In an article from Mother Jones, “To Understand JD Vance, You Need to Meet the ‘TheoBros’,” about a loosely affiliated extreme Christian nationalist group of pastors and influencers. Some of these guys “believe that the Constitution is dead and that we should be governed by the Ten Commandments.” The more I think about it, the less it makes sense. And even in less extreme groups, the Big Ten are thrown around as if it’s obvious that they should be a touchstone for our laws.

Let’s set to one side the fact that 40% of the Ten Commandments are about God (which is exactly why they should not be displayed—alone and/or without context—in our civic institutions). The Christian Nationalists and others want a theocracy. But do they really want all of the Commandments?

For example, respecting the Sabbath: Are they willing to commit to all workers having Saturday off, all stores and gas stations closed? (I’ll grant them Sunday instead, if they insist.) Would their submissive wives be freed from their domestic labors one full day a week?

Most folks are fine with the no killing and no stealing and honoring one’s parents. The not committing adultery has not gone very well for lots of public evangelicals/fundamentalists. I’m sure these extremists are confident that they are adultery-proof, but human nature isn’t really on their side.

Not bearing false witness seems to prohibit passing on rumors about immigrants eating pets or disingenuously denying climate change.

And how would one enforce the not coveting on a national level, which is 20% of the commandments? I mean, if you take it seriously it would mean the end of most advertisements and a good chunk of how our economy is structured.

The not taking the Lord’s name in vain, IMHO, is violated daily by folks who conflate God and guns, God and the US, God and domination, who cover up abuse in the church, etc. The TheoBros and their ideological neighbors would disagree, but it’s a question I want to ask them.

Also, it is interesting that in the MoJo article, Jesus is mentioned by these guys hardly at all . . .