Christian nationalist leaders have told their followers that Vice President Kamala Harris is under the influence of a “Jezebel spirit,” has used deeply racist and misogynistic language, and religious scholars and political scientists are sounding the alarm.
The concept is inspired by the Biblical story of the evil queen Jezebel, who persecuted the prophets and was punished with a gruesome death. The word “Jezebel” has been used during slavery and throughout U.S. history to describe black women as overtly sexual and untrustworthy.
In the context of “the spirit of Jezebel,” the term has an evil connotation, suggesting that the person is under the influence of an evil spirit in a spiritual battle between good and evil. Those who have studied the Jan. 6 riot warn that similar rhetoric about spiritual warfare drove many to the Capitol that day.
“People have heard that this woman is possessed by a hardcore, scary demonic spirit that hates men, hates authority, and wants to do whatever it wants,” said the University of Pennsylvania. said Anthea Butler, professor and author of the book. His book “White Evangelical Racism” is a study of the New Apostolic Reformation.
Butler said the term is coded language to communicate that the person – usually a Democrat, Black or multiracial woman – is not acceptable as a candidate. Although Harris is a Christian and Baptist, Butler said religious leaders’ association of her with Jezebel falsely suggests she is non-Christian.
Where did this term come from?
In the Old Testament, Jezebel is one of the most despicable villains. She was a foreign-born queen who wielded great power, persecuted prophets, and worshiped false gods. In the end, she was punished by being thrown out of a window, trampled by horses, and eaten by dogs.
Later in the Bible, Jezebel appears as a false prophet who foretells the end times and promotes sexual promiscuity.
The term has a long history of being used against women in the United States, especially black women. During the era of slavery, this idea was used to justify the systematic sexual assault and rape of black women and girls. In the past, it has been used to target other women, such as Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama, and to categorize movements such as feminism, abortion rights, and LGBTQ+ rights.
Conceptualizing women candidates through a “Jezebel mentality” is dangerous, says Tamra Lomax, author of “Jezebel Unhinged” and associate professor of religious studies at Michigan State University.
“Any woman who steps into her power in any way will be seen as this Jezebel who deserves violence,” she said.
Who is using that term? And why?
This usage originates from a politicized movement of charismatic Christianity called the New Apostolic Reformation, a decentralized but highly networked movement whose leaders were affiliated with demonic forces. He is involved in spiritual warfare and widely teaches that he can speak through people. In this case, the spirit of Jezebel is the devil working on earth and has the characteristics of the Biblical Jezebel.
See more: With support from Republicans, Harris speaks from the site where Washington crossed the Delaware River
The term is being used to provoke and provoke Christians with apocalyptic sensibilities with the message that the next election is “do or die,” says a new book, Violent Armed Seizure. Matthew Taylor, who explains the history of the Apostolic Reformation, says: and details its influence on the January 6 riot.
“It’s being used as a way to justify attacks,” Taylor said. “Christians are to love their enemies. …But Christians are allowed to hate demons.”
And some people may use that militant rhetoric to justify real-world violence, he said.
The movement was most evident on January 6, when believers waged “spiritual warfare” at the Capitol, Taylor said. When an attack takes place, people sing religious songs, pray, and blow the shofar (a horn in Jewish tradition inspired by its use at the Biblical Battle of Jericho and adopted by Christian nationalists). I did.
Since that day, there has been a huge increase in talk of spiritual warfare in American politics, Taylor said.
Christian nationalism is a fusion of American and Christian identities and calls for a privileged position for Christianity in American public life.
Taylor said Wallnow, who has 1 million followers on Facebook, is considered a prophet of the New Apostolic Reformation and receives messages directly from God. He was an early evangelical Trump supporter and remains closely connected to the Trump campaign. Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance recently appeared at an event hosted by Wallnow.
The Trump and Harris campaigns did not respond to requests for comment.
Wallnau posted a video to X saying, “Kamala has the spirit of Jezebel, the spirit of Jezebel, which is the hallmark of the Bible.” He is the embodiment of intimidation, seduction, control and manipulation,” he added. “She looks like the president, but that’s what I call a witchcraft seduction.” In another video, he said Harris is “an amalgamation of the Jezebel spirit in even more creepy ways than Hillary[Clinton].” He said that he represents the body. Because she brings in racial elements and she’s young.
Read more: Evangelicals support Kamala Harris: ‘Tired of seeing meanness and bigotry’
Meanwhile, some preachers associated with the New Apostolic Reformation have described Trump as anointed by God and fighting on the side of angels.
Wallnow did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press. However, following backlash for using the “Jezebel spirit” rhetoric, Wallnow posted to X to clarify his thoughts about Harris.
“For the record, Kamala is not the devil, and no living soul on earth is the devil. However, people, political parties, and organizational structures can be under the influence of the devil.” wrote Wallnow on September 29th.
This phrase has also permeated voting races. In Indiana, the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor said the election is between the “strength and godly boldness” of the state’s Republican Party and the “Jezebel spirit” of the Democratic Party, led by three women.
Micah Beckwith, a pastor and self-proclaimed Christian nationalist, did not respond to voicemail or text messages seeking clarification on his comments.
Beckwith told IndyStar earlier this month that his comments were not about gender, but about Democratic ideas.
On Oct. 12, New Apostolic Reform leader Choi Ahn declared in the National Post that President Trump is a “type of Jehu,” the Biblical figure who overthrew Jezebel’s rule and ordered her to be put to death. Thousands gathered to pray on the mall. Ahn did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press, but urged the crowd to leave the venue and vote.
“I believe and declare that on November 5th, Mr. Trump will win,” he told the audience. “He will be our 47th president and Kamala Harris will be ousted.”
