"They Make a Wasteland and Call it Peace": Putin and White Evangelicalism

 

“Robbers of the world, having by their universal plunder exhausted the land, they rifle the deep. If the enemy be rich, they are rapacious; if he be poor, they lust for dominion; neither the east nor the west has been able to satisfy them. Alone among men they covet with equal eagerness poverty and riches. To robbery, slaughter, plunder, they give the lying name of empire; they make a wasteland and call it peace.”

 

~ Tacitus (Calgacus’ Speech)

 

***  

 

I don’t blog about current events very often, but I wanted to talk about two parallel and related wars being waged right now.

 

The first is Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. Vladimir Putin, believing the West to be weak, appears to be hell-bent on restoring the old empire, talking in increasingly fascist ways, decided to invade a sovereign neighbor. Since Ukraine is clearly not welcoming the Russian invasion like Putin seems to have believed - or at least told his army - he continues to escalate attacks against civilians, with the apparent goal of brutalizing Ukrainians into submission. The Western world seems to be coming together, imposing sanctions that have rapidly deglobalized the Russian economy, likely crippling it for the foreseeable future.  

 

The second war is here in the United States, where white fundamentalist evangelical christians have decided to escalate the culture wars, adopting a scorched-earth approach. In the states that they control, they have taken rapid action in several ways. First, they believe they can criminalize abortions. In some cases, they are attempting to punish their own residents who obtain abortions in places where they are legal, and increasingly intrude into the lives and bodies of women by investigating all miscarriages. Second, they are going after LGBTQ people, particularly children, with “don’t say gay” bills - in some cases specifically stating that it is forbidden to “offend christians” by talking about LGBTQ issues, or “normalizing” the existence of LGBTQ people. And then there are the CPS investigations of parents who affirm their transgender children. The third is unsurprising to me, but seems to have caught others off guard. This is the jihad against what they call “Critical Race Theory.” By which they mean accurately teaching about systemic racism and the history of racial exploitation, enslavement, and genocide in our history. 

 

These are all three related, and they are a “holy war” by white fundamentalists against the rest of us. Like Putin, they have elected a scorched-earth policy, that of winning at all costs, no matter how many children are killed or injured. 

 

Both of these wars are also related in that they are short-sighted, and based on demographic panic. They are also based on the same Culture Wars™ over race, gender, and sexuality. Putin and his US apologists have blamed gay rights for the war, of course. Just like Fundies blame LGBTQ people for everything bad that happens. It’s nice to have a scapegoat for the consequences of your own failures…

 

Let’s take a look at that:

 

***

 

Russia’s population has been in long-term decline, with the last two years particularly bad. It had a net loss of nearly a million people during the Covid pandemic, in part because of its low vaccination rates and failing healthcare system. It had the second-highest Covid death rate in the world. It is believed that widespread distrust of the government is a significant factor.

 

But there are other problems. Russia has the same problem most developed nations have: a low and shrinking birth rate. Actually, Russia has that problem worse than most, and it has resisted immigration, resulting in net losses. That by itself isn’t a huge problem - Japan has a shrinking and aging population yet doesn’t seem inclined to start a war. 

 

Also relevant here is that Russia has a dismally low life expectancy for males, caused by a high suicide rate, and high rates of alcoholism and drug abuse. This too has contributed to the shrinking population. 

 

Likewise, since the fall of Communism, Russia has struggled to switch over to a functional economic system. Rather than some form of social democracy (like the rest of the first world has to some degree or other), state assets were auctioned off to insiders, who have now become the oligarchs that help keep Putin in power. For most ordinary Russians, things have not gotten much better than under Communism, if at all. Particularly problematic is the state of the healthcare system. It seems to have retained all of the problems of a state-run system - lack of flexibility, crumbling infrastructure, failure to adapt to new needs - while gaining the problems of a capitalist one - underservice of low income people, lack of investment, higher costs, rent seeking. So it’s a hot mess. 

 

Russia also lacks a good vision for the future. With an aging population, the population is expected to continue to fall at least for the next decade. Attempts to increase the birth rate have flopped, as have attempts to convince Russian ex-pats to return. The economy is strongly dependent on fossil fuel exports, and other sectors have largely atrophied. If the world does the right thing and pivots away from fossil fuels, Russia is looking at a bleak future with little to offer a global world. A general malaise seems to affect the population. Because Putin is a dictator, there are no easy ways for younger Russians to make changes and better their own futures. The net result is that during Putin’s 22 years in power, Russia’s population has declined, and looks poised to continue to decline over the short and long term.

 

Apparently, unable or unwilling to take the actions necessary to actually improve Russia from the inside, Putin has decided that the way to shake off the malaise, prove Russian virility, and unite his country (and thus guarantee his continued power) is to start a war.

