The Christian-Zionist Propaganda Machine
𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐬
In recent years, a growing narrative has circulated within Western evangelical media, particularly through networks like CBN, Daystar, and God TV, claiming that “millions of Iranians are secretly converting to Christianity,” “thousands of mosques are closing,” and “Iran is experiencing a Jesus revolution.” These headlines are often framed as spiritual victories over an oppressive Islamic regime, and many well-meaning Christians share such stories, believing them to be testimonies of God’s miraculous work. However, a closer look reveals that this narrative may be more propaganda than reality—serving both religious and political agendas, particularly those aligned with Zionist and Western geopolitical interests.
The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) and similar evangelical media outlets have long been accused of running a sophisticated propaganda campaign to malign regimes like Iran, using spiritualized rhetoric to justify Western and Israeli geopolitical actions. These networks, heavily funded by pro-Israel organizations, amplify exaggerated claims—such as "millions of Iranians converting to Christianity" and "thousands of mosques closing"—despite little credible evidence . The goal? To paint Iran as a failing theocracy ripe for regime change, aligning perfectly with the agendas of figures like Netanyahu and Trump, who have openly sought to destabilize Tehran .
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐙𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐦: 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝
Many evangelical movements, particularly Dispensationalist factions, have merged theology with hardline Zionism, framing support for Israel as a biblical mandate. This has led to uncritical backing of Israeli and U.S. policies—even when they involve covert operations, sanctions, or regime-change efforts . Former U.S. officials like Ellie Cohanim, who worked under Trump, openly linked anti-Iranian policies with combating antisemitism, further blurring the line between faith and geopolitics . The Iranian regime is certainly guilty of repression, censorship, and religious persecution—particularly against Christians who convert from Islam. However, the reduction of an entire nation to either “oppressed Muslims turning to Christ” or “evil Islamic theocrats” is not only inaccurate—it is dehumanizing. Iran is home to millions of diverse people, including Muslims, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, secularists, and reformists. Many oppose the regime but do not subscribe to Western Christian ideologies. Many others support the Islamic Republic, whether by conviction or pragmatism.
By painting all Iranians as either oppressed masses waiting for Western-style freedom or secret Christians ready to overturn the regime, evangelical propaganda flattens a complex culture and misrepresents the actual struggles of the Iranian people. Furthermore, such messaging can undermine the credibility of real believers in Iran who are living faithfully and quietly, without the fanfare or politicization broadcast by the West.
𝐈𝐫𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐯𝐬. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚: 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐟?
Despite claims of mass conversions, Iran’s Christian population remains small (around 2%), with no verified reports of mosques shutting down in masse . In fact, Ayatollah Khamenei has publicly praised Christian contributions to Iran, even honoring Armenian martyrs from the Iran-Iraq War . The "underground church" narrative is largely pushed by Western-backed groups with vested interests, not neutral observers. Even the Vatican has acknowledged Iran’s dialogue with Christian leaders, contradicting the doom-laden prophecies of CBN .
𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬? 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞
This propaganda serves a clear purpose: to legitimize sanctions, covert ops, and potential military action against Iran. The U.S. has funneled millions into destabilization efforts, while Israel targets Iran’s media and infrastructure . By framing Iran as an anti-Christian tyranny, evangelical media manufactures consent for aggression—all while ignoring the hypocrisy of allying with authoritarian regimes like Saudi Arabia, where Christianity is outright banned .
𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭:
Perhaps the most troubling aspect of this propaganda is the spiritual blindness it reflects in much of the Western evangelical world. Many Christians are quick to label any opposition to Israel or American interests as demonic, while excusing the crimes and immorality committed by these same governments. Their loyalty to politics and prophecy often outweighs their loyalty to Christ’s teachings of truth, peace, and justice. The same Jesus who called for peacemaking, humility, and love of enemies would never endorse propaganda that incites hatred or war in His name.
The evangelical-Zionist alliance has turned Christianity into a tool for empire, distorting scripture to justify realpolitik. While Iran is no utopia, the exaggerated claims of its collapse are more about shaping perceptions than reporting facts. For those once swayed by this propaganda, the challenge is to question who truly benefits—the Kingdom of God, or the kingdoms of this world?
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬:
- [𝐂𝐁𝐍’𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢-𝐈𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚](https://cbn.com/news/news/group-infiltrating-churches-anti-israel-propaganda-launch-political-warfare)
- [𝐊𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐢’𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬](http://english.khamenei.ir/news/8796/)
- [𝐔.𝐒. 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐎𝐩𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐫𝐚𝐧](https://www.france24.com/en/20080701-us-approved-400m-secret-operations-against-iran-us-iran)
- [𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥-𝐙𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞](https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/8/5/16091740/christian-broadcasting-network-cbn-pat-robertson-trump)
