Homebrewed Christianity

Hanna Reichel: Navigating Faith in the Era of Authoritarianism

12 snips
Sep 25, 2025
Hanna Reichel, Associate Professor of Reformed Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary and author of 'For Such a Time as This', discusses navigating faith amid rising authoritarianism. She draws parallels between Trump's America and the Weimar Republic, warning against simplistic analogies. Reichel delves into the power of language, distinguishing between authoritarianism and totalitarianism. She highlights how ancient liturgical practices can offer guidance during political chaos and the importance of discerning emotions for effective resistance.
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INSIGHT

Murkiness Of Historical Parallels

  • Historical parallels matter but are messy; resistance rarely looks cinematic.
  • Reichel urges attending to everyday, murky acts that cumulatively resist authoritarianism.
ADVICE

Resist Engineered Fear

  • Pause before you act and refuse the emotional tide engineered by leaders.
  • Deprive demagogues of their desired pathos by not giving in to shock, fear, or inevitability.
ANECDOTE

Engineered Emergencies Echo Reichstag

  • Reichel compares engineered emergencies to the Reichstag fire tactic.
  • She warns modern leaders manufacture crises to expand power and foster unity against scapegoats.
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