What Is So-Called "Anti-Christian Bias"

And why its meaning matters for YOU (Scroll to the end to listen)

andrawatkins.substack.com

Yesterday, the administration released a new executive order that would create a “faith office” within the White House and direct the Attorney General to eradicate so-called “anti-Christian bias” from the federal government. This move is straight out of Project 2025, but it is also part of the authoritarian playbook followed by Putin and Orbán. Rather than rehash this order, I want to help readers grasp what this crowd means when they say phrases like “anti-Christian bias,” “Christian persecution,” and “religious liberty.” Because what they mean will matter for YOU and your loved ones.

‘Live and let live’ is antithetical to Christian Nationalists; they believe everyone in society should be forced to follow Christian Nationalist laws. Any law that differs from their interpretation of the Bible contains so-called “anti-religious bias.” For example, CNs believe homosexuality is a mortal sin, a depraved choice. They do not believe God created anyone with a same-sex attraction. Therefore, forcing them to accept homosexual people and behavior when they are certain it is wrong is “anti-religious bias,” ie: laws that violate their perceived religious liberty to discriminate against people and behaviors they believe to be wrong. They don’t think they should have to hire, work with, shop with, or otherwise see or experience homosexuality in any aspect of daily life. How this interpretation of anti-religious bias could impact YOU:

• Christian Nationalists believe the natural role of women is 1. get married to a man; 2. submit to said man; 3. have as many babies as God gives her; and 4. stay home and take care of them. Any laws that allow or support women working outside the home contain “anti-religious bias.”
• Many Christian Nationalists believe ALL CONTRACEPTION causes abortions. Therefore, laws that allow more access to contraception or keep contraception legal contain “anti-religious bias.”
• Project 2025 aimed to revoke the right to same-sex marriage, because recognizing same-sex couples nationwide is “anti-religious bias.”
• Christian Nationalists insist that God created 2 sexes: male and female. Therefore, every human must be categorized according to God’s purported plan. Any law or regulation that acknowledges the existence of transgender, non-binary, or intersex people is therefore “anti-religious.”

Readers who have specific questions about how this definition could impact them or someone they care about can drop questions in the comments.

Many Americans may hear comments about a Christian nation and think, “Why would that be so bad? What could it hurt to live by the Christian moral code? Wouldn’t that make us more safe and secure?” This thinking is especially prevalent among congregations that are Christian but not Christian Nationalist. Which is why it is critical for Americans to understand what Christian Nationalists mean when they throw around a phrase like “Christian persecution.” For Christian Nationalists, Christian persecution is anything that tries to stop them from forcing everyone in society to live by Christian Nationalist laws.

• This newsletter is Christian persecution.
• Calling Project 2025 a Christo-fascist manifesto is Christian persecution.
• Confronting a group of pious theocrats from a pulpit, as Bishop Budde did so eloquently, is Christian persecution.
• Disagreeing with them about the interpretation of the Bible (or basically any spiritual thing they assert) is Christian persecution.
• Telling them no is Christian persecution.
• Forcing them to be in the vicinity of anything that offends them is Christian persecution.
• Recognizing other faiths and giving them equal treatment is Christian persecution.
• The existence of atheists and other secular beliefs is Christian persecution.

I hope everyone can see what’s happening here: Christian Nationalists believe they have the right to use Christianity to persecute everyone else, and whenever someone resists, they cry, “I’m a victim of Christian persecution!” It’s very basic projection.

• if you or someone you know might need it in the next few years, purchase plan b. the shelf life of plan b is 4 years, and we might not be able to access it as easily as we can now in the days ahead.
• if you are larger/plus size: go online and purchase ella instead of plan b. plan b is less effective if you aren’t under 160 pounds.
• if you can, purchase books that project 2025 is looking to ban.
• mass deportations are starting. if you see ice vehicles or agents, yell ice raid and la migra as loud as you can.
• if someone asks who you voted for, keep your mouth shut. they’re fishing for traitors.
• if anyone, anyone at all asks about your neighbors or their legal status in the us, you know nothing. don’t be the reason that their family is separated.
• if anyone asks about your religion or lack thereof, keep it vague. this administration will look for any excuse to persecute you.
• your friends are trans or queer? for the next four years they’re not. don’t expose anyone’s status as a trans or queer person to anyone else, even if you think you can trust them.
• did someone you know get an abortion? no, they didn’t. they were never pregnant.
• in short, don’t be a snitch, and keep to yourself these next four years. we’ll make it through this even if it seems hopeless at times.

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