RELIGION LOST ITS WAY

The Moral Collapse of Religion

At the heart of America’s failure to sustain democracy lies a profound absence of moral leadership. The very institution that once provided a moral foundation, religion, has not only abandoned its role but has actively aided and abetted the forces working to dismantle freedom, equality, and justice.

Once, religious leaders stood on the front lines of civil rights, social justice, and the fight for democracy. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist minister, anchored his movement in a moral vision that drew from the highest ideals of faith, justice, equality, and the inherent dignity of all people. That moral clarity gave his movement strength and legitimacy, making it impossible for the forces of oppression to ignore him.

But today, organized religion in America has lost its way. It no longer holds the moral high ground. Instead, it has become a political weapon wielded by the oligarchs and authoritarians it should resist.

How Religion Betrayed Its Mission

Rather than standing for justice, today’s dominant religious voices, particularly in evangelical circles, have sold their souls to power. Figures like Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell and their successors have transformed religion into a tool of control, aligning with billionaires, right-wing politicians, and authoritarian movements to serve their own interests.

Instead of preaching compassion, they preach fear. Instead of upholding truth, they peddle lies. They rationalize corruption, greed, and cruelty instead of calling people to a higher moral standard. In doing so, they have created a political theocracy in which religion no longer serves the people and it serves the oligarchy.

The result? A nation adrift, where half the population is openly immoral and amoral, following leaders who revel in deception and authoritarianism. And the other half, the people who still believe in democracy, justice, and equality, find themselves leaderless, with no moral authority to rally behind.

The Need for a Moral Leader in the Resistance

The resistance against Trumpism, Musk’s oligarchy, and the broader authoritarian movement cries out for leadership. However, that leadership cannot be purely political; it must be moral.

America has lost its moral compass, and without it, no movement will succeed. The fight for democracy must be rooted in a higher ideal, just as King’s movement was. It must speak to the nation's soul, reminding people of the values they have abandoned. It must offer not just resistance but redemption.

Where can such a leader come from?

Perhaps a new moral leader will rise from the ashes of a corrupted religion. There are still religious figures who understand the true calling of faith, ministers, priests, and rabbis who reject the church's political corruption and seek to revive its true mission. Perhaps a modern-day King will emerge from these ranks, someone who will reclaim the moral high ground and lead the resistance with the power of righteousness.

Or perhaps the new moral leader will come from outside traditional religion altogether. A philosopher, a scholar, or even an unexpected figure will step forward, embodying the same moral clarity and vision that once made religious movements a force for good.

Reclaiming America’s Better Angels

What is certain is that the resistance cannot succeed without a moral core. A movement driven only by politics, opposition, or reaction will not endure. It must be driven by something more profound, a fundamental belief in what is right.

The America we fight for is not just a place of laws and policies. It is a nation built on ideals, freedom, justice, and equality. Although much of organized religion has abandoned these ideals, they are not lost. They wait for a leader to resurrect them.

We must find that leader, demand that leader, and if no one steps forward, create that leadership ourselves. If we fail to reclaim America’s better angels, the nation’s descent into darkness will be complete.

William James Spriggs