Confronting the Theological Stronghold of Evangelicalism
De-Zionizing the United States requires an unflinching examination of the religious ideology that has shaped its historical and political trajectory. The nation was not only founded on Protestant principles but has evolved through a unique theological lens that intertwined American exceptionalism with Biblical prophecy. This belief system, which ultimately gave rise to dispensationalism, has made unwavering support for Israel a near-sacred tenet among large swaths of the American population.
Protestants make up roughly 35-40% of the U.S. population, with Evangelicals forming the most politically engaged and influential segment. Ironically, the most zealous form of Zionism in the U.S. is not Jewish but Evangelical Protestant. This stems from dispensationalism, a theological framework originating in the 19th century with figures such as John Nelson Darby. The ideology gained prominence in the U.S. through the work of Cyrus Scofield, whose annotated Bible promoted these ideas, and later through authors like Hal Lindsey and Tim LaHaye, whose Left Behind series solidified dispensationalist thought in popular culture.
At the core of dispensationalist theology is the belief that the return of Jews to the Holy Land is a divine prerequisite for the Second Coming of Christ. To its adherents, the modern state of Israel is God’s chosen nation, and its survival and territorial expansion are essential for fulfilling Biblical prophecy. Any threat to Israel is seen not merely as a geopolitical concern but as a direct confrontation between the forces of good and evil. This deeply ingrained theological conviction extends beyond individual belief and has profoundly shaped American foreign policy.
For decades, dispensationalist ideology has influenced U.S. diplomacy and military strategy through extensive lobbying, massive political donations, and a highly mobilized voting bloc. This influence transcends party lines, with both Republicans and many Democrats either subscribing to or fearing the political consequences of opposing the Evangelical base. Presidential candidates routinely affirm their unwavering support for Israel, not merely to appease influential organisations like AIPAC but to secure the backing of millions of Evangelical voters who see Israeli statehood as divinely ordained.
The reinforcement of these beliefs begins at an early age through Evangelical media, megachurch sermons, Christian television networks, and homeschooling curricula. Children in Evangelical households are exposed to pro-Israel teachings from childhood, ensuring that dispensationalist ideology is perpetuated across generations. This has resulted in an American electorate deeply conditioned to view support for Israel as a moral and spiritual obligation rather than a matter of pragmatic foreign policy.
To challenge the grip of Zionist influence in the U.S., it is imperative to dismantle the “theological” foundation that underpins it. This necessitates a multifaceted strategy, including a critical reassessment of religious education, confronting the political power wielded by Evangelical lobbying groups, and encouraging alternative theological interpretations that do not tie U.S. geopolitical interests to Biblical prophecy. Caitlin Johnstone aptly rejects such a foundation stating that, “ Zionism is a political ideology, not a religion. Nowhere in the Bible does it say “Thou shalt drop a new apartheid state on top of a pre-existing civilization thousands of years in the future despite the perpetual war, genocide and abuse its creation will necessarily entail.”
However, without addressing the deeply rooted dispensationalist ideology that sustains unconditional support for Israel, efforts to de-Zionize American politics will remain ineffective. Only through this fundamental ideological shift can the United States pursue a truly independent and balanced foreign policy.
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