Imperialism of the Christian Right

Monday August 29, 2005

One of the things which many seemed to find curious about Pat Robertson's call to assassinate a foreign leader is why he, a religious leader, would care so much about international politics. What does this have to do with the Christian Church? In fact, America's Christian Right may be becoming an increasingly imperialistic religion, wedded to imperialistic politics.

Americans United cites the recent case of Michael Babcock, a faculty member of Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University who wrote in defense of imperialism in The Washington Times:

“Imperialism has received bad press for most of the last 100 years,” writes Babcock, an associate humanities professor. “The word prompts thoughts of pith helmets, and tiger hunts and pathetic little bands in remote Indian provinces playing ‘God Save the King.’ But ancient Rome – always the brand name in empires – is the better model. Rome demonstrates empires can be about much more than blood sports, tiger hunts, rapacious oil companies and military adventures in far-off places.”

Babcock asserted, “Empires can stand for things that make the world better: political stability, rule of law, virtues of political enfranchisement, preservation of learning and arts and respect for other cultures and religions: these are some of the better legacies of the Romans.”

Babcock has apparently overlooked what some historians and theologians have described as persecution of Christians during the Roman Empire. Indeed, according to the New Testament, it was a Roman administration that crucified Jesus.

I doubt that Babcock really overlooked the anti-Christian actions of the Roman Empire — I just think that he doesn’t particularly care. After all, in his eyes an American Imperium would be “Christian” according to his definition and understanding of the concept, which means that he and those like him would not have to fear persecution. Others might, but since they follow false religions or heretical versions of Christianity, wouldn’t they deserve it? Wouldn’t the survival and prosperity of a Christian American Empire require it?

We must remember that an American Empire would only “make the world better” if, in the view of people like Robertson and Babcock, that Empire is deliberately and consciously Christian. A secular American Empire would not be a force for good, but a Christian American Empire would be — not only would it bring “liberty” (under the American yoke) to the world, but also True Christianity (under the control of the Christian Right).

Read More: