On October 18, 2025, approximately six million people participated in “No Kings” rallies at around 2,600 sites nationwide, marking the largest day of rallies since the first Earth Day in 1970. While many clergy and lay Christians attended, some conservative figures attempted to label the rallies as anti-Christian. For instance, pundit Erick Erickson suggested participants were abandoning church for a “secular religion.”
Attending a rally in Missouri, the author highlighted the presence of active church members and Christian messages, countering claims of a lack of faith at the events. The author emphasized the concept of church-state separation, discussing its historical roots with leaders like Thomas Helwys, who advocated for religious liberty against the backdrop of European monarchies. Such advocacy sought to ensure no ruler had power over individual faith, which aligns with principles framed by American founders like Thomas Jefferson.
The article critiques contemporary authoritarianism and Christian Nationalism, warning against unjust government influence over religion. Specific examples include legislative attempts to introduce altered versions of the Ten Commandments in schools that could marginalize other faiths and rewrite biblical texts. The author calls for rejecting these movements to uphold religious freedom for all, reinforcing that “No Kings” signifies no theocracy and no government control over religion.
