The Governor of the State of Iowa is calling on all Iowans to READ THE BIBLE! Yes, your obligation as a citizen of Iowa is to read the Bible. Do you think this is an appropriate Proclamation by a government official? You know that State of Iowa, which is one of two states with the most banned books in the nation. (Florida is the other)
The Christian Nationalist project in the United States has existed in various forms for decades if not centuries. For many years, events such as prayer breakfasts and prayer meetings at the Capitol have expressed the belief that the United States was founded as a “Christian Nation.” Most people have shrugged their shoulders and looked the other way despite the obvious violations of the separation of church and state enshrined in the Constitution. Many have given slack to the idea of a “civic religion” that recognizes a non-sectarian “God” as having a central place in American life, as depicted on our money, in the Pledge of Allegiance, and in other civic-secular rituals.
Though most people find these public accommodations and quasi-religious rituals harmless, I can tell you first-hand that the true believing Christian Nationalists are nowhere near satisfied with such superficial observances. Their project has a much more consequential objective, which is the domination of society by religious fundamentalists.
Last January, Governor Kim Reynolds issued the “Bible Reading Proclamation” for the State of Iowa. I have printed this entire Proclamation so you can read it for yourself. My goal is to deconstruct the agenda of Reynolds and her Christian Nationalist cronies who are pushing these types of demonstrations.
This isn’t the first time this has been done in Iowa. In 2016, Governor Branstad issued the first “Read the Bible in 99 Counties” Proclamation. It created controversy then, and it has once again. That year, Legal Director of the ACLU of Iowa Rita Bettis commented,
“The governor’s proclamation is frankly outrageous and embarrassing and inconsistent with our core American and Iowan principles of inclusion and respect of all its people of all faiths, as well as those who are not religious,”
First, let me clarify: I find nothing objectionable about reading the Bible. I have read it many times during the course of my adult life, and I am none the worse for it. Bible reading in the home, private school, and churches are perfectly appropriate venues for such an exercise. But the Courthouse steps in all of Iowa’s 99 counties, at the call of the Governor, is not the right venue.
I will argue here that the Governor’s Proclamation is an unconstitutional breach of the separation of church and state that threatens the freedom of many Iowans. I will also argue that the Proclamation isn’t as innocent as it tries to present itself. Christian Nationalists are playing a long game of normalizing less egregious practices and then moving on to other, more substantial goals. This Proclamation is a stepping stone to much bigger impositions of religion on the general population.
We have already seen an attempt in Oklahoma this year to make Bible reading mandatory by every teacher in the public school system. In Louisiana, the Governor signed a mandate to place the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom. Texas has opened the door to “Christian chaplains” to “counsel” students on public school campuses. The US Supreme Court has recently allowed a football coach to hold a prayer service at the 50-yard line after a game’s conclusion.
Iowa is following the Christian Nationalist pied piper…right into authoritarianism.
These practices would have been considered unachievable and unacceptable a dozen years ago. But through a slow, gradual process of “normalizing” these practices, it has suddenly become a widespread threat to democracy and to those who are not Christians in a pluralistic society.
That brings us to Governor Reynolds’ latest Trojan Horse: the 99 County Bible Reading Marathon. The Proclamation, issued in January 2024, calls for public readings of the Bible on the steps or the grounds of courthouses in every county in the state. This is state-sponsored encouragement to read the Bible in public in government-public spaces which, according to the Constitution are neutral spaces. This action normalizes the government’s role in promoting a specific religion, Christianity. This is dangerous ground.
There are some major Constitutional issues here that need to be called out. Reynolds would suggest no harm because a proclamation doesn’t have the force of law. It isn’t mandating anything but only “encouraging” Bible reading in public spaces. However, put this argument in the context of “normalizing” the behavior, and you can clearly see where this is headed. What’s next?
Bible-reading schools like Oklahoma? Christian Chaplains in Iowa public schools? How about we put prayer back in public schools? It is only a matter of time, especially if there is no resistance or pushback. That is part of the plan. Normalize less onerous practices and then gradually implement more draconian legislation.
Beyond the obvious future danger, the Proclamation wording raises huge red flags about what in the world a secular public figure is doing saying these things. At this juncture, I hope readers will take a moment and read through the proclamation below. If the wording here doesn’t cause alarm and concern then I’ll draw it out afterward.
Let’s start with a few demographic facts about Iowa. Today, one out of four Iowans do not belong to a Christian-based religion. That means 25% of the population belongs to other religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, or Judaism. Also, many Iowans have no religious affiliation at all, be they atheists, agnostics, or just “nones,” whom I have written extensively about. Additionally, out of the 75% of those identifying as “Christian” only about a quarter are evangelicals. Our first observation then is that the Governor’s Proclamation is being driven not by a majority, but only a minoirity within that 75% majority.
