Religious Revival and the Rise of the New Right

Christian fundamentalism and the concept of Judeo-Christianity has taken over political and religious discourse in Hungary

As the communists quickly fell from power throughout Central and Eastern Europe in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the region experienced a revival in both religion and politics. Both had been suppressed to varying degrees, depending on which country you happen to look at at. Hungary was not among the worst, at least in terms of religion: there was a certain amount of religious freedom, especially toward the end of communist rule.

With the lifting of the Iron Curtain, the remaining restrictions were lifted. Subsequently, political parties made their debut or emerged from hiding. Among them were a host of "traditional" parties, ones which had existed prior to the communist takeover of the late 1940s, such as the Christian Democrats and Smallholders.

Ten years on, what can be seen in Hungary is how both religion and politics on the right have been co-opted by a neo-con (neo-conservative) variant, one which aims to infuse notions of Christian fundamentalism in both religion and politics. At the heart of this lies the concept of Judeo-Christianity.

Judeo-Christianity is a term which seemingly denotes an integral link between Judaism and Christianity. Yet this link doesn't exist in reality; rather, it's vague concept skillfully promulgated by Christian fundamentalists and the far right to serve a larger political agenda. In particular, it is used as a means to give tacit support to a rogue state involved in frequent acts of terrorism: the present state of Israel.

God's CNN

There are strong and growing ties between right-wing Christian fundamentalists and right-wing Sharonist Israeli expansionists. Many Christian fundamentalists consider themselves Christian Zionists. Christian Zionism draws its inspiration from Genesis 12:3, which reads as follows: "I will bless those who bless you. And the one who curses you, I will curse."

According to Don Wagner, a professor of religion and director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at North Park University in Chicago, Christian Zionists have interpreted this to mean that individuals and nations who support the state of Israel will be blessed by God. "It has come to mean political, economic, and moral support, often uncritically rendered to the state of Israel," claims Dr. Wagner.

As a result, most fundamentalist Christians are rabidly pro-Israel, as exemplified by "Stand Up for Israel", a group in the US formed to "mobilize Christians and other people of faith to support the State of Israel." Moreover, President Bush himself has very strong ties to fundamentalist Christians, most notably Franklin Graham. In the US, Franklin Graham is well-known not only for being the son of the legendary preacher Billy Graham, but also for calling Islam "a very evil and wicked religion."

Not content with merely preaching to the converted in North America, Christian Zionism has been spreading its influence to places far and wide, including remote areas such as Mongolia (Mongolia's New God). Russell Mokhiber and Robert Weissman, in an article entitled Grace News reveal how an organisation calling itself Grace News Network uses the mass media as a "unique tool in the Lord's ministry plan for the world." Hence, "Grace News Network will be reporting the current secular news, along with aggressive proclamations that will 'change the news' to reflect the Kingdom of God and its purposes," GNN proclaims.

Mokhiber and Weissman point out that GNN has also produced a documentary movie titled "Israel: Divine Destiny" which was shown at the National Press Club in September 2002. The film is about Israel's destiny and the role of the US in that destiny.

Onward Christian Soldiers

It's no coincidence, then, that the concept of Judeo-Christianity (which was term foreign until now in the former East Bloc) has accompanied the rise of Christian fundamentalism in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. In Hungary, this can be seen in the increasing number of religious preachers spewing their dogma -- both in public places and on television -- as well as the "Jesus Loves You" graffiti spray-painted throughout Budapest, including newly refurbished art-nouveau buildings.

As a result, the underlying notions behind the concept of Judeo-Christianity has slowly but surely made their way into traditional religious discourse as well as in politics. This, in turn, has paved the way for the rise of the new right. In addition to harking on "traditional" values centering on family, religion, and morality, the new right in Hungary seeks to control their space on the political spectrum through a complex web of alliances and associations; those who don't fall into line are sidelined and rendered politically ineffective. The demise of the Smallholders was a classic example. Able to command a solid 10% of voter support in post-communist Hungary for over a decade, after the machinations were over the party could barely scrape together one percent of the vote in the 2002 elections.

What all this attests to is the shifting political landscape in Hungary and elsewhere in the region, from a pluralistic, multi-party democracy to one dominated by a two-party system split between the business left and the business right. It's a political setup which has become almost standard for most democracies of the industrialised west. It also serves to define foreign policy along the lines of what Huntington viewed as a "clash of civilizations". Moreover, it provides uncritical support for Israel, a state which seeks to displace and destroy the lives of Palestinians in the occupied territories.

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