- Vivek Ramaswamy - Kim Reynolds - Tim Scott - Amy Shandy - Al Sharpton - Roger Stone - Kandis Taylor - Tommy Tuberville - Paul C Vitz - Raphael Warnock - Derrick Wilburn - David Wilson - Lauren Witzke -
Vivek Ramaswamy
We need to hear from the presidential candidates about poverty
Three Republican candidates who are trailing in the polls — Vivek Ramaswamy, Asa Hutchinson and Ryan Binkley — have made videos on poverty. Ramaswamy says in his video he would pursue free-market strategies to make the necessities of life more affordable. Hutchinson stresses neighbor-to-neighbor help coupled with existing compassionate government programs, notably school lunches and SNAP food assistance. Binkley believes in education, volunteer efforts in local communities and self-help — not the federal government. None of them mention the current surge in hunger and poverty. (David Beckman/ Religion News 11/24/23)
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Three Republican candidates who are trailing in the polls — Vivek Ramaswamy, Asa Hutchinson and Ryan Binkley — have made videos on poverty. Ramaswamy says in his video he would pursue free-market strategies to make the necessities of life more affordable. Hutchinson stresses neighbor-to-neighbor help coupled with existing compassionate government programs, notably school lunches and SNAP food assistance. Binkley believes in education, volunteer efforts in local communities and self-help — not the federal government. None of them mention the current surge in hunger and poverty. (David Beckman/ Religion News 11/24/23)
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Republican candidates kiss the Christian nationalist ring
GOP presidential candidates' appearance at a “Thanksgiving family forum” hosted by a Christian conservative group signals the far-right’s power — and more specifically, Christian nationalists’ power — over today’s Republican Party. Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis agreed to appear at the Family Leader's roundtable discussion Friday in Iowa. Donald Trump was invited but did not attend. The reason for the front-runner's absence is unclear, though one possible motivation could be that Family Leader President Bob Vander Plaats has said it's time for someone to replace Trump as the party's de facto leader.
(Ja Han Jones/MSNBC 11/20/23)
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GOP presidential candidates' appearance at a “Thanksgiving family forum” hosted by a Christian conservative group signals the far-right’s power — and more specifically, Christian nationalists’ power — over today’s Republican Party. Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis agreed to appear at the Family Leader's roundtable discussion Friday in Iowa. Donald Trump was invited but did not attend. The reason for the front-runner's absence is unclear, though one possible motivation could be that Family Leader President Bob Vander Plaats has said it's time for someone to replace Trump as the party's de facto leader.
(Ja Han Jones/MSNBC 11/20/23)
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Top GOP candidates converge in Iowa for evangelical Christian forum that Trump skipped
Three Republican presidential candidates gathered Friday at a proverbial Thanksgiving dinner in Iowa for a “family discussion” that falls in the middle of an increasingly contentious primary.
Shoulder-to-shoulder, rather than separated by podiums on a debate stage, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley engaged in a discussion on issues important to Iowa evangelicals at the Christian conservative Family Leader’s Thanksgiving forum.
(Alayna Treene, Veronica Stracqualursi, Kit Maher/CNN 11/17/23)
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Three Republican presidential candidates gathered Friday at a proverbial Thanksgiving dinner in Iowa for a “family discussion” that falls in the middle of an increasingly contentious primary.
Shoulder-to-shoulder, rather than separated by podiums on a debate stage, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley engaged in a discussion on issues important to Iowa evangelicals at the Christian conservative Family Leader’s Thanksgiving forum.
(Alayna Treene, Veronica Stracqualursi, Kit Maher/CNN 11/17/23)
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Vivek Ramaswamy
“So can I be a president who promotes Christianity across this country? I can’t for a number of reasons. I’m not Christian. I don’t think that’s actually what we should want the US president exactly doing either,” --Vivek Ramaswamy 11/17/23
“So can I be a president who promotes Christianity across this country? I can’t for a number of reasons. I’m not Christian. I don’t think that’s actually what we should want the US president exactly doing either,” --Vivek Ramaswamy 11/17/23
kim reynolds
July 13, 2023: NPR: Republican presidential candidates vie for the influential evangelical Christian vote
MASTERS: Trump won't be at the summit this year, and it wouldn't have been that warm of a welcome if he was. This week Trump attacked Iowa's Governor Kim Reynolds for remaining neutral in the race. And while Vander Plaats praises Trump's first term in office, he says it's time for a new nominee.
