Inside the MAGA Religious Sect Believing Trump is Anointed by God

The Rise of FlashPoint and its Message

• 💡 A growing movement in the US believes in a spiritual war and that Donald Trump was anointed by God.
• 🎯 FlashPoint, a TV show, champions this rhetoric, linking it to real-world consequences and violence, including the January 6th events.
• 🔑 The show combines political affairs with religion, prophecies, and conspiracy theories, aiming to counter a perceived liberal worldview.

The New Apostolic Reformation and Trump's Support

• 🚀 The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is a fringe evangelical movement characterized by apostles and prophets and a hyperactive vision of spiritual warfare.
• 🧠 NAR leaders believe they can strategically battle against perceived demonic hierarchies controlling societies.
• 🤝 Donald Trump has welcomed the support of these marginal charismatic figures, who have become influential religious leaders.
• 📈 White evangelicals, making up a significant portion of the electorate, have increasingly backed Republican candidates, with Trump securing record highs.

FlashPoint's Influence and Rhetoric

• 📺 FlashPoint, launched in 2020, saw a massive surge in viewership, becoming ubiquitous among those consuming Christian content during that period.
• 🗣️ Regulars on FlashPoint share the belief that God anointed Donald Trump to "wreck the institution."
• ⚠️ The show's rhetoric, which includes calling opponents "demonic" and "satanic," is linked to radicalization and has been described as directly responsible for terrorism.
• 💥 The language of spiritual warfare is prevalent, with a focus on fighting against perceived enemies and the "devil."

Spiritual Warfare and Real-World Impact

• ✝️ Former members of churches associated with this movement describe feeling that spiritual warfare was very real, involving fighting off demons and protecting people.
• 👥 This rhetoric fosters an "othering" effect, leading to suspicion and fear of those with different political or religious beliefs.
• 💰 Emphasis is placed on monetary donations, with claims that tithing protects against illness and family problems, and significant property acquisitions by associated churches.
• ⚡ The concept of spiritual warfare is central, with a belief that the true enemy is not people but what is behind them.

The Blurring Lines Between Faith and Politics

• ❓ Questions arise about when words turn into action, especially concerning the demonizing language used against those who don't align with their views.
• 🇺🇸 The belief that Trump was chosen by God is strong, with some followers willing to overlook his past actions and perceived moral failings.
• 🗣️ The language of spiritual warfare, while claimed to be non-violent by proponents, is questioned for its potential to embolden literal action.
• ❓ The narrative questions the impact of verifiable fact, evidence, and truth when faith is used to explain the unexplainable.