A new movement labeled as Christian nationalism has emerged on the American religious scene. Distinct from the broader evangelical resurgence, it challenges the very idea of diversity and openly attacks separation of church and state. But does it represent a significant threat politically?
Yes. The movement has close ties to Donald Trump, who at the moment has the inside track to be, yet once again, the Republican nominee for President. Should Trump return to the Oval Office, Christian nationalists are likely to occupy important positions in his administration (an interesting parallel to far-right extremists in Netanyahu’s new Israeli government).
In perspective, there is nothing new about religious extremism in American politics. There have long been elements advocating recognition of Christianity as the country’s foundation and trying to break down the separation of church and state. The addition of the phrase “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance took place in my own lifetime, and battles over prayer in public schools are ongoing. But the new crusade goes further in mobilizing the state to promote one religion over others and in its flirtation with antisemitism (as opposed to mainstream evangelicals who are, for the most part, strongly pro-israel).
A primary vehicle is the ReAwaken America Tour, co-founded by former general and former national security advisor Michael Flynn. Flynn distinguished himself after the 2020 election by urging Trump to declare martial law and seize ballot boxes. He also identifies with QAnon, whose fantasies center on Trump as God’s instrument against satan-worshippers tied to George Soros and the Rothschilds – meaning, of course, the “international Jewish conspiracy.”
At a 2021 ReAwaken America rally, Flynn fulminated that “if we are going to have one nation under God, which we must, we have to have one religion . . . . One nation under God and one religion under God, right?” The ReAwaken website proclaims “sharing the truth that Jesus is King.”
Another speaker was more explicit: “Hitler was actually fighting the same people that we’re trying to take down today.” It doesn’t require much explanation to figure out who that might be. There was a bit of flap, of course, over this “bad publicity.” But that speaker is still on the ReAwaken America speaker list.
As is Eric Trump, the loyal son serving as a link to, and possible guarantee of a foothold in, a new Trump administration.
Also listed as a speaker is Roger Stone, the noted political trickster and Jan. 6 organizer who was convicted on charges of obstruction of justice, perjury, and witness tampering – and then pardoned by Trump. Stone’s shaky grasp of reality includes claims that North Korean ships unloaded ballots in a harbor in Maine during the 2020 election.
And the Donald himself called into the most recent rally in support of its “important purpose,” promising to bring Flynn back in his future administration.
To be fair, most Christians are not mired in this muck. There is even a new organization of “Christians against Christian Nationalism.” May they prosper.
I'm not sure that being "pro-Israel" is necessarily incompatible with antisemitism. As I understand it, evangelicals are pro-Israel because they see a Jewish state as a precursor to the establishment of a Christian kingdom on Earth, not out of any particular love for the Jewish people. There also seems to be no shortage of GOP politicians who are knee-jerk supporters of Israel's far-right government but are also happy to truck with our domestic far-right hate groups.
ReAwaken America! They couldn't even come up with an original slogan. Instead using a cheap knock-off of Deutschland Erwache!