White Christian Nationalism: Is this 'imposter Christianity' a growing threat in America? Experts think so.
An analysis published on CNN’s website, written by John Blake, claims that the US is facing a burgeoning White Christian nationalist movement that uses Christian language to cloak sexism and hostility to Black people and non-White immigrants in its quest to create a White Christian America.
Samuel Perry, a professor of religious studies at the University of Oklahoma, an authority on the ideology, calls White Christian nationalism an "imposter Christianity."
This movement contradicts the life and teachings of Jesus, some clergy, scholars and historians say.
Here are three key beliefs often tied to White Christian nationalism as outlined in the analysis.
#1 A belief that the US was founded as a Christian nation
One of the most popular beliefs among White Christian nationalists is that the US was founded as a Christian nation; the Founding Fathers were all orthodox, evangelical Christians; and God has chosen the US for a special role in history.
These beliefs are growing among Christians, according to a survey last year by the Barna Group, a company that conducts surveys about faith and culture for communities of faith and nonprofits. The group found that an "increasing number of American Christians believe strongly" that the US is a Christian nation, has not oppressed minorities, and has been chosen by God to lead the world.
#2 A belief in a 'Warrior Christ'
White Christian nationalists follow a different Jesus than the one depicted in the Gospels, says Kristin Kobes Du Mez, a professor of history and gender studies at Calvin University — a Christian school — in Michigan. They follow the Jesus depicted in the Book of Revelation, the warrior with eyes like "flames of fire" and "a robe dipped in blood" who led the armies of heaven on white horses in a final, triumphant battle against the forces of the antichrist.
White Christian nationalists have refashioned Jesus into a kick-butt savior who is willing to smite enemies to restore America to a Christian nation by force, if necessary, Du Mez and others say.
And their Jesus sanctions the use of righteous violence if a government opposes God, Du Mez says.
#3 A belief there's such a person as a 'real American'
Many conservative political candidates have used the term "real Americans" to draw contrasts between their supporters and their opposition.
Such language has been co-opted into a worldview held by many White Christian nationalists: The nation is divided between "real Americans" and other citizens who don't deserve the same rights, experts on White Christian nationalism say. Those who want the US to become a Christian nation face a huge obstacle: Most Americans don't subscribe to their vision of America.
"The United States cannot be both a truly multiracial democracy—a people of people and a nation of nations— and a white Christian nation at the same time," Gorski wrote in his book, "The Flag and the Cross."
"This is why white Christian nationalism has become a serious threat to American democracy, perhaps the most serious threat it now faces."
Read the full analysis here.
