As a resident of Wyoming, I have always taken pride in the independence and autonomy of our state. But in recent years, something insidious has taken root in our halls of power – Christian nationalism – and the consequences have been devastating.
For those who may not be familiar with the term, Christian nationalism is a political ideology that seeks to fuse American political identity with Christian religious identity. It is a dangerous and un-American idea, one that threatens our cherished tradition of separation of church and state.
Under the guise of protecting our state and our faith, Republican lawmakers in Wyoming have pushed a slew of legislation that would roll back civil rights protections for marginalized communities, restrict reproductive healthcare, and whitewash history to fit a narrow, exclusionary narrative.
As a Christian myself, I find this trend deeply disturbing. Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves; to care for the least among us; to fight for justice and equality. The actions of these politicians run counter to everything I believe Christianity is supposed to stand for.
Their attempts to use our faith as a means of political power and control are not only morally bankrupt, they are an affront to the very idea of religious freedom. We are not meant to impose our beliefs on others through force of law, but to live out those beliefs through our actions and relationships.
Christian nationalism has done serious harm to my state, stripping away our autonomy and our ability to make decisions for ourselves. But more than that, it has done serious harm to my faith – a faith that is meant to inspire love, service, and compassion.
What is happening in Wyoming is a sin, plain and simple. We must stand up and speak out against this dangerous ideology, and fight to reclaim the values of democracy, justice, and true religious freedom. Our state and our faith depend on it.
