Star-Spangled Jesus Quotes

“It's hard to stay in a black-and-white belief system after you've seen glimpses of color.”
― April Ajoy, Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding A True Faith

“When people are afraid, they are more easily controlled, especially when you also offer a solution that can eradicate their fear. I've seen first-hand how the dread of hell is used not only to convert people, but to keep us in line.”
― April Ajoy, Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding A True Faith

“But all it takes is a little bit of doubt for a small hint of a conspiracy to take root. Then it grows a little deeper with each new YouTube video recorded by men in basements with shoddy microphones and dubious facts.”
― April Ajoy, Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding A True Faith

“I was now the dreaded 'Christian' in quotes.
That's like being called a MFer in evangelical.”
― April Ajoy, Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding A True Faith

“Christian Nationalism and White Supremacy are as connected as a burning cross in front of that American flag.”
― April Ajoy, Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding A True Faith

“From now on, whenever someone tells me about the [insert derogatory label here] person living down the street, instead of dismissing them, I want to get to know them. So much of my learning and growth out of the Christian Nationalism mindset has happened because I sat and listened to people of different groups and mindsets.”
― April Ajoy, Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding a True Faith

“Because once you take off the rose-colored glasses Christian Nationalism told you to wear, you can’t unsee the deep-rooted racism of your church, your community, and your nation. And you have a choice: Be the bad guy and uphold the status quo, or fight for racial equity.”
― April Ajoy, Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding a True Faith

“Because it's hard to demonize people once you're close enough to see the divine in them.”
― April Ajoy, Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding A True Faith

“But baseless conspiracies can radicalize even the kindest of pastors enough to choose politics over people.”
― April Ajoy, Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding A True Faith

“Thank God for personal growth.”
― April Ajoy, Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding A True Faith

“Because when has the country ever been great for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color?”
― April Ajoy, Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding A True Faith

“That’s the thing. Jesus’ biggest adversaries were constantly trying to enact morality laws. Perhaps they believed forcing people to obey their rules would bring everyone closer to God. Jesus, though? He regularly bucked the laws the religious leaders tried to enforce. And I don’t think it’s because he was in his rebel phase. I think Jesus knew forcing people to follow your own version of morality isn’t right. Jesus was people focused. Love always came before the law. I feel like the question Jesus would ask Christian Nationalists today would be: How much more valuable is a person than a political seat?”
― April Ajoy, Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding a True Faith

“That’s the thing. Jesus’ biggest adversaries were constantly trying to enact morality laws. Perhaps they believed forcing people to obey their rules would bring everyone closer to God.”
― April Ajoy, Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding a True Faith

“Let’s Go Brandon.”
― April Ajoy, Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding a True Faith

“It would destroy God’s favor on our country.”
― April Ajoy, Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding a True Faith

“Abortion was murder and no Christian should support it. Even hinting at the nuance got you branded a "baby killer" so it was best to just stick to a black and white approach.”
― April Ajoy, Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding A True Faith

“All that evangelical street cred I earned was flushed down the toilet. Gone the moment I didn't vote red.”
― April Ajoy, Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding A True Faith