MASTERS: Trump won't be at the summit this year, and it wouldn't have been that warm of a welcome if he was. This week Trump attacked Iowa's Governor Kim Reynolds for remaining neutral in the race. And while Vander Plaats praises Trump's first term in office, he says it's time for a new nominee.
tim scott
Oct 25, 2023: Times of Israel: Support for Israel becomes top issue for Iowa evangelicals key to first GOP caucuses
Some of Trump’s rivals have directly tied US relations with Israel to Christian tradition. South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, who has invested heavily in Iowa, often speaks of Israel’s importance by referencing the Bible.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” Scott told an audience during a campaign stop in Newton this month, quoting from the Book of Psalms. For Israel’s enemies, Scott said, “the wrath of God, let them feel it,” paraphrasing the New Testament’s Book of Romans.
Some of Trump’s rivals have directly tied US relations with Israel to Christian tradition. South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, who has invested heavily in Iowa, often speaks of Israel’s importance by referencing the Bible.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” Scott told an audience during a campaign stop in Newton this month, quoting from the Book of Psalms. For Israel’s enemies, Scott said, “the wrath of God, let them feel it,” paraphrasing the New Testament’s Book of Romans.
Yes, Tim Scott is a Black man, but he’s still promoting Christian nationalism
Much of Scott’s political messaging has to do with faith. He called his fundraising tour the “Faith in America” tour. He said in an interview: “My foundation as an individual is one that’s formed by my grandmother, my mother’s faith. And it certainly resonated with me when I was growing up that when things are scarce, the one thing that was in abundance was faith and love.” On the surface, that sounds quite positive.
But during his announcement, Scott claimed President Biden is leading the United States to retreat from “patriotism and faith.” He vowed: “I will be the president who stops the far left’s assault on our religious liberty. I will preserve one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
He added, “We will be the nation where we honor our Creator and respect every innocent life.”
Being a nation that honors the Creator may gain him some points with his evangelical base. But what exactly does that mean? And how would honoring evangelicalism’s God affect public policy decisions?
Scott has spoken against using the law for political power posturing. He told a group in Iowa: “The weaponizing of the law against political enemies only weakens the fabric of our country. It brings into question whether or not the laws of this country are going to be used as a weapon against those folks that we don’t like.” But despite what Scott may think about weaponizing the law, the masses of faith-driven voters he seeks to court have bigger plans. (Rick Pidcock/Baptist News Global 5/15/23)
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Much of Scott’s political messaging has to do with faith. He called his fundraising tour the “Faith in America” tour. He said in an interview: “My foundation as an individual is one that’s formed by my grandmother, my mother’s faith. And it certainly resonated with me when I was growing up that when things are scarce, the one thing that was in abundance was faith and love.” On the surface, that sounds quite positive.
But during his announcement, Scott claimed President Biden is leading the United States to retreat from “patriotism and faith.” He vowed: “I will be the president who stops the far left’s assault on our religious liberty. I will preserve one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
He added, “We will be the nation where we honor our Creator and respect every innocent life.”
Being a nation that honors the Creator may gain him some points with his evangelical base. But what exactly does that mean? And how would honoring evangelicalism’s God affect public policy decisions?
Scott has spoken against using the law for political power posturing. He told a group in Iowa: “The weaponizing of the law against political enemies only weakens the fabric of our country. It brings into question whether or not the laws of this country are going to be used as a weapon against those folks that we don’t like.” But despite what Scott may think about weaponizing the law, the masses of faith-driven voters he seeks to court have bigger plans. (Rick Pidcock/Baptist News Global 5/15/23)
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Tim SCott
“As a guy who was raised in a single-parent household mired in poverty, I understand that devastation when a family breaks up. I live with the consequences of a father who was not there. I made a commitment to make sure that never happened in my life. I’m so thankful to know a risen savior that has helped guide my way, and I’m so thankful that he’s allowed my life to intersect at the right time with the right person. And I just say, praise the living God.” --Tim Scott; 9.16.23
Myah Ward
“So other than your mama, is there any special lady in your life?” asked Republican Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird at the Faith and Freedom Coalition in Des Moines (To Tim Scott), where a number of GOP presidential hopefuls participated in a town hall. Scott, telling the crowd “yes,” quipped that it’s been “one of the more asked questions recently,” and said he’s surprised if anyone in the room hasn’t read about her yet.
“I’m dating a lovely Christian girl,” Scott said, addressing the question for the first time since a lengthy Washington Post report on his relationship status, and the mystery of it, published earlier this week.
“One of the things I love about the gospel of Jesus Christ is it points us always in the right direction. Proverbs 18:22 says, ‘He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord,’” he added.
