A department chair at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, who attacked Charlie Kirk's faith following his assassination, is teaching religion and faith-related studies at the school.
According to the university's website, Leslie Kaiura is teaching a course entitled "Literature Across Borders: Religion, Faith, and Crises of Faith Across Cultures." Among many topics, the class analyzed what was referred to in the course description as the "misuse of religion, the relationship between church and state and religion and cultures in conflict."
Following a closer look at Kaiura's social media, the professor was found to have made multiple posts about what she called "Christofascism" and "Christian nationalism." She expanded on her views on the subject in one particular post.
"Christian nationalism attempts to mix Christian and American identities and often provides cover for white supremacy," wrote Kaiura. "It puts forward the idea that in order to be a good American, one must be not only a Christian, but a particular variety of Christian."
"Proponents of Christian nationalism are increasingly bold in how they convey their ultimate vision for our society and in their use of actual government funds to meld nationalistic-fundamentalist Christian and American identities," Kaiura continued. "In an ironic twist, by using the Bible to try and justify these policies and this xenophobia, proponents of Christian nationalism actually cheapen the Bible and present an anemic version of Christianity that will never defend the vulnerable, speak truth to power, or give a prophetic word to those who are oppressing others."
In a separate post, she also offered her "Christian" perspective on a video released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, promoting immigration enforcement.
"Below is an example of Christian nationalism playing out in a DHS post," Kaiura said. "King James Bible verses are displayed over a track from a movie that DHS does not have copyright permissions to use. The Bible is used to justify xenophobia, and using scripture, migrants are categorically labeled as wicked by the government. Many migrants are trying to play by the rules, and when they show up for their court proceedings, their hearing is canceled and they are arrested anyway, even though they have done everything asked of them."
"The government using a sacred text to justify any policy is cause for concern. When that usage of a sacred text pairs with a video of a militarized force and glorifies warrior machismo with Hollywood-style cuts of helicopters, night vision goggles, and machine guns, it should give everyone pause."
Immediately after Kirk's assassination, the educator lambasted the late founder of Turning Point USA on social media, as 1819 News previously reported.
"It is spiritually exhausting and demoralizing to see Christians praising a man who used racist, sexist, homo/transphobic language and minimized the problem of gun violence," she wrote in the post. "Jesus never treated the marginalized people or the 'sinners' of his day with mockery or rejection."
Kaiura attends Weatherly Heights Baptist Church in Huntsville. On its website, the church describes itself as "boldly inclusive" and "progressively Baptist."
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