part perfectly. Blessed are you if you can brand your opponent “the next devilish coming” of Adolf Hitler, Fidel Castro or the KKK, for your angelic halo awaits you in heaven. After all, your opponent is destined for the Lake of Fire.
With any religion, apocalyptical images frame an end-time scenario for planet earth. A vote for the oppositional devil-figure takes us closer to this (religious) brink. Your devotion (you are told) is all that keeps the apocalypse at bay.
With any religion, hope is needed. With the “Audacity of Hope”, you can reclaim the American dream. Do you have enough hope to make America great? An eschatological (postmillennial) hope of realized blessings (in the form of economic prosperity) is just around the corner. Can’t you sense the Spirit working through your favorite political Messiah who will inaugurate a glorious end-times prosperity? The promises (of prosperity) and doomsday scenarios (of demise) are spoken with the cadence of sermonic blessings and woes to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.
With any religion, fellowship is needed. Who needs the ekklesia (church) composed of many different parts forming one body? Better to align your life with a political tribe where you can live safely within an echo chamber. Rallies, protests, riots, and parades are now the foyers and fellowship halls of this new American religion.
The Only Worthy Messiah
People were created to worship. People were created to experience transcendence. Substitute religions (like the new religion of politics) offers Christ-less worship and shallow experiences only simulating transcendence. I dare say that the rise and fall of American Christianity hangs in the balance with this recognition. Christ is still our only Messiah.