PAMELA PAUL
Your Religious Values Are Not American Values
Opinion Columnist
Whenever a politician cites “Judeo-Christian values,” I find it’s generally followed by something unsettling.
Last month brought two flagrant instances. In both cases, Republican officials introduced state laws that formalize precepts of the Christian nationalist movement — in the words of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers (A.D. 2019), “doing everything we can to restore the Judeo-Christian foundation of our nation.”
On June 19, Gov. Jeff Landry of Louisiana signed legislation requiring public classrooms to display the Ten Commandments, a practice struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1980.
A rich endorsement came via Donald Trump, who crowed, “I LOVE THE TEN COMMANDMENTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PRIVATE SCHOOLS, AND MANY OTHER PLACES, FOR THAT MATTER. READ IT — HOW CAN WE, AS A NATION, GO WRONG???”
One week later, Landry’s fellow Christian soldier Ryan Walters, Oklahoma’s superintendent of public instruction, announced plans to mandate teaching the Bible in public schools. Walters said learning the Bible is necessary to having “an understanding of the basis of our legal system.”
Forgive me for wondering: Is he referring to “an eye for an eye” or the stoning of disobedient children?
Pamela Paul is an Opinion columnist at The Times, writing about culture, politics, ideas and the way we live now.
Comments 1368SKIP TO COMMENTS
The comments section is closed. To submit a letter to the editor for publication, write to letters@nytimes.com.
Reader PicksAll
Sort by: Newest
Mari Ondine commented July 5
M
Mari Ondine
Planet Of New Orleans
July 5
In the brilliant words of John Lennon: “Imagine there’s no heaven, it’s easy if you try…”
There will never be peace as long as religions dating back to the 6th century Mesopotamians, continue to be the main source of wars. For all the enormous expanse of knowledge and progress man has achieved, people still cling to this man made version of whose imanginary god is better, 7 thousand years later.
94 RecommendShareFlag
Clyde Benke commented July 5
C
Clyde Benke
San Francisco
July 5
We no longer have a U.S Supreme Court, we have a Catholic Court. Donald Trump is to blame...
97 RecommendShareFlag
edward smith commented July 5
E
edward smith
Hutchinson Is., Fla.
July 5
Biden has demonstrated poorly in his first debate with Trump. His memory loss, his lack of continuity in thought, the lapse into seeming disorientation. Everyone in the Democrat organization knew about this to some extent, although except for a few, it was all quiet to the public while the insiders talked about it quietly. The real issue however is not whether Biden can make a speech or participate in a conference of foreign nations. It is how frequently and how far he goes into a catatonic state. Supposedly, he has been protected from evening events unless he essentially gets significant rest during the day. Consider if he does have a busy day for some reason and he gets the 1:00 AM call that China is attacking Taiwan or one of our ships has been attacked by a Chinese vessel or the Russians have mounted a successful attack on Ukraine and are heading to its Capitol, or a Tsunami is heading for the East Coast including DC.
This is the acid test that needs to be considered. He will be the President.
7 RecommendShareFlag
Jubilee commented July 5
J
Jubilee
Prattsville, NY
July 5
"Their goal is to impose one form of religion, Christianity, and the underlying message is that those who do not share it will have to submit."
Perhaps.
But it is sometimes to difficult to discern between the forced "imposition of a traditional religion," and the forced imposition of the current secular one.
Such as the secular religion under the aegis of DEI, per the dogma of CRT, with a sacred language all its own in the form of Protected Pronouns, which a failure to adhere to can, in some jurisdictions, bring civil or criminal liability, and the recognizable moral place on social media who use the traditional weapons of shame, "outing" , and "superior" values to run a person who doesn't fall in line.
If the former is anathema, then so should be the latter. Make government neutral and free from all coercion whether it is prayer in the school or the mandated federal worker requirement to attend "implicit bias" indoctrination.
