The Christian idea of the Kingdom of God also has political overtones, but they look very different from being used in a tasteless media game of holy war. God’s kingdom is incorporated into the earthly reality as those who have believed in him build relationships, alliances and programs of assistance.
They come out of their shells and help everyone without distinction. That is the only “allowed” holy war – not the one with the bombers and the killing. The fake holy games in the White House are a warning. If presidents and prime ministers desire a public blessing from religious leaders, extreme vigilance is needed. It is obvious that they manipulate the feelings of the simple minded and shamelessly disguise themselves.
Any Christian nationalism – with the American flag, Russian eagle, Hungarian or Slovak double cross – is an ideological accident. He professes the love of power rather than the power of God’s love. Christianity is neither Roman nor Slavic. On the contrary, it breaks down divisions into classes, castes and ethnicities.
The mission of Christian churches is not to serve as a religious section of empires. Anyone who claims to have God on their side, or who alone holds the only position approved by God, is treading on thin ice.
The separation of faith and power is healing for all. And it doesn’t mean at all that sincerely religious people won’t do things that will have a serious (and everyone’s good) political impact. It remains to be hoped that the loyalist pastors’ trip to the White House will become a deterrent, not an example for others.
