becomes all about power instead of faith, something dangerous can happen. That’s what we’re diving into in this 7-part blog series on religious fascism.

You might be thinking, “Religious what?” Don’t worry. We’ll keep it simple.

What Is Religious Fascism?

Fascism is when a government or movement demands total control and doesn’t allow people to speak out or think differently. Now, mix that with religion, and you’ve got something even more powerful—and more dangerous.

Religious fascism is when a religion is used as a weapon to push people into obeying leaders, attacking others, and giving up their freedoms. Instead of focusing on kindness or spirituality, it becomes all about who’s “in” and who’s “out.” And once you’re labeled as “out,” bad things usually follow.

This has happened again and again throughout the last 100+ years. In Europe. In America. Around the world.

Why Should You Care?

Because it’s happening again—right now.

We’re seeing more people twist religious ideas to gain political power, stir up hate, and divide society. History is starting to repeat itself, and too many people don’t realize it. They don’t see the warning signs. They don’t know how this kind of thing started—or how fast it can grow.

This blog series is here to help change that.

We’re going to walk through history—from World War I to the present day—and look at how religious fascism took root, how it spread, and what it means for us now. We’re keeping it plain and easy to follow, with real stories, examples, and connections to today’s world. You don’t need a PhD to get it. Just curiosity and a little bit of time.

What’s in the Series?

Each article will focus on a different time period. You’ll see how religious fascism didn’t just pop up overnight. It crept in slowly, growing step by step, decade by decade. You’ll also see how some of the same tricks used back then—like blaming certain groups, twisting holy texts, or demanding total loyalty—are showing up again now.

Here’s what each part of the series covers:

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Part 1: The Faithful and the Fearful – Religion’s Role in Early Fascism (World War I to 1929)

This first article dives into the years after World War I, when fear and loss made people desperate for answers. We’ll look at how religious leaders and politicians in Europe teamed up to promise safety, tradition, and a return to “moral order.” Sounds good on the surface—but underneath it was about control, exclusion, and setting the stage for worse things to come.

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Part 2: Between Cross and Swastika – Religion’s Role in Fascism’s Rise (1930 to 1935)

In this period, fascist movements in Italy and Germany gained ground fast. Religion was used to make fascist ideas look holy, noble, and even “God-approved.” Churches often stayed quiet or helped out. This piece explores how fear and pride were blended with faith to grow something dark.

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Part 3: Faith in the Fire – Religion and the Spread of Fascism (1936 to 1941)

As war grew near, fascist leaders used religion to stir up loyalty and hate. From Catholic groups backing Franco in Spain to Protestant leaders praising Hitler, religion wasn’t just along for the ride—it helped drive the car. This article shows how good intentions got swallowed up by dangerous alliances.

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Part 4: Prayers and Propaganda – Religion During World War II (1941 to 1946)

This section explores how religion was used during the war itself—sometimes to resist evil, but often to support it. Some churches stood against violence and racism. Others stayed silent—or worse, cheered it on. We’ll look at both.

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Part 5: Building a Holy Nation – Religious Fascism After the War (1946 to 1960)

After the war, you’d think people would be done with fascism. But religious nationalism found new ways to grow—especially in the United States. This article shows how faith was blended with patriotism, anti-communism, and fear of outsiders. Sound familiar?

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Part 6: God’s Country or Just Politics? – Faith and Power in the Culture Wars (1960 to 1980)

This part explores how the 1960s and 70s, full of protests and social change, led to a backlash. Some religious leaders pushed back hard against civil rights, feminism, and new ideas—claiming they were defending “God’s will.” But really, many were building political power.

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Part 7: The Moral Majority and Beyond – Religious Fascism from Reagan to the 2000s (1980 to 1999)

This piece dives into the rise of the Religious Right, megachurches, and media empires. You’ll see how preachers became politicians and how “family values” got turned into political weapons. We’ll look at how fear of change kept people looking for someone to blame.

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Bonus: Today’s Threat – Why Religious Fascism Is Still a Danger

This final post is a full-length conclusion. It ties everything together and brings us into the present. What are the warning signs today? How do we stop it? What role can ordinary people play in protecting our country—and our faith—from being twisted?

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What You’ll Learn

This series isn’t just about the past. It’s about learning how to recognize the signs of religious fascism now—when it still might be stopped.

Here’s what you’ll take away from reading the series:

• How fear, loss, and change make people vulnerable to extreme ideas

• How religious language is used to cover up hate or gain power

• Why churches and faith leaders sometimes help dangerous movements—on purpose or by staying silent

• How regular people, including people of faith, can push back against manipulation

• What’s happening today that looks a lot like the past

This isn’t about bashing religion. It’s about protecting it—from people who want to use it for the wrong reasons.

Why I’m Writing This

I’m writing this series because I’ve seen where this road leads. I’ve read the history. I’ve watched the news. And I know that if we don’t learn from the past, we’re likely to repeat it—only this time with faster technology, louder voices, and bigger consequences.

I’m also writing it for folks who may feel something is off but can’t quite put it into words. Maybe you’ve heard people twisting your faith to justify hate or greed. Maybe you’ve watched churches go quiet when things get tough. Maybe you just want to understand what’s happening—and how to make sense of it.

If any of that sounds familiar, this series is for you.

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Let’s Get Started: The Faithful and the Fearful (1914–1929)

The first part of our series is ready. It’s called:

“The Faithful and the Fearful: Religion’s Role in Early Fascism (The First World War until 1929)”

This article takes you back to a time when the world was reeling from war. Millions were dead. Families were grieving. Countries were broke. And leaders were desperate to rebuild.

In this chaos, religious leaders and politicians found each other. Together, they promised to bring back stability and moral order. But their version of peace came with a catch: obey, conform, and fear those who are different.

It’s the start of a very old story, and sadly, it’s one we’re seeing echoes of today.

Read the full article to learn how the seeds of religious fascism were planted—and how they started to grow.

👉 Read Part 1: The Faithful and the Fearful – Religion’s Role in Early Fascism (World War I to 1929)

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Stay tuned for more parts in this series over the next few weeks. Subscribe to the newsletter, share with friends, and leave your thoughts in the comments. Let’s talk about it—before history repeats itself again.

This blog post and series was written with the assistance of ChatGPT.