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Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley was criticized after making a controversial claim about Christianity and the United States, with critics highlighting his inaccuracies and misrepresentation of American history.
During a recent statement, Hawley—who gained notoriety for running away from insurrectionists he claimed to support during the January 6 Capitol riots—made an assertion that drew immediate backlash.
He wrote:
"Today is a good day to remember: Christianity is the faith and America is the place slavery came to die."
You can see Hawley's tweet below.
\u201cToday is a good day to remember: Christianity is the faith and America is the place slavery came to die\u201d— Josh Hawley (@Josh Hawley) 1687190566
In part, Hawley suggested Christianity is the official religion of the United States, disregarding the fundamental principle of separation of church and state.
Moreover, detractors highlighted the historical fallacies in Hawley's claim. While Christianity has played a significant role in shaping American society and culture, it is crucial to acknowledge the Christian faith has been used to justify various injustices, including slavery, segregation and the genocide of Indigenous peoples.
Historically, slaveholders in the United States employed biblical passages to support and perpetuate the institution of slavery, a practice that persisted in America long after it was abolished in many other Western nations.
Critics also pointed out the United States is a diverse nation with a wide range of religious beliefs and no single religion can be declared as the official or dominant faith.
Twitter users swiftly responded to Hawley's assertion, criticizing his lack of historical knowledge and highlighting the problematic implications of his claim.
Many emphasized the importance of recognizing the complex relationship between Christianity and American history, highlighting both positive contributions and instances where the faith was used to perpetuate inequality and oppression.
\u201c1. Today is a good day to remember: America was built on the enslavement of Black people.\n\n2. Our government has never even formally apologized, let alone sought to repair the harms slavery inflicted and perpetuated.\n\n3. So this \u2b07\ufe0f is a lie.\u201d— Cori Bush (@Cori Bush) 1687223111
\u201c@HawleyMO This is a nice sentiment, but let's not overdo it. Slavery is still very much alive in the world today and probably still in the U.S.\u201d— Josh Hawley (@Josh Hawley) 1687190566
\u201c@HawleyMO Today is a good day to remember that you would have proudly fought for the Confederacy #Juneteenth2023\u201d— Josh Hawley (@Josh Hawley) 1687190566
\u201cFact check: the United States lagged decades behind in abolition of slavery compared to almost all other countries in the Western hemisphere.\u201d— Jeet Heer (@Jeet Heer) 1687196555
\u201cI can't tell if this is among the most offensive things I've ever heard, or *the* most offensive (and desperate, and pathetic) thing I've ever heard. America has *many* faiths. And if slavery came here to die, it took about 250 years (& 10's of millions of people) to do it.\u201d— Ed Solomon (@Ed Solomon) 1687202904
\u201cThomas Jefferson would dispute both those claims \ud83d\ude02\u201d— Tyrell Crosby (@Tyrell Crosby) 1687219677
\u201cThere was no race-based chattel slavery here before Christians came\n\nEngland, Russia, Spain, France, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, South Africa, India, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, Uruguay, Mexico & Peru abolished it b4 US\n\nAmerica is literally where slavery came to live\u201d— Michael Harriot (@Michael Harriot) 1687216843
\u201c@HawleyMO How to not be a good Ally or Advocate.\n\nYou don't make it about your beliefs or views.\n\nWhy did we need the ERA and why is it the GOP tried to protect those that raise a confederate flag and statues to Southern Generals of the Civil War.\u201d— Josh Hawley (@Josh Hawley) 1687190566
Hawley has repeatedly made absurd claims in the name of Christianity and the Bible.
Last month, he was mocked online after he said reading the Bible is the key to addressing a crisis of "disappearing manhood" and "traditional masculinity" that is taking the country by storm.
Hawley's main point—expanded upon in an editorial for Fox News—appears to be that men can reclaim their masculinity by bringing "the promise of eternity" and using their power to promote truth and liberty.
The connection between these concepts and their impact on fatherhood remains elusive. While involved and present fathers can undoubtedly influence their families and communities positively, Hawley's assertion lacks clarity and substance.