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The Myth of Christian America  /  MCA (9 of 14): The Losers  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 10
Calling Christianity “a victim,” Bercot describes professing Christians killing professing Christians while clergy on both sides declared God’s support, and he uses Wesley’s critique of the war over taxation to show how easily Christians baptize national causes; what practical boundaries would need to exist in your life (news intake, political speech, church expectations, willingness to be defrauded, refusal to demonize opponents) to keep Christ’s kingdom from becoming “secondary” to an earthly one?
Another way to ask: If Christians on both sides claimed God was with them, what clear limits would you need in your life so politics doesn’t outrank Jesus (news, what you say, church pressure, accepting loss, not demonizing others)? What would you change first?

Direct Answer Bercot’s teaching points to boundaries that keep Jesus’ commands primary: refuse to treat national causes as holy, reject demonizing opponents (especially fellow Christians), and embrace Christ’s nonresistance ethic—even when it means being “defrauded.” The goal is to prevent politics from becoming the object of ultimate loyalty.

Support from Transcript:

  • He says the Revolution harmed Christianity because Christians “fighting and slaughtering fellow professing Christians.”
  • He lists believers killing believers across denominations: “Anglicans murdering Anglicans… Presbyterians murdering other Presbyterians.”
  • He warns ministers claim “God is on their side,” making slaughter seem like a “Christian act.”
  • He insists Christ’s kingdom “is not of this world,” so it cannot match any earthly kingdom’s interests.
  • He cites Jesus’ commands: “love our enemies” and “not to resist evil,” and Paul’s instruction that it’s “better to be defrauded.”
  • He illustrates the danger: Congress called for prayer and fasting while King George did the same; clergy on both sides claimed God’s will.
Discussion Follow-ups What would you need to stop doing (or start doing) to keep your speech and reactions aligned with loving enemies? How should a church respond when political loyalty pressures believers to compromise Jesus’ teachings?

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