Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois criticized fellow legislator Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo) for her recent remarks at a church promoting a theocratic government.
Boebert, a born-again Christian, was initially accused of calling for a theocracy during her message at Cornerstone Christian Center in Basalt on Sunday.
"The church is supposed to direct the government. The government is not supposed to direct the church," she told the congregation. "That is not how our founding fathers intended it, and I'm tired of this separation of church and state junk that's not in the Constitution. It was in a stinking letter, and it means nothing like what they say it does."
“I’m tired of this separation of church and state junk.”
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) June 27, 2022
Lauren Boebert went full theocracy, and proclaimed, “The church is supposed to direct the government” per the founding fathers. pic.twitter.com/XW5nXZZ6r8
Kinzinger, who is also a professing Christian, took to social media this week to denounce Boebert's comments, accusing her of promoting a Christianized version of the Taliban, the terrorist organization currently governing Afghanistan.
"There is no difference between this and the Taliban," he tweeted on Wednesday. "We must be opposed [to] the Christian Taliban. I say this as a Christian."
There is no difference between this and the Taliban. We must opposed the Christian Taliban. I say this as a Christian
— Adam Kinzinger🇺🇦🇺🇸✌️ (@AdamKinzinger) June 29, 2022
https://t.co/zt8mFKc3Jt
In a follow-up tweet, Kinzinger suggested that extremism in Christianity should be discouraged across the U.S., just like extremism in other religions, such as Islam.
"It's interesting. When the Taliban rose, we kept saying the 'moderate Muslims' need to speak out (I'm sure you did too). I believe normal Christians need to call out Christian nationalism and the Christian Taliban," the congressman said. "I can't find anywhere Jesus said that the Govt matters to him."
It’s interesting. When the Taliban rose, we kept saying the “moderate Muslims” need to speak out (im sure you did too) I believe normal Christians need to call out Christian nationalism and the Christian Taliban. I can’t find anywhere Jesus said that the Govt matters to him. https://t.co/zFY6GzPs1Y
— Adam Kinzinger🇺🇦🇺🇸✌️ (@AdamKinzinger) June 30, 2022
Conservative radio host Larry O'Connor responded to Kinzinger's comments by noting that Kinzinger himself was previously labeled a member of the "Christian Taliban" before being elected to Congress in 2010. O'Connor also claimed that the term "Christian Taliban" is often used to denigrate those who promote conservative Christian policies.
"All of us at Breitbart helped you win in 2010 when the protesters in the streets were calling YOU Christian Taliban and Nazi. Remember all the posters of you and Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin with swastikas?" O'Connor noted. "You've become the very people we fought against to help you get elected."
All of us at Breitbart helped you win in 2010 when the protesters in the streets were calling YOU Christian Taliban and Nazi. Remember all the posters of you and Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin with swastikas?
— Larry O'Connor (@LarryOConnor) June 30, 2022
You've become the very people we fought against to help you get elected. https://t.co/HjczTLytz6
While Kinzinger acknowledged the criticism he faced at that time, he contended that things are different now.
"You are incorrect Larry. Yes, I was called a Nazi, and thank you for confirming that I wasn't. But in 2010 nobody could imagine the church would be abused to promote a man with traits we should abhor," he tweeted in response. "So, it's VERY different now."
You are incorrect Larry. Yes I was called a nazi, and thank you for confirming that I wasn’t. But in 2010 nobody could imagine the church would be abused to promote a man with traits we should abhore. So it’s VERY different now. https://t.co/uZibmrK5cB
— Adam Kinzinger🇺🇦🇺🇸✌️ (@AdamKinzinger) June 30, 2022
Kinzinger currently serves on the House Select Committee to Investigate the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. He was also one of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump following the attack. He is not seeking reelection.
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Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Jemal Countess/Stringer, Getty Images/Kevin Dietsch/Staff
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.
