The Growing Threat of Christian Nationalism in the U.S.

[Ocelot II]

...As a political theology that co-opts Christian narratives and symbolism, Christian nationalism has its own version of the “elect,” those chosen by God. They are “people like us,” meaning conservative Christian, but also white, natural-born citizens. Moreover, in a prosperous nation, only “the elect” should control the political process while others must be closely scrutinized, discouraged, or even denied access. This ideology is fundamentally a threat to a pluralistic, democratic society.

It is important to note that by “Christian nationalists” we don’t necessarily mean all white theologically conservative Christian groups. In fact, we show in our book that traditional indicators of religious commitment and Christian nationalism oftentimes influence people in opposite directions. The threat generally comes from Christian nationalism, embraced by many conservative Christians as well as non-Christians, rather than from all committed Christians....

The threat of Christian nationalism is buried within the seemingly harmless language of “heritage,” “culture,” and “values.” But within this language is an implicit understanding of civic belonging and relative worth. Study after study shows Christian nationalism is strongly associated with attitudes concerning proper social hierarchies by religion, race, and nativity. These views naturally extend to whom Americans think should have the right to participate in the political process and whether everyone should have equal access to voting.

Pair this hierarchical thinking with the propensity of Americans who embrace Christian nationalism to believe in conspiracy theories, trust Donald Trump above all other sources of information, and baptize violence in the name of protecting the United States. Doing so illuminates why so many would support a violent insurrection in the name of Jesus or pass laws aimed at limiting minorities’ access to the democratic process in opposition to the results of a fair and free election.

The rest at https://time.com/6052051/anti-democratic-threat-christian-nationalism/

[dchill]

1. So Christian it's scary.

[USAFRetired_Liberal]

2. There really isn't any difference between them and the Islamic Fundamentalist they despise

[eppur_se_muova]

9. Of course there is !

The spelling is completely different !

[LiberalLovinLug]

10. I had to

[empedocles]

3. As the article suggests -

' . . . national surveys of Americans collected over the last decade to show that about 20 percent of Americans―those we call “Ambassadors”―strongly embrace Christian nationalism. '' - from the Time cite.

[Seems that traitortrump was good at attracting those that 'strongly embrace' - some evangelicals, angry gun types, uh, various hate subgroups. 'And, so goes . . . ' . ]

[modrepub]

4. Trump, Gates, Et Al

are not Christians in any sense other than they basically rail against the same folks a lot of big church fundamentalists despise. These folks are willing to forgive just about any transgression as long as politicians support the cause and spite these folks perceived as their enemies. Power is the only thing these people crave. They've convinced themselves that "the other side" is evil and out to get them so they'll gladly support the devil himself as long as they get their way.

To be honest, the country is slipping more and more into the secular column with each passing generation. That's not to say things won't change, the county has had a lot of christian revival moments in its history. These folks are convinced the only way is their way and will do just about anything to keep it that way.

But it's plain to me that their vision can not stand. Our population is shrinking for the most part. It's both physically and financially challenging to have kids. Without some real reforms in child care responsibilities, our medical care system and living wages, women (and some men) are going to choose to have small (or no) families. This is the real crisis we face. Wether there's a political solution to this dilemma or not, I'm not sure. But no one on the "Christian" side seems to care for anything other than raw power. And these folks never seem to understand the adage you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink.

[forgotmylogin]

5. Margaret Atwood's THE HANDMAID'S TALE was a warning. n/t

[SergeStorms]

6. It's time to start taxing these "churches".

They want to interfere in the affairs of state, it's time to make them pay for that privilege.

I'm sick and tired of these zealots, who are politically active, steering our ship of state. It's time to push back, and push back hard!

[cayugafalls]

7. There is no hate like christian love...

Yup.

[llashram]

12. yes

so true

[dalton99a]

8. Kick

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/new-god-bless-the-usa-bible-that-includes-the-constitution-attracting-critics-customers/

[llashram]

11. lots and lots

of POC in this deranged bunch of hypocrites for Jesus. And yes I have sat in sermons where they were smiling in my face and calling me ...... behind my back.

[Lonestarblue]

13. Dominionists, Opus Dei, ALEC, and many more are working to create a country only for themselves.

Republicans use a lot of phrases that are just code for white supremacy. The domestic terrorists of January 6 were there to “take back their country,” a country where only white people have rights. The ideas that we are losing our “traditional way of life” or “traditional culture” are nothing more than we white people are not being given preference in everything and black and brown people are far too visible and do not know their place. Why, even one of them sat in the Oval Office—a sacrament!

The Proud Boys and other white supremacist groups clearly have the goal of removing all minorities from the country or subjugating them through violence and laws so that they are no longer threats to white power. Ultimately, all these groups are working toward one thing—and that is the demise of true democracy to establish a certain class of white people as the country’s de facto permanent rulers. Each group may not be large enough to accomplish such a thing alone, but in concert they very well may have the power to do it.

I have been pondering since last night a discussion on MSNBC. The panelists were saying that Democratic leaders are not taking the threats to democracy seriously enough. They continue to treat Republicans as an authentic political party that will eventually behave without any interference. Their point was that these leaders are not doing enough to protect democracy, and that extends beyond Congress. As an example, the DOJ sent a very mild rebuke to Arizona Republicans when they could have brought suit to stop an illegal recount. Democrats aren’t willing to pass S1 if it means getting rid of the filibuster. So we keep the filibuster, which will be gone the next time Republicans are in charge and want to prevent Democrats from stopping a law they want to pass, but we will no longer have a democracy.

I know I have been frustrated with the seeming lack of action by Democrats, and I hope these panelists are wrong and Democrats are taking this threat seriously.

[Runningdawg]

14. We learned NOTHING from Waco and OKC

Since then the Christian military compounds on the OK/AR/MO border have doubled several times over. And that's not counting the churches in towns and cities, who have turned their basements, that once housed quilting circles, into armories and summer camp into basic training for the kiddies.

[Hippo_The_Pointer]

15. They're putting the 'Hannity' into Chrsitianity

As I've been saying for some time we are witness to a new schism in Christianity. To one side is the Christianity of Jesus. To other is the christo-nationalists (or christo-fascists if you prefer that title). These people have hijacked the name of Jesus and are using it to redefine Christianity. To fight it we must keep demonstrating the hypocrisy and reminding people of Jesus' actual message (remember the whole blessed are the poor thing?).

[Deep State Witch]

16. I've Been Worried About Them Since 1980

Probably earlier, but that's when I became aware of them. I was a counselor at a Christian camp (yeah.... that stuck) that I had attended as a kid. They brought in a new counselor to work with me who was a Fundie. She scared the kids so much that they removed both of us from the cabin and fired her.

People like that are why I am considering a contingency plan to leave the country.

[roamer65]

17. Mao Zedong was right.

RELIGION IS POISON.

People who spread poison are criminals. That is how we need to start looking at religious extremists.