June 2022
Sarah Riccardi-Swartz
In April 2022, Georgia gubernatorial candidate Kandiss Taylor, who ran on a “Jesus, Guns, and Babies” platform, and who would eventually lose her bid the May primary but refused concede, held a rally in which she proclaimed, “We are the church! We run this state.” A few weeks later, failed 2020 GOP congressional candidate for the state of Delaware, Lauren Witzke, in an interview with The American Journal, part of the Infowars streaming family, noted that, “The Church makes up Russia. It’s kinda like their state religion,” before going on to proclaim that “he [meaning Putin] is the greatest ally for Christians.” (Witzke, by the way, worked informally for Taylor’s fading campaign.) Two women: both Americans; both desiring the unification of church and state; both pledging support to different political projects to meet their ideological goals; both nationalists; both Christians.
Christian nationalism is often seen as part of the American project, linked intimately to white nationalism, racism, and history of Christian domination and American exceptionalism. The examples of this in action are endless, as Andrew Whitehead, Samuel Perry, Philip Gorski, Anthea Butler, and so many other scholars have pointed out. However, Christian nationalism is not constrained by borders or geography. In considering the global formations of religio-racial or ethnic nationalism, I want to think about the connections between white Christian nationalism in the United States and Russia. I suggest we can better understand the transformations occurring in global politics and religion by examining the networks of ideology that link Christian nationalism in the United States with current forms of Russian nationalism that we see expressed by Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church.
In February of 2022, when Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine, he proclaimed that “Since time immemorial, the people living in the southwest of what has historically been Russian land have called themselves Russians and Orthodox Christians.” This comment followed the Russian president’s declaration that Ukraine was not just a neighbor state, it was and is, according to him, “an inalienable part of our own history, culture and spiritual space.” In that one speech, Putin justified Russian nationalism and decried Ukrainian nationalism, using religious language. Religio-nationalism is a driving ideological force in Russia’s justification of state violence. While Putin has already laid bare how post-Soviet Russian Nationalism is tied to ideas about Holy Rus’ and the geopolitical project of Russkii Mir, I also see it as a form of Christian nationalism with a similar impulse towards purity, patriarchy, and propaganda that we see in the United States among white Christian nationalists.
--Sarah Riccardi-Swartz; Seventh Biennial Conference on Religion and American Culture; June 2022
Christian nationalism is often seen as part of the American project, linked intimately to white nationalism, racism, and history of Christian domination and American exceptionalism. The examples of this in action are endless, as Andrew Whitehead, Samuel Perry, Philip Gorski, Anthea Butler, and so many other scholars have pointed out. However, Christian nationalism is not constrained by borders or geography. In considering the global formations of religio-racial or ethnic nationalism, I want to think about the connections between white Christian nationalism in the United States and Russia. I suggest we can better understand the transformations occurring in global politics and religion by examining the networks of ideology that link Christian nationalism in the United States with current forms of Russian nationalism that we see expressed by Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church.
In February of 2022, when Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine, he proclaimed that “Since time immemorial, the people living in the southwest of what has historically been Russian land have called themselves Russians and Orthodox Christians.” This comment followed the Russian president’s declaration that Ukraine was not just a neighbor state, it was and is, according to him, “an inalienable part of our own history, culture and spiritual space.” In that one speech, Putin justified Russian nationalism and decried Ukrainian nationalism, using religious language. Religio-nationalism is a driving ideological force in Russia’s justification of state violence. While Putin has already laid bare how post-Soviet Russian Nationalism is tied to ideas about Holy Rus’ and the geopolitical project of Russkii Mir, I also see it as a form of Christian nationalism with a similar impulse towards purity, patriarchy, and propaganda that we see in the United States among white Christian nationalists.
--Sarah Riccardi-Swartz; Seventh Biennial Conference on Religion and American Culture; June 2022
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May 29, 2022: Denver Post: Christian nationalism on the rise in some GOP campaigns
Christian nationalism, they say, is often accompanied by a belief that God has destined America, like the biblical Israel, for a special role in history, and that it will receive divine blessing or judgment depending on its obedience.
That often overlaps with the conservative Christian political agenda, including opposition to abortion, same-sex marriage and transgender rights. Researchers say Christian nationalism is often also associated with mistrust of immigrants and Muslims. Many Christian nationalists see former President Donald Trump as a champion despite his crude sexual boasts and lack of public piety.
Candidates seen as Christian nationalists have had mixed success in this year’s Republican primaries, which typically pitted staunch conservatives against opponents even further to the right.
Christian nationalism, they say, is often accompanied by a belief that God has destined America, like the biblical Israel, for a special role in history, and that it will receive divine blessing or judgment depending on its obedience.
That often overlaps with the conservative Christian political agenda, including opposition to abortion, same-sex marriage and transgender rights. Researchers say Christian nationalism is often also associated with mistrust of immigrants and Muslims. Many Christian nationalists see former President Donald Trump as a champion despite his crude sexual boasts and lack of public piety.
Candidates seen as Christian nationalists have had mixed success in this year’s Republican primaries, which typically pitted staunch conservatives against opponents even further to the right.
May 2, 2022:
From the beginning, the religious right was the backbone of Trump's Big Lie. As Kathryn Joyce reported for Salon on the anniversary of the January 6 insurrection, in the run-up to the riot, "allegations about the 'stolen' election became nearly inseparable from messages of apocalyptic faith." The crowd that turned out that day was largely driven by religious fervor. Popular religious right figures were responsible for sending thousands of people to the Capitol to do Trump's bidding. Since then, the Christian nationalist devotion to the Big Lie has only grown stronger. Six out of 10 white evangelicals claim Biden stole the 2020 election, compared to 37% of white Christians from mainline churches.
