A new controversy has erupted in conservative circles as a group calling itself the Coalition of Zionist Republicans (CZR) has declared the phrase “Christ is King” to be the new N-word.
The coalition, spearheaded by Daily Wire heavyweights Jeremy Boreing and Ben Shapiro, alongside psychologist Jordan Peterson and Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon, claims the phrase has been weaponized by unsavory characters and must be eradicated from public discourse.
Their mission is clear: cancel Candace Owens and Jack Posobiec, two prominent voices who have dared to utter the now-taboo declaration, by the end of 2025.
The debate kicked off last year when Owens, then a Daily Wire host, clashed with Shapiro over her vocal opposition to U.S. involvement in foreign wars, including Israel’s conflict with Hamas.
Her one-time unrelated use of “Christ is King” during the spat was labeled antisemitic by coalition members, who argue it’s a dog whistle for hate when used in certain contexts. Owens was subsequently axed from the outlet, with Boreing announcing the split in March 2024, stating the company had “ended their relationship” with her.
“Context is everything,” Boreing explained in a recent interview. “Saying ‘Christ is King’ isn’t the issue—unless you’re saying it to make a point against someone who disagrees with you, then it’s basically a slur.”
Peterson, known for his lengthy lectures on meaning and morality, joined the fray with a 12-page study co-authored with 11 Jewish scholars and one lone Christian, concluding that the phrase’s historical baggage renders it unfit for modern use. The coalition insists this isn’t about silencing faith but protecting it from misuse.
Critics, however, see it as a bizarre twist of cancel culture from a group that’s spent years railing against it.
“It’s not cancel culture when we do it,” Shapiro clarified on his podcast. “We’re just holding people accountable for saying things we don’t like in ways we don’t approve of.”
Owens has doubled down, launching her own platform and proudly proclaiming “Christ is King” to her growing audience. Posobiec has also refused to back off, tweeting the phrase repeatedly. The coalition’s response has been swift, with plans to petition social media platforms to flag the phrase as hate speech and blacklist its users.
“This is about decency,” Dillon said. “We can’t let just anyone claim Christ’s kingship—especially not people who disagree with us.”
The absurdity of the situation hasn’t been lost on observers, many of whom note the coalition’s members have built careers on free speech absolutism. Last week, Shapiro debated a caller who asked why a Christian affirmation was suddenly verboten, only to pivot to a rant about woke censorship. Meanwhile, Owens and Posobiec have turned the controversy into a rallying cry, with supporters flooding X with the phrase in defiance.
“I’m not sure what’s funnier,” Owens remarked at a recent event. “The idea that I’m a bigot for loving Jesus, or that Ben thinks he can cancel me again.”
Did you get a laugh out of this article? Show your support for the principles of free speech and stand with Freedom Writers by signing our petition today!