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CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM
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Christian nationalism is a political ideology that seeks to fuse a particular interpretation of Christianity—often emphasizing conservative Protestant or evangelical elements—with American national identity, civic life, government, and culture. It views the United States as fundamentally a "Christian nation" whose laws, institutions, and public symbols should reflect biblical principles or a divine covenant. Symbols associated with it frequently blend traditional Christian iconography (crosses, Bibles) with American patriotic elements (flags, eagles, mottos). This fusion creates imagery suggesting that American identity is inseparable from (a specific form of) Christianity, sometimes implying divine favor, hierarchy, or a call to "restore" the nation to its perceived Christian foundations. These symbols are not inherently "Christian nationalist" in all contexts—many have broader religious or historical meanings—but their combination and usage in political settings (e.g., protests, rallies, or public displays) often signals the ideology.Here are some of the most common symbols drawn from the caricature image you provided, along with their typical explanations:
1. The Christian Cross (often large or prominent, sometimes overlaid on an American flag)Core meaning: The central symbol of Christianity, representing Jesus Christ's crucifixion, sacrifice, redemption, and resurrection. In Christian nationalist contexts it is frequently superimposed on or integrated with the U.S. flag or stars-and-stripes patterns. This visually merges faith with nation, implying America has a special covenant with God or that Christian values should dominate public life. Large wooden crosses or "Jesus Saves" signs appeared alongside patriotic symbols during events like the January 6, 2021, Capitol events.
2. American Flag (Stars and Stripes) with Christian ElementsCore meaning: Represents the United States, its founding ideals, liberty, and unity ("one nation"). In this context: Often shown with a cross in the field of stars or as a backdrop. This suggests the nation's identity and prosperity are tied to Christian faith, echoing phrases like "one nation under God." It can imply that true patriotism requires Christian alignment or that secularism threatens divine blessing.
3. Golden/Bald Eagle (sometimes with wings spread, holding or near a cross)Core meaning: In American symbolism, the bald eagle stands for strength, freedom, independence, and vigilance (as the national bird since 1782). In broader Christian or biblical imagery, eagles can evoke renewal (Isaiah 40:31) or divine protection. In Christian nationalist imagery the eagle is often depicted carrying or paired with a cross, Bible, or flag elements. This portrays America as a divinely ordained "Christian" power—strong, protective, and tasked with spreading or defending faith-based values. Golden eagles appear in some Orthodox or imperial Christian traditions, but here they emphasize a fusion of American exceptionalism with Christian dominion or authority.
4. Bible (often open or closed with a cross)Core means it represents Scripture as the word of God, source of moral guidance, and authority in Christianity. In this context it is laced alongside national symbols (flags, gavels, or eagles), it suggests the Bible should inform or supersede secular law and governance. It visually argues for a "biblical" foundation to American institutions, sometimes tied to ideas of covenant or theonomy (rule by God's law).
5. "In God We Trust" has been the official U.S. national motto since 1956 (added to currency earlier during the Civil War era and Cold War anti-communism push). "One Nation Under God" comes from the Pledge of Allegiance (modified in 1954). In Christian nationalist usage: These phrases are highlighted or stylized with crosses/stars to assert that America's identity and success depend on explicit recognition of (Christian) God. Critics see their promotion in schools, flags, or public spaces as advancing the idea of a privileged Christian role in civic life over pluralism or strict church-state separation.
6. Other Recurring Elements in Broader Christian Nationalist Imagery "Appeal to Heaven / Pine Tree Flag" (white flag with green pine tree): Originally a Revolutionary War symbol ("An Appeal to Heaven" from John Locke's writings), revived in modern contexts to suggest a divine right to resist tyranny or restore "godly" order. It has been linked to dominionist or prayer movements emphasizing spiritual warfare for the nation. Their Christian Flag (white field, blue canton with red cross) is an ecumenical 19th/20th-century design symbolizing purity (white), faithfulness/baptism (blue), and Christ's blood (red cross). In some political displays, it is carried alongside U.S. flags to equate loyalty to Christ with loyalty to a "Christian America." Gavels or courtroom elements with flags/Bibles symbolize the belief that judges, laws, and government should reflect biblical justice rather than purely secular principles. These symbols are often used together in art, flags, apparel, or protest imagery to create a narrative of restoration: America as a chosen nation whose Christian heritage must be defended or reclaimed against secularism, pluralism, or perceived moral decline. Not every person displaying a cross and flag identifies as a Christian nationalist—many simply express personal faith and patriotism. However, when the imagery explicitly fuses them in ways that prioritize one religious tradition in national identity or governance, it aligns with the ideology.Scholars note that Christian nationalism can overlap with (but is distinct from) general Christian patriotism or civil religion. It is debated intensely: proponents see it as preserving moral foundations; critics argue it undermines religious liberty and democratic pluralism by implying second-class status for non-Christians or non-adherents.
1. The Christian Cross (often large or prominent, sometimes overlaid on an American flag)Core meaning: The central symbol of Christianity, representing Jesus Christ's crucifixion, sacrifice, redemption, and resurrection. In Christian nationalist contexts it is frequently superimposed on or integrated with the U.S. flag or stars-and-stripes patterns. This visually merges faith with nation, implying America has a special covenant with God or that Christian values should dominate public life. Large wooden crosses or "Jesus Saves" signs appeared alongside patriotic symbols during events like the January 6, 2021, Capitol events.
2. American Flag (Stars and Stripes) with Christian ElementsCore meaning: Represents the United States, its founding ideals, liberty, and unity ("one nation"). In this context: Often shown with a cross in the field of stars or as a backdrop. This suggests the nation's identity and prosperity are tied to Christian faith, echoing phrases like "one nation under God." It can imply that true patriotism requires Christian alignment or that secularism threatens divine blessing.