The enthusiasm for the Big Lie among white evangelicals comes back primarily to one thing: Racism. -Amanda Marcotte; Salon
From the beginning, the religious right was the backbone of Trump's Big Lie. As Kathryn Joyce reported for Salon on the anniversary of the January 6 insurrection, in the run-up to the riot, "allegations about the 'stolen' election became nearly inseparable from messages of apocalyptic faith." The crowd that turned out that day was largely driven by religious fervor. Popular religious right figures were responsible for sending thousands of people to the Capitol to do Trump's bidding. Since then, the Christian nationalist devotion to the Big Lie has only grown stronger. Six out of 10 white evangelicals claim Biden stole the 2020 election, compared to 37% of white Christians from mainline churches.
The enthusiasm for the Big Lie among white evangelicals comes back primarily to one thing: Racism. -Amanda Marcotte; Salon
april 2022
Aug 24, 2022: Baptist News Global: Christian fragility, brittleness and white Christian nationalism
The Religious Right seems to be flexing its muscles these days. After all, they’ve overturned Roe v. Wade, openly embraced Christian nationalism, banned a whole slew of books, and told Florida’s teachers, “Don’t Say Gay.”
I don’t think all this is about strength, though. It’s about what I’ve called “Christian fragility.”
The Religious Right seems to be flexing its muscles these days. After all, they’ve overturned Roe v. Wade, openly embraced Christian nationalism, banned a whole slew of books, and told Florida’s teachers, “Don’t Say Gay.”
I don’t think all this is about strength, though. It’s about what I’ve called “Christian fragility.”
Messiah University Professor of History John Fea has been studying the larger political movement at play: Christian Nationalism. The movement, defined as the belief that America is defined by Christianty and that the government should keep it that way, has gained prominence in recent years. Scholars say it’s been around for a while.
Fea said Mastriano and other speakers used talking points from that movement.
“They believe that America is somehow sliding away from its Christian roots, its Christian founding, as they understand it,” Fea said.
Many of America’s Founding Fathers were actually deists, who believe they experience God through nature – rather than just religion. Fea said Christian Nationalism doesn’t always account for that.
“It’s built upon a faulty view of American history,” he said. “They tend to ignore how the country has changed over the course of 250 years.”
Using figures like William Penn to back up that political platform creates what Fea calls a “usable history.”
“If you can get the founding on your side…you can move the political dial in the direction you want to move it,” Fea said, “because you can show people that we’ve gone astray as a nation in some ways.” -Aug 19, 2022: Witf: Doug Mastriano and some Pa. GOP leaders think Christianity and government should be linked
Fea said Mastriano and other speakers used talking points from that movement.
“They believe that America is somehow sliding away from its Christian roots, its Christian founding, as they understand it,” Fea said.
Many of America’s Founding Fathers were actually deists, who believe they experience God through nature – rather than just religion. Fea said Christian Nationalism doesn’t always account for that.
“It’s built upon a faulty view of American history,” he said. “They tend to ignore how the country has changed over the course of 250 years.”
Using figures like William Penn to back up that political platform creates what Fea calls a “usable history.”
“If you can get the founding on your side…you can move the political dial in the direction you want to move it,” Fea said, “because you can show people that we’ve gone astray as a nation in some ways.” -Aug 19, 2022: Witf: Doug Mastriano and some Pa. GOP leaders think Christianity and government should be linked
Aug 12, 2022: The Batavian: As thousands gather for ReAwaken event, pastors across town speak out against Christian Nationalism
Christian Nationalism is a threat to freedom and the American way of life, a group of pastors told a small gathering in a parking lot behind the First Baptist Church in Batavia this morning, while across town about 3,000 people were gathered at Cornerstone Church for the ReAwaken America Tour.
Christian Nationalism is a threat to freedom and the American way of life, a group of pastors told a small gathering in a parking lot behind the First Baptist Church in Batavia this morning, while across town about 3,000 people were gathered at Cornerstone Church for the ReAwaken America Tour.
Aug 15, 2022: The Hill: Juan Williams: The GOP’s sad embrace of Christian nationalism
“We’re not bending the knee to the two percent anymore,” said Andrew Torba, founder of the right-wing-friendly social platform Gab, referring to Jewish people in the United States.
Gab is characterized by CNN as “a haven for QAnon conspiracies, misinformation and antisemitic commentary.” The platform was paid a “consulting” fee by Doug Mastriano, the Republican running for governor in Pennsylvania.
Mastriano downplays his ties to Toba. He has said, “I reject anti-Semitism in any form”. But he has campaigned by pledging that “we are going to take our state back, my God will make it so.”
“We’re not bending the knee to the two percent anymore,” said Andrew Torba, founder of the right-wing-friendly social platform Gab, referring to Jewish people in the United States.
Gab is characterized by CNN as “a haven for QAnon conspiracies, misinformation and antisemitic commentary.” The platform was paid a “consulting” fee by Doug Mastriano, the Republican running for governor in Pennsylvania.
Mastriano downplays his ties to Toba. He has said, “I reject anti-Semitism in any form”. But he has campaigned by pledging that “we are going to take our state back, my God will make it so.”
Aug. 14, 2022: Daily Beast: I’m a Cradle Catholic. I Don’t Want Christian Nationalism in My Church.
There is no doubt that the trad-Cath movement is metastasizing and often dovetailing with Christian nationalism through the shared notion that “Western civilization” is at risk. In a 2014 speech at the Vatican, longtime trad-Cath Steve Bannon told attendees, “I believe the world, and particularly the Judeo-Christian West, is in a crisis.”
This fearmongering that “Western civilization” is under threat is a favorite talking point of Christian nationalists (not at all a new idea in America but one with a new set of spokespersons). The former GOP Rep. Steve King, an outspoken Christian and nationalist, was thrown off his committees after complaining to The New York Times, “white nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization—how did that language become offensive?” Tucker Carlson, another Christian and nationalist has claimed the Black Lives Matter movement aims to “challenge Western civilization” and that “Western civilization is [George Soros’] target.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene—who rose to power and infamy as a QAnon-supporting GOP firebrand—has spent the past few months telling audiences that she’s a “Christian nationalist.” MTG, a megachurch-goer, is emblematic of the Christian nationalist movement which has been building in this country for decades, but coalesced behind Trump.
