The main topic of the article is an analysis of how the radical right-wing party AfD in Germany uses Christian religion and culture for political purposes. The article highlights that AfD employs Christian symbols and tradition as a means to strengthen its political platform, especially in the context of fears about migration and Islam. Although AfD nurtures closeness to Christian tradition, open believers within the party are rare, and major Christian churches and German security services accuse AfD of hate speech and intolerance. AfD uses Christianity as a symbol of national identity and as a counter to the alleged “de-Christianization” of Germany, while simultaneously opposing gender rights and the LGBTQ+ community. The article also compares the situation in Europe with the US, where evangelical billionaires financially support the radical right. AfD uses religion mainly as a political tool rather than out of deep piety.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning sources emphasize the manipulative use of religion by the far-right AfD party to promote xenophobia, Islamophobia, and social conservatism. They highlight the party’s use of Christian symbols as a political tool rather than genuine faith, and criticize its stance against LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality. The left also points out the dangers of hate speech and the party’s role in spreading intolerance.
Center: Center-leaning sources provide a balanced view, acknowledging AfD’s strategic use of Christian cultural identity to appeal to voters concerned about migration and social change. They note the party’s limited genuine religiosity and the criticism it faces from mainstream churches and security agencies. The center perspective also discusses the broader societal context of secularization and the political instrumentalization of religion.
Right: Right-leaning sources tend to emphasize the importance of preserving Christian cultural heritage and values in the face of increasing migration and perceived threats from Islam. They may defend AfD’s emphasis on traditional family values and opposition to gender ideology as legitimate concerns. Some right-leaning narratives frame the party’s use of religion as a necessary defense of national identity and social cohesion.