Scott, 57, then knelt to the ground, asking the room to please pray for him before quickly rising with a big grin. The audience laughed.
Scott has never been married, drawing questions in GOP circles about the presidential candidate’s relationship status, especially as he looks to court evangelical voters. Though the percentage of adults remaining single later in adulthood has risen in recent years, the Republican Party, particularly the more religious bloc of voters, continues to hold traditional ideas about marriage and family. -Myah Ward; Politico; ‘A lovely Christian girl’: Scott addresses relationship status at Iowa evangelical forum 0.16.23
“I’m dating a lovely Christian girl,” Scott said, addressing the question for the first time since a lengthy Washington Post report on his relationship status, and the mystery of it, published earlier this week.
“One of the things I love about the gospel of Jesus Christ is it points us always in the right direction. Proverbs 18:22 says, ‘He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord,’” he added.
Scott, 57, then knelt to the ground, asking the room to please pray for him before quickly rising with a big grin. The audience laughed.
Scott has never been married, drawing questions in GOP circles about the presidential candidate’s relationship status, especially as he looks to court evangelical voters. Though the percentage of adults remaining single later in adulthood has risen in recent years, the Republican Party, particularly the more religious bloc of voters, continues to hold traditional ideas about marriage and family. -Myah Ward; Politico; ‘A lovely Christian girl’: Scott addresses relationship status at Iowa evangelical forum 0.16.23
amy shandy
Amy Shandy was born in Sterling, Colorado. She earned an associate degree from Seward County Community College in 1992, a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1995, and a graduate degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 2000. Her career experience includes working as a speech-language pathologist
October 26, 2023:
Seducing the Bride of Christ
During the 1980s, Colorado Springs was jokingly called the “evangelical Vatican” due to the prevalence of Christian megachurches, parachurches, ministries, and nonprofits. The influence of evangelical Christianity in Colorado Springs peaked in the 90s with the passage of Amendment 2, which banned local municipalities from enacting nondiscrimination ordinances to protect LGBTQ people. While the overt influence of groups like Focus on the Family on local and state politics has waned, the congregations in Academy School District 20 represent a sizable voting block. Messages from the Advocates for D20 Kids Discord server show that conservative candidates Derrick Wilburn and Amy Shandy were actively courting local churches for support in their campaigns. (Heidi Beetle/Colorado Times Recorder)
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During the 1980s, Colorado Springs was jokingly called the “evangelical Vatican” due to the prevalence of Christian megachurches, parachurches, ministries, and nonprofits. The influence of evangelical Christianity in Colorado Springs peaked in the 90s with the passage of Amendment 2, which banned local municipalities from enacting nondiscrimination ordinances to protect LGBTQ people. While the overt influence of groups like Focus on the Family on local and state politics has waned, the congregations in Academy School District 20 represent a sizable voting block. Messages from the Advocates for D20 Kids Discord server show that conservative candidates Derrick Wilburn and Amy Shandy were actively courting local churches for support in their campaigns. (Heidi Beetle/Colorado Times Recorder)
Read More>>>>>
al sharpton
Evangelicals are 'betraying their humanity' by supporting Trump: conservative
Former President Donald Trump's support among Christians is by no means universal in the United States, where he has plenty of opponents who identify as Catholic or Mainline Protestant. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia) and the Rev. Al Sharpton are Protestant ministers and scathing Trump critics; President Joe Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) are practicing Catholics who have nothing good to say about the 2024 GOP presidential frontrunner. Yet Trump remains popular among a particular group within Christianity: far-right white evangelicals. If he wins the Republican presidential nomination next year, he will do it with a lot of help from that demographic. (Alex Henderson/ Raw Story 11/24/23)
Read More>>>>>
Former President Donald Trump's support among Christians is by no means universal in the United States, where he has plenty of opponents who identify as Catholic or Mainline Protestant. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia) and the Rev. Al Sharpton are Protestant ministers and scathing Trump critics; President Joe Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) are practicing Catholics who have nothing good to say about the 2024 GOP presidential frontrunner. Yet Trump remains popular among a particular group within Christianity: far-right white evangelicals. If he wins the Republican presidential nomination next year, he will do it with a lot of help from that demographic. (Alex Henderson/ Raw Story 11/24/23)
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roger stone
Jan 23, 2023: New Republic: The Rise of Spirit Warriors on the Christian Right
You might also have noticed the many warnings about demons and spiritual battle on the campaign trail. In the runoff for the Georgia Senate, which he lost by a narrow margin, Herschel Walker—he of the vampires and werewolves—alerted us that the nation is entangled in “spiritual battle” and offered himself as a “warrior for God.” On Eric Metaxas’s radio show, where he interviews conservative politicians and cultural figures, repeat guest Roger Stone told Metaxas that a “demonic portal” had opened above the White House. At an Idaho stop on Mike Flynn’s ReAwaken America tour in September—a traveling road show of conspiracists, candidates for political office, and religious zealots—the Pentecostal pastor Mark Burns called out to the cheering crowd, “I’ve come here to declare war on every demonic, demon-possessed Democrat that comes from the gates of hell.” Sean Feucht, a preacher known for hosting large-scale public evangelism events and a repeat guest on the ReAwaken America tour circuit, cast Democratic initiatives as “schemes of the devil in the political realm.”