This vein of Christian nationalism was on display during the Jan. 6 Capitol attack—after storming onto the Senate floor, one of the rioters shouted “Jesus Christ, we invoke your name!” Moments later the group removed their hats as another prayed through a bullhorn: “Thank you heavenly father for being the inspiration needed…to allow us to send a message to all the tyrants, the communists and the globalists that this is our nation, not theirs.” The Jesus Christ invoked by the would-be insurrectionists is the Jesus of the Christian nationalists.
There is no doubt that the trad-Cath movement is metastasizing and often dovetailing with Christian nationalism through the shared notion that “Western civilization” is at risk. In a 2014 speech at the Vatican, longtime trad-Cath Steve Bannon told attendees, “I believe the world, and particularly the Judeo-Christian West, is in a crisis.”
This fearmongering that “Western civilization” is under threat is a favorite talking point of Christian nationalists (not at all a new idea in America but one with a new set of spokespersons). The former GOP Rep. Steve King, an outspoken Christian and nationalist, was thrown off his committees after complaining to The New York Times, “white nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization—how did that language become offensive?” Tucker Carlson, another Christian and nationalist has claimed the Black Lives Matter movement aims to “challenge Western civilization” and that “Western civilization is [George Soros’] target.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene—who rose to power and infamy as a QAnon-supporting GOP firebrand—has spent the past few months telling audiences that she’s a “Christian nationalist.” MTG, a megachurch-goer, is emblematic of the Christian nationalist movement which has been building in this country for decades, but coalesced behind Trump.
This vein of Christian nationalism was on display during the Jan. 6 Capitol attack—after storming onto the Senate floor, one of the rioters shouted “Jesus Christ, we invoke your name!” Moments later the group removed their hats as another prayed through a bullhorn: “Thank you heavenly father for being the inspiration needed…to allow us to send a message to all the tyrants, the communists and the globalists that this is our nation, not theirs.” The Jesus Christ invoked by the would-be insurrectionists is the Jesus of the Christian nationalists.
Aug 13, 2022: Raw Story: Far-right platform Gab veers into overt antisemitism — and only some Republicans back away
On Friday morning, Andrew Torba, founder of the far-right social media platform Gab, issued a seeming ultimatum to the Republican Party: "Gab is becoming the litmus test for candidates. Many have passed the test and doubled down. Some have lied and disavowed to gain points with the enemy. A truly great service to the American people to see who has a spine and who does not."
On Friday morning, Andrew Torba, founder of the far-right social media platform Gab, issued a seeming ultimatum to the Republican Party: "Gab is becoming the litmus test for candidates. Many have passed the test and doubled down. Some have lied and disavowed to gain points with the enemy. A truly great service to the American people to see who has a spine and who does not."
Aug 12, 2022: Word and Way: Religious Leaders Protest Michael Flynn’s Christian Nationalism
On Friday, a group of religious leaders met outside First Baptist Church in Batavia, New York, to denounce the arrival of General Michael Flynn’s ReAwaken America Tour. Hosted by Flynn, Eric Trump, Clay Clark, Mike Lindell, and other notable conservative figures, the tour arrived earlier that day at nearby Cornerstone Church for a two-day event.
What made this different from previous events put on by the group Faithful America is that the leaders speaking out against Christian nationalism came from both within and outside of Christianity. Local Presbyterian pastor Roula Alkhouri served as the moderator for Rev. Nathan Empsall from Faithful America, Rev. Dr. Shiela Campbell McCullough from the New York State Council of Churches, Rabbi Drorah Setel from Temple Emanu-El, pastor Doug Pagitt from Vote Common Good, Sareer Fazili from Pittsford Youth Services and the Barakah Muslim Charity, and Rev. Jennifer Butler from Faith in Public Life.
On Friday, a group of religious leaders met outside First Baptist Church in Batavia, New York, to denounce the arrival of General Michael Flynn’s ReAwaken America Tour. Hosted by Flynn, Eric Trump, Clay Clark, Mike Lindell, and other notable conservative figures, the tour arrived earlier that day at nearby Cornerstone Church for a two-day event.
What made this different from previous events put on by the group Faithful America is that the leaders speaking out against Christian nationalism came from both within and outside of Christianity. Local Presbyterian pastor Roula Alkhouri served as the moderator for Rev. Nathan Empsall from Faithful America, Rev. Dr. Shiela Campbell McCullough from the New York State Council of Churches, Rabbi Drorah Setel from Temple Emanu-El, pastor Doug Pagitt from Vote Common Good, Sareer Fazili from Pittsford Youth Services and the Barakah Muslim Charity, and Rev. Jennifer Butler from Faith in Public Life.
Are you a Christian nationalist simply because you believe that God raised up America for special purposes in order to bless and help the world? No.
But you are a Christian nationalist if you confuse loyalty to your country with loyalty to the kingdom of God.
You are a Christian nationalist if you wrap the gospel in an American flag.
You are a Christian nationalist if you 'merge Christian and American identities.'"
That’s why recent comments by GAB CEO Andrew Torba have raised eyebrows and confirmed the worst suspicions about Christian nationalism, being quoted by outlets such as the Jerusalem Post and further fueling the fires of far-left websites such as Right Wing Watch.
As Torba said with reference to a Republican candidate he backed, “We are going to build a coalition of Christian nationalists, of Christians, of Christian candidates, at the state, local and federal levels and we’re going to take this country back for the glory of God.”
And, what exactly, will this look like? What will it mean to “take the country back for the glory of God,” a sentiment that, in itself, can sound very positive to many Christians?
Torba explained, “We don’t want people who are atheists. We don’t want people who are Jewish. We don’t want people who are, you know, nonbelievers, agnostic, whatever. This is an explicitly Christian movement because this is an explicitly Christian country. We’re not saying we’re going to deport all these people or whatever. You’re free to stay here. You’re not going to be forced to convert or anything like this because that’s not biblical whatsoever. But you’re going to enjoy the fruits of living in a Christian society under Christian laws and under a Christian culture and you can thank us later.”
