“American Jesus” takes on the idea that God favors America, rather than other countries. Greg Graffin said “During the Gulf War, George Bush said, ‘We’ll win, because God is on our side!’. What an amazing statement!” The song touches on antisemitism, war, and religion as an excuse.
Music video
The video is entirely in sepia tone. It shows the band driving around in a car through Los Angeles, with various pedestrians carrying crosses around the city with blindfolds on. The video cuts to clips of the band performing in the desert as well as Graffin walking through the city. It ends with the civilians chanting “one nation, under God” while standing in a row.
