Jeff Sharlet's @jeffsharlet.bsky.social The Family was brought to film in 2019. The Netflix series is the brightest light ever shone not only on The Family as a secretive political group but on the larger Christian dominionist movement of which it's part. www.netflix.com/title/80063867 12/🧵
bery good to watch - horrifying that it is!
I’ve watched this and there’s no doubt in my mind that “cult” is the best descriptor of the conservative part which has now absorbed the far right. A bunch of kooks, zealots, and Nazis just rampaging civilization.
A very good documentary.
The movement isn't limited to Washington D.C. insiders, though. Investigative journalist Katherine Stewart @katherinestewart.bsky.social wrote about the ongoing efforts of the Christian right to assert control over local schools in The Good News Club. 13/🧵 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katheri...
In two subsequent books, The Power Worshipers, and Money Lies, and God, journalist Kathrine Stewart @katherinestewart.bsky.social explores the wider movement and its ongoing efforts to dismantle the American secular (non-religious) state. 14/🧵 www.publishersweekly.com/9781635578546
This documentary by @foldablehuman.bsky.social Dan Olson describes the rise of QAnon, a conspiracy theory belief cluster with apocalyptic end-times roots and ties to the Flat Earth movement. In the few years since it was made, these beliefs have become GOP litmus tests. 15/🧵 youtu.be/JTfhYyTuT44
Mike Flynn seems to be involved w Qanon? He did specialize in psy ops
Some people think that he was Q for a while, or from the beginning even, but the truth is probably not that interesting; he’s just one of many people who fell victim or decided to exploit it. In his case, possibly both.
He promoted it He seems to promote Christian nationalism He’s too cynical to fully buy into this (his foundation just sponsored a symphony concert at Kennedy ctr and he made them announce it to mess w regular KC/symphony subscribers. rub their noses in it He’s a vile manipulative man Hates USA
Yeah he’s definitely been milking it. youtu.be/OlNv7OY9thM?...
My god
I'm somewhat reluctant to share this one, because since this was published Chris Hedges has taken a turn toward the nihilistic. However, Hedges remains a Christian, so this book provides an interesting insider's view of the movement. 16/🧵 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America...
Another insider view is provided by the podcast of former evangelical @frankschaeffer.bsky.social Frank Schaeffer. His introduction to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R, LA) is helpful to understanding what's happening in American politics, today. 17/🧵 youtu.be/C0HrFoT_aYw
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"The Violent Take it by Force" by Matthew Taylor is another, released before the 2024 election. These books and articles written over many years by different authors have significant alignment. It also is one thing that makes sense in an insane political environment. @matthewdtaylor.bsky.social
Thank you. I added Matthew D. Taylor to the Spotlight on Christian Nationalism starter pack a while back, too. youtu.be/PslRnkrz9wE
There are people like David Brooks who seem to believe that the decline of religion is the cause of most problems with American politics. I suspect most of those issues are due to the concentration of Christian supremacists within a single party, and their reaction to declining influence.
"a problem confronting some Pentecostal groups is the tendency to cling to their faith conviction, but to disregard, as superfluous or unimportant, the whole area of faith knowledge. A life of discernment requires both." - Rev. Chris Aridas, Discernment: Seeking God in Every Situation
@amandamarcotte.bsky.social of Salon has published one of the best recent articles which shines a spotlight on the events of the moment. The wrecking crew is using "efficiency" as a smokescreen, while they dismantle American science, the root of American power. www.salon.com/2025/02/14/w...
According to Anne Nelson and NBC, Leonard Leo was behind 2/3 of the Project 2025 orgs. His surrogates hired Opus Dei Kevin Roberts. His surrogates annointed JD. If you want to understand techbros - read @gilduran.com & @jennycohn.bsky.social medium.com/@thcarter123...
Michelle Goldberg @michellegoldberg.bsky.social of the New York Times has published several articles and at least one book about the rise of Christian nationalism in the United States. 19/🧵 youtu.be/Yk0omGVyHPU
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As you see news in the coming days, weeks, and months about the damage being done to the public health infrastructure, to education, and to the engine of science in America, remember that this movement has been fighting globally, on many fronts, for decades. 20/🧵 www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Americans have been resistant for decades to accepting that this is a movement, because we see it from different angles, we see its internal incoherence. Messianic movements have always been incoherent, though; their theology doesn't need to make sense to us. 21/🧵 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosper...
Thank you for curating — another revealing historical summary w/ present-day social context is by @mccrummen.bsky.social in the Atlantic: “Army of God” Feb. 2025 edition.
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I hope you'll follow the journalist I've mentioned above. To make that easier, I've added them to the Spotlight on Christian Nationalism starter pack. This is a matter of national security. Please feel free to suggest other voices who might be included on this list. go.bsky.app/LshiW3Y
@threadreaderapp Unroll
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Terrifying. So much is terrifying I may need a new word for this.
Semantic bleaching is a problem. www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/very...
Christianity has tried to own morality. There are neither good Christians nor bad Christians. There are only good people or bad people. So stop with “he is a Christian so he is ok” nonsense.
You appear to labor under the misunderstanding that I said "he is a Christian so he is ok".
Great video, watching now.