He also said, “You degenerate pagans and atheists and non-believers went way too far with the COVID nonsense, with shutting down our churches and forcing our kids to be masked, and forcing us to get vaccinated with some mystery goop in order to keep our jobs and provide for our families. You pushed us too far, and now we’re going to take dominion of this country, of our culture, of news, of entertainment, of technology, of education, of everything for the glory of Jesus Christ, our king. It’s just that simple.” Aug 13, 2022: Michael Brown: Is Christian Nationalism Dangerous?
But you are a Christian nationalist if you confuse loyalty to your country with loyalty to the kingdom of God.
You are a Christian nationalist if you wrap the gospel in an American flag.
You are a Christian nationalist if you 'merge Christian and American identities.'"
That’s why recent comments by GAB CEO Andrew Torba have raised eyebrows and confirmed the worst suspicions about Christian nationalism, being quoted by outlets such as the Jerusalem Post and further fueling the fires of far-left websites such as Right Wing Watch.
As Torba said with reference to a Republican candidate he backed, “We are going to build a coalition of Christian nationalists, of Christians, of Christian candidates, at the state, local and federal levels and we’re going to take this country back for the glory of God.”
And, what exactly, will this look like? What will it mean to “take the country back for the glory of God,” a sentiment that, in itself, can sound very positive to many Christians?
Torba explained, “We don’t want people who are atheists. We don’t want people who are Jewish. We don’t want people who are, you know, nonbelievers, agnostic, whatever. This is an explicitly Christian movement because this is an explicitly Christian country. We’re not saying we’re going to deport all these people or whatever. You’re free to stay here. You’re not going to be forced to convert or anything like this because that’s not biblical whatsoever. But you’re going to enjoy the fruits of living in a Christian society under Christian laws and under a Christian culture and you can thank us later.”
He also said, “You degenerate pagans and atheists and non-believers went way too far with the COVID nonsense, with shutting down our churches and forcing our kids to be masked, and forcing us to get vaccinated with some mystery goop in order to keep our jobs and provide for our families. You pushed us too far, and now we’re going to take dominion of this country, of our culture, of news, of entertainment, of technology, of education, of everything for the glory of Jesus Christ, our king. It’s just that simple.” Aug 13, 2022: Michael Brown: Is Christian Nationalism Dangerous?
Aug 13, 2022: Livingston County News: Counter-message: Faith leaders speak against Christian nationalism at Batavia protest
Executive Director Rev. Nathan Empsall of Faithful America said Christian nationalism is defined by researchers and academics as a cultural framework and political ideology.
“Christian nationalism is the merging of the national American identity with a religious identity, making them one and the same,” said Empsall, explaining Christian nationalists believe you aren’t a true American unless you are a conservative Christian. “The hallmark phrase of Christian nationalism is that America is a Christian nation. That’s not true of course. We’re a pluralistic nation — we are all free to worship.”
Empsall said the ReAwaken America Tour is the worst example of Christian nationalism since the Jan. 6 insurrection. He said the goal of Christian nationalism isn’t to follow Jesus — it’s to seize political power at any cost, no matter who you hurt along the way.
“It’s a typical authoritarian movement in this regard,” Empsall said. “Its goal is power for its followers, power for the ‘chosen nation’ the conservative Christians, hence one religion. How far are they willing to go to seize and hold that power? We saw this on Jan. 6.”
Executive Director Rev. Nathan Empsall of Faithful America said Christian nationalism is defined by researchers and academics as a cultural framework and political ideology.
“Christian nationalism is the merging of the national American identity with a religious identity, making them one and the same,” said Empsall, explaining Christian nationalists believe you aren’t a true American unless you are a conservative Christian. “The hallmark phrase of Christian nationalism is that America is a Christian nation. That’s not true of course. We’re a pluralistic nation — we are all free to worship.”
Empsall said the ReAwaken America Tour is the worst example of Christian nationalism since the Jan. 6 insurrection. He said the goal of Christian nationalism isn’t to follow Jesus — it’s to seize political power at any cost, no matter who you hurt along the way.
“It’s a typical authoritarian movement in this regard,” Empsall said. “Its goal is power for its followers, power for the ‘chosen nation’ the conservative Christians, hence one religion. How far are they willing to go to seize and hold that power? We saw this on Jan. 6.”
White nationalism was thrust into the national spotlight, magnified when then-President Donald Trump was asked to comment on the white supremacist-initiated violence, and he infamously stated that there were "very fine people on both sides," referring to both the anti-racists and the White nationalists.
“That they existed was itself nothing new. What was new, however, was the GOP’s recognition of the nascent era of Trumpian conservatism as an opportunity to both cement and capitalize on those shared interests more concretely than anytime since the 1960s,” Rafi Schwartz recently wrote.
For many Americans, Charlottesville was the first encounter with the boldness and reality of white supremacists taking to the streets. And while Unite the Right didn’t actually unite the right it, coupled with the election of Donald Trump, accelerated the rise of right-wing terrorism as a major threat. Aug 11, 2022: Daily Kos: Five Years After Charlottesville, the White/Christian Nationalist Right is More Toxic Than Ever
“That they existed was itself nothing new. What was new, however, was the GOP’s recognition of the nascent era of Trumpian conservatism as an opportunity to both cement and capitalize on those shared interests more concretely than anytime since the 1960s,” Rafi Schwartz recently wrote.
For many Americans, Charlottesville was the first encounter with the boldness and reality of white supremacists taking to the streets. And while Unite the Right didn’t actually unite the right it, coupled with the election of Donald Trump, accelerated the rise of right-wing terrorism as a major threat. Aug 11, 2022: Daily Kos: Five Years After Charlottesville, the White/Christian Nationalist Right is More Toxic Than Ever
Aug 12, 2022; Crisis Magazine: Is Christian Nationalism An Existential Threat to the Republic?