 

***

 

White Evangelicalism is likewise facing a catastrophic demographic decline. Religion in general in the United States is declining rapidly. And this is likely to increase in rate as the Baby Boomer generation dies off. My kids’ generation, Gen Z, is majority non-religious. (And, anecdotally, horrified at white evangelicalism.) As I predicted when Trump was supported by white evangelicals, there is now an association that will be impossible to sever. The stink will never come off. People considering a religious tradition will now associate evangelicalism with white supremacy, misogyny, and anti-LGBTQ hate. Which goes completely against the values held by most Gen Z people. 

 

So, the same problems that plague Russia also plague white evangelicalism. A shrinking and aging population. Political policies that have made life a lot worse for young people. Nothing positive to offer. 

 

So, like Putin, they have decided that total war is the solution to their problems. They succeeded in packing the Supreme Court, so they are pretty certain (I think rightfully so) that our court system will not stop them in their legislative agenda. They think they can gerrymander and suppress votes enough to stay in power for a while. And they may be right. 

 

But ultimately, just like Russia, they have the problem of demographics. And they have the problem that it is easy to blow stuff up, and a lot harder to build. Sure, they could in a worst case scenario exterminate LGBTQ people, disenfranchise racial minorities and young people…and….then what? 

 

I mean, I guess they would need to force government support of churches, because they won’t get money voluntarily. They could compel attendance. But that is also very short term, and is unlikely to survive for long if the population doesn’t buy in. 

 

Totalitarianism is incredibly difficult and expensive to sustain on a long-term basis, and even more so if you haven’t at least won the hearts and minds of most of the population.

 

***

 

“They make a wasteland and call it peace.” 

 

The context of the quote is Tacitus’ account of the invasion of Britain by the Roman Empire. The speaker is probably fictional, and his speech is definitely by Tacitus. But it is powerful nonetheless. The British commander rallies his troops, describing what Empire always looks like. “Robbers of the world.” Seeking power and glory and a feeling of virility. But in reality just leaving a wasteland behind. The word Tacitus uses has been translated various ways. I first saw it as “They make a desert and call it peace.” I have also seen “desolation” and “solitude.” I think this captures the range of meanings - Empire destroys, leaving little to nothing living behind. I have gone with “wasteland” because I think it captures the idea best - although I strongly considered “desolation” as an alternative. 

 

“To robbery, slaughter, plunder, they give the lying name of empire.”

 

Putin wants his empire, but the whole world can see that he is just a robber, stealing a country, slaughtering men, women, and children, and plundering what he conquers. He has nothing positive to offer to Ukraine or to his own people.

 

White Evangelicals want their empire too. But the whole world can see that it is just a steaming pile of shit. They are addicted to white supremacy, and to coddling their own feelings about what they have done and continue to do. They are devoted to keeping women in a place of subservience. They hate and want to exterminate LGBTQ people. The whole world can see that they seek robbery and slaughter and plunder. They have nothing more to offer to their neighbors than Putin has to offer the world. 

 

***

 

What will be the result of these two wars?

 

I honestly do not know. 

 

Russia may very well conquer and plunder Ukraine. 

 

White Evangelicals may in fact succeed in ending democracy in America and setting up a theofascist system, at least in some states. 

 

But one thing is certain:

 

“They make a wasteland and call it peace.” 

 

I did freelance work for my father-in-law when I was in law school. I learned a lot from him over the years. One thing I will never forget is that he taught me that there are two ways to lose a lawsuit. First, you can outright lose it. Second, you can “win” it, but at a cost that makes the victory meaningless. 

 

This is exactly what Putin and White Evangelicalism are doing. They may lose their respective wars in the short term. Or, they may “win” their wars in the short term. 

 

But they are causing death and damage and destruction in the long term - and not primarily to their enemies. Russia at best is looking at a deglobalization that will cripple their economy and technology for decades. Even if Putin is removed, the invasion is ended, and they rejoin the rest of the world, they will be unlikely to be trusted in any meaningful way. Just as a case in point, no aircraft leasing company will be doing future business with Russian airlines. Not for decades - Russia will have to show a pattern of stable government that makes the risk acceptable. 

 

Things aren’t looking great for the future of Russia - or for Putin in the long term. His own people do not appear to support the war. They are likely to see their country regress in many significant ways. They will lose access to goods from abroad, and their economic status will likely decline significantly. As a result, Putin, if he wishes to stay in power, will have to spend increasing resources to keep the Russian people repressed. There is no win here. 

 

Putin has made his own country a wasteland. 

 

White Evangelicals face the same problem - except worse. Most Russians cannot simply leave Russia. But, despite attempts to the contrary, you cannot force people to believe what they refuse to believe. You can murder them, but you can’t force belief - and eventually you lose that game. 

 

Not only is white evangelicalism now synonymous with Donald “grab them by the pussy” Trump, the evangelical brand is now synonymous with some other things:

 

Tearing children from their supportive and loving families because Fundies hate the existence of transgender people

 

Banning books that challenge Fundie doctrines

 

Banning books that describe racism or teach history accurately

 

Prosecuting teachers for acknowledging the existence of LGBTQ people, or systemic racism

 

Ending access to birth control (yes, this is the next step after abortion bans, and already happening)

 

Vote suppression - particularly for minorities, urban residents, and young people.

