Postcards from Babylon: The Church In American Exile

by Brian Zahnd

Sometimes you embarrass yourself when you get drunk on hubris. At times you display an arrogance that borders on blasphemous. I’m talking about the kind of religious patriotism that makes you an idolatrous rival to my faith in Jesus Christ. Your capital city is filled with none-too-subtle religious iconography. Take for example The Apotheosis of Washington in the Capitol Rotunda that depicts George Washington seated on the throne of glory in heaven. Obviously you know that apotheosis means to “make a god of”—because that’s clearly what you’re attempting to do with Washington. You appropriated the Christian iconography of Christ ascended to heaven and replaced Jesus Christ with George Washington. Come on now! That’s a bit much, wouldn’t you say? Honored as the nation’s first President, fine. But made a god?! Do you mean to suggest that America is a divine creation with heavenly authority to rule the nations? And if that’s not what you mean, then what do you mean to indicate with The Apotheosis of Washington in the Capitol? And this is just one example. You know I could cite many others.