The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution keeps an eye on individuals and groups who seek to spread extremist ideology under a Christian-religious veneer. As the government explains in a response to a parliamentary inquiry by the Greens, these actors “in the course of their agitation adopt (pseudo-)Christian motives and discourses” and adapt them “to ideologically underpin expressions or behaviors directed at certain social groups, as well as, in parts, extremist conspiracy theories.” In this sense, their actions are aimed at the liberal-democratic basic order.
Some of these actors are active on social media as influencers. In the government’s response, it states that within this circle there are “contacts and networking efforts in political milieus at home and abroad, such as toward members of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.”
Green Party politician sees no problem with the major churches — on the contrary
Right-wing extremists used religiously charged imagery and narratives to attract especially young people, as the government has now confirmed, says Green Party interior policy spokeswoman Marlene Schönberger. “So-called Christfluencers with ties to the AfD and the MAGA movement merge right-wing extremist ideology, Christian-symbolic imagery, and conspiracy theories.”
Lamya Kaddor, the Greens’ parliamentary commissioner for religious policy, says that in light of the close cooperation with the major churches, it is clear to her: “The federal government must devote more attention to the instrumentalization of Christian symbolism and narratives by right-wing extremists.”
Greens point to the “Reliable Word” Baptist Church
“Media reports show that isolated groups, individuals, networks, and online actors with broad reach, some publications described as Christian-fundamentalist, spread right-conservative to far-right, anti-LGBTQ, antifeminist, racist, antisemitic, and anti-democratic positions, referencing Christianity,” according to the Greens’ parliamentary inquiry (PDF).
As an example, the “Reliable Word” Baptist Church in Pforzheim was cited, which is monitored by the Baden-Württemberg State Office for the Protection of the Constitution. Its pastor Andy Shamoon publicly stated that homosexuals “deserved death,” and they “should actually be eradicated by the state somehow” (TheColu.mn reported). Shamoon was legally convicted of incitement to hatred and sentenced to a fine (TheColu.mn reported). (mize)
