If you’ve ever tried to argue with someone trapped in Christian Nationalism or in authoritarian forms of Christianity more broadly, you’ve likely experienced the frustration of alternative “facts” and an impenetrable logic. It’s not that these people are dumb. They can be brilliant in other parts of their lives. But here they are operating on a more primal level of survival.
This is about their identity, their sense of belonging, and the stories they hold that give their lives meaning. It is legitimately terrifying to not know who we are or where we’re going. To feel alone without a tribe to back you up leaves a person extremely vulnerable. We’ve all experienced these feelings in little ways, but when these fears reach core portions of one’s identity, no fact check, logical argument, or stinging comeback is going to penetrate the defenses of self preservation.
So how do we fight back? These are neighbors, friends, even family. They are hurting others and themselves. Writing them off isn’t an option, so here’s a plan for creating content that might actually connect.
1. Speak from the Inside
Have you ever been critical of a group you’re a part of but taken offence when someone from the outside criticized it? The same mindset holds true here. We have to start with connection. What are our shared identities and values? Do you know the religious tradition? Can you speak its language?
It will be assumed an outsider is an attacker. Therefore, what they say doesn’t matter. It’s dismissed as an attack. But those on the inside are looking out for each other. If you are a voice that people identified with you have a lot more room to question and criticize.
2. Drive a Wedge of Questions
There are differences between people’s stated values, the values they actually have, and the practices of authoritarian religious systems. Our job is to find those cracks and (from an insider perspective) drive a wedge of questions into them.
These could be questions concerning the Bible, spiritual practices, or worldviews. It could be questions about roles within a community or rules that may or may not be spoken. It could be a matter of taking the logic of something to its extreme end. I could be trying to turn lip service into practical action.
Whatever it is, it is NOT a matter of convincing others of something. It’s a matter of bolstering the identity and values they already have that naturally push against the toxic religious regime they are trapped in.
3. Tell Stronger Stories
We need to offer stronger and healthier stories than the ones put forward by Authoritarian Christianity. This doesn’t mean giving simplistic solutions or getting people to “convert.” This is a matter of provoking people to think for themselves.
There’s a saying in Hollywood, “Give me the same thing, only different.” The same is true when sharing spiritual stories. We still need to be speaking as insiders starting from their language, values, tropes, and genres. These stories could span human history or be as short as a verse.
It’s easy to tear things down, and if there’s no alternative, why shouldn’t they stick with what they have. It’s much more attractive if we’re truly building and wrestling in the messiness of reality and diversity. It can be difficult to tell that story, but we really need to.
4. Give Them Cover
There are many obstacles to honestly asking spiritual questions. The first three steps try to connect with one’s identity and sense of belonging, raise questions within that identity, and offer alternative stories from which one can draw meaning. But even when all those steps are successful the struggle doesn’t end.
We need to continue to give cover for people once they start asking questions. That could mean giving their identity cover. They aren’t “running from God.” They are faithful seekers of Truth. It could mean showing them they belong. It could mean helping them develop themselves and their own story.
We need to give them cover to ask the questions they want to ask and become the healthy, loving person they want to be.
These steps obviously aren’t a quick fix. That’s why we’re teaming up to share content created with these steps in mind at the Anti-AuCh Creative Hub.
For more details and strategies on how to create content and contest Authoritarian Christianity enter your email and download our free Creative Guide.