3. Golden/Bald Eagle (sometimes with wings spread, holding or near a cross)Core meaning: In American symbolism, the bald eagle stands for strength, freedom, independence, and vigilance (as the national bird since 1782). In broader Christian or biblical imagery, eagles can evoke renewal (Isaiah 40:31) or divine protection. In Christian nationalist imagery the eagle is often depicted carrying or paired with a cross, Bible, or flag elements. This portrays America as a divinely ordained "Christian" power—strong, protective, and tasked with spreading or defending faith-based values. Golden eagles appear in some Orthodox or imperial Christian traditions, but here they emphasize a fusion of American exceptionalism with Christian dominion or authority.
4. Bible (often open or closed with a cross)Core means it represents Scripture as the word of God, source of moral guidance, and authority in Christianity. In this context it is laced alongside national symbols (flags, gavels, or eagles), it suggests the Bible should inform or supersede secular law and governance. It visually argues for a "biblical" foundation to American institutions, sometimes tied to ideas of covenant or theonomy (rule by God's law).
5. "In God We Trust" has been the official U.S. national motto since 1956 (added to currency earlier during the Civil War era and Cold War anti-communism push). "One Nation Under God" comes from the Pledge of Allegiance (modified in 1954). In Christian nationalist usage: These phrases are highlighted or stylized with crosses/stars to assert that America's identity and success depend on explicit recognition of (Christian) God. Critics see their promotion in schools, flags, or public spaces as advancing the idea of a privileged Christian role in civic life over pluralism or strict church-state separation.
6. Other Recurring Elements in Broader Christian Nationalist Imagery "Appeal to Heaven / Pine Tree Flag" (white flag with green pine tree): Originally a Revolutionary War symbol ("An Appeal to Heaven" from John Locke's writings), revived in modern contexts to suggest a divine right to resist tyranny or restore "godly" order. It has been linked to dominionist or prayer movements emphasizing spiritual warfare for the nation. Their Christian Flag (white field, blue canton with red cross) is an ecumenical 19th/20th-century design symbolizing purity (white), faithfulness/baptism (blue), and Christ's blood (red cross). In some political displays, it is carried alongside U.S. flags to equate loyalty to Christ with loyalty to a "Christian America." Gavels or courtroom elements with flags/Bibles symbolize the belief that judges, laws, and government should reflect biblical justice rather than purely secular principles. These symbols are often used together in art, flags, apparel, or protest imagery to create a narrative of restoration: America as a chosen nation whose Christian heritage must be defended or reclaimed against secularism, pluralism, or perceived moral decline. Not every person displaying a cross and flag identifies as a Christian nationalist—many simply express personal faith and patriotism. However, when the imagery explicitly fuses them in ways that prioritize one religious tradition in national identity or governance, it aligns with the ideology.Scholars note that Christian nationalism can overlap with (but is distinct from) general Christian patriotism or civil religion. It is debated intensely: proponents see it as preserving moral foundations; critics argue it undermines religious liberty and democratic pluralism by implying second-class status for non-Christians or non-adherents.
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Should Christians be Nationalists? Reformed denominations are buzzing with controversy about Christian nationalism. Synod 2026 called for a study committee to consider the issue. Part of the problem is that the term “Christian nationalism” means very different things to different people. It might be helpful to consider whether any form of nationalism is compatible with Christianity. Nationalism is also a contested term. According to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, nationalism is “an ideology that elevates one nation or nationality above all others and that places primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations, nationalities, or supranational groups.” However, Merriam-Webster also posits a second, quite different, definition: “support for and promotion of the political independence or self-determination of a nation or people.” And there are many possible definitions that fall somewhere between these two. Nationalism first emerged in Europe during the late eighteenth century in the wake of the Enlightenment. Christian nationalism revolutionized the United States during the Civil War, and a variety of forms of nationalism, many of them religious, led to the formation of new nations in Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Given this complexity, any sweeping condemnation of nationalism is problematic. (Banner 9.14.26)READMORE>>>>>> The Christian nationalism takeover of Congress It’s not unusual for a member of Congress to write a book. Many have, and most of them are of little interest. I know, after reading too many of them. What is unusual is for a member of Congress to write a book that makes the New York Times Bestseller list. But that’s the case with “No Prophets.” The new book by Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) debuted in the Times this week as No. 6 of all best-selling hardcovers. No book could be more powerful or more timely. 'No Prophets” not only exposes how Christian nationalism is a serious threat to our democracy, it also reveals how, under the leadership of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Christian nationalists have, in effect, taken over control of the House of Representatives. (The Hill 9.8.26)READMORE>>>>>> Christian nationalist protest led by Jan. 6 rioter stokes tensions in Dearborn Great Replacement conspiracy theorist and pardoned Jan. 6 rioter Jake Lang brought his racial grievances and “Christian Crusader March” to Dearborn and its city council meeting on Tuesday, where the right-wing provocateur told council members Muslim people are “looking to outbreed” white people and “steal our wealth.” Dearborn, home to the largest Arab American population in the country, has long been the target of anti-Muslim rhetoric from people outside the community. Lang had spread his anti-Muslim message in the community as recently as August 2, when he was reportedly assaulted by a Dearborn resident. The Arab American News reports the resident, Abbas Abdoush, was later detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “The Muslims are being used by the Democrats to instill socialism in America,” Lang said during the city council meeting as the crowd lingered outside. “Once the Muslims have power in this country, then they will start throwing homosexuals off the roofs.” (Michigan Advance 8.19.26)READMORE>>>>>> Inside Christian nationalists’ war on religious freedom Earlier this year, a presidential commission staffed almost entirely by conservative Christians urged Americans to rethink the separation of church and state and build “bridges” between them. Last week, the Department of Justice directed federal agencies to expand protections for religious expression in public employment, military service, education, healthcare and federal contracting. These policies reflect the