Jesus Wasn’t a Fascist: How American Christianity Became Empire in a Cross Necklace

Protesters outside the U.S. Capitol hold flags and signs; one woman carries a Jesus image wearing a MAGA hat. Photo credit: Tyler Merbler

Did you know that “Jesus” didn’t even exist as a name until the 1400s? The letter “J” wasn’t part of the alphabet until then—so the guy we call “Jesus” today was, in fact, never actually called that. The real name of the figure who has been so fiercely claimed by the Christian faith was Yeshua.

Yeshua was a common name back in the day; derived from the Hebrew name “Yehoshua,” meaning “Yahweh is salvation.” So, for the sake of accuracy and historical clarity, let’s stick with Yeshua. Let’s use his real name—because calling him “Jesus” is just another example of how this whole narrative got twisted over the centuries.

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Yeshua was executed by the Romans. Not because he was divine. Not because he was “fulfilling prophecy.” But because he was a political agitator. A threat. A man stirring up poor and colonized people under one of the most brutal empires the world had ever seen. He called out the elite. He flipped tables in temples. He told the rich to give everything away. His death wasn’t some holy cosmic event—it was a state-sanctioned hit to preserve imperial order and keep the underclass in line.