Facts V Myths – Christianity and Christian Nationalism
As Christians, if we are going to make informed choices that align with our values, we need to be aware of falsehoods being perpetrated in Jesus’ name. Here’s a quick take on some of those myths.
Christianity Says:
Four hundred years after Jesus’ crucifixion, the early church became part of the Holy Roman Empire, with mixed results. While it made Christianity a global religion, it also became a tool of power and control.
Today, Christian nationalism takes that tool and turns it into an extremist political ideology, disguised as religion; and fuses extremist Christianity and American civic life, disguised as religious freedom. Christian nationalists manipulate our religious images to create a dangerous identity that fuels disinformation, conspiracy, election denial, patriarchy and the abuse of women and minorities, and violence. The goal is to preserve Christian authority and power—at any cost—with all others subservient, including Christians who aren’t buying it.
Extremists Claim:
America was founded as a Christian nation, on Christian principles, and should be a Christian nation today. They call for the takeover of seven key institutions that shape most aspects of American culture and society, called the Seven Mountains Mandate: family, religion, government, education, arts and entertainment, commerce, and media. Some believe leaders can be anointed by God. They embrace terms like “holy war” and believe ”Jesus is a “warrior-king” and Christians are his soldiers. Using violence to overturn election results they don’t agree with is a Godly mission. These ideas, and Christian flags, were well-represented at the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
Extremist Christian Propaganda is Harmful to All of Us:
Christian nationalism is dangerous on so many levels, including to Christianity itself. It becomes a barrier to faith by pushing people away and is not the kind of evangelism and voluntary relationship with God that Paul and Jesus asked of us. The Seven Mountains Mandate pours billions of dollars into their own media and supports everything from pushing Christianity into public schools, to book bans, to replacing American democracy with a Christian state.
As the Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign notes, Christian nationalism “often overlaps with and provides cover for white supremacy and racial subjugation.” It is antisemitic, Islamophobic, and racist. It alleges our government is secretly controlled by Jews. The privileged Christian class in the U.S. should be promoted to leadership above all others—mostly white, male and straight.
White Christian nationalism is one of the main routes to radicalize and mobilize domestic terrorists among white supremacists, anti-government militias, and violent activists. One movement in particular, called Christian Identity, provides the religious roots for radical conspiracies and violence. Christian Identity’s “two-seed theory” goes like this: Back in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve conceived Abel, but Eve had a sexual affair with the serpent. From that liaison, she gave birth to Cain. Thus, two races of people were created. White Europeans descended from Abel’s lineage and are the true Lost Tribes of Israel. Jews descended from Cain (who famously murdered his brother) and are the literal spawn of the devil. Non-whites are subhuman, soul-less beasts created before Adam and Eve. To be clear, this “theology” is not affiliated with any Christian denomination, nor does it appear anywhere in the Bible. But its influence is dangerous and its adherents consider themselves Christian.
Christian nationalists advocate for oppressive legislation at all levels of government. They take away rights from Christians who do not accept their extremist beliefs, as well as non-Christians, women, people of color, immigrants, and the LGBT community. To say these ideas are the opposite of Jesus’ teaching and Christian values is an understatement. This notion of theocracy—combining church and state—also runs against the teachings of Jesus who stood up against the Roman Empire. And it’s never ended well for the church, either. Enemies of the state always become the enemies of the church.