influence of Christian nationalism, a movement predicated on the belief that the United States is divinely chosen,” the New Testament should shape government policies, and white Christians should dominate American culture. In a compelling new book, “No Prophets: The Fight to Save Democracy From Christian Nationalism,” Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), the only self-declared Humanist in Congress, chronicles the movement’s rise and documents its great and growing impact on American politics. aid. (The Hill 8.3.26)READMORE>>>>>> Ben Sasse dismisses some Christian nationalism as impractical: 'Weirdo online phenomenon' Former Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., suggested during a recent podcast that Catholic integralism and some forms of Christian nationalism are politically impractical and built on a faulty eschatology. Speaking during a podcast with Reformed theologian Michael Horton that aired Wednesday, Sasse praised the genius of the American constitutional system before Horton asked him to weigh in on Catholic integralism and Christian nationalism. He asked whether those who seek to reduce the separation between church and state are confusing "the penultimate with the ultimate, the secular with the sacred, [and] looking for the shining city on a hill here and now in the state." (Christian Post 7.18.26)READMORE>>>> ‘A danger to American society’: Miami pastors sound alarm on Christian nationalism Far-right Christians — often described as Christian nationalists — have become increasingly vocal and influential in the United States, but there’s a growing number of progressive religious voices in Miami and beyond that are challenging the claim the religious right has on Christian values. At a recent event at Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ, a few dozen congregants listened as a panel of theology and history experts discussed the threat of the Christian nationalist movement — and discussed how progressive Christians can fight back. Panelists warned about a future where Christian nationalists subvert democratic systems in order to achieve a larger goal of garnering special power and privilege for Christians. Rev. Brandan Robertson, the theologian in residence at Coral Gables United Church if Christ, said the goals of Christian nationalists go beyond evangelizing and proselytizing. The leaders can be described as having more of a “colonizer mindset,” he said. (Miami Herald 7.18.26)READMORE>>>> Local clergy urge voters to distinguish Christianity from Christian nationalism Organizers of a July 6 forum at Wenatchee United Methodist Church set out to answer what they described as a growing misconception about Christian nationalism: that it is merely a political label rather than a defined ideological movement with identifiable characteristics. During a presentation titled "Demystifying Christian Nationalism," Pastor Aaron Musser of Faith Lutheran Church in Leavenworth argued that Christian nationalism is distinct from Christianity itself and drew on biblical interpretation, constitutional history, academic research and video clips to explain why organizers believe its defining characteristics have become visible in North Central Washington. Opening the evening, the Rev. Debbie Sperry, pastor of Wenatchee United Methodist Church, described the conversation as a personal one. "I am a white, Christian American," Sperry said. "These days, I find it exceedingly frustrating that I need to justify what kind of Christian I am and what kind of Christian I'm not." (Cashmere Valley record 7.12.26)READMORE>>>>>> When Denominations Address Christian Nationalism On Friday (June 12), the general synod of the Reformed Church in America voted to condemn Christian Nationalism, declaring that the ideology “represents a false church, fundamentally distorting the gospel.” The move by the historic mainline Protestant denomination makes it the latest group to speak out against Christian Nationalism, with regional United Methodist bodies and two Presbyterian denominations among those also addressing the issue this summer. The RCA traces its roots to the founding of a Dutch Reformed congregation in New York City in 1628, a congregation that expanded to various church buildings and continues today in four Collegiate churches in the city. One of them, Marble Collegiate Church, was led for decades by Norman Vincent Peale, the author of The Power of Positive Thinking and the pastor who had a significant influence on both Richard Nixon and Donald Trump as they attended the church. A branch of the Dutch Reformed Church until 1819, the American group adopted the Reformed Church in America name in 1867 and is now headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Meeting for its general synod in Nashville, Tennessee, the RCA statement on Christian Nationalism passed with 96% approval as they called “on all Christians to renounce this error and work for justice, wholeness, and peace for all.” (A Public Witness 6.16.26)READMORE>>>>>> Catholic and Baptist Scholars Critique Christian Nationalism at Villanova Conference During a recent appearance on Fox News, Speaker Mike Johnson was asked to respond to a comment that he’s aiding a “Christian Nationalist crusade” to undermine the United States’ heritage of church-state separation. He responded with the tired claim of suggesting that those who oppose him are just godless (and thus apparently shouldn’t be listened to). “The people who are the naysayers and who have created this new term of ‘Christian Nationalism’ as a pejorative, a derogatory term, are trying to silence the influence and the voices of Christians, and I think that’s wildly inappropriate,” he declared on the morning of the so-called “Rededicate 250” event that pushed Christian Nationalist myths about U.S. history. Let’s put aside his absurd claim that the term “Christian Nationalism” is new (simply because he’s just learned about something doesn’t make it new). The even more inaccurate allegation is that those who critique Christian Nationalism just want to silence Christians. Johnson’s either lying or isn’t paying attention because many who challenge Christian Nationalism, like me, do so as Christians who remain deeply concerned about the integrity of the Christian witness. (Word & Way 6.4.26)READMORE>>>>>> Anti-Christian Bias report exalts Calvinism and lies as normative It is no secret that Donald J. Trump is intent on exacting retribution on his perceived enemies. Top of his list is former President Joe Biden. While the recently released report by the Justice Department’s Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias takes aim at the Biden administration for what it calls “anti-Christian bias,” more alarming are the report’s conclusions about which expression of Christianity in America is the true faith and which version of American history matters. Those of us who identify as Christian and do not adhere to the government’s preferred version of Christianity are in this administration’s crosshairs. We must recognize this moment for the theological crisis it is; we must understand that our expression of Christian faith is under attack and act accordingly. This report and the government’s elevation of a form of Reformed Theology as the normative expression of the faith is a direct consequence of Christian nationalism.. (Baptist News Global 5.22.26)READMORE>>>>> Trump-backed faith event features conservative Christians as critics decry blurring of church-state lines
