Ex-Evangelical BLOWS WHISTLE on Trump HOLY WAR | PoliticsGirl

Christian Zionism is a specific Christian belief that Jewish people must occupy the holy land to rebuild Solomon's temple in Jerusalem, which is seen as a prerequisite to kickstart the second coming of Christ. This belief compels its adherents to support Israel 'no matter what,' viewing any conflict in the Middle East involving Israel as divinely ordained. This perspective is inherently anti-Semitic, as the Jewish people are considered a 'means to an end,' expected to either convert to Christianity or die in a final holy war.

The host and guest discuss how this belief system, particularly among Christian Zionists, leads them to claim wars like the one in Iran are 'ordained by God' because they protect Israel. Tim Whitaker states that 'this belief is inherently anti-Semitic because at the end of time, the Jewish people are either erased as a people and convert to this version of Christianity or they are slaughtered in the war.' He cites Genesis 12:3 as a foundational text for this view.

Dispensationalism is a theological framework, popularized in the 1800s by John Nelson Darby, that posits God works uniquely in different 'dispensations' or ages of history. Adherents believe humanity is in the second-to-last dispensation, the 'age of the church,' on the cusp of the 'tribulation' and 'rapture.' For this to occur, specific prophecies must be fulfilled, such as the formation of the nation-state of Israel (1948) and ongoing wars in the Middle East. These events are seen as signs that the 'end' is near, leading to a 'kill my enemy Jesus' interpretation of Revelation and a 'pro-death ethic' that celebrates conflict.

Tim Whitaker explains that dispensationalists 'believe that the more wars that happen in the Middle East, the closer we are to what's called the rapture.' He details the concept of the rapture, followed by seven years of 'chaos, war, carnage' (the tribulation), and a 'thousand-year reign of Christ.' He notes that 'people like Mike Huckabee, ambassador to Israel, is also a Christian Zionist. They hang on that phrase and go, 'Therefore, because we believe that ancient Israel is the same thing as today's modern Israel, we have to bless, aka support Israel no matter what, or else God will curse us.''

Christian Nationalism, the belief that the US should be governed according to strict Christian values, is not a fringe movement but a powerful force deeply embedded within the Republican party and high levels of government. Figures like Pete Hegseth (Department of War), Mike Huckabee (Ambassador to Israel), and Paula White (spiritual advisor to the White House) hold positions of influence. This ideology drives both foreign policy decisions, particularly regarding the Middle East, and domestic legislative efforts to roll back civil rights, women's suffrage, and LGBTQ+ protections, often under the guise of 'God's plan.'

The host states that '56% of all Republicans adhere or sympathize with Christian nationalism,' and '80% of white evangelicals hold Christian nationalist ideals.' Tim Whitaker confirms that 'Christian Zionism has in my opinion been one of the largest factors, most influential factors that has shaped US policy when it comes to Israel.' He also highlights Doug Wilson, a Christian Nationalist who 'wants the 19th amendment repealed' and 'said slavery had some good things about it,' and whose disciples, like Pete Hegseth, have access to power.

The Christian Nationalist agenda includes overturning women's suffrage (the 19th Amendment) and actively suppressing women's votes. This is being pursued through legislative efforts like the 'SAVE Act,' which, despite its name, is a voter suppression law. It would require voters to present ID matching their birth certificates, disproportionately affecting married women whose IDs often reflect their married names, thereby creating a 'poll tax' and disenfranchising a significant portion of the female electorate.

The host and guest discuss how 'women's suffrage is on the chopping block. They want it overturned in their lifetime.' The host explains the 'SAVE Act' as a 'voter suppression law' that 'starts with women' because 'most married women's ID does not match their birth certificate,' forcing them to 'go get your marriage license' and making the process 'very complicated.'