With that inconvenient fact in mind, let’s consider a few of the phrases starting with the first whereas:
“all Scripture is essential to prepare us to be the people God has destined us to be…”
Who is the “us” she is referring to? All Iowans, or just the 75% who identify as Christian? Or the 25% who identify as evangelical? And what is it God has “destined us to be?” Please explain to us, Governor Reynolds, what this means. Explain what you mean by “destined.” I’d love to hear your view of the “people we are destined to be.” Do you mean people who discriminate against the LGBTQ community? Or people who deny gender-affirming care? The people who ban books? Or, maybe, just maybe, you mean people who want to restrict a woman’s right to her own bodily autonomy.
We will let that phrase cook on the front burner and move on to the second whereas:
“America, being founded upon biblical principles and the Judeo-Christian ethics as taught in the Bible….”
Since America was founded upon these “great biblical principles,” do those principles include the genocide of Native Americans and the theft of their lands? Do those principles include the brutal enslavement and human trafficking of Blacks for centuries as chattel? Do those principles include the overseas colonization of Latin America by overthrowing elected officials and fomenting civil wars so corporations can gain a foothold in those countries while causing violence and mayhem?
I’m just curious which of those “biblical principles” have been so foundational.
Another inconvenient truth that is clear from the historical record is that the founding of the United States was based on the philosophy and ideas of people like John Locke, who promoted natural law as a basis for government. In short, the framework of natural law allowed the founders to establish a government without appealing to religion. That was the point. These were men of the Enlightenment who were rebelling against concepts such as the divine right of kings. No, the United States was not founded on “Judeo-Christian” principles, whatever those might be.
This idea is a propaganda trick that Christian Nationalists love to use. They like the phrase “Judeo-Christian ethics” because it sounds more inclusive than just saying “Christian ethics.” But don’t be fooled; they aren’t discussing anything related to Judaism. This is pure, extremist, right-wing religious-speak for what a Christian society should look like. One that they control despite the will of the majority.
Next, there is this gem:
Whereas…Andrew Jackson called the Bible the “rock on which our republic rests…”
The Proclamation highlights a few American leaders, such as the enslavers, George Washington and Andrew Jackson, and other leaders with good things to say about the Bible. These men (note they were all men) had their opinions and beliefs about the Bible. But here is another inconvenient truth: none of them attempted to make Christianity the privileged or preferred religion for the country. Reynolds is using another propaganda tactic…celebrity association. It is a marketing trick we see in TV commercials all the time. Don’t fall for it.
This propaganda trick begs the question of why use Andrew Jackson and George Washington, who evidently revered the “good book,” but continued to engage in slavery and human trafficking? Did they not read the good book thoroughly about “do unto others as you would have them do unto you?” Maybe they only read the verses that lend support for the practice of enslavement. Cherry picking at its best!
The next whereas statement:
“the Bible is recognized as the one true revelation from God, showing the way of salvation, truth and life….”
Why should the Governor of the State of Iowa presume that everyone believes or should believe this? Is that the proper role of the Governor, to be the “Christian Pastor of the State?” As the nation and Iowa become more diverse racially and religiously with every passing year, these assumptions become less and less applicable.
The governor’s goal should be to unite and include the diverse views that exist within the state. The Governor represents ALL Iowans, not just the Christian ones, or in this case, the evangelical ones. Statements like this divide us into true believers and non-believers, sanctioning the ostracism or even discrimination of those who are in the outgroup. It is a dangerous precedent.
Here is one last whereas:
Lawmakers, law enforcement, social scientists and civic and church leaders are searching for solutions to the critical problems facing our nation such as the drug crisis, violence and social injustice all of which can be found within God’s revealed will for mankind…
However, this statement becomes untenable here: “All of which can be found within God’s revealed will for mankind…” Is that open for interpretation? First, I don’t believe it is true. The Bible is an ancient book of wisdom but doesn’t address many issues of a modern 21st-century society. It can’t, and I would contend it doesn’t try to.
And who will tell us what the universally revealed truth will be? Which denomination would that be? Which interpretation of the Bible will prevail? I have a feeling I know what they intend, but again, evangelicals do not represent even a plurality of Iowans and Americans.
Beyond that obvious problem, this statement also serves to undercut modern science and evidence-based approaches to solving major problems. To say every problem has a solution in the “revealed will of God” is to suggest that we don’t need experts, professionals, and others who have training and expertise to help develop sound strategies but clerics and fundamentalist preachers. According to Governor Reynolds, let’s ask the clerics for their opinion on what the revealed will of God might be to solve the serious problems. Oh wait, that’s what happens in Iran.
Think I’m overreacting?
“A government cannot be premised on the belief that all persons are created equal when it asserts that God prefers some.” Christian nationalist ideology is fundamentally focused on gaining and maintaining access to power. It seeks to ensure that one particular group, with a specific vision for the country, enjoys privileged access to the halls of power and has the ability to make the culture in its own image. Because the embrace of Christian nationalism fuses national and religious symbols and identities, it is able to legitimate its desires for the country in the will of the Christian God, bringing the transcendent to bear on everyday realities.”
Overreacting? I think not!
(Final note: After publishing this piece, I found out that Governor Reynolds did not issue the typical news release for the Proclamation. Typically, people try to hide something they are doing when they know it is wrong…is that the reason?)
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