At surface, “Christian Nationalism” is a term of relatively recent vintage that is a mash-up of two words that can have vastly different meanings. Depending on whom one asks, “Christian” can apply to beliefs of the “spiritual but not religious” as well as the Bishop of Rome.
Likewise, “Nationalism” can apply equally to beliefs of the patriot and the fascist. To the former, it is the ideal that nations should be a self-governing body of citizens with a set of cultural norms sustained by traditional liberal values like liberty, equality, and freedom. To the latter, it’s the exclusion from that ideal of certain people groups because of ethnicity, race, religion, or country of origin.
At surface, “Christian Nationalism” is a term of relatively recent vintage that is a mash-up of two words that can have vastly different meanings. Depending on whom one asks, “Christian” can apply to beliefs of the “spiritual but not religious” as well as the Bishop of Rome.
Likewise, “Nationalism” can apply equally to beliefs of the patriot and the fascist. To the former, it is the ideal that nations should be a self-governing body of citizens with a set of cultural norms sustained by traditional liberal values like liberty, equality, and freedom. To the latter, it’s the exclusion from that ideal of certain people groups because of ethnicity, race, religion, or country of origin.
Aug 12, 2022: Christian nationalists aren’t trying to escape conditions of oppression so they can freely live out their values in a society and culture that is not hostile to them. Rather, they are trying to impose their value system on others and make it the law of land, making other ways of life, cultural ways of being, illegal and punishable. For example, it’s not enough for themselves to be able to decide they don’t want an abortion; they have to outlaw abortion for everyone and deprive all women control over their bodies and reproductive health. It’s not enough for them to be able to practice their distorted brand of the Christian faith freely as they choose; they have to insist on its supremacy within U.S. culture, have it infuse the laws that apply to all, and devalue and even seek to ban the religious practices of others. It’s not enough for them to eschew same-sex love and marriage or define their gender identities in binary ways, they have to deny others the legal right to love and marry as they choose and to define their identities in non-binary ways. Politicusa: Tim Libretti: Opinion: How to Deal with Christian Nationalists? Let them Secede and Tyrannize Over Themselves
August 5, 2022: Texas Observer: FASCIST CIRCUS COMES TO CPAC TEXAS
Republican politicians joined Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for speeches laced with antisemitism and overt Christian nationalism.
Republican politicians joined Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for speeches laced with antisemitism and overt Christian nationalism.
Aug 6, 2022: Only Sky: GOP lawmaker falsely claims ‘Most Americans’ are Christian nationalists
During her appearance at the right-wing CPAC conference yesterday, conspiracy theorist Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was asked about the phrase “Christian nationalist.” She insisted, falsely, that “most Americans” were Christian nationalists like her.
During her appearance at the right-wing CPAC conference yesterday, conspiracy theorist Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was asked about the phrase “Christian nationalist.” She insisted, falsely, that “most Americans” were Christian nationalists like her.
Aug 4, 2022: Religion News Service: How to answer when Christian nationalists embrace the label as a badge of honor
(RNS) — Last week, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia responded to those who had called her a “Christian nationalist.” Rather than disavow the term, however, she took it as a badge of honor. “I am being attacked by the godless left because I said I’m a proud Christian Nationalist,” she wrote on Twitter. “These evil people are even calling me a Nazi because I proudly love my country and my God.”
Greene’s characterization of her critics as “the godless left,” of course, ignores the broad swath of Christians who condemn Christian nationalism. The Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, to pick one group, has run the Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign since 2019, with endorsers from several large denominations.
(RNS) — Last week, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia responded to those who had called her a “Christian nationalist.” Rather than disavow the term, however, she took it as a badge of honor. “I am being attacked by the godless left because I said I’m a proud Christian Nationalist,” she wrote on Twitter. “These evil people are even calling me a Nazi because I proudly love my country and my God.”
Greene’s characterization of her critics as “the godless left,” of course, ignores the broad swath of Christians who condemn Christian nationalism. The Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, to pick one group, has run the Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign since 2019, with endorsers from several large denominations.
Aug. 5, 2022: Slate: “Christian Nationalism” Used to Be Taboo. Now It’s All the Rage.
Al Mohler, the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, called Christian nationalism “idolatrous” and pushed back on the idea that evangelical Christianity was linked to what had happened at the Capitol.
“Nationalism is always a clear and present danger,” he wrote a week after the insurrection. But linking it to “American evangelical Christianity,” he said, was an unfair “accusation.”
By this summer, Mohler had updated his thinking.
Speaking on his podcast on June 15, the theologian said: “We have the left routinely speaking of me and of others as Christian nationalists, as if we’re supposed to be running from that.” He added: “I’m not about to run from that.”
Mohler is not alone in changing his tune. Far-right politicians are warming to the label, too.
Al Mohler, the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, called Christian nationalism “idolatrous” and pushed back on the idea that evangelical Christianity was linked to what had happened at the Capitol.
“Nationalism is always a clear and present danger,” he wrote a week after the insurrection. But linking it to “American evangelical Christianity,” he said, was an unfair “accusation.”
By this summer, Mohler had updated his thinking.
Speaking on his podcast on June 15, the theologian said: “We have the left routinely speaking of me and of others as Christian nationalists, as if we’re supposed to be running from that.” He added: “I’m not about to run from that.”
Mohler is not alone in changing his tune. Far-right politicians are warming to the label, too.
God doesn’t bend us to His will using violence, coercion and force. He bends us to His will by loving us to the point of his own death – even to death on a cross.
But the Christian nationalist would try to impose the kingdom of God through politics. If we’re going to have this mythical Christian nation, it will become necessary to force people to comply with “God’s law.”
There is no doubt that Christian nationalists could seize political power and force people to behave according to their dictates — to some degree. But it still wouldn’t be a “Christian nation.” Power and force only go so far. You can punish people for sexual immorality. You can outlaw divorce. You can crack down on all manner of “unchristian” behavior. But you can’t compel somebody to love their neighbor. And you can’t beat somebody into loving God.
Focusing on outward behavior and imposing some type of theonomy might make society look different. But you will ultimately end up with a whitewashed tomb.
