‘No Kings’: The Rise Of Religious Authoritarianism In America
Religion Unplugged believes in a diversity of well-reasoned and well-researched opinions. This piece reflects the views of the author and does not necessarily represent those of Religion Unplugged, its staff and contributors.
(OPINION) As fascism threatens to rise in America, a “soft theocracy” is already here — a system where particular religious values and beliefs shape public policy without being the official state religion.
This kind of theocracy is not a dramatic seizure of power, but a gradual, deliberate shift: Politically sanctioned, religiously justified, and incrementally imposed. Currently it is broadcast by the White House, echoed in social media, and blessed by pastors who should know better.
What we are witnessing is not mere political spectacle. It is religious theater—bible verses, prayer, and Christian symbolism wielded to legitimize authoritarian power and claim spiritual authority for the state.
Consider the optics:
— Trump holding a Bible outside the Capitol, surrounded by military leaders.
— Pastors laying on hands or kneeling in prayer around the President at the White House.
— Commemorative Trump Coins depicting him as King Cyrus (the Persian ruler who helped restore Jerusalem after exile).
— Memes circulating with Trump as Pope, Jedi warrior, or King of America.
— A military parade of tanks and troops through Washington on his 79th birthday.
These are not random stunts. They are calculated political-religious optics—messianic, militaristic and nationalistic. The message is clear: Trump is the anointed one, tasked with restoring a mythic Christian America defined by racial purity and religious dominance.
Across the country, “No Kings” demonstrations are rising. But protest alone is not enough. Resistance must be moral, theological, and nonviolent—rooted in deep concern for justice, democratic values, and the soul of the Nation.
As a historian of Christianity, I have studied how religion has been manipulated to bless empires. In 325 A.D., Constantine declared himself Christian and forged the Christian Empire. In 800, the Pope crowned Charlemagne, merging the power of church and state. During colonial expansion, Christianity was exported alongside conquest and commerce. In more recent history — Nazi Germany, apartheid South Africa, and the Jim Crow South —Christian institutions often remained silent or gave cover to oppression.
In “American Heresy,” John Fanestil traces Christian nationalism back to the founding myths of the nation. In “The Violent Take It By Force,” Matthew D. Taylor exposes the rise of “dominionist” theology preparing for violent theocratic rule by “taking dominion” over every mountain of power in society. Christian nationalism today is not merely about religious liberty. It seeks to deny diversity, dismantle pluralism, elevate one religion and enforce a theocratic worldview by political force. And Trump is divinely chosen to restore a white Christian nation.
Yet throughout history, faithful resistance has always moved mountains. The early church refused to deify Caesar. The Confessing Church resisted Hitler. The Black Church in America ignited the civil rights movement. Today, we again face a decision: Will people of faith bless authoritarianism—or resist it?
On Day One of his second term, Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border. Since then, he has signaled a willingness to invoke the Insurrection Act and apply it to immigrants and protestors. ICE raids have targeted not only undocumented persons and visitors but legal residents and citizens who “look illegal.”
In my hometown of San Diego, and downtown Los Angeles, reports have surfaced of peaceful civilians being detained if they did not have documentation with them of their legal status. The infrastructure for Martial Law is already being rehearsed.
Moral outrage and resistance are growing. In Los Angeles, clergy marched with protestors, urging nonviolence and moral courage. In San Diego, pastors, attorneys, and activists stood with immigrant workers and denounced raids as “fascist” and “terroristic.” They weren’t just preaching peace—they were keeping it.
On Pentecost Sunday, without church leadership, just over 300 San Diego residents gathered at Ocean Beach to form a massive human banner spelling out “NO KINGS.” Participants stood shoulder-to-shoulder in red, white, and blue, using beach towels and blankets to spell the phrase in bold patriotic colors.
Captured by drone, the image became protest art — a peaceful yet powerful message against authoritarianism in advance of Trump’s planned military parade.
As the local OB Rag reported, the demonstration was more than local resistance; it was a national call to conscience: Power belongs to the people — not to kings, billionaires or demagogues.
The Christian season of Pentecost reminds people of faith that the spirit was poured out on all people — not to fortify the power of a few, but to empower ordinary people.
The moral uprising against Trump — which even moderate commentator David Brooks advocates for—must include the faith leaders and congregations. To remain silent now is to be complicit — with religious Trumpism, with idolatrous nationalism and with the slow unraveling of democracy dressed in religious and patriotic garb.
But to rise up, to speak out, to organize and resist—is to proclaim the true spirit of liberty and justice for all:
No king. No throne. Only one nation — under God.
Michael J. Christensen, Ph.D., is Professor of Theology at Northwind Seminary and a clergy member of the San Diego Peninsula Faith Leaders. He is the author of City Streets, City People, C.S. Lewis on Scripture, and other works on practical theology.