Some Christian nationalist leaders are using a term with a dark history to describe Vice President Kamala Harris. They say shes under the influence of a “Jezebel spirit“ – a phrase thats setting off alarms for religious and political experts.
The term “Jezebel“ comes from a biblical story about an evil queen. It was used during slavery to describe Black women‚ painting them as untrustworthy and overly sexual. Now its being used in a spiritual context‚ suggesting someone is controlled by evil forces.
Experts whoʼve studied the 1/6 event say similar talk about spiritual battles led many people to the Capitol that day. “People are hearing this woman is possessed by a demonic spirit thats hardcore‚ terrible hates men‚ hates authority‚ is going to do whatever she wants to do‚“ said Anthea Butler‚ a professor at the University of Pennsylvania.
The use of this term comes from a group called the New Apostolic Reformation. Its a network of charismatic Christians who believe in spiritual warfare and demons working through people. One of its leaders‚ Lance Wallnau‚ has used the “Jezebel spirit“ term to describe Harris. He said‚ “with Kamala you have a Jezebel spirit‚ a characteristic in the Bible‚ that is a Jezebel spirit: The personification of intimidation seduction‚ domination and manipulation“
Experts warn that this kind of language can be dangerous. “Any woman whos stepping into her power in any kind of way‚ is going to be seen as this Jezebel who is deserving of violence‚“ said Tamura Lomax‚ an associate professor at Michigan State University.
The use of this term has spread to other political races too. In Indiana‚ a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor used it to describe the Democratic ticket‚ which is led by three women.
On 10/12/24‚ thousands gathered at the National Mall where a leader in the New Apostolic Reformation prayed for Trump to win the upcoming election. He told the crowd‚ “I decree it by faith that Trump will win on November the 5th. He will be our 47th president and Kamala Harris will be cast out“