The Kingdom of God stands apart from the kingdoms of this world. The “Christian nation” is the church universal — not America, or Germany, or even Israel. Christian nation-building is not a political project.
If you want a Christian nation, make disciples. Aug 3, 2022: Richmond Observer; OPINION: Marshall Maharrey; The Christian Nation: A project doomed to fail
But the Christian nationalist would try to impose the kingdom of God through politics. If we’re going to have this mythical Christian nation, it will become necessary to force people to comply with “God’s law.”
There is no doubt that Christian nationalists could seize political power and force people to behave according to their dictates — to some degree. But it still wouldn’t be a “Christian nation.” Power and force only go so far. You can punish people for sexual immorality. You can outlaw divorce. You can crack down on all manner of “unchristian” behavior. But you can’t compel somebody to love their neighbor. And you can’t beat somebody into loving God.
Focusing on outward behavior and imposing some type of theonomy might make society look different. But you will ultimately end up with a whitewashed tomb.
The Kingdom of God stands apart from the kingdoms of this world. The “Christian nation” is the church universal — not America, or Germany, or even Israel. Christian nation-building is not a political project.
If you want a Christian nation, make disciples. Aug 3, 2022: Richmond Observer; OPINION: Marshall Maharrey; The Christian Nation: A project doomed to fail
in June, North Carolina's Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson referred to a passage of the Bible that is often used by Christian nationalists: “We find ourselves in a pitched battle to literally save this nation... I don’t know about you, but I got my pack on, I got my boots on, I got my helmet on, I’ve got on the whole armor.”
Aug 3, 2022: WFAE; What the Christian nationalist movement means for North Carolina and the nation
Aug 3, 2022: WFAE; What the Christian nationalist movement means for North Carolina and the nation
Aug 3, 2022: New York Times Opinion | What’s God Got to Do With It? The Rise of Christian Nationalism in American Politics.
Stewart feels that the movement is paving the way to something with graver consequence. “This is a movement that wants to promote theocratic policies,” she says. “But theocracy is really not the end point. It’s sort of a means to an end, which is authoritarianism.” McCaulley agrees the danger is real. But to him, there’s a place for faith-informed arguments in the public square. “When you try to enforce your religion as the base of your argument and the sole way of being a good American, that’s Christian nationalism,” he says. “And when you’re saying, well, hold on, here is a value that I want to advocate for, perhaps this is my best presentation of the issue, let’s vote and let society decide — I think that’s the best that you can hope for.”
Stewart feels that the movement is paving the way to something with graver consequence. “This is a movement that wants to promote theocratic policies,” she says. “But theocracy is really not the end point. It’s sort of a means to an end, which is authoritarianism.” McCaulley agrees the danger is real. But to him, there’s a place for faith-informed arguments in the public square. “When you try to enforce your religion as the base of your argument and the sole way of being a good American, that’s Christian nationalism,” he says. “And when you’re saying, well, hold on, here is a value that I want to advocate for, perhaps this is my best presentation of the issue, let’s vote and let society decide — I think that’s the best that you can hope for.”
Aug 2, 2022: Only Sky: Thousands of Christians criticize Greene’s call for Christian nationalism
Almost 15,000 Christians have signed an online petition which harshly criticizes Greene’s efforts to promote Christian nationalism in government. The group that launched the petition, Faithful America, calls itself an online community of Christians working together for social justice.
Almost 15,000 Christians have signed an online petition which harshly criticizes Greene’s efforts to promote Christian nationalism in government. The group that launched the petition, Faithful America, calls itself an online community of Christians working together for social justice.
June 16, 2022: Newsweek: Adam Kinzinger Warns Churches Have Become 'House of Worship' to Trump
Representative Adam Kinzinger, an Illinois Republican, warned that some Christian churches have become a "house of worship" to former President Donald Trump.
Representative Adam Kinzinger, an Illinois Republican, warned that some Christian churches have become a "house of worship" to former President Donald Trump.
June 9, 2022: Religion Dispatches: How Christian nationalism paved the way for Jan. 6
On June 1, 2020, then-President Donald Trump marched across Lafayette Square outside the White House, trailed by an anxious-looking team of advisers and military aides. The group shuffled past detritus left by racial justice protesters after a frantic mass expulsion executed by police minutes prior with clubs, pepper balls and tear gas.
The dignitaries stopped in front of St. John’s Church, where presidents, including Trump, have traditionally attended services on their Inauguration Day. St. John’s, which had suffered a minor fire the day before, was closed. But Trump took up a position in front of its sign and turned toward the cameras, a Bible held aloft.
“We have the greatest country in the world,” Trump said. In the distance, sirens wailed.
On June 1, 2020, then-President Donald Trump marched across Lafayette Square outside the White House, trailed by an anxious-looking team of advisers and military aides. The group shuffled past detritus left by racial justice protesters after a frantic mass expulsion executed by police minutes prior with clubs, pepper balls and tear gas.
The dignitaries stopped in front of St. John’s Church, where presidents, including Trump, have traditionally attended services on their Inauguration Day. St. John’s, which had suffered a minor fire the day before, was closed. But Trump took up a position in front of its sign and turned toward the cameras, a Bible held aloft.
“We have the greatest country in the world,” Trump said. In the distance, sirens wailed.
July 19, 2022: A Public Witness: Is the Old Line Falling to Christian Nationalism?
As Doug Mastriano celebrated his victory in the Republican gubernatorial primary in Pennsylvania in May, his rally featured a bit of a who’s who of Christian Nationalism. Musician Sean Feucht, who protested COVID-19 health measures, opened the political event with Christian praise music. Mastriano quoted scriptures as he framed his campaign as a spiritual movement. Former Trump lawyer and now Mastriano campaign advisor Jenna Ellis (who’s not a fan of us) praised the Pennsylvania nominee for leading “a great victory in the name of Jesus.”
And another person introduced as a “special guest” spoke that night at the rally in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania: Dan Cox, a Republican gubernatorial candidate … in Maryland.
