Understanding Dominionism: A Controversial Religious and Political Ideology
Dominionism is a political and religious ideology that seeks to establish a Christian theocracy, or government based on biblical law, in the United States and other countries. The movement emphasizes the importance of Christian leadership and the need for Christians to take control of all areas of society, including government, education, media, and culture.
The term "dominionism" comes from Genesis 1:28, where God commands Adam and Eve to have dominion over the earth and all living things. Dominionists believe that this mandate gives Christians a divine right to rule over society and to impose their beliefs on others.
Dominionism is often associated with the Christian Right, a political movement that seeks to promote conservative Christian values in the public sphere. However, not all Christians who support the Christian Right are dominionists, and not all dominionists are part of the Christian Right.
Some of the key features of dominionism include:
1. The belief that Christians have a divine mandate to rule over society and to impose their beliefs on others.
2. The belief that the United States is a Christian nation and should be governed according to biblical law.
3. The belief that non-Christians, particularly Jews and Muslims, are inherently evil and should be marginalized or oppressed.
4. The belief that Christians should take control of all areas of society, including government, education, media, and culture.
5. The belief that the end times are near and that Christians must work to bring about a divine reckoning before it is too late.
Dominionism has been associated with a number of controversial movements and figures, including the Christian Reconstructionism movement, which seeks to establish a theocracy based on biblical law, and the late televangelist Jerry Falwell, who founded the Moral Majority, a political organization that sought to promote conservative Christian values in the public sphere.
Critics of dominionism argue that it is a form of religious extremism that undermines democracy, tolerance, and human rights. They point out that the imposition of biblical law would lead to discrimination against non-Christians, women, and other marginalized groups, and that it would undermine the separation of church and state.
Overall, dominionism is a controversial and highly debated topic that raises important questions about religion, politics, and the role of faith in society. While some see it as a legitimate expression of religious conviction, others view it as a form of extremism that threatens the very foundations of democracy and human rights.