Hello

Jan. 9, 2025

By Rev. Rick King

Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, has written a book, “How to End Christian Nationalism,” which came out in early November. Tyler spoke at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church on Nov. 11, six days after the presidential election, at an event sponsored by Christians Against Christian Nationalism.

Tyler emphasizes that it’s vitally important to resist and reject the ideology of Christian nationalism, not demonize people who hold to some of its principles. It’s a lot like racism in that it operates systemically, pervading a culture. So, while people may not realize how it’s taking over people’s thinking and daily life, there are also daily opportunities to promote it or reject it. For those not familiar with Christian nationalism’s basic features, or those needing a refresher:
  • Christian nationalism divides the world into nation states and merges political and religious authority in ways that can lead us to worship country over God.
  • It undercuts all the basic values of a pluralistic democracy, especially regarding religious freedom.
  • As a political ideology and cultural framework, it merges American and Christian identities. You can’t be a “real American” unless you’re a Christian—and a Christian of a particular, fundamentalist kind that aligns with more conservative political views.
  • It promotes the idea that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation by Christians so as to privilege Christianity in law and policy.
  • Rather than emphasizing God’s love for all people, Christian nationalism believes the United States plays a special role in God’s plan.
  • It departs from the life and teachings of Jesus, who was always on the side of the marginalized and the oppressed—who was killed by the Roman state for speaking truth to power—and makes him a mascot for Christian nationalism.
  • In short, Christian nationalism is all about power—seeking it and holding onto it.
Tyler points out that in a sense, Christian nationalism traces its roots back to the Roman Emperor Constantine’s merger of Christianity and empire. “That’s when I think that the teachings of Jesus and the religion of Christianity started to be polluted by Christian nationalism and this idol of power,” she said.
We’ve seen where this can lead in other countries, where other religions have been co-opted by governments to serve a particular political viewpoint and amass power. Two current examples: Modi’s India, where Hindu nationalism oppresses Muslims, and Putin’s Russia and its co-optation of the Russian Orthodox Church.
So, what can we do?
  • Start by acknowledging that, as Tyler says, Christian nationalism is “not an immutable quality that you can’t choose to move away from. It’s also not an immutable problem that you’re safe from.”
  • Ask questions of people who are speaking in Christian nationalist terms. Often, following a person’s reasoning to its natural conclusions presents an opportunity for them to question it along with you.
  • A really effective question to ask the person when they make a statement that seems to come from someone else is, “Who told you that?” And then listen. There may be a story they need to tell.
  • Go slowly, build trust—change doesn’t happen overnight.
Christian nationalism thrives on division. If we want to work for unity, we can’t use tools that maintain an us-versus-them mentality. We are where we are because we have forgotten we’re all in this together.