If Jesus Came Back, They’d Arrest Him at the Border
- Danika Joy Fornear
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
If Jesus of Nazareth showed up in America today—a brown-skinned, unhoused refugee preaching radical love and redistribution of wealth—you can bet they’d call ICE. Or worse.
Let’s be honest: Christian nationalism isn’t about honoring Jesus. It’s about enforcing control.
Not spiritual guidance. Not morality. Power.
These politicians aren’t defending the gospel. They’re defiling it—weaponizing Scripture to criminalize queer kids, ban books, strip reproductive rights, and silence anyone who won’t bow down.
Freedom of Religion Doesn’t Mean Rule by Religion
This country was founded on freedom of religion. That includes your right not to be forced under someone else’s beliefs.
We support everyone’s right to practice their faith—or none at all.
Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Pagan, atheist, agnostic—you do you.
But Christian nationalism doesn’t protect faith. It perverts it.
It’s the belief that one narrow, extremist version of Christianity should dominate our laws, our schools, our bodies, and our borders.
And it’s rising fast—right here in Florida and across the nation.
Banning Books. Forcing Birth. Erasing Queer Lives.
In 2023, the American Library Association recorded over 4,000 book challenges—mostly targeting LGBTQ+ and BIPOC authors.
Florida alone has banned over 4,500 books in public schools.
Since Roe fell, 41 states have passed major abortion restrictions; 12 have full bans, even in cases of rape.
In 2024, 75+ anti-LGBTQ+ laws were signed—banning drag shows, trans healthcare, and even discussion of queerness.
None of this is holy.
It’s political control, wrapped in a cross.
Jesus Was the Opposite of These Lawmakers
If you’ve read the Bible, you know this already:
He was born to an unwed teen mother under an oppressive empire.
He lived in poverty, fed the hungry, and gave away healthcare for free.
He flipped tables in a corrupt temple (Matthew 21:12–13).
He said the poor were blessed, and the rich would struggle to enter heaven (Luke 6:20, Mark 10:25).
He chose outcasts over elites. Prostitutes, lepers, tax collectors, and Samaritans—not senators.
He told his followers to sell their possessions and share everything in common (Acts 4:32–35).
He did not say: “Criminalize abortion,” “Ban queer books,” or “Build a wall.”
So let’s stop pretending these politicians are defending Christ.
They’d crucify him all over again.
What We Can Do
Vote like democracy depends on it—because it does.
Support leaders who defend all of us—not just the loudest fundamentalists.
Show up locally.
School boards. County meetings. Library hearings. Be the voice of reason and rights.
Unite across difference.
Progressive people of faith, secular folks, and everyone in between—join together.
Check out groups like the Interfaith Alliance working to dismantle Christian nationalism from within.
Fight misinformation with truth.
Some helpful resources:
Live your resistance.
Be bold. Be kind. Protect each other.
Faith, at its best, is liberation—not control.
About the Author
Danika Joy Fornear is a former alligator wrestler and resistance writer based in rural Florida. She’s a single mom, a community organizer, and a fierce defender of religious freedom—especially for those who don’t conform. She believes faith should never be used to justify oppression. Her feminism is feral. Her fight is fearless. And she’s not backing down.
Read more from her at Big Mouth Media.