26 RecommendShareFlag
Richard Steele commented July 4
R
Richard Steele
California
July 4
If I lined up a Southern Baptist, a Roman Catholic, an LDS, a Jehovah's Witness, a 7th-Day Adventist, a Pentacostalist, and maybe throw in a few "independent" conservative churches---every single one of them will tell me that their "revealed truth" is the only correct path; not only that, but all the others are the spawn of of evil, from the pen of the devil. So, to quote a rather prolific letter writer, "What shall we then do?"
I posed this conundrum to a missionary at my doorstep and all she could reply was along the lines of "know them by their fruits." Being a student of history, I assured her that none of them (including her cult) possessed any produce that looked healthy to me.
I decided not to mention the questionable provenance of the over-interpreted, over-copied, unsubstantiated, and oddly revised holy writ of all of the above. We have enough trouble dealing with (and interpreting) a vaguely written Constitution, which says whatever the Unelected in Black Robes say it says; I for one will not stand for the BAHH-bull being placed in the same lieu.
709 RecommendShareFlag
Christian Alexander commented July 4
C
Christian Alexander
Europe
July 4
It's pretty safe to say that if Jesus were sent into today’s world, he would vandalize the Republican convention and any right-wing “Christian” nationalist gatherings in the same way he cleansed the temple.
696 RecommendShareFlag
Sherry Irvine commented July 4
S
Sherry Irvine
Portland
July 4
The article about the Claremont Institute in NYTs clearly shows the intent of this conservative “Christian” movement. It’s a cult of men, by men, for men. Belonging to it gives them a sense of power over half of the population who are female. How do you get away with that? You give the women God.
495 RecommendShareFlag
Miriam commented July 4
M
Miriam
Calif
July 4
Leave us Jews out of it, would you. Judeo-Christian is a Christian idea, not a Jewish one. It isn't Jews who are trying to make this a Judeo-Christian country (never heard of that one) much less a Christian country.
Any progressive movement in the US has been heavily peopled by Jews, way out of proportion to our percentage of the population.
Jews and civil rights, Jews and the consciousness movement, Jews and feminism, Jews and the 60's, Jews and the environment, Jews at Standing Rock and undoubtedly others too. So if some smarmy right wingers want to tar us with inclusion in Judeo-Christianity, you don't need to be a megaphone for it.
768 RecommendShareFlag
Robert commented July 4
R
Robert
Out West
July 4
Several people mentioned our consumerist and capitalist society, so let me just note that it seems to me today’s annoying, yammering Christians (as opposed to the majority of Christians) are pretty much stuck in a bind there.
It’s a point I once saw Cornel West stick Pat Robertson with, back when his brain worked: Brother, can’t you see that Jesus’ teachings are completely at odds with your economics?
Guys like Pat yell a lot about about atheistical, secular humanism is done eatin’ all our values. Well, kind of—except that’s actually capitalism at play, transforming every human value and institution.
You ask me, DEI or evolution or astronomy or whatever are just fall guys. They get pummelled so none of the wealthy pastors and megachurch attendees and purveyors of “prosperity gospel,” and holy water hawkers and guys who think posters of the Commandments emanate a mysterious “healing force,” ever have to notice that they’re really kind of worshipping Mammon. Big on despoiling God’s Creation, too.
And no, all Christians are NOT like that. Most handle the “render unto Caesar,” thing as well as anybody else.
But the busybodies and shouters who are the problem right now…
394 RecommendShareFlag
Jacques Rigaut commented July 4
J
Jacques Rigaut
Cape Cod
July 4
What you find, should you ask, is that few of the so-called Christians espousing “Judeo-Christian values” can recite the core teaching of Christ: namely, the Beatitudes.
272 RecommendShareFlag
RCS commented July 4
R
RCS
Princeton Junction
July 4
You are absolutely right Pamela
We forget that the pilgrims of the Mayflower were a group of around 100 people seeking religious freedom from the Church of England. Thomas Jefferson referred to the First Amendment as creating a “wall of separation” between church and state as the third president of the U.S. To this effect, I would like to posit the following points:
1.Now the separation of “Church and the State” is being flouted: Louisiana (Ten Commandments) and Oklahoma (Teaching Bible in public school)
2.Additionally, the members of very conservative “Think Tanks” like Claremont Institute are promoting their version of traditional Christian values, with larger families and fewer immigrants. To this effect, they support Trump’s return to the white house in order to facilitate this process. This is a part of other similar efforts for “Re-Christianizing” of America.
