There’s no “fine line” between church & State: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” [FN1] That IN’s Constitution is more explicit [FN2][FN3] is of no matter to IN GOP Lt Gov Beckwith. 1/20

A “Christian nationalist,” [FN4] Beckwith’s rise in politics validates H.L. Mencken. [FN5]
But hey: Time is short. While free speech still is allowed, Beckwith’s claims of chats w/his “Lord” about politics should be dissected for what they are: lies. [FN6] 2/20

Beckwith relates “chats” that are of benefit to Beckwith’s career. Their contrast with President Lincoln’s reflections during the Civil War are stark. Of course, Lincoln opposed the forces of racism and bigotry that Beckwith advances. [FN7] 3/20

1) Specific talks. Beckwith seems to have had two chats. [FN8]
First chat. Beckwith disclosed it in a “selfie” video shot in his car: “I sent those riots to Washington. What you saw yesterday [01/06/21] was my hand at work.” [FN9] 4/20

Second chat. Beckwith quoted: “‘Micah, if you do not get involved in the political battle, they will warp and destroy everything that I have set up in this nation that is rooted in Judeo-Christian principles.’ Those principles go away, then our nation goes away.” [FN10] 5/20

2) Flaws in the chats.
A) First chat: Beckwith doesn’t believe it (aside from his having made it up), or he would have called defense attorneys for defendants charged for the insurrection. Even w/so many defendants, one call & info would have been shared. 6/20

B) First chat: at a pre-convention campaign event, an audience member said: “I think everybody in this room probably recognized January 6th as an FBI – [Nancy] Pelosi state operation.” Beckwith said: “Yeah.” [FN11] “God” got contradicted & gets no respect... 7/20

C) First chat: Asked about it, Beckwith said, “Yeah. I didn’t say I liked it [] the Lord is doing and allowing ... people to do things like [] Jan 6. Now, I don't think it was an insurrection by any stretch of the imagination.” [FN12] 8/20

D) Second chat: Beckwith’s rendition of what was said is a bit weak. God pleads w/Beckwith to “get involved in the political battle” or else “everything that I have set up in this nation that is rooted in Judeo-Christian principles” will be destroyed.” [FN13] 9/20

E) Second chat: “God” sounds unseemly in Beckwith’s rendition, practically begging Beckwith to get involved in politics. There’s also a problem with history. It contradicts the notion that this is a “Christian” nation. [FN14] 10/20

Beckwith’s self-serving, made-up claims should be “South Park” storylines, not statements by a public official. Just in case Beckwith is tempted to report more chats, we need now - a list of chats, by topic, dates & times and audio recordings. 11/20

Beckwith announced last Sunday at his church that Christmas Eve services are canceled. [FN15] Maybe he plans to reveal more chats. If he’s trying to lob softball punch lines for standup comics, those jokes are hackneyed. 12/20

Footnotes:
FN1. U.S. Const., Amend I.
FN2. Article I of Indiana’s Constitution is titled “Bill of Rights.” 13/20

FN3. §2 Natural Rt to Worship; §3 Freedom of religious opinions & rts of conscience; §4 Freedom of religion; §5 Rel test for office; §6 Public $ for benefit of religious or theological institutions; §7 Witness competent regardless of religious opinions. 14/20

FN4. IN Lt Gov Micah Beckwith uses the label “Christian nationalist” himself. E.g., see, Alexandria Burris, “Q&A: Micah Beckwith on his embrace of Christian nationalism, America's founding and who gets to govern,” IndyStar, 11/12/25, accessed 12/22/25. 15/20

FN5. H.L. Mencken observed that no one ever went broke by underestimating the intelligence of the American public.
FN6. An “untrue statement made with intent to deceive.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 1974 ed., p. 406. 16/20

FN7. David Herbert Donald, “Lincoln,” 1996 ed., pp. 566-68.
FN8. To date I am unaware of Beckwith saying a recording exists of any of the chats in question. If there is such a tape, I’m all ears.
FN9. Wren, Adam, “Confessions of a (non)-book banner,” Importantville, 09/24/23. 17/20

FN10. Beckwith related it at a campaign stop a week before the 2024 GOP State convention. “‘People say, wow, that’s super extreme. No, it’s not’: What Micah Beckwith is telling GOP delegates to win them over,” Nathan Gotsch, 6/10/24.
FN11. Id.
FN12. Wren at FN8.
FN13. Id., Gotsch, FN9. 18/20

FN14. Beckwith should read The Federalist, 85 essays Hamilton, Madison and Jay wrote in favor of ratification. An argument against ratification was its disregard of religion. Lee, The Godless Constitution and the Ratification Battle, Big Think, 8/18/2012 19/20

FN15. Beckwith tosses up lobs for jokes w/stale punchlines. “On Sunday, Beckwith announced during his sermon that Christmas Eve services were canceled.” Tom Lobianco, “Indiana pastor Nathan Peternel...: 24Sight News, 12/22/25. 20/20