As a non-American Christian, I’m deeply troubled by what I see as the politicization of faith in the U.S.

Hey everyone, I’ve been a long-time lurker here, but recent events have compelled me to share some observations that have been weighing heavily on me. I grew up as a Christian outside of the U.S., but my view of American Christianity was shaped by shows like Daystar and The 700 Club, which were our main window into that world.

For a long time, I didn’t see much of a difference. But over the last few years, especially since 2020, I’ve seen a stark divergence that I can no longer ignore.

My first red flag was the blatant mixing of faith with one-sided politics. It wasn’t just about Christians being politically engaged, which is normal. It was hearing prominent Christian figures say that you absolutely cannot be a Christian and a Democrat, which felt completely alien to the gospel I was taught. Jesus’s message was universal, not tied to a specific political party. This shook me to the core.

Then came 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic. I was shocked to see these channels give a platform to anti-vax conspiracy theorists. It was during this time that I first watched RFK Jr. on these Christian platforms, pushing narratives that seemed to have no basis in scientific or medical fact. The 2020 election was another massive eye-opener. So many of these Christian leaders prophesied that Donald Trump would win, saying it was a divine certainty.

When Joe Biden won, their reaction wasn’t one of humility or reflection. It was a complete pivot to attacking his administration from the very start, as if their prophecy failing was a sign of a new spiritual battle, not a misinterpretation of God’s will. But the most recent and shocking event has been the reaction to Charlie Kirk’s assassination. The condemnation of murder is an essential Christian tenet, and it’s right that all Christians condemn such an evil act. However, the response from a vocal part of the American Christian community has confirmed my earlier feelings about how different our faiths have become.

I’ve seen posts and comments from people claiming to be Christians who are praying for Charlie Kirk to resurrect on the third day—not as a symbol of hope in the Resurrection, but “to own the libs.” This isn’t faith; it’s using the most sacred act in Christianity—the Resurrection of Jesus Christ—as a political stunt. I’ve also read about people threatening to leave their churches because their pastor didn’t mention Charlie Kirk in a Sunday service, as if a church’s primary function is to serve as a political rally point. It’s sad, because the faith I grew up with and practice is centered on compassion, community, and humility.

American mainstream Christianity, from my view, has become so intertwined with a specific political ideology that it is now using faith as a weapon to attack political opponents. I just wanted to share this perspective to see if other non-American Christians, or even those in the U.S., have noticed the same thing. It feels like we are talking about two entirely different religions.