Marco Rubio's hunt for "anti-Christian bias" is creeping theocracy

[marmar]

Marco Rubio's hunt for "anti-Christian bias" is creeping theocracy
In a new war on federal workers, State Department employees are told to snitch on people with Pride flags

By Amanda Marcotte
Senior Writer
Published April 15, 2025 6:00AM (EDT)


(Salon) Secretary of State Marco Rubio always looks like a whipped dog when he's out in public, especially around his boss Donald Trump, leading many observers to assume he's a reluctant participant in the authoritarian agenda of the White House. Before going full MAGA, Rubio had fashioned himself an opponent of the autocratic oppression Trump embraces. He even used to pretend his family had emigrated from Cuba to flee the dictatorship of Fidel Castro, finding refuge in the United States, "welcomed by the most compassionate people on all the Earth." A lovely story, but untrue, as they immigrated before Castro's rise to power. Still, it inspires hope in some that Rubio knows his complicity with Trump's fascist designs is wrong.

Whatever is in his heart, though, there can be no denying that Rubio is pushing some of the most aggressive policies attacking First Amendment protections for free speech and freedom of religion. Last week, the Associated Press revealed a memo signed by Rubio declaring the power to deport legal immigrants for "beliefs, statements, or associations that are otherwise lawful." Rubio has supported the arrest of legal residents for exercising their right to free speech and has been busy revoking the visas of hundreds of international students who have committed no crime other than disagreeing with Trump's political opinions. One student wasn't even targeted for political reasons, but she does research in biology, a field that the Trump administration looks at with hostility.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio always looks like a whipped dog when he's out in public, especially around his boss Donald Trump, leading many observers to assume he's a reluctant participant in the authoritarian agenda of the White House. Before going full MAGA, Rubio had fashioned himself an opponent of the autocratic oppression Trump embraces. He even used to pretend his family had emigrated from Cuba to flee the dictatorship of Fidel Castro, finding refuge in the United States, "welcomed by the most compassionate people on all the Earth." A lovely story, but untrue, as they immigrated before Castro's rise to power. Still, it inspires hope in some that Rubio knows his complicity with Trump's fascist designs is wrong.

Whatever is in his heart, though, there can be no denying that Rubio is pushing some of the most aggressive policies attacking First Amendment protections for free speech and freedom of religion. Last week, the Associated Press revealed a memo signed by Rubio declaring the power to deport legal immigrants for "beliefs, statements, or associations that are otherwise lawful." Rubio has supported the arrest of legal residents for exercising their right to free speech and has been busy revoking the visas of hundreds of international students who have committed no crime other than disagreeing with Trump's political opinions. One student wasn't even targeted for political reasons, but she does research in biology, a field that the Trump administration looks at with hostility.

....(snip)....

For instance, the memo wants reports of "mistreatment for opposing displays of flags, banners or other paraphernalia," specifically during President Joe Biden's administration. It doesn't take a doctorate in bureaucratese to interpret this. Rubio is seeking stories where conservative Christians were told to mind their business, after objecting to a colleague putting up a Pride flag, a Black Lives Matter sign, or perhaps a religious knick-knack from a non-Christian faith. It would be more understandable if, say, Christians were being told they couldn't wear a cross or have a picture of Jesus on their desk. But what Rubio is suggesting is that Christians have a right to stop other people from having equal freedoms — and that it's "bias" against Christians if they can't control other people. .................(more)

https://www.salon.com/2025/04/15/marco-rubios-hunt-for-anti-christmas-bias-is-creeping-theocracy/

[FalloutShelter]

1. Not creeping... charging ahead.

[BoRaGard]

2. G.O.P. wants to STOMP OUT unbelievers

You know, free thinkers who are exercising their free will.

[elocs]

3. Most of the maga Christians are "Christian" in name only because they are neither followers of Jesus

nor his New Testament teachings.
Although I am an atheist now, I was a devout Christian in a younger life. I've read the entire Bible 3 times, the NT multiple times studying it in its original languages and I can confidently say that if Jesus was to meet these self-righteous people who "call" themselves "Christians" he would claim he doesn't know them and they have no part in him. They are evil.

(Although I'm an atheist now, that is no reflection on Jesus and his beliefs about people in helping and feeding the poor, sheltering the homeless, visiting those in prison even thought they were "criminals". His values regarding people and not being judgmental certainly is more of a reflection on Democratic/Liberal values than of any Republican.)

[Walleye]

4. I have always felt that Christianity needed persecution for their existence. And there really isn't any persecution

Christians were never persecuted in this country. They are scared their religion and organization will disappear without persecution. Maybe many religions are like this.

[hatrack]

5. How long until declining to attend Sunday school is "persecution"?

Or not going to Easter sunrise services when invited by a co-worker?

How about stating that you're an atheist or an agnostic?

Refusing to acknowledge the supremacy of "God" when confronted by a belligerent supervisor?

Sounds terribly un-Christian to me!

[Rebl2]

10. I guarantee

Trump never goes to church.

[Hotler]

6. Our christian Taliban. a.k.a. dominionist. These people are not our friends.

(snip) Dominionism is the theocratic idea that Christians are called by God to exercise dominion over every aspect of society by taking control of political and cultural institutions.

(snip) Dominionism promotes religious supremacy, insofar as it does not respect the equality of other religions or even other versions of Christianity.

(snip) Dominionism is the underlying ideology that gives an agenda to Christian nationalism.

https://politicalresearch.org/2022/11/04/101-dominionism

[Solly Mack]

7. K&R

[valleyrogue]

8. The "Christian" reconstructionists want the death penalty for LGBTQ people,

as well as women who advocate for women's rights lest they are suspected as being "witches," to use their archaic label.

They want white male patriarchy--even if it is by force.

[Martin Eden]

9. Trump is the most anti-Christian POtuS in US history

That is, if Christianity has anything to do with Jesus Christ and his Sermon on the Mount.

[lonely bird]

11. Deport his ass to Cuba

Fuck him.

[Martin68]

12. I beg to differ. It is not "creeping theocracy," it is full-blown theocracy.

It is also authoritarian mind control and the criminalization of thought.

[twodogsbarking]

13. I really don't care what building you visit on the sabbath. I do care about people. Living ones, on earth.

The ones caught up in the bullshit of morons.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

14. What a sniveling little rat.

[Hekate]

15. Marco's soul is crumbling before out eyes

[Aristus]

16. How long before the 'No Solicitors' sign at my front door is classified as 'persecuting Christians'?

I guess we'll find out...