reportbywilson: ‘Christian nationalists’ accused of violating law in Georgia elections T
reportbywilson: ‘Christian nationalists’ accused of violating law in Georgia elections The evening began with music performed by a choir of unmasked singers. Then Byron Foxx, an evangelist with the bellowing voice of a southern preacher, took the stage and presided over what he called a “God and country” meeting. The event included hymns, prayers and scripture, but its speakers’ rhetoric was more typical of political rallies. While there is no evidence that the individuals who spoke at this and similar events acted illegally, the churches and nonprofits that organised them are legally barred from participating in partisan politics.Those who spoke from the pulpit, framed by a giant US flag covering a cross, spoke about “spiritual warfare” and the need to “maximise the Christian vote”. None of the speakers explicitly endorsed specific candidates, but they made it clear which party they opposed (Democratic), and which they preferred (Republican): “They have control of the House. They have control of the White House. If they get control of the Senate they can do anything they want,” former Republican Congressman Bob McEwen remarked during the event on 15 December – just weeks before Georgia’s critical vote.In the end, events like this one did not succeed in pushing Republicans over the line: the Democrats subsequently won both of Georgia’s Senate seats and now control the US Congress. But experts say that there are wider issues surfaced by the tightly-fought race which still need to be addressed. Read more here. -- source link
#politics#christian nationalism#christian right