Politics

False Idols: How the State Became Our New God

by Brother Carlton 
05/12/25
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Let’s be honest — one of the biggest traps people fall into is putting their trust in the wrong place. We still stamp “In God We Trust” on our money, but as a country, we’ve drifted far from living like we actually believe it. That motto came from a time when people understood something important: man is flawed. Human nature is bent toward selfishness and corruption. That’s why the old-timers didn’t blindly trust politicians, systems, or institutions. They were cautious — not hateful, just wise.

It’s like parenting. You can love your child with all your heart, but you still don’t hand your car keys to a nine-year-old. Not because you don’t love them — but because they’re not ready. Same goes for how we deal with human authority. Love people? Yes. Trust them blindly? No.

But here’s the problem: when people stop trusting God, they don’t stop trusting altogether. They just shift their trust to something else — usually something manmade. Could be technology, money, political leaders, or the worst of all — the government. And when that happens, the state becomes their god.

St. Augustine warned us about this centuries ago. In The City of God, he said that when a nation turns away from God, the government becomes just a legalized gang of thieves — a super-mafia in suits. The very people it claims to serve become its victims.

And here’s the strange part: even as the government mistreats people — taxes them, censors them, spies on them — they still cling to it. They plead for it to fix the very mess it caused. Like the false prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:26, they cry out, “Help us! Save us!” But they’re talking to a false god that cannot and will not deliver.

Just the Facts: What’s Really Going On

Let’s look at real numbers. President Donald Trump ran on a promise to “drain the swamp” and cut reckless government spending. Many conservatives rallied behind him, thinking he’d shrink the size of government. But what actually happened?

In his first 100 days in office in 2017, the federal government spent $1.063 trillion, up from $1.026 trillion the year before. That’s a $37 billion jump — not a cut.

By the end of Trump’s term, he had added over $7.8 trillion to the national debt — the third-largest increase in U.S. history. The total debt hit $27.8 trillion by January 2021. To put it bluntly: Trump added more to the debt in four years than Obama did in eight. Despite the tough conservative talk, the idol of big government only grew stronger.

And this isn’t about Trump alone. Presidents come and go, but the system keeps growing. It feeds off power, spending, and control — no matter who’s in charge. Most of them are just figureheads. Puppets doing what they’re told.

The State Acting Like God

This isn’t just about money. Let’s look at a few ways the modern state acts like a false god today:

1. “Trust the Science” — But Don’t Ask Questions
During COVID, we were told to “trust the science.” But when doctors or researchers questioned lockdowns or vaccine mandates, they were silenced. That’s not science — that’s dogma. The government demanded obedience and punished doubt. Sounds more like a religion than a republic.

2. Surveillance Over Safety
Government surveillance now watches your emails, texts, location, even your voice. We’re told it’s for our safety. But only God should be all-seeing. When the state watches everyone, everywhere, all the time — it’s not protecting you, it’s controlling you.

3. Government as Provider
More people now look to the state for food, housing, healthcare, even emotional validation. There’s a growing dependency — not on God, not on family, not even on community — but on bureaucracy. When government becomes provider, it replaces the Provider.

4. Laws That Punish Believers
Christian bakers, website designers, and business owners have been fined or sued for standing by their beliefs. The government is now forcing people to violate their conscience or face consequences. That’s not liberty — that’s idolatry. The state wants to decide right and wrong, and it demands your silence if you disagree.

5. The Cult of the Leader
Look at how some people treat politicians — as if they’re messiahs. They chant their names, wear their faces, and hang on every word. That’s not political support. That’s worship. And it’s dangerous.

The Bottom Line

Even city planning shows this mentality. Back in the day, straight streets weren’t designed just for beauty or traffic flow. They were meant to control people — to make it easier to send in troops or cannons to suppress unrest. It was about order and obedience, not liberty.

Today, the modern state still thinks the same way. Its top priority is not your freedom. It’s self-preservation. And if it has to lie, spend, spy, or silence you to protect itself, it will.

So what do we do? We stop looking to the state as savior. We stop putting our hope in politicians, parties, or platforms. And we return to the One who never changes — the living God. Because when He’s in His rightful place, everything else finds balance. But when the state becomes god... freedom dies, truth gets twisted, and the people suffer.

Brother Carlton ministers the gospel to the Los Angeles area. Formerly a Hollywood actor, SAG member, and property cleanup expert, he now spends most of his time studying the Scriptures and helping small businesses grow more profitably using world-class tactics and strategies. He also offers business coaching and inspirational speaking to help entrepreneurs and individuals achieve greater success. If you're a business owner looking to increase revenue, attract more customers, or need a dynamic speaker for your next event, contact Carlton at [email protected].  Put help in the subject line.