Opposition to Christian Nationalism by American Christians

A diverse coalition of Christians, including leaders from the Greek Orthodox Church, Roman Catholics, and evangelical communities, are challenging the notion that the U.S. should be governed by a fundamentalist interpretation of Christianity. They argue that Christian nationalism promotes exclusionary policies and undermines the compassionate teachings of Jesus, which emphasize dignity and love for all individuals. Events like the protest featuring an inflated Trump-themed golden calf by Faithful America on the National Mall illustrate the growing dissent against this movement. This protest coincided with the Family Research Council’s Pray Vote Stand Summit, a gathering that some view as a rallying point for Christian nationalists. Many opponents of Christian nationalism are taking proactive steps, such as organizing educational initiatives, public demonstrations, and issuing statements aimed at fostering a defense of pluralistic democracy against the encroachment of religious extremism in politics.

Key Figures and Actions

• Rev. Jim Wallis: Advocates for Christian leaders to actively defend democracy as a matter of faith.
• Skye Jethani: Co-authored a statement opposing Christian nationalism, likening it to historical resistance against oppressive ideologies.

The Broader Context

Christian nationalism is characterized by the belief that the U.S. should be defined by white American Christianity, often leading to calls for policies that reflect conservative Christian values on issues like education and immigration. Recent surveys indicate that a substantial portion of the American population identifies with or sympathizes with Christian nationalist views, particularly among white evangelical Protestants. In contrast, many Christian leaders are now emphasizing the importance of maintaining a separation between church and state to protect the democratic fabric of the nation.