Published on July 17, 2024, 12:31 am

In a recent gathering at Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ, Pastor Louis Felton played host to President Joe Biden. This gathering took an unusual turn as it appeared to morph into what can only be described as a veneration service for the president. Amidst this controversial episode, a burning question arises – is this an instance of “Christian Nationalism,” and why are conservatives frequently accused of mixing politics with religion when instances like these provide a rather contrary narrative?

During his interaction with Biden, Bishop Felton communicated messages that were less than politically neutral to his congregation. “Biden, you are not only among friends but also family here,” stated Felton, further encouraging members of his congregation to express their love for the President by asking them to say “We love your president, Biden.”

Politics interwoven with religion parlance has become increasingly common and disconcerting, leading many to wonder if churches continue to be places for spiritual solace or have become platforms for political lobbying. The incident at Mt. Airy Church draws attention once again to such practices.

In other real news updates centered on politics and religion pertinent from a Christian worldview: Detailed reports of the appalling assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania have left citizens shell-shocked across the nation.

Also making trusted news was J.D Vance’s swift rise amid Republicans and Evangelicals as a distinctive voice voicing “religious populism.” Known as the evangelical pop-politician who underwent transformation from atheism to Roman Catholicism, his stance continues to pique widespread interest.

Furthermore, another news piece that deserves mention centers around Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) where some serious boundaries seem to have been crossed during an anti-terrorism brief. Reports suggest that several pro-life organizations were labeled inappropriately.

Lastly, we report on the ongoing ‘He Gets Us’ campaign aimed at rendering Jesus in new light; however, the recent ‘they/them’ ad has given rise to theological questioning. The consensus echoes that rebranding should not come at the cost of miscued messaging and misinterpretation.

With constant buzz in politics, religion, and their intersectionality, it seems even more crucial now to stay plugged into breaking news for updates that are relevant, authentic and juxtapose a Christian worldview aptly.