When Donald Trump repeatedly says that “religion is coming back” in America, his words should be taken seriously. He is not speculating; he is announcing a deliberate plan. To ignore such repeated statements is to overlook the major shifts in church–state relations taking place today and how religion is reemerging as a public, political, and cultural force—one that will wield greater influence than it has at any point in American history.
On December 4, 2025, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump participated in the annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in the nation’s capital. During this nationally broadcast event, President Trump made the following statement:
• “America has stood tall in part because millions of our citizens have heeded that call, and the faith and service of Christians have been essential parts of America’s strength from the very, very beginning. Incredible. We love the Christians. We love all religions. And by the way, religion is coming back to the USA. You see that, very strongly” (Video).
In previous speeches, Trump has explicitly told religious audiences that, when he regains the presidency, they would have “more power than ever before.” [1] Read together with the Christmas tree lighting remarks, this suggests a promise of expanded political leverage for religious groups, greater influence over legislation and public policy, a stronger voice in education, courts, and public institutions, and the ability to shape national identity and moral standards. In this sense, “religion coming back” does not mean personal spirituality or private worship, but a re-legitimization of religion as a governing force in the nation.
If President Trump’s words at the 2025 National Christmas Tree Lighting—“religion is coming back to the USA very strongly”—mean that religious liberty will be protected so that churches can preach the gospel freely, encourage a relationship with Jesus Christ, and proclaim truth without harassment or unjust obstacles, then that is good and should be welcomed. But if those words describe something different—if “religion coming back” means a revival of church-and-state union, where political power is used to punish dissent or pressure the public into conformity—then that is actually very concerning.
A government that protects the free exercise of religion is doing what it is supposed to do, but the moment the state moves from protecting faith to imposing it, that is when the gospel is corrupted, conscience is violated, and the state becomes an agent of tyranny. Revelation 13 describes a power that arises with lamb-like qualities—symbolizing freedom and Christian principles—yet ultimately speaks with the voice of a dragon by enforcing religious observance through civil authority. When political leaders argue that faith is necessary for national survival, the next logical step is to promote that faith through the law.
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