'Christ is King' under siege: Evangelicals warn phrase is being weaponized by hate groups

Fox News - Apr 20th, 2025
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A recent study by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) at Rutgers highlights the misuse of the phrase 'Christ is King' by extremist groups. The phrase, originally intended as a spiritual guide, has been co-opted by far-right and far-left actors, including figures like Nick Fuentes and Andrew Tate, to promote anti-Judeo-Christian ideologies. The study, co-authored by Dr. Jordan Peterson, reveals that over 50% of online engagements with the phrase are driven by extremist influencers and bot activities. Evangelical leaders are now unified in reclaiming the phrase to restore its original intent as a call to worship, not a tool for spreading hate.

The implications of this co-optation are significant as it highlights the growing trend of online manipulation by extremist groups. The NCRI's findings also point to social engagement connections with the Chinese Communist Party, further complicating the issue. Rev. Johnnie Moore and other evangelical leaders emphasize the importance of standing firm against these manipulations, asserting the phrase's true meaning and its importance to millions of Christians worldwide. This development underlines the ongoing battle against the hijacking of religious symbols for political agendas, especially in the face of rising antisemitism.

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RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a timely and largely accurate account of the appropriation of the phrase "Christ is King" by extremist groups, supported by credible sources like the Network Contagion Research Institute and key figures such as Dr. Jordan Peterson. While the story effectively highlights the concerns of evangelical leaders and researchers, it could benefit from a broader range of perspectives and improved transparency regarding the methodology of the NCRI's findings. The article's structure and clarity could be refined to enhance readability and engagement. Despite these areas for improvement, the article addresses a topic of public interest with potential for significant impact, particularly in the context of ongoing discussions about extremism and misinformation. Overall, the story successfully raises awareness about the misuse of religious phrases and the broader implications for cultural and religious identity.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story presents a largely accurate account of the situation regarding the phrase "Christ is King" and its appropriation by extremist groups. The involvement of the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) at Rutgers and their studies on misinformation trends are correctly reported, as is the historical context of the phrase's resurgence with Pope Pius XI's 1925 institution of The Feast of Christ the King. The article's claims about the roles of figures like Nick Fuentes and the use of bot networks to spread antisemitic content are consistent with known information. However, specific data points, such as the exact percentages of bot activity, would require verification from NCRI's original reports. Overall, the factual claims are well-supported by the sources cited, though some areas, particularly those involving quantitative data, could benefit from additional verification.

7
Balance

The article predominantly presents perspectives from evangelical leaders and researchers concerned about the misuse of the phrase "Christ is King." While it includes viewpoints from both religious figures and academic sources, it could benefit from a broader range of perspectives, such as those from the groups accused of co-opting the phrase. The focus on evangelical leaders' responses and the NCRI's findings suggests a slight bias towards defending the traditional use of the phrase. The inclusion of comments from individuals like Rev. Johnnie Moore and Robby George provides a balanced religious perspective, but the absence of voices from those accused of misusing the phrase leaves the narrative somewhat one-sided.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its presentation of the main issues, using straightforward language to convey the concerns about the misuse of "Christ is King." However, the structure could be improved to enhance logical flow and coherence. The narrative jumps between different topics, such as the historical context, current misuse by extremists, and evangelical leaders' responses, which can make it challenging for readers to follow the argument. Additionally, the inclusion of unrelated elements, like the mention of a chocolate Easter bunny, detracts from the article's focus and clarity. Overall, while the language is accessible, the organization could be refined for better comprehension.

8
Source quality

The article relies on credible sources, including the Network Contagion Research Institute and well-known figures like Dr. Jordan Peterson and Rev. Johnnie Moore. These sources are authoritative in their respective fields, lending credibility to the claims made in the story. The NCRI, as an academic institution, provides a reliable foundation for the article's claims about misinformation trends. However, the article could enhance its credibility by including direct quotes or data from the NCRI's original reports. Overall, the sources used are reputable and contribute positively to the article's reliability.

6
Transparency

The article provides some context for its claims, particularly regarding the historical background of the phrase "Christ is King" and the roles of specific individuals like Nick Fuentes. However, it lacks detailed transparency about the methodology used by the NCRI to track the misuse of the phrase and the specifics of their findings. The article could improve transparency by explaining how the data on bot activity and extremist influencers was obtained and analyzed. Additionally, the potential conflicts of interest, such as the religious affiliations of the sources, are not explicitly addressed, which could impact the perceived impartiality of the article.

Sources

  1. https://www.christianitytoday.com/2024/03/christ-king-antisemitism-russell-moore-candace-owens/
  2. https://www.premierchristianity.com/news-analysis/explained-why-is-everyone-up-in-arms-about-christ-is-king/17450.article
  3. https://www.catholic.com/audio/cot/is-saying-christ-is-king-antisemitic
  4. http://midwestapologetics.org/blog/?p=2195
  5. https://g3min.org/christ-is-king/