New Hampshire primary results; TikTok Jesus and transactional faith; Lenin's death anniversary and his role in history; concerns about judges' appointments and anticipation for 2024; prosperity gospel and exploitation of underprivileged communities; worshiping Lenin and religious sentiments; potential for dictatorship in the US.
The New Hampshire primary results highlight the shift within the Republican party away from traditional conservatism and the diminishing influence of high-profile evangelists on Trump's support base.
The popularity of an AI-generated Jesus account on TikTok raises concerns about the transactional nature of faith in the digital age and the potential for counterfeit worship.
Deep dives
Nikki Haley falls short in New Hampshire primary
In the New Hampshire primary, Nikki Haley falls short of interrupting Donald Trump's sense of inevitability. Trump wins the state with 54% of the vote, while Haley receives 43%. This outcome puts an end to hopes of preventing Trump from securing the Republican nomination. It also highlights that the party is no longer dominated by old-fashioned conservatives. The absence of high-profile evangelists in this year's election suggests that Trump no longer needs to court the evangelical vote, as they are already his devoted followers.
The rise of AI-generated Jesus on TikTok
The popularity of an AI-generated Jesus account on TikTok called Daily Believer raises questions about the hunger for worship and faith in the digital age. Viewers are drawn to the animations of Jesus promising protection, blessings, and hope in exchange for likes, comments, and shares. The account taps into the desire for an eschatology and a sense of divine intervention. However, it also reflects a tendency towards transactional relationships with God and a lack of authentic encounters with Jesus in traditional church settings. The AI-generated Jesus becomes a substitute for true spiritual connection and offers a counterfeit form of worship.
Lenin's enduring impact on Russia and the world
Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the Bolshevik Revolution and the first head of the Soviet Union, remains a significant figure who reshaped Russia and influenced the 20th century. Despite his atrocities and the deaths of millions under his regime, Lenin is still idolized in Russia as his embalmed body is displayed in the Lenin Mausoleum. Lenin's reign set the stage for the birth of the Soviet Union and paved the way for subsequent dictatorships. The lingering presence of his embalmed body raises questions about the worship of political figures and the blurred boundaries between politics, power, and faith.
The danger of justifying atrocities in pursuit of an ideology
The actions and crimes committed under Lenin's rule and subsequent leaders like Stalin highlight the ability of human beings to justify and rationalize atrocities in the pursuit of a greater political or ideological goal. Central to this justification is the dehumanization of perceived obstacles or enemies to the ideology's progress. This pattern is reflected in other ideologies and regimes throughout history, where the march of history or the fulfillment of an ideology becomes more important than individual lives and morality. This danger becomes even more pronounced when religious or faith-based elements are incorporated, distorting genuine spiritual connections and leading to idolatry and manipulation.
Trump wins the NH primary, TikTok Jesus hawks a prosperity gospel, and Lenin is dead (still).
This week on The Bulletin, hosts Mike Cosper, Nicole Martin, and Russell Moore are joined by The Dispatch columnist Mona Charen for a New Hampshire primary post-mortem. The quartet discuss Nikki Haley’s viability, Trump’s domination at the polls, and what America needs as it moves toward the general election. Next, Mike, Nicole and Russell deep dive into TikTok and find an AI Jesus who promises to fulfill our deepest longings, prompting the question, “Is our understanding of faith too transactional?” Finally, this week marked the 100th anniversary of Vladimir Lenin’s death. If the dead still speak, what can they say about our present moment?