3. I find it very difficult to accept Trump as a “Brand Ambassador” of Christianity”. Let’s not forget that Trump embarrassed himself in Liberty University by mispronouncing "Two Corinthians 3:17” as “Second Corinthians’.
4.Trump also held up a Bible (St. John’s Church), upside down, after ordering to disperse the peaceful protesters with tear gas in Washington DC, after George Floyd’s murder. Now Trump is also selling “God Bless the USA” Bibles for $59.99.
We are all HUMAN BEINGS regardless of our religious beliefs. Jesus Christ was one of the greatest HUMANITARIANS of the world.
167 RecommendShareFlag
Mark Allard commented July 4
M
Mark Allard
Powell, Ohio
July 4
I follow in Lt. Colonel Henry Blake’s (MASH) footsteps: “Oh, I avoid church religiously”.
365 RecommendShareFlag
David Friedman commented July 4
D
David Friedman
Atlanta, GA
July 4
There is no such thing as 'Judeo-Christian' values. Jews have not signed off on Jesus as the Messiah, nor did they sign up for 2 millennia of persecution at the hands of Christians. More than half of the 10 Commandments are unconstitutional, yet Christians insist they are the foundation of the Constitution. The God of the Bible would be greatest perpetrator of genocide in the history of the world, and as such, he would be summarily tried and executed for crimes against humanity were he human.
These are the values Christian Nationalists demand the right to indoctrinate are children with in the classroom. God help us.
451 RecommendShareFlag
arvay commented July 4
A
arvay
new york
July 4
The phrase Judeo-Christian is, of course, an oxymoron.
Judaism and Christianity differ essentially on the characteristics of their god (just one or one with three "persons") and on the issue of whether or not the promised messiah has, in fact, arrived.
The phrase does have the more civilized effect of seeming to be inclusive, but its history is not reassuring.
When, during the Eisenhower administration, Christian groups started the efforts that have taken us to this point of conflict with secular society, their initial choice ws for a "Christian" America., When someone pointed out this would be seen as threatening to Jews , the "Judeo" was added to the clarion call.
American Jews should have no doubts about what today's Christian nationalists intend to accomplish.
They typically hold up their unswerving support for Israel as proof of their benign intentions, leaving out the part where they expect an Armengod-victorious Jesus to return ther and send most of the Jewish population to Hell for rejecting him.
When they say "Christian' that's EXACTLY what they mean, even when they prefix it with "Judeo."
259 RecommendShareFlag
Diddy commented July 4
D
Diddy
Houston
July 4
Wait till other religions start asking their own texts on school walls and then SCOTUS will come out with some ridiculous insane pronouncements that is never in the constitution- making up laws.
229 RecommendShareFlag
Gusztav Sztermen commented July 4
G
Gusztav Sztermen
Massachusetts
July 4
John Adams (Founding Father): “Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” John Adams also happened to be a Christian. The correlation between the values established in the Constitution as American values and those of the Bible are also remarkably strong, though not perfect - undeniably.
When you’re attacking “Judeo-Christian values,” you are actually attacking the Constitution and with that, you are challenging the historical notion of “America,” as an idea. (A testament to this is the huge extent to which Americans were Christians historically speaking.)
At least have the guts to say that what you want isn’t a secular America but an entirely new country that is only called America because you said so and not because it is a historically valid name.
Better start thinking about a new name for this thing! My recommendation: Babylon.
62 RecommendShareFlag
Eric Navickas commented July 4
E
Eric Navickas
Ashland OR
July 4
It’s funny that after disparaging student protesters demonstrating against atrocities in Palestine, Ms. Paul suddenly becomes a champion of the First Amendment.
