Surgeon General-Designee Casey Means: The Christian Right's Latest Rebranding as "MAHA"
In a stunning move, Donald Trump has nominated Casey Means, a self-proclaimed wellness influencer with no medical license, to serve as the nation's Surgeon General. At first glance, it seems like an unlikely choice, but Means' affinity for occult-speak and woo-woo spirituality is more than coincidental.
Means' writings veer into a "more New Age direction," where she posits that the body can be seen as a "radio receiver" attuning us to the divine. Her fascination with spirituality and mysticism is not new, having mentioned building meditation shrines in her house, performing full moon ceremonies, and even communing with trees. These practices have led some to accuse Means of embracing fake science while ignoring real science.
The Christian right has long been known for its skepticism towards feminism and women's rights, but Means' affinity for the divine feminine is particularly striking. She writes about shedding her identity as a feminist and embracing "a completely different and greater power: the divine." This sentiment echoes conservative Christians' views that women are subservient to men, not equals.
The Christian right has struggled with its own branding issues, particularly among younger Americans who are increasingly rejecting organized religion. To counter this trend, they've turned to a more vague spirituality, one that emphasizes individual wellness and self-improvement. This approach allows them to maintain their retrograde views on social control while adopting a more marketable, Instagram-friendly aesthetic.
Tucker Carlson, a prominent figure in the Christian right, is a case in point. His show has taken on a overtly Christian nationalist lean, and he's used Means to spread lies about hormonal birth control, claiming it's a "disrespect of life." This is not surprising, given the Christian right's long-standing claims that American women were better off before the pill was invented or abortion was legalized.
The fantasy that there was once a "natural" past era when people were healthier has appeal to some quarters. The Christian right exploits this notion to push a deeply anti-feminist message. This is part of their broader rebranding efforts, which include the "MAHA" (Make America Healthy Again) slogan. Meantime, conservative Christians are using tactics like claiming abortion pills are water contaminants under anti-pollution laws β a clear example of the devil's tools being used against them.
This is not just a case of charlatans riding the coattails of influential figures; Christian right groups are actively packaging their views with MAHA branding. It's a cynical attempt to disguise their retrograde ideology behind a veneer of wellness and self-improvement.
In a stunning move, Donald Trump has nominated Casey Means, a self-proclaimed wellness influencer with no medical license, to serve as the nation's Surgeon General. At first glance, it seems like an unlikely choice, but Means' affinity for occult-speak and woo-woo spirituality is more than coincidental.
Means' writings veer into a "more New Age direction," where she posits that the body can be seen as a "radio receiver" attuning us to the divine. Her fascination with spirituality and mysticism is not new, having mentioned building meditation shrines in her house, performing full moon ceremonies, and even communing with trees. These practices have led some to accuse Means of embracing fake science while ignoring real science.
The Christian right has long been known for its skepticism towards feminism and women's rights, but Means' affinity for the divine feminine is particularly striking. She writes about shedding her identity as a feminist and embracing "a completely different and greater power: the divine." This sentiment echoes conservative Christians' views that women are subservient to men, not equals.
The Christian right has struggled with its own branding issues, particularly among younger Americans who are increasingly rejecting organized religion. To counter this trend, they've turned to a more vague spirituality, one that emphasizes individual wellness and self-improvement. This approach allows them to maintain their retrograde views on social control while adopting a more marketable, Instagram-friendly aesthetic.
Tucker Carlson, a prominent figure in the Christian right, is a case in point. His show has taken on a overtly Christian nationalist lean, and he's used Means to spread lies about hormonal birth control, claiming it's a "disrespect of life." This is not surprising, given the Christian right's long-standing claims that American women were better off before the pill was invented or abortion was legalized.
The fantasy that there was once a "natural" past era when people were healthier has appeal to some quarters. The Christian right exploits this notion to push a deeply anti-feminist message. This is part of their broader rebranding efforts, which include the "MAHA" (Make America Healthy Again) slogan. Meantime, conservative Christians are using tactics like claiming abortion pills are water contaminants under anti-pollution laws β a clear example of the devil's tools being used against them.
This is not just a case of charlatans riding the coattails of influential figures; Christian right groups are actively packaging their views with MAHA branding. It's a cynical attempt to disguise their retrograde ideology behind a veneer of wellness and self-improvement.