As Doug Mastriano celebrated his victory in the Republican gubernatorial primary in Pennsylvania in May, his rally featured a bit of a who’s who of Christian Nationalism. Musician Sean Feucht, who protested COVID-19 health measures, opened the political event with Christian praise music. Mastriano quoted scriptures as he framed his campaign as a spiritual movement. Former Trump lawyer and now Mastriano campaign advisor Jenna Ellis (who’s not a fan of us) praised the Pennsylvania nominee for leading “a great victory in the name of Jesus.”
And another person introduced as a “special guest” spoke that night at the rally in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania: Dan Cox, a Republican gubernatorial candidate … in Maryland.
June 24,2022: Baptist News Global: Two viruses threaten the life of the Southern Baptist Convention: Male hierarchy and dominion theology
The Southern Baptist Convention has been unhealthy for a very long time, and now her two most deadly latent viruses are wreaking havoc on the body.
The SBC released an independent report regarding decades of sexual abuse within some churches and institutions. In excruciating detail, it chronicles the horrific, calloused and hypocritical behavior of top SBC leaders who worked to stonewall, discredit and even demonize abuse victims who came forward.
The Southern Baptist Convention has been unhealthy for a very long time, and now her two most deadly latent viruses are wreaking havoc on the body.
The SBC released an independent report regarding decades of sexual abuse within some churches and institutions. In excruciating detail, it chronicles the horrific, calloused and hypocritical behavior of top SBC leaders who worked to stonewall, discredit and even demonize abuse victims who came forward.
“If Christian nationalism is about anything, it’s about power and preserving the status quo,” Dr. Augustine said. He pointed out that we saw examples at the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, which included rioters carrying flags that said “Jesus is my savior, Trump is my president.” “How did we get to that point — where those two are so closely wedded?” he asked, noting that Christian nationalism conflates cross and country to achieve its purposes. “It’s not about acceptance or inclusion, but it’s about … tribalism. If you’re not in it, you’re against it, and you must be taken down, and anything against the status quo must be going against God,” he continued. “So, to preserve power, Christian nationalism is destroying democracy,” Dr. Augustine said, referring back to the insurrection, voter suppression laws, and efforts to ban books and un-write history. “Christian nationalism, I believe, requires a prophetic response from the church. I believe it also requires a legal response from those who have legal training and care about the law.” -BJC Online
We’ve seen how Christian nationalism shows up… appeals to God, or equating God and Trump, or … that somehow Trump’s reelection was preordained or part of God’s bigger plan – how these helped feed and sustain the Big Lie and how former President Trump continued along those lines [at the Faith and Freedom Coalition Conference] as he was appealing to familiar incantations of Christian nationalism, saying that our founding documents were divinely inspired or that our civil rights and liberties came directly from God, or – in one of the biggest applause lines of the day – when he said, “in America we don’t worship government, we worship God.”
Of course, the problem is that no single religion has ever united Americans. Instead, what unites Americans is our commitment to religious freedom for all, and former President Trump’s continuing appeals to Christian nationalism threaten that value. -Baptist Joint Committee Executive Director Amanda Tyle
Of course, the problem is that no single religion has ever united Americans. Instead, what unites Americans is our commitment to religious freedom for all, and former President Trump’s continuing appeals to Christian nationalism threaten that value. -Baptist Joint Committee Executive Director Amanda Tyle
The insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6 was in many ways a Christian nationalist event. Crosses, Christian banners and signs reading “Jesus is my savior, Trump is my president,” were unavoidable. Michael Sparks, charged by the FBI for entering the Capitol through a broken window, wrote on Facebook that “Trump will be your president four more years in Jesus’ name.” Many touted Jesus — and Trump — as their reason for being there.
The “QAnon Shaman,” having breached the Senate chamber, led a group in prayer thanking “Heavenly Father” for allowing them to “send a message to all the tyrants, the communists, and the globalists that this is our nation, not theirs.”
The threatening rhetoric has permeated parts of Congress, where posing with guns, often in the name of Christianity, has become de rigueur for far-right electeds and candidates. Last year Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie and Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert traded Christmas cards on Twitter with their arsenals of firearms.
In 2020, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene posed on Facebook with a gun and images of three Democratic members of Congress, writing, “We need strong conservative Christians to go on the offense against these socialists who want to rip our country apart.” Facebook removed the post for violating its policies.
Meanwhile, in Texas, the state Republican Party is voting on a new platform, which puts God and guns front and center.
The first five words are “Affirming our belief in God.” The platform includes 10 mentions of guns and 16 mentions of God, including the belief in “the laws of nature and nature’s God,” giving schools the option to display the national motto “In God We Trust,” affirming “God’s biblical design for marriage and sexual behavior,” and declaring “all gun control” a “violation of the Second Amendment and our God-given rights.” You’d almost think we were a theocracy.
All of this — the rise in Christian nationalism and the literal and metaphorical weaponizing of faith to intimidate opponents — while the country grows less and less religious. --SE Cupp; The GOP weaponizes faith; will atheists object?
The “QAnon Shaman,” having breached the Senate chamber, led a group in prayer thanking “Heavenly Father” for allowing them to “send a message to all the tyrants, the communists, and the globalists that this is our nation, not theirs.”
The threatening rhetoric has permeated parts of Congress, where posing with guns, often in the name of Christianity, has become de rigueur for far-right electeds and candidates. Last year Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie and Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert traded Christmas cards on Twitter with their arsenals of firearms.
In 2020, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene posed on Facebook with a gun and images of three Democratic members of Congress, writing, “We need strong conservative Christians to go on the offense against these socialists who want to rip our country apart.” Facebook removed the post for violating its policies.
Meanwhile, in Texas, the state Republican Party is voting on a new platform, which puts God and guns front and center.
The first five words are “Affirming our belief in God.” The platform includes 10 mentions of guns and 16 mentions of God, including the belief in “the laws of nature and nature’s God,” giving schools the option to display the national motto “In God We Trust,” affirming “God’s biblical design for marriage and sexual behavior,” and declaring “all gun control” a “violation of the Second Amendment and our God-given rights.” You’d almost think we were a theocracy.
