Jesus Wasn't a Patriot

Let’s start with the obvious: if your church has more American flags than communion cups, we might need to have a little sit-down.

Not for a prayer circle. A history lesson.

Because this whole Christian Nationalism mess? It's not new. It’s just the same old empire game –wrapped in red, white, and blue and baptized in bootlicking theology.

A Little History They Didn’t Teach in Sunday School

Let’s go back. Way back.

The early church? It was a threat to empire. Rome didn’t persecute Christians because they prayed too hard, they were a problem because they refused to worship Caesar, didn’t pledge allegiance to the state, and practiced this weird, radical economic justice where everybody shared what they had.

Dangerous stuff.

At least it is if you are the Empire.

Fast forward to Constantine, and suddenly Jesus goes from homeless brown-skinned rebel to the mascot for empire. From “love your enemies” to “crucify the ones we don’t like.”

That right there? That’s when Christianity stopped being a movement and started being a franchise.

And we’ve been paying the price ever since.

American Jesus: Empire’s Favorite Mascot

Enter the American version of the empire-loving Jesus.

You know the one: white, armed, Republican, always on the side of the overlords and never the protestors. He’s into borders, capitalism, and “traditional family values.” His Sermon on the Mount is suspiciously (and incorrectly) pro-gun and anti-healthcare.

This Jesus isn’t found in scripture. He was built in the 1950s, assembled by Cold War propaganda, Billy Graham crusades, and the weaponized marriage of conservative politics and evangelical money.

And now? He’s got his own merch table.

Sanctuaries or Shrines?

Let’s talk about these flag-draped sanctuaries. Because nothing says “the Prince of Peace” like pledging allegiance to a country built on stolen land, enslaved labor, and a military budget the size of a small galaxy.

You can’t worship the executed liberator from Nazareth and the empire that crucifies his people.

You can’t take communion and call it “the blood of Christ” while saluting the same flag that wages war in his name.

And no, putting a bald eagle on a stained-glass window doesn't make it better.

Love's Not Loyal to Empire

Here’s the thing: Love doesn't do imperialism.

Love isn’t loyal to any one nation, party, or politician. Love defies borders, topples idols, and refuses to confuse the cross with the flag. Love isn’t interested in domination. It’s interested in liberation.

So when your pastor preaches about “saving America,” ask whose America they’re trying to save... and from what.

When they say God “raised up this nation,” ask who got trampled in the process.

And when they put the Bible and the Constitution on the same pedestal, remember: one was written by enslavers, the other by the enslaved.

Final Benediction (No Salute Required)

Jesus didn’t die to make Rome great again.
He didn’t rise to bless the bombs.
He didn’t call disciples so they could climb the political ladder.

Jesus doesn't do imperialism.

He flips tables.
He welcomes refugees.
He eats with the “wrong” people.
He chooses the cross, not the throne.

So the next time someone tries to tell you Jesus is the reason for American greatness, smile sweetly and say, “Bless your heart.” Then go organize.

Because Love’s revolution didn’t start in a palace – it started in the streets.