 

Let’s be honest: the stink of white supremacy is now all over white evangelicalism, and it isn’t coming off. The reek of violent hate against sexual minorities is never coming off. The reputation as the religion of cruelty and harshness isn’t going to go away. 

 

Even with political power, without a buy-in from the next generation, the only option is increased force and violence to keep a restive population from revolting. As the older generation dies off, the younger generation is going to be increasingly dissatisfied with a theocracy they never wanted. There is no win here.

 

White evangelicals have made their religion a wasteland. 

 

That is ultimately the problem with a scorched-earth war: you are left with scorched earth. 

 

You have made a wasteland and called it peace. You have robbed, slaughtered, and plundered in the name of what you call Empire. 

 

***

 

And let’s talk about one more thing. Because both Russia and White Evangelicalism are facing a shrinking and aging population - and because it is primarily the older generations that are thirsting for war - this is a long-term problem. A war driven by the old is unsustainable. Revolutions have to be driven by the young - the old trying to return the past is just reactionism, and is likewise unsustainable. 

 

At some point, younger people get tired of putting up with the nasty old farts that want to sacrifice their futures for some bigoted principle or idea of glory. 

 

We are already seeing the cracks in both wars. In Russia, younger citizens have taken to the streets in protest. Putin feels the need already - just a few weeks into the war - to call for repressive measures against free speech in Russia. He has to repress his own people to sustain this. 

 

Likewise, students are already protesting and filing lawsuits in Florida and other states that have enacted repressive laws. And just anecdotally, from my own kids, you might be shocked how many of their peers have Fundie Conservative parents, yet identify as some combination of Communist, Socialist, and LGBTQ. They are sick and tired of their parents shit. And so, to be honest, am I. White Evangelicals can choose to be bigots if they wish. But they cannot expect the decent people of the world to be friends with them. You don’t get to say disgusting and terrible things and not be treated accordingly. You cannot target my kids with cruel legislation and expect me to invite you to dinner, or pretend that you are a decent person. You aren’t. You can complain all you want about “cancel culture,” but here’s the naked truth: all this is is ordinary social and moral consequences for your bad behavior. 

 

This is ultimately why the fight has shifted to a scorched earth policy. At the level of hearts and minds, both the Ukraine invasion and the Culture Wars™ were lost decades ago. All that is left is violence and brutality and hatred. 

 

You have made a wasteland and called it peace. 

 

***

 

Most kids of my generation grew up on Dr. Seuss. Our sense of morality was in part formed by the wisdom of that man, imparted through poetry and delightfully unusual drawings. We learned about the stupidity of the nuclear arms race, the silliness of racism, and the need for environmental conservation. And more, of course. 

 

One that stands out in this context, though, is Yertle the Turtle. The eponymous turtle, dissatisfied with ruling the pond, considers himself “king of all I can see,” and starts to expand his empire. By stacking turtles so he can see more. This ends badly, because the guy at the bottom of the pile burps, and the whole thing comes crashing down. 

 

“And today the great Yertle, that marvelous he, is king of the mud, for that’s all he can see.”

 

***

 

One final thought: Ukraine is fighting like they have nothing to lose. Which is pretty accurate. Russia has taken a lot of casualties - the numbers are all over the place, as is usual in a war where both sides have reason to spin the numbers, and it’s not like you can just go count bodies on an active battlefield. But Putin can’t lie about bodies. Soldiers will not be coming home, and many more will come home injured. It seems pretty clear that the Russian army was not told they would be invading a foreign country, and the planning was also done mostly in the dark. This is pretty good evidence that Putin knew he didn’t even have his own people behind him. 

 

I feel a lot of solidarity with Ukraine myself, which is why I wrote this post. It is why I saw the parallel. 

 

I have a transgender child, and it is horrifying to see a group of people - one you used to be part of - declare scorched-earth war on people like your kid. 

 

As I said, I cannot foresee the outcome of either of these wars. The path of history is never clear or predetermined. 

 

But what I can say is that, like the Ukrainian people, I am ready to fight. I do not know how much time I have left on this earth, but I will likely have to spend it fighting back against this evil. Against the toxic religious forces that seek to destroy my family. If we can beat back the tide of theofascism before it “wins,” so be it. If not, the fight will move to other battlefields. I am reminded of Churchill after the evacuation of Dunkirk and the fall of France, when it was unclear if the Nazis would conquer all of Europe or not. 

 

“Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.”

 

Leaving aside the issues of Empire, this is the rallying cry of the decent people of the world opposed to fascism in all its forms, whether the racist and nationalist fascism of Putin and Trump, or the theological fascism of white evangelicalism. You are going to have to kill all of us. We will fight you with our votes, we will fight you with our words, we will fight you by exposing your hate a viciousness for all to see. And with everything we have, we will protect our kids from you. 

 

You can create a wasteland and a desolation. But we will fucking never call it peace.