The Rising Volume of Conversations on ‘Christian Nationalism’ – An In-depth Look into its True Significance

A recent poll conducted by the University of Maryland in May 2022 reveals that 61% of Republicans support declaring the United States a Christian nation, despite 57% acknowledging that it would be unconstitutional. Additionally, a survey from the Public Religion Research Institute found that 31% of all Americans and 49% of Republicans believe that America was intended by God to be a new promised land for European Christians to create an exemplary society for the rest of the world.

These statistics highlight the influence of a set of ideas known as “Christian nationalism,” which has gained attention leading up to the November 2022 midterm elections. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia has openly identified as a Christian nationalist and called for the Republican Party to do the same. Others, like Representative Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano, may not claim the label but have embraced its principles, such as dismissing the separation of church and state.

Although few Americans self-identify as Christian nationalists, many have adopted certain aspects of this worldview. However, there is widespread confusion about what the term really means, necessitating a clear explanation. My research on how race and religion shape Americans’ attitudes toward government led me to study Christian nationalism and co-write a book that delves into its influence on Americans’ perceptions of themselves, their government, and their place in the world.

Christian nationalism encompasses more than just religiosity and patriotism; it is a comprehensive worldview that shapes people’s beliefs about how the nation should be structured and who belongs within it.

The phenomenon of white Christian nationalism has been extensively studied by historians, sociologists, political scientists, and scholars of religion. While their definitions may vary, they share certain common elements. Christian nationalism is a religious and political belief system that asserts that the United States was established by God as a Christian nation and exists to fulfill God’s vision for the world. According to this perspective, America can only be governed by Christians, and the country’s mission is guided by divine intervention.

In our recent book, “The Everyday Crusade: Christian Nationalism in American Politics,” co-written with political scientists Irfan Nooruddin and Allyson Shortle, we demonstrate that this worldview has existed since the colonial era and played a central role in shaping American identity. During the American Revolution, political and religious leaders connected independence from Britain to God’s plan for rectifying the world.

Since then, many Americans have believed that God favors their nation, influencing their interpretation of significant events such as supporting Manifest Destiny, which posited that the U.S. was destined to expand westward across North America, and framing the “war on terror” as a clash between Christians and non-Christians in the 21st century.

Presently, only about 40% of Americans identify as white Christians. The prospect of losing their majority status has prompted some to view Christian nationalism as the only means of restoring the nation to its intended path. Christian nationalism often restricts the definition of a “true” American to individuals who are white, Christian, U.S.-born, and of European descent.

The majority of Americans do not embrace Christian nationalism. However, its influence is evident in various aspects of American life, such as the display of American flags in churches, the inclusion of “In God We Trust” on money, license plates, and government vehicles, and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

In our research, we categorized U.S. citizens into three groups: dissidents, laity, and disciples. Dissidents reject the notion that the U.S. has a divine foundation and plan, instead embracing a more inclusive understanding of American identity. The proportion of dissidents ranges from 37% to 49% of the population in nationally representative samples.

At the other end of the spectrum, disciples strongly believe in the divine founding and guidance of the U.S. and hold more exclusive views about who qualifies as a “real” American and who should be allowed to enter the country. Disciples, representing 10% to 14% of the population, tend to perceive immigrants as a threat to American culture and express concerns about the declining percentage of white Christians in the country.

The laity, representing 37% to 52% of the population, falls between the dissidents and disciples. While they support many of the same ideas as the disciples, such as anti-immigrant, anti-Black, and anti-Muslim sentiments, their views are less intense.

Politicians can be seen as entrepreneurs constantly seeking new supporters. Some politicians have successfully attracted the disciples, who are politically engaged and eager to vote for candidates who align with their vision of the nation. Former President Donald Trump, in particular, appealed to voters sympathetic to Christian nationalist ideas by positioning himself as a defender of Christians under threat. His photo op in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., holding a Bible during the protests against police violence towards unarmed Black Americans, and his open hostility towards Muslims helped bring Christian nationalists from the fringes into the mainstream.

The connection between Christianity, the nation, and Trump was prominently displayed during the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. In extreme Christian nationalist views, the government must be aligned with this ideology, even if it requires force. Our research found that 68% of disciples agree that force may be necessary to preserve the traditional American way of life. While most disciples express strong support for representative democracy, 48% of them support the idea of military rule, compared to only 6% of dissidents.

The influence of Christian nationalism is evident in the 2022 midterm elections, as several candidates have expressed support for or made statements closely aligned with Christian nationalism. This rhetoric not only mobilizes disciples but also has the potential to persuade the laity that these candidates best represent their interests. In an increasingly polarized political environment where debates are often portrayed as a battle between good and evil, Christian nationalism thrives.

The implications of Christian nationalism for American democracy remain uncertain. However, as some white and Christian Americans fear a loss of status, Christian nationalism appears to be resurfacing, attempting to reclaim what it perceives as its holy land.