White Christian nationalism is un-American. So asserts a study jointly produced by the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty (BJC) and the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF). Prompted by the clear Christian iconography on display at the January 6th Insurrection, the study defines Christian nationalism as” … a political ideology and cultural framework that seeks to merge American and Christian identities, distorting both the Christian faith; and America’s constitutional democracy.”

Given the assault on the US Capitol was intended to overthrow the 2020 presidential election it should come as no surprise that this study and many more regard Christian nationalism as a serious threat to US democracy.

January 6th Insurrectionist and Coos County Commissioner Rod Taylor is a Christian nationalist. A sign he carried on the Capitol steps couldn’t be read in full but appeared to say, “Fight Like Flynn”.  The apparent reference is to disgraced General Michael Flynn who was forced to resign as National Security Advisor and avoided criminal prosecution thanks to a presidential pardon in November 2020.

Flynn makes no bones about his support of Christian nationalism and even goes so far as to declare that America should have only one religion.

“One nation under God,” says Flynn, “and one religion under God.”

If that isn’t chilling enough, consider that Taylor’s biggest campaign contributors were Dan Wilson, pastor of the Restoration Worship Center International in Bandon and his wife Mary providing more than $5K.  Denesa Rains, appears to be another rabid Christian nationalist, and provided more than $4K.

Taylor never mentioned introducing prayer to the commission meetings during his campaign, but it comes as no surprise that this Christian nationalist would as his first order of business, attempt to do just that. Thankfully, he failed, and it is important for democracy that we continue to keep religion, particularly the “one” religion out of our local government.

Taylor co-founded CRL (Citizens Restoring Liberty) which claims to “specifically reject any principles of racial supremacy or violence.” Yet Taylor regularly carries a sidearm and used his sidearm to menace peaceful protesters prompting a report to the Bandon Police Department. CRL doesn’t appear to exist to promote democracy and pursue a common good but rather as a strongly libertarian, “don’t tread on me” ideology that disavows them of any responsibility toward their fellow man… i.e., ignoring mask mandates and disrupting public meetings.

Finally, Taylor’s treatment of women is condescending, unprofessional, lacks class and hints at some underlying misogyny. For example, he has responded to my questions by calling me “cute”, “silly” and has provided me with creepy details about his sex life.

In a comment on this blog he attempts to insult his opponent, former commissioner, Melissa Cribbins, by accusing of her of running away “crying like a little girl.” Let’s make one thing very clear, unlike Taylor, Cribbins is not afraid to leave her house every morning without carrying a gun. Unlike Taylor, Cribbins was able to go to work for the county every day without requiring her spouse be with her everywhere and she didn’t require an emotional support dog. She also didn’t need her sycophants and acolytes to attend every commission meeting to boost her ego.

Taylor isn’t only a traitor, in my opinion, and a threat to democracy, he is a weak excuse for a human being.