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Evangelicals Stand Firm Against Hate Group Manipulation of Sacred Phrase
Leaders from notable research institutions working to combat misinformation have raised concerns about the phrase ‘Christ is King.’ They assert that evangelical representatives are collaborating to reclaim this expression from both radical right and left factions attempting to distort its significance.
The Network Contagion Research Institute, based at Rutgers University, recently released studies illustrating how diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training can incite hostility and how online discussions have begun to favor political assassinations. This institute has pioneered the scientific documentation of extremists manipulating the phrase ‘Christ is King.’
Authors of a recent March report explained their focus on various forms of inflammatory language and the tracking of threat actors online. They stated, “We observed the rising use of this term and noted a mismatch between the people using it. This situation prompted an investigation into its origins and implications.”
Far-right figures such as Nick Fuentes, known for his Holocaust denial and podcasting, have appropriated the phrase ‘Christ the King’ in an effort to consolidate their political interests, according to the authors of the report.
The institute highlighted that the term ‘Christ the King’ saw a resurgence with Pope Pius XI’s establishment of The Feast of Christ the King in 1925. This was a direct response to nationalist and Communist movements that threatened Christianity’s foundational role in Western society.
Rather than serving as a spiritual guide, the phrase has now become a rallying cry for both real individuals and automated bots promoting ideologies that run counter to Judeo-Christian values.
Tracking the Online Discourse
Rev. Johnnie Moore, a former commissioner on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, shared insights on the NCRI’s real-time tracking of bot activity surrounding the term. He stated, “The report revealed over 30% of the negative online engagement was generated by antisemitic bot networks that seized upon the phrase ‘Christ is King.'”
Dr. Jordan Peterson, a Canadian psychologist and co-author of the report, remarked after its release that the presence of narcissists and hedonists tends to emerge on the fringes of power. He warned that these individuals misuse God’s name to achieve their self-serving ends, cautioning that not all who proclaim ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Manipulation Tactics Identified
The report identified widespread manipulation tactics, revealing that since 2021, more than half of online discussions regarding ‘Christ is King’ were driven by extremist influencers like Fuentes and kickboxer Andrew Tate. This pattern of behavior raised alarms about the sincerity of those who manipulate religious language.
Moore further noted that the aftermath of antisemitic protests in major cities like New York and Los Angeles exposed correlations between these social engagement spikes and connections to the Chinese Communist Party.
He emphasized that the phrase is fundamentally Christian and stated, “It is evident that factions are attempting to hijack this saying from us, but we declare that it belongs to the Christian faith, not to be twisted into a vehicle for hate against Jews.”
After attending an Easter dinner at the White House, where religious engagement was actively encouraged, Moore remarked that despite attempts from fringe groups to distort Judeo-Christian phrases, the faith remains a unified and decisive force.
He pointed out that individuals on the far-right often overlook a key aspect: the interconnectedness of Judaism and Christianity. Moore declared, “Those propagating antisemitism under a veneer of Christian rhetoric are proving unable to override the overwhelming support for Israel among Evangelicals worldwide.”
Defending the Integrity of Faith
Evangelical leader Robert Stearns stressed that Christians must not allow extremists to hijack sacred expressions that rightfully belong to God. He described ‘Christ is King’ as a devotion of worship rather than a tool for conflict.
Meanwhile, Princeton Law Professor Robby George offered a poignant perspective on responding to the phrase when uttered in antisemitic contexts. He advised, “If you hear it as a Christian, the proper reaction is ‘Amen.’ But if it’s used as an antisemitic slur, your response should be, ‘I stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters.’ Avoid being deceived.”
Moore concluded with a hopeful outlook, noting that during the upcoming Easter celebrations, millions of Christians worldwide will recite this phrase, intending it solely for worship. He believes this unified expression of faith will confront and outweigh any efforts by extremists who attempt to steal religious language for hateful purposes.
