Christian Nationalism’s Grip on American Faith Is Finally Breaking
Like many conservative evangelical pastors with whom I had worked for almost four decades, Rev. David Corbett is a mild-mannered, white-haired, avuncular 75-year-old who carries a handgun on his belt and quotes liberally from the King James Version of the Bible. A former lobster fisherman, he’s had two key vocations throughout his long ministry career: […]
Christian nationalism's influence on American faith is beginning to unravel, according to witnesses in the state of Maine. Rev. David Corbett, a conservative evangelical pastor with decades of experience, has been vocal about his concerns regarding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its handling of immigration cases. Corbett, who is running for York County sheriff as a Republican Party candidate, wants to have all his officers deputized as ICE agents to assist federal agents in arrests and detentions.
He blames Democrats for the current problems surrounding immigration and holds former President Joe Biden responsible for not adequately defending US borders.
In stark contrast to Corbett's stance, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Saco & Biddeford, located just 6 miles from Corbett's church, is actively providing support and spiritual care to immigrants, anti-ICE demonstrators, and those affected by the tragedy. Reverend Dr. Lori Whittemore, the church's leader, quickly organized a response after learning of the death of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a 25-year-old Colombian immigrant shot by ICE agents.
Whittemore and other clergy from various faith traditions have been gathering to offer support and comfort to those impacted by the violence against immigrants and their allies.
As a former leader of the conservative religiopolitical movement, Rev. Corbett acknowledges his past role in promoting a "Christian nation" and now seeks to focus on causes aligned with mercy, tolerance, and love. This shift in perspective is evident in his response to the recent events in Maine, as he joins other clergy in demonstrating against federally sanctioned violence against immigrants and their allies.
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