Bishop Stands Against Trump’s Deportation Move
A Texas pastor and YouTuber, Joel Webbon, recently claimed that the United States is meant to be a nation exclusively for Christians, and that non-Christians should not be allowed to hold public office. In a podcast episode on “Right Response Ministries,” Webbon expressed his view that America was originally intended to be an “Anglo-Protestant project,” where non-Christians, such as Jews, Muslims, and Hindus, could live peacefully but should not have leadership roles. He emphasized that although non-Christians should not face discrimination, the nation ultimately belongs to Christians.
Webbon also referenced the Founding Fathers’ views, suggesting that they were supportive of Jewish Americans but believed the U.S. was primarily a Christian nation. He argued that while non-Christians could coexist in America, leadership positions should be reserved for Christians. He also mentioned that Reformed theologians historically believed in a future spiritual revival for Jewish people, but still maintained that Jews were not Christians and should not hold public office.
His comments come amid increasing discussion around Christian nationalism, a movement that seeks to merge Christian identity with American governance. Webbon’s ideas reflect a broader vision for the U.S., which includes revising the Constitution with Christian doctrines and implementing policies aligned with conservative Christian values, such as banning abortion and pornography. His stance, however, raises concerns about the First Amendment’s guarantee of religious freedom and the separation of church and state.
Historically, Webbon’s perspective echoes practices from the 18th century, when many American colonies required public officeholders to affirm their Christian faith. Jewish Americans, for example, were often barred from holding office in states like Georgia and Massachusetts. However, in the early 19th century, states like Maryland began passing laws to remove such restrictions, granting greater religious freedom to non-Christians.
Webbon’s views illustrate ongoing tensions between religious nationalism and the foundational principles of religious equality in the U.S., as modern Christian nationalist movements aim to influence the country’s governance and legal systems.