WASHINGTON, May 17 (Reuters) - A Trump administration-backed celebration of U.S. religious heritage on Sunday is highlighting conservative Christian leaders' ties to the president as critics say the gathering does not reflect the country's diverse faith landscape. The nine-hour program, called "Rededicate 250: National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving," mostly features speakers from two Christian traditions — evangelical Christianity and conservative Catholicism. (Reuters 5.17.26)READMORE>>>>>
Reading scripture with Augustine Recently I happened into a conversation with some church laypeople as another meeting concluded. The conversation drifted into how to respond to White Christian nationalism as White mainline Christians. “Give me some weapons,” one woman said. She explained that conversations with neighbors or family felt like a battle, and she needed some arrows in her quiver. I bristled at the image but remembered that Paul uses the whole armor of God as a metaphor for facing the devil (Eph. 6), including the devil of Rome, itself an instance of political and religious nationalism. And even as I bristled, I had to take seriously that people in my jurisdiction’s care feel that they are on the front lines of a battle. One front in that battle is the Christian nationalism fueling the current presidential administration’s agenda. Administration officials invoke scripture and theology to justify their claims, policies, and beliefs. But the people I was talking to admitted that they struggle to cite chapter and verse or to comment accurately upon epochs of Christian or American history. Afterward, I drove home in frustration, admitting to myself that we mainline Protestants have done a poor job teaching biblical literacy, our Reformation claim to fame. (Christian Century 5.15.26)READMORE>>>>> Americans United for Separation of Church and State President and CEO Rachel Laser issued the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s declaration of a “National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving” on Sunday, May 17, in Washington, D.C.: “If President Trump and his allies truly cared about America’s legacy of religious freedom, they would be celebrating church-state separation as the unique American invention that has allowed religious diversity to flourish in our country. Instead, they continue to threaten this foundational principle by advancing a Christian Nationalist crusade to impose one narrow version of Christianity on all Americans. As far as we can tell, of the 29 individual speakers and performers on the schedule sent out by Mike Johnson, every single one is Christian. This is a government-sponsored event on public property that combines only Christian faith leaders and government officials; it’s less a ‘Jubilee of Prayer’ than a ‘Jubilee of Christian Nationalism.’ “We proudly celebrate 250 years of American independence from kings who ruled over both church and state. For 250 years, America has been marching toward the promise of a country where all people can be free to live as themselves and believe as they choose, as long as they don’t harm others. Christian Nationalists threaten that promise by undermining church-state separation, a pillar of our democracy. “As we approach the 250th anniversary of American independence, I urge everyone to recommit to church-state separation, which enables us to come together as equals and build a stronger democracy.” Trump administration will join a prayer gathering criticized for promoting Christian nationalism President Donald Trump and several top administration officials are joining with a cast of mostly conservative Christian clergy this Sunday on the National Mall in Washington for a prayer gathering billed as a “rededication of our country as One Nation Under God” upon America’s 250th birthday. But some critics call the Rededicate 250 event an effort to “hijack” U.S. history with a false, Christian nationalist narrative — one they say fuses American and Christian identities and threatens a constitutional separation of church and state. The daylong program is being organized by a nonprofit called Freedom 250. Its website describes it as a public-private partnership “leading the presidential programming for America’s 250th anniversary,” which culminates with the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4. Congressional Democrats have questioned the organization’s structure and finances, which they see as a Trump-controlled end run around a separate commission charted by Congress a decade ago to prepare semiquincentennial events. (Fox21 5.14.26)READMORE>>>>> Christian nationalists cling to Trump because they 'know they’re in decline' President Donald Trump and his administration have openly preached for Christianity to shape national policy since he began his second term — yet the vast majority of Americans do not share this agenda. “The religious right has been ascendant during the second presidency of Donald Trump, and they’ve harnessed his disdain for rules and norms to blur the lines between church and state,” reported Vox's Christian Paz on Thursday. “Inside the White House, the secretary of defense has framed the war in Iran and American military action abroad as sanctioned and guided by God. Outside the government, this alliance between church and state often skirts near the edge of outright idolatry. Conservative pastors are erecting golden statues of Trump (but insisting it does not mirror the infamous golden calf of the Old Testament). They’re extending their hands over the president in prayer after comparing him to Jesus and standing by him, with some mild criticism, after he cast himself as an AI-slop Messiah.” (AlterNet 5.14.26)READMORE>>>>> How Progressive Christian Activism Might Bring Gen Z Back to Church When Linnea was younger, she would attend a Christian summer camp in western Michigan, far outside of the liberal bubble of her Shaker Heights neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio. Now a 19-year-old student at Case Western University, Linnea had grown up attending a progressive, mission-oriented Protestant church active in the local community. She remembered the summer camp as being “politically neutral,” but given its location in a deep-red region, many of Linnea’s peers had a more conservative understanding of the teachings of their mutual faith. As a faithful Christian and young woman who identifies as queer, Linnea is among a relatively small number of Gen Z Americans who are both religiously affiliated and politically progressive. Gen Zers are less likely to identify as Christian than older generations, and less likely to regularly attend church, according to the most recent Census of American Religion by the Public Religion Research Institute, or PRRI. Progressive Christians thus have the burden of convincing ideologically aligned young people that worship is a meaningful way to engage in society. In the current political climate, the term “Christian values” is often equated with conservative values, both by those who support that ideology and by those who do not. The Trump administration’s efforts to embed Christian nationalism—the belief that the United States was founded on and should be governed by Christian principles—into the fabric of the federal government have further cemented this perspective into cultural consciousness. Polling has also shown that Americans who identify themselves as adhering to or sympathizing with Christian