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Event speaker claims Christians ‘constructed a theological justification for political hate’
Arizona State University recently hosted an event on how the “Christian Right” justifies “political hate” with theology.
It drew criticism from at least one conservative professor at the school who raised concerns about ideological bias.
“Drawing on her landmark book, Angelia Wilson examines how organizations on the Christian Right have strategically constructed a theological justification for political hate — and what that means for democracy today,” a flyer for the event reads.
“Through original data collection and financial analysis, Wilson traces how ‘war talk’ has normalized an ethic of hate, transforming faith communities into mobilized political armies,” it states.
The event, titled “Lessons From the Politics of Hate,” was a joint effort by the university’s Hispanic Research Center and School of Politics and Global Studies. Wilson (pictured) is a professor of politics at the University of Manchester.
Her book, “The Politics of Hate: How the Christian Right Darkened America’s Political Soul,” draws from her analysis of more than 20,000 emails from conservative organizations “to examine how the Christian Right has reshaped American political life over the past half century,” according to the flyer.
The organizations she examined include the Faith and Freedom Coalition, Alliance Defending Freedom, and the Family Research Council.
In the book, she argues that Christians view themselves as “exceptional” and believe that protecting their interests requires excluding others. Wilson also criticizes Christians for claiming to promote love while creating a “political industry” that justifies “hate,” according to Baptist News Global.
ASU philosophy professor Owen Anderson told The College Fix the event is ideological, biased, and “a cheap attempt at censorship.”
“By labeling those she disagrees with as hateful she can then claim they should not be permitted to speak or defend their views on campus. This is also why the leftists try to deny the fact that fascists are also leftists who want a socialist government,” Anderson said.
He said that those on the political left are more likely to attempt to silence those with whom they disagree.
“The very hate and bigotry she claims to be studying are found in her and her framing of the problem. She disparages both conservatives and the religious to earn favor with the left that rules the universities,” the professor said.
He added that Americans are frustrated with this trend and want universities to return to being places of open debate rather than ideological control.
Anderson also offered to debate Wilson himself at any time and place, as ASU “will not have a counter point with a presenter who can call out her bigoted assumptions.”
“I volunteer. I’ll debate her at ASU, just name the time and place,” he said.
“But it isn’t just this one instance, you’ll see this time and time again at ASU where a radical leftist is invited to present a position as if it is the truth of the matter and no alternative view is ever invited,” Anderson told The Fix.
The professor said he has documented these instances extensively on his Substack.
Reached for comment on concerns about ideological bias, the event’s listed coordinator, Carley Willis, referred The Fix to the professor who planned the event, Stella Rouse.
Professor Rouse referred The Fix to ASU media relations, which did not respond to requests for comment via email. Professor Wilson also did not respond to requests for comment.
The controversy comes amid broader scrutiny of the university.
A recent College Fix analysis found that ASU financially supports a news site that is biased against President Trump and pro-life viewpoints.
The taxpayer-funded university has paid The Conversation at least $125,000 in membership fees, according to records obtained by The Fix.
