Is the link between religion and politics good or bad for our government and faith?

The relationship between religion and politics in the United States is not just intertwined—it's being weaponized. Investigative journalist Katherine Stewart reveals that Christian nationalism is not a faith movement but a deliberate, anti-democratic political project funded by billionaires and orchestrated by a network of right-wing think tanks, legal advocates, and grassroots influencers. Far from being a defense of religious freedom, it seeks to dismantle church-state separation to enable authoritarian rule, using culture war issues as distractions while advancing policies that enrich the wealthy at the expense of working families. Stewart argues that the movement’s true aim is a cronyistic kleptocracy, not a theocracy, and that its leaders, including figures like Paul Weyrich, openly admit to wanting fewer voters to increase their political leverage. Yet, many rank-and-file supporters are unaware they’re being manipulated—voting on issues like abortion or family values while unknowingly backing an agenda that undermines democracy and deepens inequality. In contrast, four Iowa faith leaders reject this narrative, asserting that authentic Christian faith demands love of neighbor, justice, and civic engagement—not nationalism. They emphasize that faith should inform public policy through compassion, dialogue, and truth-telling, not coercion or exclusion.