79 RecommendShareFlag
Tom Hayden commented July 4
T
Tom Hayden
Minneapolis Mn
July 4
The Bard would say: “They do protest too much, methinks “
18 RecommendShareFlag
Rosalie Lieberman commented July 4
R
Rosalie Lieberman
Chicago, IL
July 4
Someone I know recently referred to the concept of Kantian ethics. What is it? That we treat all people from a perspective of good will, and that we don't ever do to others what we wouldn't want done to us. Obviously it goes deeper, but here's the funny thing. Hillel, a Jewish Talmudic scholar and thinker who lived in the time prior to the 2nd Temple's destruction, dying around 10 C.E., said the same things, without the perspective of rationalism. "That which is hateful to you do not do unto your fellow. That is the whole Torah, the rest is explanation. Now go learn it." Spoken to a potential convert. Hillel also said, more famously, "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And being (only) for myself, what am I?" In addition, he said, "Be the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving mankind and bringing them closer to the Torah." Torah is understood for Judaism, but the Torah also includes the ethical constructs for all of mankind, such as the Noachide laws. I cannot comment on Christian values, but undoubtedly Jewish ethical values have influenced most societies way more than Greek philosophy or the largely undemocratic Roman type of government, excepting their 3 branches of government model. Rationalism was very German, and see how that all broke down under Hitler.
77 RecommendShareFlag
Wurmy commented July 4
W
Wurmy
texas
July 4
I have relative who believes I must be mentally ill because I do not believe in her superstition, I'm good with that, they wonder why I don't visit. I shut the door on religious zealots who come to sale me there God, I'm not interested, but I will say this must if you teach one God I believe you should teach them all, and there are so many gods to choose from, their like sugary cereals at the grocery store. Me I personally I prefer a egg and potato taco.
114 RecommendShareFlag
George commented July 4
G
George
Minneapolis
July 4
I am sure some of those who push religion in the classroom believe in God, but all of them feel better knowing that liberals are going apoplectic.
51 RecommendShareFlag
Jim_in_Canada commented July 4
J
Jim_in_Canada
Canada
July 4
Now they’re ‘weaponizing the bible’? I guess it had to happen considering who the Commander in Chief is: Trump.
69 RecommendShareFlag
ZEMAN commented July 4
Z
ZEMAN
NY
July 4
11th commandment
thou shall keep thy religion to thy self
329 RecommendShareFlag
Roma Lambretta commented July 4
R
Roma Lambretta
San Francisco
July 4
I would say their belief’s aren’t even following the spirit of Jesus’ teachings, if he existed at all. He is depicted as an iconoclast, anti-establishment pacifist. How gun-crazed, intolerant, reactionary groups led by a small group of white males trying force their beliefs on others can even think they are following the teachings of Jesus (Jeshua actually) is so twisted.
307 RecommendShareFlag
Shmuel B commented July 4
S
Shmuel B
Vancouver, BC
July 4
As a retired Rabbi, I've always been shocked at how some people people think that their religion is the correct religion. Their lack of both humility and compassion is monumental. And then there's this: when these so-called "religious" Christians demand the 10 Commandments posted in public, it is THEIR version. In the original Hebrew, the first one is, "I am the Lord who took you out of Egypt..." Perhaps more significantly, they ignore the one which translates as "Do not murder." It's does not say, "Do not kill." The chutspah!!! And don't even get me started on their use of their beliefs on abortion, homosexuality, etc.
Lastly, some of my best friends are Christian, specifically a United Minister in Vancouver, BC and an Episcopalian Priest in Raleigh, and two doctors in Asheville, NC. They are all embarrassed by the kinds of so-called Christians who want their own version to rule the world. Chutspah, indeed!!
396 RecommendShareFlag
QageDave commented July 4
Q
QageDave
Upstate
July 4
Describing Christian nationalists as “people of faith” seems contradictory. In all their machinations to take control over this country and force others to submit to *their* will, it is clear they themselves have no faith in the will of God.
198 RecommendShareFlag
Charles W commented July 4
C
Charles W
Chula Vista CA
July 4
The Heritage Foundation needs to have some Iranian mullahs on its Board. That way they could get some hands on advice on the practicalities of creating a theocracy disguised as a republic.