You might also have noticed the many warnings about demons and spiritual battle on the campaign trail. In the runoff for the Georgia Senate, which he lost by a narrow margin, Herschel Walker—he of the vampires and werewolves—alerted us that the nation is entangled in “spiritual battle” and offered himself as a “warrior for God.” On Eric Metaxas’s radio show, where he interviews conservative politicians and cultural figures, repeat guest Roger Stone told Metaxas that a “demonic portal” had opened above the White House. At an Idaho stop on Mike Flynn’s ReAwaken America tour in September—a traveling road show of conspiracists, candidates for political office, and religious zealots—the Pentecostal pastor Mark Burns called out to the cheering crowd, “I’ve come here to declare war on every demonic, demon-possessed Democrat that comes from the gates of hell.” Sean Feucht, a preacher known for hosting large-scale public evangelism events and a repeat guest on the ReAwaken America tour circuit, cast Democratic initiatives as “schemes of the devil in the political realm.”
kandiss taylor
donald trump
tommy tuberville
Steve Rabey
Family Research Council has praised Tuberville’s courage in a series of fundraising emails, hailing his “David vs. Goliath standoff with the Biden administration’s Department of Defense and even fellow senators in order to protect unborn lives and the rule of law. … For months he has courageously stood firm. …What if every Bible-believing Christian in America took seriously the calling of Jesus for each of us to be salt and light in the darkening world around us?”
Family Research Council also claimed the Defense Department is acting in bad faith: “Let’s be absolutely clear: The Pentagon’s new abortion policy has everything to do with activist politics and nothing to do with Congress’ obligation to raise and maintain armed forces to provide for the common defense.” ..Gary Bauer of the James Dobson Family Institute said the military has gone “woke” in promoting “abortion, transgender ideology and Critical Race Theory / anti-American history.” He claimed this shift is hurting recruitment because “millions of American families will not encourage their sons and daughters to serve in such a military.” Focus on the Family’s Daily Citizen also praised Tuberville: “In Washington, D.C., it’s rare for politicians to follow through on commitments they’ve made. But so far, Sen. Tuberville has done exactly that.” --Steve Rabey; Baptist news Global; Christian groups applaud Tommy Tuberville’s blockade of military promotions 9.8.23
Family Research Council also claimed the Defense Department is acting in bad faith: “Let’s be absolutely clear: The Pentagon’s new abortion policy has everything to do with activist politics and nothing to do with Congress’ obligation to raise and maintain armed forces to provide for the common defense.” ..Gary Bauer of the James Dobson Family Institute said the military has gone “woke” in promoting “abortion, transgender ideology and Critical Race Theory / anti-American history.” He claimed this shift is hurting recruitment because “millions of American families will not encourage their sons and daughters to serve in such a military.” Focus on the Family’s Daily Citizen also praised Tuberville: “In Washington, D.C., it’s rare for politicians to follow through on commitments they’ve made. But so far, Sen. Tuberville has done exactly that.” --Steve Rabey; Baptist news Global; Christian groups applaud Tommy Tuberville’s blockade of military promotions 9.8.23
paul c vitz
One of the major characteristics of moral decline in the United States in recent decades has been the rapid growth of moral relativism. The idea is now widespread that each individual has some kind of a sovereign right to create, develop, and express whatever values he or she happens to prefer. . . . Hard work, self-reliance, self-control, the delaying of gratification, sexual restraint, an active concern for democracy and patriotism have all fallen on hard times. Unfortunately, America has now reached the point where it permits almost everything and stands for almost nothing—except a flabby relativism. --Paul C. Vitz (Ph.D., Stanford University)
raphael warnock
Evangelicals are 'betraying their humanity' by supporting Trump: conservative
Former President Donald Trump's support among Christians is by no means universal in the United States, where he has plenty of opponents who identify as Catholic or Mainline Protestant. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia) and the Rev. Al Sharpton are Protestant ministers and scathing Trump critics; President Joe Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) are practicing Catholics who have nothing good to say about the 2024 GOP presidential frontrunner. Yet Trump remains popular among a particular group within Christianity: far-right white evangelicals. If he wins the Republican presidential nomination next year, he will do it with a lot of help from that demographic. (Alex Henderson/ Raw Story 11/24/23)
Read More>>>>>
Former President Donald Trump's support among Christians is by no means universal in the United States, where he has plenty of opponents who identify as Catholic or Mainline Protestant. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia) and the Rev. Al Sharpton are Protestant ministers and scathing Trump critics; President Joe Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) are practicing Catholics who have nothing good to say about the 2024 GOP presidential frontrunner. Yet Trump remains popular among a particular group within Christianity: far-right white evangelicals. If he wins the Republican presidential nomination next year, he will do it with a lot of help from that demographic. (Alex Henderson/ Raw Story 11/24/23)
Read More>>>>>
derrick wilburn
Derrick Wilburn is running for election for an at-large seat of the Academy School District 20 school board in Colorado. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 7, 2023.
