Christian nationalist leaders have recently used a loaded term to describe Vice President Kamala Harris, claiming she embodies a “Jezebel spirit.” This term carries significant racial and misogynistic undertones, sparking concern among scholars of religion and politics.
The term “Jezebel” originates from the biblical story of Queen Jezebel, who, after persecuting prophets and worshiping false gods, suffered a violent fate. Historically in the U.S., the term has been used to demean Black women, portraying them as hypersexual and untrustworthy—a stereotype often employed to justify violence and oppression.
Today, the “Jezebel spirit” implies that someone is influenced by demonic forces, a theme that some scholars say contributed to the sense of spiritual warfare that drove individuals to storm the U.S. Capitol on January 6. Dr. Anthea Butler, professor at the University of Pennsylvania, points out that this language reinforces a coded message: a Black or multiracial woman, particularly one associated with the Democratic Party, is unacceptable in political power. Although Harris is a practicing Christian and Baptist, labeling her as Jezebel wrongfully implies she is an outsider to Christianity.
Where Does “Jezebel” Come From?
In the Bible, Jezebel is depicted as a ruthless foreign queen who persecuted prophets and defied traditional authority. Her violent punishment—being thrown from a window, trampled, and eaten by dogs—cemented her image as one of scripture’s most reviled figures. In the New Testament, Jezebel reappears as a symbol of false prophecy and moral corruption, adding to her notoriety.
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This association has long been applied to vilify women, especially Black women, in the U.S. During slavery, the stereotype was weaponized to justify the exploitation of Black women. Figures like Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton have also faced similar attacks, being labeled with the “Jezebel” trope to undermine their authority. According to Dr. Tamura Lomax, a religious studies professor, any woman exerting influence risks being framed as a “Jezebel” who is deserving of scorn or worse.
Why and How the Term is Used
This rhetoric has roots in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), a movement within charismatic Christianity emphasizing a cosmic battle between good and evil, often invoking demonic forces. For leaders within this movement, calling someone a “Jezebel” is not merely an insult; it frames them as a force of evil. Matthew Taylor, author of The Violent Take It By Force, argues that this language is intended to mobilize Christians, positioning elections as existential battles.
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Taylor suggests that by identifying someone as demonic, proponents justify hostility toward that person. Christianity traditionally encourages love for one’s enemies, but hatred toward “demons” can inspire an entirely different approach—one that, in some cases, spills over into real-world violence.
The Broader Impact of Christian Nationalism
Christian nationalism, a movement that merges American identity with Christianity, seeks to give the faith a dominant role in public life. Leaders like Lance Wallnau, a self-proclaimed prophet within NAR, rally their audiences with claims that Harris embodies a “Jezebel spirit.” In a recent video, Wallnau described this spirit as a force of “intimidation, seduction, domination, and manipulation,” even suggesting that her presidential potential reflects a form of witchcraft.
This rhetoric, which is gaining traction among those with a heightened sense of spiritual warfare, has only intensified since January 6. On that day, religious songs and prayers were prominent as some rioters viewed the attack as a divine battle.
As discussions about spiritual warfare become more common in U.S. politics, scholars warn that using religiously charged language, especially in ways that demonize and dehumanize, carries grave risks for society at large.
