It's time to leave American Christianity

 America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. - Abraham Lincoln

I think this is a powerful quote to describe the state of America right now. 

After Trump's election, we've seen a dramatic rise in oppressive laws, frankly disgusting abuse of power and the protection of a group that if you are in, you need to leave. 

The rise of American Christianity

Our manifest destiny is to overspread the continent allotted by providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions - John L. O'Sullivan

America, undeniably, was founded upon religious premises. Most of the founding fathers were Christian and America itself used Christianity to justify the colonization of Native American land. 

Of course, Christianity wasn't just used as a justification for ruthless colonization of people's native land in America. Almost every European colonial power used religion as justification for slaughter.

Overtime, Christian nationalists became more and more associated with the far-right, thanks to conservative activism in the late 20th century.

An example of such activist was Paul Weyrich. 

Weyrich had seen the potential that Christianity had to become a strong political force. He campaigned for issues such as abortion, porn and school prayer using Christian basis, without success. 

In 1979, the first right-wing Christian organization, "The Moral Majority" played a big role in getting Christians to vote for Ronald Reagan. 

This, in my opinion, had the interesting side effect of tying Christianity into the republican party.

Knowing how extreme the republican party would become, you can see where this is going. 

The Quiet Colonization of Africa

Secrecy is the first essential in the affairs of state - Cardinal Richelieu

While researching for this topic, I came across an organization called "The Fellowship Foundation", also known as "The Family". 

Not too much is known about this organization because its members take a vow of secrecy and the organizations shuns publicity. Despite that, it is possibly one of the most secretly funded ministries in the Unites States. 

They are also one of the most politically-connected organizations, taking on many international diplomatic missions. 

The Foundation Fellowship is also possibly one of the most conservative Christian organizations in America. 

So unfortunately, they have been associated with countless controversies.

The important one I want to focus on is in Uganda.

A group of associates in the Fellowship were found to be supporting and proposing the Gay Execution Law in Uganda, which calls for the Death Penalty to any and all LGBTQ+ Ugandan people. 

When the law faced extreme opposition (and rightfully so), the Fellowship told the government to "stand firm" on the law and resist any opposition. 

Just as a reminder, this is a secretly funded government-related organization that is actively promoting the death penalty for gay people.

Reason to leave: You are being represented by (and indirectly supporting) homophobic psychopaths

If you're a woman, your next

The word and works of god is quite clear, that women were either to be made wives or prostitutes - Martin Luther, Reformer

The quote above is from the 1500s. It's obvious christianity has evolved since then, however, I still want to highlight that:

People use Christianity as a basis against feminism and women's rights.

Christian house wives

Christianity undeniably encourages, if not forces women to serve their husbands on religious grounds (Ephesians 5:22–24, Corinthians 14:34–35, Titus 2:3–5, etc).

Inherently, there's nothing wrong with choosing to be a house wife.

The issue lies with religious pressure to do unpaid labour as a house wife. I want to talk about two things: social media and Christian education. 

What I want to essentially prove is that the spread of Christianity is the same as promoting slavery in a way. 

Christian teachers are teaching women they have to submit

The Institute in Basic Life Principles is an organization that undoubtedly encourages a patriarchal family system. 

When you have men who learn this and force their wives into a patriarchal system or women who are brainwashed into thinking this, they don't really get a choice in whether or not they get to be a house wife. 

While if you voluntarily choose to be a house wife, I have no problem with that, Christian women often don't have the freedom of mind to make a completely unbiased choice. 

Or if men force them into that position, that could be even worse. 

If someone doesn't have a choice in unpaid labour, that essentially makes them a slave. 

I think Christian groups who are teaching the rhetoric are not just giving women empowerment to be house wives.

They are actively forcing or brainwashing them.

#WivesSubmit and "My body his choice"

Wives, submit to your husbands, as to the lord - Ephesians 5:22

There's been a surge in right-wing social media posts telling women to submit to their husbands. 

Or even more disgustingly, that your body is under your husbands control.

The Christian right in America is trying to strip away any freedom of choice for women. This time, not with laws, but with brainwashing. 

It's time to leave

I left Christianity because I wanted to be a moral person. That is why I left. I no longer believed in its lies - Anne Rice

I could go on for hours. There's more including the attack on democracy and the rejection of science, but I don't want this to turn into a list. 

I want people who are associated with American Christianity to decide. Are you going to continue to be associated with people who call for the death penalty, promote patriarchal norms and much more?

Ultimately, by choosing the be associated with American Christianity is supporting the most oppressive and dangerous group in America right now. 

It's time to leave.