nationalist beliefs remain overwhelmingly supportive of Trump. (New Republic 5.11.26)READMORE>>>>> No Quarter? American Evangelicals and Political Violence In a March 13 press briefing on the escalating war in Iran, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth boasted of the prowess of American military capabilities in contrast to the destruction of Iran’s “meaningful military capabilities at a pace the world has never seen before.” To further emphasize this point, he went on to say, “We will keep pressing. We will keep pushing, keep advancing, no quarter, no mercy for our enemies.” Many critics singled out the “no quarter” qualification, noting the potential for escalating desperation during combat. Moreover, many registered alarm at the prospect of refusing surrender to combatants, as “no quarter” is a wartime reference tied to allowing enemies to lay down arms. Ultimately, such a violent declaration of wartime policy, which deviates from precedent, raises the question of what lies behind this approach. This Spotlight Analysis examines views on political violence and its relationship to the religious right and American evangelicalism. (PRRI 5.9.26)READMORE>>>>> Christian Nationalism: Political Tool And Biased Reporting Could “Christian Nationalism” [CN from this point forward] actually be a category and a convenient tool for those who dislike President Trump? Some Christians are angry. They are content to join the haters and to condemn both Trump and the Christians who support him. As I said in my opening article, I had not heard of CN until the past few months. I had a hunch that this term was a cudgel to beat Trump and MAGA with, so I decided to find out when this term started becoming popular. The first thing I did was search for journal articles on the academic hub I use to find scholarly studies in various disciplines. A search for [“Christian Nationalism” Trump] in academic journals returned 3,656 results. As I scrolled down through the first two pages (50 articles) reading the abstracts or introduction comments, it was clear that the overwhelming majority of these articles were negatively slanted against President Trump. The 6-8 articles written prior to 2016 were focused outside the USA, mostly on South Africa. So it appeared from academic journal articles that the term “Christian Nationalism” had become a popular term only more recently and has been used for the last 10 years to attack Trump. (History Matters; 4.6.26)READMORE>>>>>> Christian nationalism versus actual Christianity When I was doing my undergraduate work at Ohio State, I had several roommates who belonged to the evangelical Christian group, Campus Crusade for Christ. One day, a couple of Mormon missionaries came to our house. My roommates welcomed them in, pulled out their bibles, and engaged in an hour-long argument on why Mormonism was “wrong” and “not really Christianity.” The encounter ended with the Mormons storming out after one of my roommates called them “heretics.” Political Christianity is a powerful force in this country. It is remarkably easy to define and Republicans had been amazingly adept at using political Christianity to their advantage. I am a Christian. He is a Christian. She is a Christian. We are Christians. They are not Christians. We have our Christian values, they don’t. We have our Judeo-Christian values, and they don’t. By defining Christianity as an “us versus them” battle, the Christian right has won elections, expanded their voter base, and continued to grow. (The Hill; 4.6.26)READMORE>>>>>> GROWTH SPURT: Hoosiers identifying as Christian nationalists increasing ahead of primary election As early voting begins in Indiana’s primary election, new survey data shows support for Christian nationalism is not just holding steady—it is growing in the state. A recent report from the Public Religion Research Institute offers a detailed look at how those views break down across the country, including in Indiana. Nationally, attitudes toward Christian nationalism have remained largely unchanged in recent years. But Indiana is seeing a measurable increase. According to the survey, 37% of Indiana residents now qualify as either adherents or sympathizers of Christian nationalism—up from 33% in 2024. (Indiana Citizen; 4.2.26)READMORE>>>>>> New Report Sheds Light on the the Growing Threat of Christian Nationalism On February 17th, 2026, the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) published a new report showing that nearly a third of Americans qualify as Christian nationalist adherents or sympathizers – an increase since 2022 – while the number of skeptics and rejectors of Christian nationalism has declined. Christian nationalism is defined in this study based on five questions – if the government should declare America a Christian nation; if laws should be based on Christian values; whether we can have a country without Christian foundations; if being Christian is important to being American; and if Christians should dominate all areas of American society. The more survey participant agrees that Christianity is foundational to the country based on those questions, the higher they score. Mostly or completely agreeing with the majority of those ideas makes one categorized as a Christian nationalist sympathizer or adherent, and those who mostly or completely disagree are categorized as skeptics and rejectors. The study found that support for Christian nationalism is not uniform across the country – states in the South and Midwest have higher rates of Christian nationalist adherents and sympathizers, particularly in Arkansas, Mississippi, and West Virginia. In these states, rates of support for Christian nationalism exceed 50% of the population, while several states in these regions trail closely behind with rates of support well over 40%. (Interfaith Alliance; 3.31.26)READMORE>>>>>> Thousands join London march against Christian nationalism More than a thousand Christians have marched together against Christian nationalism and the far-right's use of Britain’s “Christian heritage” to justify racism and anti-immigrant rhetoric. The group was part of a wider event, called The Together March, which had over two hundred civil society organisations taking part in the march in central London. The Christian bloc was made up more than 20 Christian organisations including Better Story, Christians for a Welcoming Britain, Oasis Church Waterloo, Red Letter Christians and Christian Climate Action among others, marching together, to show that the Christian message is one of God’s love for all. (Premeir Christian 3.28.26) READMORE>>>>> VIEWPOINT | Condemn GUCR’s Actions, Find Inspiration In Faith On March 10, I opened my phone to a plethora of texts from my friends, mostly along the lines of, “What in the world did GUCR just post on Twitter?” I read the screenshots of the Georgetown University College Republicans’ (GUCR) post, which stated, “Let’s Be Honest: Muslims have no place in American society. Their religion is incompatible with our Christian Nation.” Having been unplugged from social media for the previous few weeks, I watched in horror as my friend pulled up GUCR’s X account. Then another showed me Instagram. It seemed like everyone was talking about the post. I was blindsided, and it felt as though everything was imploding around me. At the time, I was GUCR’s vice president. I resigned early last week because I abhor these posts that violate my values, and it saddens me that they were made in the first