Insurrection as Apocalypse: Charismatic Rupture in Fascism and Authoritarianism

In the United States, the January 6, 2021 insurrection continues to be legitimized by significant sections of the Right Wing. In the first days of February 2022, as The New York Times, described: “Republicans were forced to either explain or denounce a party resolution characterizing the events of January 6th as legitimate forms of political discourse” (Epstein and Goldmacher 2022). Epstein and Goldmacher observe that this may only be “preview of the battles ahead, with a series of upcoming primary contests pitting candidates loyal to Mr. Trump against those who, to varying degrees, resist his distortions about the election.” Democratic discourse relies on, if not a robust consensus in Habermas’ sense, at least common appreciation of “the rules of the game” and “discourse” (Ingraham 2019). This implies a recognition of the legitimacy of the process. But what if a significant number see that process as illegitimate: as “rigged,” or even the “mark of the Beast” (Revelation 13)? This paper will explore some religious logics within QAnon, a driving force in the 2021 Insurrection. It will consider QAnon’s persistence in the American religious landscape. The potency of the religious discourse within QAnon legitimizes the “cause” of political insurrection and coup—and there is no “trumping” the Transcendent claims for authority that religion (or pseudo-religion) conjures up, especially with its authoritarian dimensions (Adorno 2000 [1975]). In his “1937 article ‘Fascism, Son of Liberalism,’ Jacques Ellul described a shift taking place: from a society based on law to a society based on propaganda and what Ellul terms as ‘technique’” (Rollison 2017). Ellul reflects on how both Leftist and Right-Wing discourse instrumentalize the “masses” via technical apparatuses and psychological mechanisms of polarization. The paper will unpack the political consequences for the polarization of 21st century Christians in the political landscape, especially via the “Culture Wars” thesis from Hunter (1991). As Christians try to place themselves in the contemporary categories of Right/Left politics, the result is sometimes feelings of “political orphanhood.” This is precisely the foundation for a turn toward the anti-establishment (anti-)politics of the charismatic (Weber 1968), and nostalgic fascist tendencies (MAGA) combined with populism (Adorno 2000 [1975]). This paper also suggests a call to action, channeling the voices of French theologian and sociologist, Jacques Ellul, and the 21st century Christian journalist, Chris Hedges. This is a critical moment for Christians to encounter, confront, and challenge fascistic tendencies within their own communities.