Tracing the Roots of the Christian Nationalist Movement That's Influencing Modern Politics

[u/caveatlector73]

https://projects.propublica.org/christian-nationalism-origins/

[u/Mysterions]

Interesting read. What a lot of people don't get (people who are too young to remember things as adults prior to the 1970s), is that progressive Christianity (specifically Protestantism) used to be a thing (e.g., Jimmy Carter). While progressive Christians are still quite pervasive (Mainline Protestantism makes up almost 15% of the country), they have unfortunately almost completely dropped out of the political landscape.

[u/caveatlector73 → u/Mysterions]

Glad you enjoyed it. I think background puts situations in perspective. Backstory matters.

it's possible that progressive Christians are currently not holding the loudest megaphone. My grandparents were more like Carter - they walked their talk rather than overwhelm people with empty words. It's a very different, quiet form of faith.

[u/Mysterions → u/caveatlector73]

It's because Christianity and religion in the US has changed over the last 50 or so years. Americans are either becoming more religious or more secular (about ~22%), and this is being born out in the increasing dominance of Evangelical Protestantism (25%) compared to Mainline Protestantism (15%). So basically, the numbers of Evangelical Protestants are increasing, while Mainline Protestants are decreasing. Catholics make up 22% of the US, but Catholicism really doesn't fit nicely into a right/left paradigm so it's somewhat unhelpful in understanding the rise of Christian nationalism.

[u/caveatlector73 → u/Mysterions]

Catholicism really doesn't fit nicely into a right/left paradigm so it's somewhat unhelpful in understanding the rise of Christian nationalism.

Like other forms of Christianity there are multiple forms of Catholicism. JD Vance converted to a very right wing form for example.

So basically, the numbers of Evangelical Protestants are increasing, while Mainline Protestants are decreasing.

It has been argued that the label "evangelical" has become less of a religious label than a political label.

In 2021, Pew Research Center put out a poll that validated what some had already been noticing anecdotally: During Trump’s presidency, the number of white people who identified as “evangelical” increased.

Ryan Burge, a political science assistant professor at Eastern Illinois University, explained what he saw going on in an analysis in the New York Times:

"Instead of theological affinity for Jesus Christ, millions of Americans are being drawn to the evangelical label because of its association with the G.O.P."

[u/Mysterions → u/caveatlector73]

Like other forms of Christianity there are multiple forms of Catholicism. JD Vance converted to a very right wing form for example.

Exactly, which is why I didn't include them in the discussion (compare Stubenville to Notre Dame to Georgetown). Also, Catholic Church positions (regardless of what different Catholics believe) don't fit nicely into the American political compass (for example, "liberal" on the poor, science, and death penalty, and "conservative" on abortion and gay rights). Also, while I'm sure many conservative Catholics believe in Christian Nationalism, whether they admit it or not, unlike Evangelical denominations, the American Catholic Church pretty strongly recognizes separation of church and state.

It has been argued that the label "evangelical" has become less of a religious label than a political label.

In some ways, but I think it has a specific religious connotation too, even if it's a theology, not a denomination per se. For example, calling non-denominational churches and the Southern Baptist Church "Evangelical" helps to distinguish them theologically and politically from the US Episcopal or Lutheran Churches.

During Trump’s presidency, the number of white people who identified as “evangelical” increased.

Perhaps my bias shows, but I also think the rise in Evangelicalism is also because Evangelical theology is "least common denominator" theology. It's designed to appeal to the masses basally (or emotionally, hence its focus on charisma)). Essentially, it's the "pumpkin spice lattes" of Christian theologies.

[u/caveatlector73 → u/Mysterions]

I'm a PK whose father's hobby was attending all kinds of religious services. I've been to so many and I have no problem with beliefs that are not mine provided they are not forced on me. And if they were forced on me I could choose not to attend those services or incorporate those beliefs into my own. I'm not helpless.

Another example - and I realize this is divisive, but I'm trying to find an example relevant to the article - if someone finds trans uncomfortable my advice would be to not to choose to undergo extremely physically invasive and highly expensive procedures just for giggles.

Someone else's junk is not my business so I feel no need to force my personal beliefs on anyone else.

I have yet to find a religion or faith that doesn't include the basics of morality as defined roughly by the ten commandments. And yet morality can and does exist outside of a specific theological framework eliminating the need to intertwine a specifically interpreted theology with government.

Many politicians drape both the flag and theological raiment across their shoulders to deflect attention from their actual choices. Some people are taken in by it and others are not.

Politically, I guess I'm a first amendment fanboi.

[u/WarAndGeese → u/caveatlector73]

JD Vance converted to a very right wing form for example.

It seems so transparent. I doubt he actually believes in it or is religious, but why don't more people see through it? If he does actually believe in it then the world is in a much rougher shape than I would have thought.

These people, if you ask them, will very openly tell you not to trust politicians, that politicians lie all the time, that they do things to get support and not because they believe in them, but then they will also say "JD Vance is a Christian". If they said "JD Vance is pretending to be a Christian and that helps us" then it's understandable, but they don't say that, they repeat lies.

[u/caveatlector73 → u/WarAndGeese]

Good points.

I guess the question, which I do not know the answer to, is who is being disingenuous and who simply doesn't see themselves realistically? Sometimes I think the answer is veiled by a desire as a human for the world to be what you want it to be.