place. We are directly witnessing the rise of right-wing “Christian” extremism on our campus, which necessitates a conversation with those who may be involved. These tweets are inherent contradictions of their claimed justification. As a leading Republican on this campus, I want to set the record straight. More importantly, I want to call on Christians and conservatives on this campus to make an effort to build community with those of different backgrounds and beliefs. (The Hoya; 3.27.26)READMORE>>>>>> What defines a Christian in the age of Christian nationalism? Although different denominations will set different requirements, what it means to be a Christian often comes back to the Apostles’ Creed. It means believing in the deity of Jesus, his death and resurrection, the Trinity, and the final judgment. It’s fairly expansive, so it includes Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant believers. This more inclusive stance is beneficial in many ways and has been a source of greater peace between Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox congregations in the 20th and 21st centuries.. (Baptist News Global; 3.24.26)READMORE>>>>>> How to housebreak an elephant: Christian nationalism, the Iran War, and the art of truth-telling Naming the elephants: Christian nationalism and holy war. To illustrate, I want to momentarily explore Christian nationalism and the Iran War. (I really don’t mean to use the elephant symbol as a substitute for anything MAGA. Though in this case, it seems to turn out that way. “Elephant in the room” is really non-partisan!) So many MAGA leaders directly or indirectly embrace the tenets of the elephant called Christian nationalism: Donald Trump, Pete Hegseth, Markwayne Mullin, Trump’s nominee for DHS Secretary, Speaker Mike Johnson, to name four. For many, the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is one of the toxic organizations behind a fierce determination to make the Iran War into a “Holy War,” another elephant. (Favs News; 3.23.26)READMORE>>>>>> Threat of imposing religious law in America isn't from Muslims | Opinion Nearly 250 years after the founding of this nation, the United States finds herself at a crossroads, asked to choose between two different visions of what it means to belong to the American family. One path leads to a Christian nationalist rebranding of America based on the alluring myth of religious and national purity, where Christian and American identities are synonymous, and where Christians are tasked with holding authority over all essential aspects of American civic life. The other path is a return to America’s pluralistic roots and the endeavor to create a society in which people from diverse religious traditions can freely bring their gifts and aspirations to bear on a shared diverse democracy. (USA Today; 3.22.26)READMORE>>>>>> The New Faces of Christian Nationalism On a Sunday morning in February, about a thousand people filled the high-ceilinged sanctuary at Mercy Culture, a nondenominational evangelical megachurch in Fort Worth, Texas. The senior lead pastor, Landon Schott, gave a sermon that was mostly about the virtues of generosity, although he occasionally veered into political territory. “I do not believe with any part of me that the vaccine was the mark of the beast, but it sure was conditioning for it,” he said, at one point. Then the worship band kicked in, and the young, diverse congregation lifted up their hands. A few hours later, the church hosted a more explicitly ideological gathering put on by For Liberty & Justice, the church’s political arm. The organization was founded in 2021 to promote candidates who may not attend the church but who are committed to a shared vision of religiously infused far-right politics; it has since helped usher more than a hundred candidates into office. Nate Schatzline, the founder of For Liberty & Justice, is a living embodiment of the nonprofit’s goal of Christianizing government: he has served both as a pastor at Mercy Culture and as one of the most conservative members of the Texas legislature. (New Yorker; 3.15.26)READMORE>>>>>> In Texas Talarico Takes on Christian Nationalism: “It’s a Perversion of Faith” In Texas, one of the most conservative states in the United States, Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico has openly challenged Christian nationalists, accusing them of using faith for political purposes and confronting the state’s conservative evangelical wing head-on. Talarico, a state legislator and theology student, has turned his campaign into a direct counteroffensive against so-called “Christian nationalism.” The 36-year-old argues that Christian faith has often been exploited by conservative religious leaders to support right-wing policies– a practice he calls “fundamentally un-Christian” and “a perversion of faith.” With his message, Talarico positions himself as a Christian committed to following the Gospels, while criticizing those who use religion as a political tool to promote anti-abortion laws, weaken the separation of church and state, and place religious symbols in public schools. The rising star of the Democratic Party aims to put the values of compassion, inclusion, and aid for the poor back at the center of American politics. (VNY; 3.10.26)READMORE>>>>>> Christian nationalism is surfacing in the war on Iran in a shocking wayPresident Donald Trump can’t get his story straight on why he launched a war against Iran. But some commanders in the U.S. military are apparently telling service members that they’re on a mission to fulfill biblical prophecy. The independent journalist Jonathan Larsen reported that the Military Religious Freedom Foundation has received more than 110 complaints from service members about their commanders’ religious gloss on the war on Iran. These complaints, according to Larsen’s report, came from every branch of the military, across more than 40 different units, situated in at least 30 military installations. (The Pentagon did not respond to Larsen’s request for comment.)MRFF president Michael Weinstein told Larsen that the complaints from service members shared a common feature: Commanders are describing the war as “biblically sanctioned” and “clearly the undeniable sign of the expeditious approach of the fundamentalist Christian ‘End Times’ as vividly described in the New Testament Book of Revelation.” (MS-NOW; 3.4.26)READMORE>>>>>> OPINION: Another virus: Christian nationalism “I’ve come to view Jesus the way I’ve come to view Elvis. I love the guy, but some of his fan clubs terrify me.” So writes John Fugelsang, a comedian; but, on this topic, he’s not out for laughs. His best-selling 2025 book is entitled Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds. “Christian” nationalism is neither Christian nor patriotic. It is an insidious betrayal of Jesus of Nazareth for secular power, having morphed from a fringe blasphemy into being on full display at the January 6 Capitol insurrection, where cross and flag were waved and woven together. Spreading like a virus, C/n has a presence now in nearly every community in the USA. Trump and his enablers have tapped into the netherworld of the national psyche with the idea that Christianity is “under siege” by hostile (even “demonic”) forces, so that he could paint himself as Defender of the Faith --Trump, of all people! (Lewiston News-Argus 2.28.26)READMORE>>>>> Christian Nationalism is backed by a third of Arizonans and a majority of GOP, survey finds A recent