Christian Nationalism

Christian nationalism is a religious extremist ideology that asserts the United States should be a nation defined by Old Testament Religious values and practices (similar to the Taliban in Afghanistan asserting selective Islamic religious extremism). It is not a religion itself, but a political power system based ideology that intertwines a selective version of pre-Jesus biblical literature with national identity, often promoting a specific understanding of American history and identity as inherently "Christian" often excluding the actual teachings of Jesus Christ.  It is sometimes referred to as “white Christian nationalism” to emphasize its centuries of overlap with white supremacy.

Core Beliefs:

Christian Nation: Advocates believe the USA was founded as a "Christian" nation and should continue to be governed according to old Testament Religious principles. This belief is a direct violation of the US Constitution which prevents the government from creating or endorsing a national religion and protects the right of individuals to practice their religion without government interference.

Merging of Identities: Christian nationalism seeks to blend the American national identity with old Testament Religious identity, sometimes leading to the exclusion of those who don't share those beliefs (similar to the Taliban and Islam).

Government's Role: Supporters believe the government should actively promote "Christianity" through laws, policies, and public displays of Christian symbols. 

Religious Freedom Concerns: Christian nationalism is often criticized for potentially infringing on religious freedom for those who are not Christian or who hold different interpretations of Christianity. 

Key Characteristics:

Emphasis on Christian Symbols and Language: Christian nationalists often use Christian symbols, such as the cross or Bible verses, in public spaces and political discourse. 

Exclusionary Language: Some Christian nationalist rhetoric can be exclusionary, suggesting that Christianity is essential to being a "true" American. 

Potential for Extremism: In its more extreme forms, Christian nationalism can be associated with intolerance, bigotry, and even violence. 

Concerns:

Erosion of Religious Freedom:  The blending of religious and political power can lead to discrimination against religious minorities and limit religious expression for those outside the dominant Old Testament Religious worldview. 

Threat to Democracy:  By promoting a specific religious identity as the basis for national identity, Christian nationalism can undermine democratic principles of inclusivity and equality, according to some experts. 

Social Division:  The ideology can exacerbate social divisions by creating a sense of "us" versus "them" based on religious affiliation. 

Christians Against Christian Nationalism (Reference)

Amanda Tyler is the lead organizer of BJC’s Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign and the executive director of BJC (Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty) (https://bjconline.org/amanda-tyler/) 

She leads the organization as it upholds the historic Baptist principle of religious liberty: defending the free exercise of religion and protecting against its establishment by government. She is the lead organizer of BJC’s Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign and co-host of BJC’s Respecting Religion podcast.

Tyler is the author of How to End Christian Nationalism, published by Broadleaf Books on October 22, 2024.

Tyler’s constitutional law analysis and advocacy for faith freedom for all have been featured by major news outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, CBS News, ABC News, CNN, and MSNBC. Religion News Service named Tyler one of “2022’s rising stars in religion,” and she regularly preaches in churches, speaks at denominational gatherings, and leads sessions on college campuses and with community groups of all sizes.

A member of the Texas and U.S. Supreme Court Bar, Tyler has experience working in Congress, in a private legal practice, and serving as a law clerk for a federal judge. She testified before Congress in 2023 on the threats of Christian nationalism to religious liberty, and her 2022 testimony before Congress discussed the ways Christian nationalism proves cover for white supremacy. In 2018, she appeared before a U.S. Senate Committee to testify about threats to religious liberty around the world.

Originally from Austin, Texas, Tyler grew up hearing about the cherished Baptist principles of religious liberty and the separation of church and state as a member of Highland Park Baptist Church. Because she was committed to these principles, Tyler sought out BJC when she moved to Washington to attend Georgetown University, and she began volunteering in the office.

Tyler graduated from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University with a bachelor’s degree in foreign service, magna cum laude. She was hired by BJC to serve as assistant to the general counsel, working closely with Brent Walker, James Dunn, Melissa Rogers and Holly Hollman. During this time, she wrote columns for Report from the Capital, drafted statements on religious liberty issues, presented educational programs, and coordinated the broad coalition in support of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.

Tyler left BJC to enroll in The University of Texas School of Law, where she received her J.D. with honors. In 2019, the school named her their “Outstanding Young Alumna.”

Following law school, Tyler worked in private practice and served as a law clerk for a U.S. district court judge in Dallas, Texas. She later joined the staff of U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett in Austin and Washington, D.C. In Austin, Tyler served as the congressman’s district director, leading the staff in the development and execution of an outreach agenda for a 7-county congressional district, as well as serving as a spokesperson for his office. She later served as Rep. Doggett’s counsel for the Ways and Means Committee.

You can follow her on BlueSky @amandatylerbjc.bsky.social and on X @AmandaTylerBJC. 

Minnesota Christians Against Christian Nationalism Example

Jerry Gale (https://wmjm.org/news/understandingchristiannationalism ) first became aware of Christian nationalism on Jan. 6, 2021, after seeing footage of Christian symbols being carried by those who broke into the U.S. Capitol. Shortly after, he discovered the website Christians Against Christian Nationalism, an initiative of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty (BJC). In January 2024, he formed the Minnesota Christians Against Christian Nationalism group and shares his message throughout Minnesota. He is an active member of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis. (Ref:  https://www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org/register | https://wmjm.org/news/webinar-recap-responding-to-christian-nationalism )

Creating a Community Organizing Group Example

Joy Pettigrew, Community Partnership Manager for BJC, ( https://bjconline.org/joy-pettigrew/) provides the support and tools of BJC to individuals who want to start a community organizing group. Joy is an effective movement builder. She is originally from Hong Kong and came to know the groups working against Christian Nationalism through her experiences working with Asian American Christians to activate in working for collective liberation and civic involvement. Joy Pettigrew, Community Partnership Manager, jpettigrew@BJConline.org , 202.544.4226 x315

Joy Pettigrew is the community partnership manager at BJC, deepening and cultivating partnerships with BJC’s long-standing supporters and our growing Christians Against Christian Nationalism network across the country. She seeks to uplift the stories of Asian American Christians and empower them toward civic engagement. She is driven by her desire to see Asian American Christians activated for collective liberation and civic involvement. Out of this commitment, she is a founding member of an emerging Chicago chapter of a coalition for Asian American Christian churches. As a movement builder, speaker and community advocate, her professional career includes significant experience with a faith-based nonprofit, where she focused on developing college students in areas of identity, faith and leadership. Additionally, she continues to lead learning cohorts for Asian Americans on themes of faith and civic engagement and has moderated forums exploring AAPI racial identity, Christianity and politics.

Her undergraduate degree is in education and sociology, and she has lived in the Chicagoland area for the past 13 years. In her personal time, she enjoys cooking, baking and bringing new life to furniture through refinishing and upcycling.