335 RecommendShareFlag
Jason Robart commented July 4
J
Jason Robart
Austin
July 4
I have been pondering this imposition of Judeo-Christian Values on us by religious extremist zealots. Its extremists that drive the status quo and can shift our values, right? In order for anyone 2 b influenced by extremism. a seed had to have already been planted. Grievance, Fear, Disenfranchisement, Alienation, a sense of foreboding, something the extremist ideology can latch onto.
Our world is headed to a place of pain and suffering. It feels like a slow motion train to disaster. Each day the bar moves a little more. The movement is imperceptible to humans who live in real time. The Boiling Frog Apologue applies.
When it becomes painfully obvious we have passed the point of no return, people will panic. When they do they grasp at straws, the most comforting of which is religion. It takes u out of the present circumstance granting a reprieve of sorts, hope and belief in a higher power that may or may not save ur corporeal self and if it can't, then there is the after life to look forward to.
So is this renewed religious fervor a response to our dilemma? or is there something else? In a world of Fire, Flood, Famine, and Fear, praying seems a good idea, else follow the pictorially illustrated safety instructions in the airplane seat pocket in front of u, 'In case of trouble put ur head between ur legs and kiss ur u know what goodbye'. Travel Well America.
27 RecommendShareFlag
Prof Reader commented July 4
P
Prof Reader
Georgia
July 4
A couple among many instances of biblical influences on American history that are not likely to be included in the OK curriculum:
Justification of slavery:
https://time.com/5171819/christianity-slavery-book-excerpt/
White supremacists and violent discrimination against blacks, Catholics, Jews, and just about everyone who can’t trace their ancestry to northern Europe:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2018/04/08/the-preacher-who-used-christianity-to-revive-the-ku-klux-klan/
See also: “Hate in God’s Name”: https://www.splcenter.org/20170925/hate-god%E2%80%99s-name
55 RecommendShareFlag
Ben commented July 4
Ben
Ben
NJ
July 4
Which of the nine (or so) versions of the ten commandments will be posted in Louisiana? Just askin'.
87 RecommendShareFlag
Calypso commented July 4
C
Calypso
Blue
July 4
I do NOT want well-meaning Christians teaching MY kids on MY tax dollars about their flavor of beliefs. If you are concerned then send them to Christian schools as a number of my fellow church members do!!!
230 RecommendShareFlag
dibah commented July 4
D
dibah
Canada
July 4
Kudos to the author for endorsing the First Amendment.
But shouldn't the same ideals be acknowledged as universal values?
So why are US elites so insistent on a Jewish state in Palestine
even at the expense of a "plausible genocide"?
41 RecommendShareFlag
Rupert commented July 4
R
Rupert
California
July 4
Life is short, so skip church and feed the poor - be a real follower of Jesus, not a pretend one. Or maybe you didn't get the memo from The Boss:
"Do to others as you'd have them do to you". He didn't even mention stained glass windows. Odd.
176 RecommendShareFlag
Toutvert commented July 4
T
Toutvert
France
July 4
There is no true separation of church and state in the U.S.
Here is an example from one of the leading lawmakers of how policy is influenced:
"Of course, we say it's our land, the Torah says it,”
Chuck Schumer at AIPAC 2018.”
He was of course referring to a small foreign country in the Middle East.
40 RecommendShareFlag
Lewis commented July 4
L
Lewis
Pennsylvania
July 4
There’s a scene in Hannah and Her Sisters where Max Von Sydow’s character says effectively: If Jesus came back today and saw what was being done in his name, he wouldn’t stop throwing up. The rightwing has hijacked religion for its own very un-Judeo-Christian ends.
157 RecommendShareFlag
Ira Lacher commented July 4
I
Ira Lacher
Des Moines
July 4
If America is truly wedded to “Judeo-Christian” values, why is American history rife with Christians constantly committing officially sanctioned violence against “Judeos”?
100 RecommendShareFlag
Edward commented July 4
E
Edward
Cayce
July 4
The truth of your beliefs are not as important as your moral and ethical behavior. (Spinoza)
133 RecommendShareFlag
Tom Ruppel commented July 4
T
Tom Ruppel
N. Calif.
July 4
When someone tells me they're a "Christian," I assume they need to tell me because I wouldn't know it otherwise.