survey found that three out of ten Arizonans identify as either adherents or sympathizers to Christian Nationalism. This month, the Public Religion Research Institute published its report based on interviews with more than 22,000 people across the nation throughout 2025 to try to understand the level of belief in Christian Nationalism in the country, concluding that approximately one-third of Americans consider themselves as either adherents or sympathizers. Believers in Christian Nationalism are adamant that Christian views should take providence over all others, that Christianity should be the dominant belief system — and should not be separated from politics. Often, adherents advocate for a religious state that imposes Christianity on the nation. (AZ Mirror; 2.24.26)READMORE>>>>> 'Intentionally dishonest': Pastor Allen Jackson responds to CNN’s ‘misguided’ ‘Christian nationalism’ doc Pastor Allen Jackson has criticized CNN’s documentary on Christian nationalism, calling the program “misguided” and “functionally dishonest,” arguing that it misrepresents people of faith. Jackson, senior pastor of World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, made the remarks during an interview on Fox News over the weekend, where he responded to CNN’s documentary titled “The Rise of Christian Nationalism.” The documentary’s introduction states that it “examines the growing influence of Christian nationalism, an ideology rooted in the belief that the United States was founded as a Christian nation and that its laws and institutions should reflect Christian values.” “Through immersive reporting and on-the-ground access, the episode explores how a movement once largely confined to the margins of white evangelical culture has gained new visibility and political power.” (Christian Post 2/24/26) READMORE>>>> |
January 1, 2026: Christianity Today reported: Nearly a decade ago, many of us watched in shock as Donald Trump was elected president of the United States. Until that point, it was easy to write off his presidential run as an egotistical attempt to gain fame and power, with circumstances aligned to allow him to win the Republican nomination. But his victory meant that there was a real audience not disturbed by his bravado, sexism, and race-baiting. Academics like me were eager to understand what happened to the country. Into this breach came the concept of Christian nationalism. Given that an estimated 81 percent of white conservative Christians voted for Trump, it was easy to envision them as the main culprits behind his rise. Several academics (notably Sam Perry, Andrew Whitehead, Philip Gorski, Paul A. Djupe, and Joseph Baker) wrote articles and books on this subject, and as media attention followed, the notion of Christian nationalism quickly caught on among the public.
January 7, 2026: Alternet reported: Christian nationalist themes were alive and well at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025 gathering at the Phoenix Convention Center, which found Vice President JD Vance declaring that the United States "always will be a Christian nation." But that claim was debunked by MS NOW's Steve Benen, who noted what the Founding Fathers had to say on the subject — for example, John Adams, in 1797, writing that "The government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion," and Thomas Jefferson saying, in 1802, that the U.S. Constitution created "a wall of separation between church and state." Another prominent Christian nationalist theme at AmericaFest 2025 is that the U.S. is seeing a widespread evangelical renaissance, which is also what the Moral Majority's Rev. Jerry Falwell Sr. claimed during the 1980s. But Salon's Amanda Marcotte, in an article published on January 7, counters that the U.S. is moving in a more "secular" direction — not converting to evangelical Christian fundamentalism in huge numbers
January 18, 2026: Independent Catholic reported: Revd Dr Helen Paynter, Director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence, spoke on Saturday, 17 January at a packed meeting in St James Church, Islington, hosted by Better Story, a movement of Christians organising to resist the far right. Dr Paynter described Christian Nationalism as being ethnic and political as well as religious. It stresses an 'us against them' stance where 'we' are British, Christian and mostly white and 'they' are foreigners, refugees, migrants, outsiders, members of non-Christian religions and often people of colour. It is often associated with open racism and xenophobia. British Christian Nationalism has been gaining ground in the past ten years, since Britain First members targeted mosques by preaching outside them and leafleting inside them. At a July 2024 rally of far-right supporters organised by Tommy Robinson, preacher Cei Dewar spoke about being at war against Muslims and all other 'enemies' of Christian Britain. At Robinson's September 2025 Unite the Kingdom rally in London, attended by around 150,000 people, preacher Brian Tamaki called for the banning of all religions except Christianity and suggested that there is a state of war between Christians and all non-Christian religions.
January 19, 2026: GPAHE reported: On January 16, 2026, the Office of the Secretary of War sent an email to Pentagon employees inviting them to a “Christian prayer and worship service” the following Wednesday. The invitation, featuring a graphic resembling a tombstone against an American flag backdrop, was nothing new. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has held such services monthly since taking office. What was new: the email also went, unsolicited, to defense contractors. And it made its way to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF). Within hours, MRFF began receiving panicked calls. “For the first time that we’re aware of, it went to DOD contractors,” MRFF founder Mikey Weinstein told GPAHE. “If you’re probably at Martin Marietta, General Dynamics, Boeing, you start wondering if we don’t make an effort to be there by not going, will we turn out to be a tarantula on a wedding cake?” The expansion of Hegseth’s prayer campaign to the private sector marks a new front in the religious transformation he is waging at the Department of Defense, one that threatens the constitutional bedrock of religious pluralism that has sustained the American military since George Washington’s Continental Army.
January 26, 2026: Under The Ancient Oaks reported: When I was making predictions about the future of the Pagan movement 10 – 15 years ago, for the most part I was trying to project 50 years or more into the future. It’s way too early to say what I got right and what I got wrong. I still think we’re in an era of “speciation” where many different varieties of Pagan beliefs and practices are rising. Over time most will fade away, but those that are particularly robust will survive and grow. I still think Paganism will eventually consolidate in three major areas: witchcraft, polytheism, and non-theistic Nature worship. But there was an unstated – and unrecognized – assumption in all of those predictions; a presumed foundation for the future of the Pagan movement (and for the future of the entire world, but I’m going to focus on Paganism here). All of these predictions assumed we would be living in a multicultural and multireligious society where everyone (at least in the West) had the freedom (in practice as well as in law) to choose their religion and to practice it freely and openly.
