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Analysis
Interfaith Alliance Releases New Resource on Christian Nationalism
For millions of Americans, the Jan. 6th insurrection demonstrated the potential threats our nation faces from anti-democratic forces. While the mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol included self-identified Proud Boys, Three Percenters, and other far right groups, some of the most indelible images from that day prominently featured religious symbols and language. In the aftermath, many are coming to understand the threat of Christian nationalism for the first time. On September 28, 2022, Interfaith Alliance released A Concise Introduction to Christian Nationalism to clarify the dangers of this growing movement.
What is Christian Nationalism?
Christian nationalism is a cultural framework that conflates American identity with an exclusive form of religious identity. Rooted in the myth that we were founded as a Christian nation and therefore enjoy special favor by God, proponents of Christian nationalism seek a fusion of religious and civil life - to the detriment of both.
Christian nationalism draws on the symbols and language of Christian religious life in service of a political and cultural goal. Yet the “Christian” elements of this ideology are more about identity than religion. Christian nationalism incorporates anti-democratic notions of white supremacy, nativism, patriarchy, and authoritarianism, seeking to concentrate power in a select group.
As a national advocacy organization that champions true religious freedom, Interfaith Alliance has been monitoring the growth of Christian nationalism with alarm and raising concerns about politicians who proudly embrace its tenets. Former President Rabbi Jack Moline said about the Jan. 6 insurrection that “at the root of the attempted coup is Christian nationalism, the notion that the United States is by intention and right a country ordained to be established and governed by a certain interpretation of the Christian faith.”
Where Do We Go from Here?
Our introduction to Christian nationalism provides readers across party and ideology with the language and background to recognize Christian nationalism in their own communities, school boards, state legislatures, and more. The primer also includes recommendations for further resources that examine the threat of Christian Nationalism and its hold on the United States.
The freedom to believe as we choose is a fundamental component of our national identity. We refuse to cede ground to anti-democratic activists who seek to recast religious freedom as a license to discrimination. True religious freedom protects people of all faiths and none. By learning to recognize and reject Christian nationalism in a unified voice, we can finally deliver on our nation's foundational promises.
On Sept. 28, 2022, Interfaith Alliance hosted a briefing on Capitol Hill to discuss the dangers of Christian Nationalism, which are outlined in our new resource. Click here to view a recording of the briefing.
Transcript
True Religious Freedom Means Protecting Our Faith Leaders, Not Detaining Them
In early July, Ayman Soliman, a former Cincinnati Children’s Hospital chaplain, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after his asylum status was terminated in June. In response, local faith leaders organized a prayer vigil, rally, and peaceful march; during the march at least 15 protesters were detained by local police and charged with felony rioting.
New Research Finds the Supreme Court Shows Bias Towards Christian Groups
In a recently published article in the Cambridge Journal of Political Affairs, Adam Hamdan offers a statistical analysis of the role religion plays in Supreme Court cases. The article builds on previous studies examining the interplay between religious beliefs and Supreme Court cases to find that under the Roberts Court, the Supreme Court has sided with religious groups more than previous courts, especially when it comes to Christian groups. This finding mirrors public perception of the Supreme Court, as a recent PEW Research Center study found that 35% of Americans see SCOTUS as friendly toward religion, a significant increase from the 18% of Americans that believed that in 2019.
Speaker Mike Johnson’s Attack on Church-State Separation Violates 250 Years of American Religious Liberty
On July 12, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson posted an article on X titled “The True Meaning of ‘The Separation of Church and State.’” In it, Speaker Johnson argues that the original intent of the “separation of church and state” doctrine was to allow religious groups to influence the government while protecting them from government regulation.