We invite you to sign the following petition to counter the message of the Christian nationalist political rally, ReAwaken America, to be held in Post Falls, Idaho on September 16-17, 2022.
Because this rally specifically uses the name of Jesus Christ and involves Christian music and payers, local Christians are providing the lead voice. We wish to counter their dangerous fusing of Christian religion with American identity.
At the same time, we ask people of other faith traditions, or people who espouse no religious faith, to sign as friends and allies. Join us in protesting the danger of this brand of Christian nationalism, with its messages of hate and division.
Further, we encourage you to hold a vigil in your home or place of worship the night of the 16th (or 17th). Resources for these vigils will soon be available to those who sign this petition.
We ask you NOT to hold a counter-rally, which might further their political agenda. After the event, we will offer resources that celebrate the Biblical Christian values of love, joy, peace, and the dignity of every human being.
Statement from Christians in Idaho and Washington,
in Opposition to Christian Nationalist ReAwaken America Event,
Supported by Friends of Other Faith Traditions, and Other Neighbors
Many of the undersigned represent a wide variety of expressions of the Christian faith, including Evangelical, Mainline, Conservative, and Progressive traditions. We write in the Spirit of Christian love to affirm the true nature of our shared faith in Jesus Christ. Our Savior teaches us through Scripture to love our neighbors as ourselves. This love requires us to dedicate ourselves to glorifying Christ by giving ourselves to others, following the example of Jesus, who gave his life for the sake of the world. Whereas we commend the Gospel to all people, likewise we are called to demonstrate love and respect for all people, regardless of their race or religion. Jesus is the Prince of Peace who calls us to respect the dignity of every human being and to honor the image of God in all people. We are reminded to “let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave” (Philippians 2:5-7).
Some of those signing this letter are Christian clergy, who are joined by members of congregations. Other signers are community leaders, friends, and allies across the region who represent other religious traditions or none. All of us share deep concern for the threat that the misappropriation of the Christian faith for extremist politics and misinformation poses to the common good.
As witnesses to Jesus Christ, as he is revealed in the New Testament, we write to alert the good people of Washington and Idaho of the danger of the Christian nationalist ReAwaken America Tour scheduled for September 16 and 17, 2022 in Post Falls, Idaho. The tour declares that Jesus is on their side, but its message is contrary to His message in many ways, which makes us gravely concerned.
Our concerns about the ReAwaken America Tour include:
Using Jesus to Accrue Power, Incite Hatred and Condone Political Violence
As reported at previous tour events, many speakers mix militant talk with Christian language while speaking of life-and-death stakes. Some speakers imply the need for political violence by urging supporters to win the battle for God against their fellow Americans. Claiming that Jesus is on their side, they seek to “win back America” for Jesus. They demonize their political and ideological opponents, labeling them in such terms as being on "Team Satan.” At least seven of the tour's top speakers either have ties to the Proud Boys or were involved in planning and executing the January 6th insurrection, which wounded more than 140 police officers, yet they defend the insurrectionists. This is far from Jesus blessing the humble, the meek, the merciful, and the peacemakers (see Matthew 5:3-11).
We believe it is our moral responsibility to protect our communities from violence and hatred. We observe that the tour is designed to divide and radicalize people in our beloved region by pitting us against each other and thereby making us vulnerable to more violence. We reject the hateful rhetoric and divisive language of this event and its speakers. We affirm the gifts of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Distorting Christianity with Nationalism: We are very concerned that the name of Jesus is used by speakers to advance an exclusivist vision of our country as a "Christian nation.” Using Jesus and God to gain political power in order to dominate others is the opposite of what Jesus taught us about loving our neighbors. America is a country that cherishes religious freedom for all people. We cannot let patriotism become a false idol in this way.
It is our fervent hope that the Stateline Speedway in Post Falls will reconsider its relationship with ReAwaken America and decline to host this event. In the event that this does not happen, we are encouraged by the number of local Christians and many non-Christian friends ready to speak out against the misinformation and dehumanizing of this brand of Christian nationalism, standing instead for the Gospel values of love, peace, reconciliation, forgiveness, and truth. As St. Paul reminds us, we are to“Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10).
September, 2022