News item: Hegseth says Americas face test of whether they will remain Christian

Note: This essay is based on an email sent to me by a member of our informal editorial board for the Appalachian Chronicle, Alan Eddington. A retired Catholic priest, he has served as a friend and mentor to me for 54 years since he was first assigned to our parish in Clarksburg, W.Va. This history lesson is the result of ongoing conversations that we have had for years, but in particular during the last several months in response to the Trump Administration’s unconstitutional wars and the accompanying genocidal destruction; Trump’s attacks upon our Republic’s founding principles, as seen in ICE raids; corporate greed; the general collapse of our national civility; and ultimately, the disregard of the life and teachings of Jesus by oligarchs, politicians and religious leaders.

By Alan M. Eddington

CHICAGO – First of all, the common thread that I see emerging in all of these egregious situations – undeclared war, data centers, pipelines, etc. – is a blinding lust for greed.  When wealthy oligarchs are so willing to invest billions in these kind of projects, you can be certain that they see an even greater return on investment. Will it be harmful to the health of the people impacted by these projects? Of course, but the implicit response of the oligarchs is, “Too bad,‘collateral damage’ is to be expected.”

Will it lead to the destruction of the earth’s delicate environmental balance to sustain human life? Yes, but again, the response is, “It’s not our problem; we’re just here for the lucrative short-term gain. Besides, by the time the balance becomes irretrievable, we’ll be long gone.” (Although, the climate crisis “tipping point” is already upon us!).

Will egregious acts of war and aggression violate the moral fabric of our civilization? “Most likely, but if that’s what it takes to amass huge profits, then the hell with ’em!” 

HISTORY LESSON: The Abandonment of the Transforming Message of Jesus to Today’s ‘Christian’ USA

I’ve been asking myself, where is this nation’s immorality and amorality stemming from? After all, isn’t it the clarion call in this country that the USA is a ‘Christian’ nation? To my horror, it is when I assemble the history of Christianity that I discover that it is precisely because the USA is a “Christian” nation that such immorality not only exists, but prospers! 

Up until the beginning of the 4th century, the Followers of Jesus, the Anointed One, lived the simple and transforming message preached by Jesus. This way of living brought about hope and courage and charity wherever it was practiced, in spite of the extremely cruel brutality of the Roman rulers. But all of this changed around 300 A.D., when Emperor Constantine co-opted this “Christian way of living,” mutating it into a very effective way to control the diverse ethnic populations in his Empire. Governmental territories were established, called dioceses, with bishops being appointed to govern these territories, according to the dictates and whims of the Emperor.

Why do we have the government that we have today, so corrupt, immoral, and inhumane? I posit that it is precisely because the USA is a “Christian” nation! – Alan Eddington

Ever since that point, Christianity has been, first and foremost, a mechanism for population control. By manipulating the “moral code” of the masses, the power elites have very effectively maintained a tight grip on power and wealth throughout the centuries following Constantine. Fast forward to the late 18th century/early 19th century when the culture of the fledgling USA was being woven. The “founding fathers” drew upon the only governmental system they were familiar with, western European government, particularly that of England.

At this time, the Vatican had reached its peak of political power; the kings of Spain, France, the German City-States, and England, ALL regarded themselves as “reigning by Divine right.” With the best of intentions, the “founding fathers” took their role of establishing this new government seriously, since they were engaged in a “divine” mission. But just as Constantine co-opted, and then manipulated Christianity to consolidate power and advance his wealth, so also the early governmental leadership of the USA began steering this country along this same road to human destruction.

The first time it came to a head was the Civil War. Then came the ravages of Reconstruction, followed by a destructive Depression towards the end of the 19th century, followed in the early 20th century by World War I, the “War to End All Wars.”

Continued greed and decadence in the 1920s led to the Great Depression; with World War II breaking out in the late 1930s/early 1940s. From this point on, we see the continuation of this pattern of amassing power and wealth by a powerful few, with its consequent pain and suffering being inflicted upon the masses.

Throughout all of this history of suffering and death, “Christian” thought and leadership has provided the justification for the powerful oligarchs to obtain, then retain, their power and wealth, for it is their “divine right”!

So why do we have the government that we have today, so corrupt, immoral, and inhumane? I posit that it is precisely because the USA is a “Christian” nation!

© Alan M. Eddington, 2026. Photo by Marek Studzinski on Unsplash

Note: The initial post had a misspelling. I apologize for the error.