January 28, 2026: Religion News reported: Scholars from around the world are gathering in Chicago this week to focus on Christian nationalism, which they say is growing in influence globally. “Christian nationalism is not a single ideology, nor is it confined to one nation,” said Abimbola Adelakun, associate professor of global Christianity at the University of Chicago Divinity School and organizer of the conference. “Across the world, Christianity is being invoked to legitimize political authority and exclusionary visions of belonging. This conference brings global perspectives together to better understand how these movements operate and why they matter.” The first of what organizers say will be an annual event, the conference is designed to look at issues affecting Christians around the world, said Adelakun. “This year, we’re looking at Christian nationalism, because it’s the most topical issue,” she said.
January 28, 2026: Right Wing Watch reported: President Donald Trump was elected with overwhelming support of white evangelical voters, thanks in part to Christian nationalist leaders, media outlets, and activist networks that now function as virtual 24/7 public relations operations for Trump and his regime. Relentless pro-Trump propaganda wrapped in the language of faith undoubtedly helps explain how Trump maintains his strong support from conservative Christian voters despite his regime’s corruption, cruelty, and dishonesty. After ICE agents killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, some conservatives criticized administration officials for blatantly lying about the killings and dishonestly smearing the victims. But many of Trump’s religious-right supporters helped promote the false narratives and victim-smearing deployed by Trump regime officials, suggesting that the murdered people were to blame for their own deaths.
February 6, 2026: LeMonde reported: In 2026, the United States will mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Preparations are already underway to commemorate July 4, 1776, the day when American colonists declared themselves independent from the British monarchy. As we mark that milestone, democracy is under threat. The Declaration's underlying commitment to the "self-evident truths" that "all men are created equal" and that a just government is rooted in the consent of the governed is crumbling. The ideal has always been flawed in its deployment, but even those not treated as equal before the law have used the broadly held commitment to equality to challenge injustice.Dominant forms of American religion have embraced, and reinforced, social equality as a widely held value. While some forms of Christianity have rejected equality as a social value, the forms that thrived in the US were born in a rejection of God-ordained hierarchy.
February 14, 2026: Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reported: The recent controversy in the Columbus mayoral race over Christian nationalism reveals a deep lack of understanding about ideological and political vocabulary. Columbus connection Mayoral candidate Joanne Cogle paid over $20,000 to Magnolia Grove Consultants, run by an individual who described himself as a “Christian nationalist.” Columbus Councilor John Anker is still listed as a client as well, although he said he is not currently using Magnolia Grove Consultants.A heated debate broke out on the Ledger-Enquirer’s Facebook page this week, as readers debated terminology and semantics over the term “Christian nationalism.”
February 15. 2026: International Policy Digest reported: Michael “Mikey” Weinstein has spent more than two decades in a fight he believes is existential—not merely for the U.S. military, but for American democracy itself. A 1977 honors graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and a former Air Force judge advocate, Weinstein later served in legal posts within the Reagan White House, including during the Iran–Contra investigation. In 2005, he founded the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) after concluding that religious coercion—particularly forms of militant Christian nationalism—had taken root inside the armed forces.Since then, MRFF has represented more than 100,000 service members and veterans of every major faith tradition and of none. Although the overwhelming majority of its clients identify as Christian, many seek the foundation’s help because they feel marginalized for not conforming to a particular ideological or theological mold. Under Weinstein’s leadership, MRFF has challenged what it sees as institutional favoritism toward Christian nationalist currents within the military and federal agencies—pressures that, in a strictly hierarchical system governed by the Uniform Code of Military Justice, can carry consequences far beyond social discomfort.
February 18, 2026: TruthOut reported: Roughly one in three Americans are Christian nationalists or sympathetic to the cause, according to a new survey. The survey, conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute, also found strong connections between support for Christian nationalism and support for the Republican Party and President Donald Trump in particular. “I think the threat is (to) our democracy,” said Public Religion Research Institute CEO Melissa Deckman. “We found consistently that Christian nationalists tend to endorse more illiberal views in the sense that they’re more likely to embrace more authoritarian views, which can essentially be used to justify limiting access to the ballot for some people, or it can be used to use undemocratic means to stay in power.”
February 18, 2026: Axios reported: Christian nationalism is now deeply entrenched inside today's Republican Party, according to a sweeping 50-state survey. Why it matters: The once-fringe ideology holds that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation and should be governed according to strict Christian values, even as the country becomes less religious and more racially diverse. The divide reflects a broader clash over whether America's future is pluralistic or rooted in a singular religious-national identity. By the numbers: About one-third of Americans qualify as Christian nationalism "adherents" or "sympathizers," a new survey released Tuesday by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute finds. 56% of all Republicans are Christian nationalism "adherents" or "sympathizers," the survey said.Meanwhile, only 25% of independents and just 17% of Democrats are "adherents" or "sympathizers," according to the survey.
February 23, 2026: Peoples World reported: When CBS’ Late Show host Stephen Colbert invited Texas Senate candidate James Talarico to be a guest this week, attorneys for the network advised that Donald Trump appointee Brendan Carr would likely consider Talarico’s appearance a violation of FCC rules. Colbert decided to host Talarico anyway, post the interview to YouTube and skewer the network that has already canceled his show for capitulating to the Trump administration’s intimidation tactics. To date, the interview has had more than 8 million views on YouTube. The segment is titled, “Rep. James Talarico On Confronting Christian Nationalism, And Strange Days In The Texas State Legislature.” Colbert and Talarico had good reason to highlight the problem of religious nationalism. For half a century in American public life, a political force has attempted to use Christian faith and “traditional values” to turn back the gains of the 20th century’s civil and human rights movements. Donald Trump came to power by successfully joining this so-called “Christian nationalism” with the reactionary fears of the Tea Party insurgency and the greed of emerging techno-feudalists. The MAGA coalition that made Donald Trump president would never have gained power without the religious nationalist movement that markets the GOP as “God’s Own Party.” |