All of this — the rise in Christian nationalism and the literal and metaphorical weaponizing of faith to intimidate opponents — while the country grows less and less religious. --SE Cupp; The GOP weaponizes faith; will atheists object?
June 14, 2022: AlterNet: These Christian activists are pushing back against Roger Stone and Michael Flynn’s 'toxic' MAGA fundamentalism
Journalist Peter Stone, in an article published by The Guardian on June 14, explains, “The falsehoods pushed at ReAwaken gatherings have prompted some Christian leaders to warn that America’s political and spiritual health is threatened by a toxic mix of Christian nationalism, lies about Trump’s loss to Joe Biden, and ahistorical views of the nation’s founding principle of the separation of church and state. Several well-known Christian leaders, including the president of the Christian social justice group Sojourners and the executive director of a major Baptist group, have called on American churches to speak out against the messages promoted at ReAwaken America rallies that have been held in Oklahoma, Arizona, Texas, California, South Carolina and other states.”
Although Trump is quite popular among far-right White evangelicals and Christian nationalists, he has plenty of scathing critics within Christianity — from Catholics to Mainline Protestants (Episcopalians, Lutherans, Presbyterians, the African Methodist Episcopal Church).
Sojourners President Adam Russell Taylor told The Guardian, “This ReAwaken tour is peddling dangerous lies about both the election and the pandemic. Jesus taught us that the truth will set us free, and these lies hold people captive to these dangerous falsehoods. They also exacerbate the toxic polarization we’re seeing in both the church and the wider society.”
Journalist Peter Stone, in an article published by The Guardian on June 14, explains, “The falsehoods pushed at ReAwaken gatherings have prompted some Christian leaders to warn that America’s political and spiritual health is threatened by a toxic mix of Christian nationalism, lies about Trump’s loss to Joe Biden, and ahistorical views of the nation’s founding principle of the separation of church and state. Several well-known Christian leaders, including the president of the Christian social justice group Sojourners and the executive director of a major Baptist group, have called on American churches to speak out against the messages promoted at ReAwaken America rallies that have been held in Oklahoma, Arizona, Texas, California, South Carolina and other states.”
Although Trump is quite popular among far-right White evangelicals and Christian nationalists, he has plenty of scathing critics within Christianity — from Catholics to Mainline Protestants (Episcopalians, Lutherans, Presbyterians, the African Methodist Episcopal Church).
Sojourners President Adam Russell Taylor told The Guardian, “This ReAwaken tour is peddling dangerous lies about both the election and the pandemic. Jesus taught us that the truth will set us free, and these lies hold people captive to these dangerous falsehoods. They also exacerbate the toxic polarization we’re seeing in both the church and the wider society.”
June 9, 2022: Religion Dispatches: Jan. 6 committee must address Christian nationalism
Christian nationalism is a political ideology and cultural framework. It merges American and Christian identities, suggesting that only Christians are “true” Americans. This pervasive ideology not only undermines the ideal of religious freedom for all — which is foundational to our constitutional democracy — but also threatens core directives of Christianity: to worship only God and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Christian nationalism is a political ideology and cultural framework. It merges American and Christian identities, suggesting that only Christians are “true” Americans. This pervasive ideology not only undermines the ideal of religious freedom for all — which is foundational to our constitutional democracy — but also threatens core directives of Christianity: to worship only God and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
June 7, 2022: Religious Dispatches: CHRISTIAN NATIONALISTS AND THE HOLY GUN CRUSADE
In the wake of every mass shooting in this country, we have a brief moment where we talk about the guns used and the need for gun control. And then rapidly, the gun lobby, conservative politicians, Second Amendment absolutists, and the rest find every conceivable other possible thing to focus on, starting with “thoughts and prayers” and moving on to hardening school buildings. The mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, where the shooter used an AR-15-style weapon he’d purchased from the gun company Daniel Defense, has followed the same pattern--but with a recognition that the love of the AR-15 style weapon isn’t just about “freedom” or Second Amendment absolutism. It’s also about Christian Nationalism.
In the wake of every mass shooting in this country, we have a brief moment where we talk about the guns used and the need for gun control. And then rapidly, the gun lobby, conservative politicians, Second Amendment absolutists, and the rest find every conceivable other possible thing to focus on, starting with “thoughts and prayers” and moving on to hardening school buildings. The mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, where the shooter used an AR-15-style weapon he’d purchased from the gun company Daniel Defense, has followed the same pattern--but with a recognition that the love of the AR-15 style weapon isn’t just about “freedom” or Second Amendment absolutism. It’s also about Christian Nationalism.
At first blush, an effort known as “Pennsylvania for Christ” seems like a run-of-the-mill evangelistic campaign. Its stated mission is “to reestablish the kingdom of God in PA with word and action. We create events that help us accomplish the mission of putting Christ at the center of our state.” And they’ve gone about their ministry as one would expect. They held an event with speakers and praise music, announced a special time of prayer and fasting, and put out high-production videos featuring a minister, b-roll footage, and inspirational music.
But if you pay closer attention, you’ll notice Pennsylvania for Christ is doing more than trying to save souls. This movement’s praying for votes in the Republican primary for governor. Their slogans like “reestablishing the kingdom of God in Pennsylvania” and “we will claim Pennsylvania for Christ” mean putting State Sen. Doug Mastriano in the governor’s mansion. His ascension would suggest “an awakening is coming.” -Christian Nationalism as the Keystone
But if you pay closer attention, you’ll notice Pennsylvania for Christ is doing more than trying to save souls. This movement’s praying for votes in the Republican primary for governor. Their slogans like “reestablishing the kingdom of God in Pennsylvania” and “we will claim Pennsylvania for Christ” mean putting State Sen. Doug Mastriano in the governor’s mansion. His ascension would suggest “an awakening is coming.” -Christian Nationalism as the Keystone
