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Christian Nationalism: What The Heck?


"Ah, you who make iniquitous decrees, who write oppressive statutes, to turn aside the needy from justice and to rob the poor of my people of their right, that widows may be your spoil, and that you may make the orphans your prey!" - Isaiah 10:1-2 (NRSVA)

"Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people." - Isaiah 10:1-2 (NIV)

Christian nationalism. What in the name of passports is this?? Let's talk. This old and resurging ideology is a potent and dangerous political and cultural framework that conflates faith with national identity, and suggests that the United States is inherently a Christian nation AND that American patriotism is synonymous with Christian devotion. This ungodly craziness is underpinned by the belief that the United States has a divine mandate to be a Christian nation. 

The images and language associated with this ideology—such as the American flag intertwined with the cross and slogans like "God and Country"—all serve to reinforce this dangerous conflation that completely distorts the teachings of Jesus, promotes exclusion (of course), and perpetuates various forms of oppression, including racism, homophobia, and xenophobia. As a follower of Christ, I stand firmly against this false and cruel narrative that turns its back on the inclusive, loving, and just teachings of Jesus Christ. 


I did a little digging, and according to the data presented by Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry in Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States (2020), the orientation towards Christian nationalism can be categorized into four groups: Rejecters (21.5%), Resisters (26.6%), Accommodators (32.1%), and Ambassadors (19.8%). This categorization reveals a substantial portion of the population that either supports or is sympathetic to Christian nationalist ideals. Seeing no surprised faces, we press on. 

History Again

Christian nationalism is not a new phenomenon. It is as old as dirt and echoes historical instances where religious fervor was manipulated to justify exclusion and violence. The Crusades, the Inquisition, and the European colonization of what is now known loosely as America are all examples where Christian rhetoric was used to oppress and marginalize. Today, we see this repetition in the form of T-shirts emblazoned with US flags and crosses, and the images mentioned above projecting that (true) faith is inherently tied to American nationalism. I am getting images of people with crosses on their tunics burning through occupied spaces in the name of God. Nothing new under the old sun, eh?


In contemporary America, the story that America is a "Christian nation," is a myth (read bullshit) that is an exaggerated form of American exceptionalism. It places God's providential hand in American history and present politics, serving as markers of Christian nationalism. This ideology often overlaps with and provides cover for white supremacy and racial subjugation, creating a framework where the dominant white so-called Christian culture is seen as the standard, and everyone else is marginalized. Think about how people of other faiths (particularly Moslems) in America are (mis)treated. 

Parallels with Other Forms of Oppression

Look closely at the intersectionality of Christian nationalism. It shares troubling similarities with other oppressive systems. Just like racism, it creates an in-group and an out-group, deeming certain people more deserving of rights and privileges based on their alignment with a specific identity. Like homophobia, it enforces rigid norms and persecutes those who do not conform. Like economic inequality, it perpetuates power imbalances, privileging those who align with its ideology while marginalizing those who don't.

The overlap with white supremacy is particularly alarming to me (and should be to you as well)  because it is a dangerous perpetuation of systemic oppression. Ring the bell against Project 2025 because there is no Jesus in that! Read my post about Project 2025 here https://bafflingbible.blogspot.com/2024/06/project-2025-my-rebuttal.html

The Part Religious and Non-Religious Communities Play


Both religious and non-religious communities can perpetuate Christian nationalism. Religious communities might do so by promoting exclusionary beliefs and intertwining faith with patriotism in their teachings. Non-religious communities might inadvertently support it by failing to challenge these ideologies or by supporting political figures who espouse Christian nationalist rhetoric. Check the data presented above. This data underscores the need for a concerted effort across all communities to challenge and dismantle this ideology.It won't go away because we ignore it. Choosing to ignore this clear and present danger is an act of support for it. 

What Now? Demolish It

This craze must be dismantled because it is antithetical to the core teachings of Jesus and harmful to societal cohesion. Christianity claims to follow the teachings of Jesus. The true message of Christianity therefore, is one of love, justice, and inclusion. As James 2:8 reminds us, "If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing right."

To combat Christian nationalism, we must:

  1. Educate: Teach the truth. Jesus, God Incarnate demonstrated a full-bodied Gospel that emphasizes love and justice for all.
  2. Advocate: Take your head out of the sand/clouds, recognize the signs and stand against policies and rhetoric that seek to merge religious identity with national identity.
  3. Unite: Build coalitions across religious and secular communities to promote a society where all are valued and included.

Worth Repeating


Christian nationalism is really another way of promoting and reinforcing the already established, death-dealing structures of oppression. It should not be ignored, and efforts must be made collectively to uproot and dismantle it to create a more just and inclusive world. 

References

  1. The Bible, New International Version.
  2. Du Mez, Kristin Kobes. Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation. Liveright, 2020.
  3. American Historical Association. "Christian Nationalism and Its Threat to American Democracy." Accessed [date]. https://www.historians.org/news-and-advocacy/everything-has-a-history/christian-nationalism-and-its-threat-to-american-democracy
  4. "Religious Nationalism and Its Global Implications." Journal of Religion and Society, vol. 22, 2021, pp. 15-35.
  5. Whitehead, Andrew L., and Samuel L. Perry. Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States. Oxford University Press, 2020.
  6. PRRI. "American Values Atlas," March 2020.

#christiannationalism #unholymatrimony #badtheologyleadstooppression 
Born and raised on The Gem of the Caribbean (Antigua and Barbuda), I am an immigrant living in the U.S. with my Fantastic Four and High School boops.

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