337 RecommendShareFlag
Zoli commented July 4
Z
Zoli
Santa Barbara
July 4
Right on the mark, Ms. Paul. I don't want or need any religion telling me how to live my life. I've learned that in my life, thank you very much. Christianity's sordid history of torture, murder, suffering inflicted on those who refused to believe is enough reason to steer clear of that religion. Judaism and Islam have plenty to be wary of, too. Do your homework and find out for yourself the right way to live; you have no need of religion.
120 RecommendShareFlag
Terry commented July 4
T
Terry
Maine
July 4
"Judeo-Christians" who support Trump have changed the definition of what it means to be Christian. With Trump as their standard bearer, Christian values now include adultery, bearing false witness, gluttony, worship of idols, adulation of Trump above all other gods... the list goes on.
202 RecommendShareFlag
RickP commented July 4
R
RickP
Ca
July 4
How seriously can I take a religious movement whose members support a leader who flouts the basic principles?
Trump is a liar, adulterer and thief. I'd give him credit for contributing to the deaths of a lot of people, although it's arguable. Herman Cain to name one. Also, listen to Chris Christie's description of being infected with Covid by Trump, the day after Trump tested positive. Christie spent a week in the ICU.
There is no indication that he keeps the Sabbath holy and I'd be surprised if he doesn't often take the name of God in vain.
However you count it up, the idea of a Trump supporter identifying with Christian values simply does not compute.
182 RecommendShareFlag
Randy commented July 4
R
Randy
NJ
July 4
What good is an enlightened religion if one loves the other outwardly but at the same time hates the other inwardly? Anyone?
33 RecommendShareFlag
NYTReader commented July 4
N
NYTReader
Little Rock
July 4
This is a good piece, but “Thou shalt have no other gods before me,” is not a mere "implication."
21 RecommendShareFlag
TC commented July 4
T
TC
PIttsburgh
July 4
Amen! Took the words right out of my mouth. Keep your religion away from my tax dollars.
86 RecommendShareFlag
Cap’n Dan Mathews commented July 4
Cap’n Dan Mathews
Cap’n Dan Mathews
Sunny California
July 4
You want a theocracy? Just for a moment look at the nations in the Mideast which are such, and ask yourself if that’s really what you want.
And if you’re ascribing to a Christian religion, then which one for the anointed type to run this state? If really believe that the baptists and catholics will make nice with each other, then you really are a “true believer.”
You will not use government to make me pray your way.
81 RecommendShareFlag
Henry Lieberman commented July 4
Henry Lieberman
Henry Lieberman
Cambridge, MA
July 4
Leave us Jews out of it, for God's sake. I've never in my life heard any Jewish person challenge the American principle of separation of church (or synagogue) and state. Much less sign on to their idea of government imposing "Judeo"-Christian whatever. You can have whatever wacky ideas you want, right-wing Christians, but don't drag us into it to try to pretend your beliefs aren't as obviously bigoted as they are.
198 RecommendShareFlag
Jimarko commented July 4
J
Jimarko
Close to New Haven
July 4
These Christian Nationalists (who truly don’t have much interest in the post hyphen Judeo) are a perfect example of those who are ignorant of their own ignorance. I don’t know if it’s biblical or not, but the imprecation “live and let live” might be quietly added to any magic-based “commandments” — and would be worthy of being taught.
50 RecommendShareFlag
TMDJS commented July 4
T
TMDJS
PDX
July 4
Every good “progressive” knows that it is only “left wing” to impose religion on others when Islamists are doing it.
11 RecommendShareFlag
Rob commented July 4
R
Rob
Norcal
July 4
10 Commandments in the schools and bible study. Yep, that will fix everything. Oh wait, what about the AR15's?
125 RecommendShareFlag
Thollian commented July 4
Thollian
Thollian
BC
July 4
I like how people append “Judeo” to Judeo-Christian values. As if Jews have always been welcomed and embraced by Christian communities.
92 RecommendShare
