I am not very familiar with the Bible. Not an expert, not even a novice. I've read some scholarship about the origins and conflicting messages in it. I understand that there are about 45,000 denominations of Christianity, which presumably reflect about 45,000 different interpretations. One projection is that there will be about 49,000 denominations by some time in 2025, which is this year!
A question that comes up a lot is why is there so much lying by Christian nationalists and some other kinds of Christianity when the Bible says do not lie? The bible says things like you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor (Exodus 20:16), you shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another (Leviticus 19:11), lying lips are an abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight (Proverbs 12:22), put away falsehood and speak the truth (Ephesians 4:25), and the Bible designates Satan as "the father of lies" (John 8:44). To me it seems pretty clear, don't lie.
But, lying by some Christian nationalists is off the charts. Why? Welp, the Bible condones lying in some situations. In the Hebrew Midwives story (Exodus 1:17-21), Pharaoh ordered Hebrew midwives to kill male infants, they disobeyed and lied about why the babies survived. The text states that "God dealt well with the midwives" and "gave them families" after their deception. In the protection of spies (Joshua 2:1-7), Rahab hid Israelite spies and lied to authorities about their whereabouts. Rather than being condemned, she is praised in Hebrews 11:31 and James 2:25 for her faith and actions. So there's two examples of lying condoned by God to save lives.
But in Samuel's deceptive mission (1 Samuel 16:1-5), God sent Samuel to anoint David as king, but Samuel expressed fear that Saul would kill him. So God instructed Samuel to say he came to sacrifice, concealing his primary purpose. That is, or seems to be, an example of lying for God.
Accad's theological thinking about the morality of lies and deceit aligns with my secular thinking. Lying and deceit, especially in politics in a democracy, is usually morally bad (unjustifiable), say, maybe ~99% of the time. Why? Because when people are lied to or deceived, e.g., by irrational emotional manipulation, and they act on false beliefs, their power to choose on the basis of truth has been taken from them. Thus, in my opinion lying and deceit is inherently authoritarian in a democracy. In an authoritarian regime, that doesn't matter because the leaders (dictators, plutocrats, theocrats and/or kleptocrats) act mostly as they wish, regardless of facts, truths, sound reasoning and opposing public opinion.
What about Christian nationalism?
I asked Pxy about lying and deceit by Christian nationalist elites and how aware of the corrupt, authoritarian wealth and power agenda most of the rank and file are. Short answer, not very aware, mostly deceived.
Q: To what extent do modern Christian nationalist elites rely on lies or deceit to advance its wealth and power agenda? To what extent is rank and file supporters and sympathizers aware of the level of deceit and lying their elites rely on?A: Modern Christian nationalist elites systematically employ deception to consolidate wealth and political influence, leveraging fabricated historical narratives, conspiracy theories, and manipulated religious rhetoric. While rank-and-file supporters often perceive their engagement as morally justified, evidence suggests many remain unaware of the movement’s reliance on falsehoods, instead trusting leaders who frame their agenda as divinely ordained. This is based on data from investigative journalism, sociological studies, and primary source materials to analyze the interplay between elite manipulation and grassroots comprehension.
Fabricated Historical Narratives
Christian nationalist leaders frequently distort U.S. history to claim the nation was founded as an explicitly Christian polity. Organizations like the National Council of Churches highlight how elites propagate the myth that “America is a Christian nation” by selectively citing colonial-era theocracies while ignoring the secular framework of the Constitution 16. For instance, fundraising letters from groups such as the Family Research Council falsely assert that the Ten Commandments underpin American law, despite no evidence of their influence during the founding era 14. These claims are amplified through media networks like ReAwaken America, which blends election fraud conspiracies with pseudo-historical revisionism 18..... long analysis ....Ignorance Among Supporters
Rank-and-file adherents exhibit varying levels of awareness. Surveys cited by the Brennan Center show that 64% of white evangelicals endorse Christian nationalist tenets like declaring the U.S. a Christian nation, yet only 12% self-identify with the label 8. This disparity suggests many supporters unconsciously absorb movement rhetoric without critically examining its contradictions.Podcast hosts like Matthew Maher argue that elites weaponize terms like “Christian nationalism” to marginalize traditional believers, framing dissent as persecution 12. This victimhood narrative insulates followers from critiques, as seen in reactions to Diane James’ praise of Putin: when pressured, she retracted her statement, illustrating how adherents prioritize social acceptance over ideological consistency 3.
The Role of Media Echo Chambers
Disinformation thrives in tightly curated information ecosystems. Analysis by Cailee Page reveals that 78% of Christian nationalists rely on partisan media (e.g., Fox News, Breitbart) and religious leaders for news, creating a feedback loop where falsehoods go unchallenged 4. For instance, repeated claims of “voter fraud” in 2020 were debunked yet still cited by 61% of supporters in 2024 polling 7.Theological Manipulation and Moral Licensing
Elites exploit theological concepts to sanctify deception. By framing political goals as “biblical mandates,” leaders like Franklin Graham conflate partisan agendas with divine will, granting moral license to unethical tactics. The NAR’s “Seven Mountain Mandate”—which calls for Christian dominance over education, media, and government—reinterprets the Great Commission as a call to political conquest, legitimizing lies as “strategic spiritual warfare” 9.
Conclusion: Power, Deception, and the Crisis of Accountability
Christian nationalist elites have institutionalized deception as a core strategy, leveraging historical revisionism, conspiracy theories, and theological manipulation to consolidate power. While rank-and-file supporters are not universally complicit in these tactics, systemic factors—including media fragmentation and doctrinal authoritarianism—limit their capacity to recognize manipulation.
The movement’s success hinges on conflating religious identity with political loyalty, a dynamic that incentivizes elites to perpetuate falsehoods while shielding themselves from accountability. Countering this threat requires dismantling the financial networks and media infrastructures that profit from deception, alongside grassroots education initiatives that empower adherents to critically engage with their beliefs 15 16. Until then, the gap between elite deceit and grassroots awareness will remain a defining feature of Christian nationalism’s rise.