October 26, 2023:
Seducing the Bride of Christ
During the 1980s, Colorado Springs was jokingly called the “evangelical Vatican” due to the prevalence of Christian megachurches, parachurches, ministries, and nonprofits. The influence of evangelical Christianity in Colorado Springs peaked in the 90s with the passage of Amendment 2, which banned local municipalities from enacting nondiscrimination ordinances to protect LGBTQ people. While the overt influence of groups like Focus on the Family on local and state politics has waned, the congregations in Academy School District 20 represent a sizable voting block. Messages from the Advocates for D20 Kids Discord server show that conservative candidates Derrick Wilburn and Amy Shandy were actively courting local churches for support in their campaigns. (Heidi Beetle/Colorado Times Recorder)
Read More>>>>>
During the 1980s, Colorado Springs was jokingly called the “evangelical Vatican” due to the prevalence of Christian megachurches, parachurches, ministries, and nonprofits. The influence of evangelical Christianity in Colorado Springs peaked in the 90s with the passage of Amendment 2, which banned local municipalities from enacting nondiscrimination ordinances to protect LGBTQ people. While the overt influence of groups like Focus on the Family on local and state politics has waned, the congregations in Academy School District 20 represent a sizable voting block. Messages from the Advocates for D20 Kids Discord server show that conservative candidates Derrick Wilburn and Amy Shandy were actively courting local churches for support in their campaigns. (Heidi Beetle/Colorado Times Recorder)
Read More>>>>>
david wilson
Christian schools: Exempt us from certifications and licensure
Leaders of private christian schools clashed with legislators Wednesday in the Senate Education Committee over a bill that would require licenses and certifications for religious early education centers. Senate Bill 69, sponsored by Sen. David Wilson, R-Lincoln, would exempt sectarian or religious institutions from the Delaware Child Care Act. aron Coon, head of school at Dover’s Calvary Christian Academy, said if the legislators don’t pass SB 69, all 335 students at Calvary will be put at risk of not having a school. “The facility requirements in the regulation are not possible in our facility, which means we would have to buy a new facility or used facility and make a large move,” he said. “That is not possible right now financially or within the timeframe allotted.” He also said the regulations in the Delaware Child Care Act conflict with some of Calvary’s religious beliefs as a church and a school, especially in the hiring process. He did not expand on that comment. “These points among others will force us to close our doors, contributing to Delaware’s child care and unemployment crisis,” he said.
(Jarek Rutz/Town Square Live 4/5/23)
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Leaders of private christian schools clashed with legislators Wednesday in the Senate Education Committee over a bill that would require licenses and certifications for religious early education centers. Senate Bill 69, sponsored by Sen. David Wilson, R-Lincoln, would exempt sectarian or religious institutions from the Delaware Child Care Act. aron Coon, head of school at Dover’s Calvary Christian Academy, said if the legislators don’t pass SB 69, all 335 students at Calvary will be put at risk of not having a school. “The facility requirements in the regulation are not possible in our facility, which means we would have to buy a new facility or used facility and make a large move,” he said. “That is not possible right now financially or within the timeframe allotted.” He also said the regulations in the Delaware Child Care Act conflict with some of Calvary’s religious beliefs as a church and a school, especially in the hiring process. He did not expand on that comment. “These points among others will force us to close our doors, contributing to Delaware’s child care and unemployment crisis,” he said.
(Jarek Rutz/Town Square Live 4/5/23)
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Lauren Witzke
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