Understanding America’s Debate on Christian Nationalism

Breaking Down Beliefs, Confusion, and Controversy Around Religion and U.S. Identity

If you ask a bunch of Americans whether the United States is—or should be—a “Christian nation,” you’ll get all sorts of answers. Many people think that the country’s founders meant for the U.S. to be Christian, and a good chunk believe that it should be. But when you dig deeper, it gets complicated—because people have wildly different ideas about what that even means.

Lots of Opinions, Lots of Meanings

Here are the basics according to a Pew Research survey¹:

· Nearly half (45%) of U.S. adults—including about 60% of Christians—think the country “should be” a Christian nation.

· But “Christian nation” means different things to different people. Some think it’s about laws being based on the Bible; others think it just means people live by Christian values like kindness or honesty; some even say it simply means most people believe in something bigger than themselves¹.

· Only about a third of Americans actually say the U.S. is a Christian nation today.

The Government’s Role: Divided Views

American opinions are split on whether the government should be promoting Christianity at all:

· Only 13% want Christianity to be the “official” religion.

· 44% want the government to encourage Christian values, but not make it official.

· 39% don’t want the government involved in promoting Christianity at all.

Who’s Most Likely to Want a Christian Nation?

When you look at which groups are most likely to want the U.S. to be a Christian nation, some trends pop up:

· Religious ties: White evangelical Protestants and Hispanic Protestants are especially likely to support it, and the more often someone attends church, the more likely they are to feel this way.

· Politics: People who support Donald Trump are much more likely to support Christian nationalism.

· Age: Older adults are more likely than younger Americans (under 30) to think America was meant to be Christian or should be Christian.

Christian Nationalism: What Is It, and Who’s Into It?

Here’s where it gets tricky. Lots of Americans haven’t even heard of the term “Christian nationalism.” For those who have, more people dislike the idea than support it. Basically, Christian nationalism is the belief that America’s identity and laws should be rooted in Christianity—and how strongly people feel about that can range from wanting actual church-based government, to just wanting Christian morals to guide things.

A recent survey breaks Americans into four camps:

· Adherents (10%): Strongly support Christian nationalism.

· Sympathizers (20%): Some support, but less intense.

· Skeptics (37%): Don’t really buy it.

· Rejecters (29%): Definitely against it.

These numbers have stayed pretty steady in recent years.

What Else Is Connected to Christian Nationalism?

Researchers have found some strong links between Christian nationalism and other beliefs and behaviors:

· Political Violence: People who strongly support Christian nationalism are more likely to say that using violence might be justified to “save the country.”

· Discrimination: They’re also more likely to say White Americans are being discriminated against right now.

· Democracy: Many Christian nationalists want a mainly Christian country, even if that sometimes clashes with ideals of democracy and equality.

· Immigration: Christian nationalists are more likely to believe that immigrants are “invading” the country and “replacing” its culture.

· Patriarchy: They’re more likely to think men and women should stick to traditional roles.

· QAnon & Conspiracies: Christian nationalists are more likely than other Americans to believe in conspiracy theories like QAnon.

Where Is Christian Nationalism Most Popular?

Support for Christian nationalism is especially high in certain states—Mississippi, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, West Virginia, and North Dakota, where up to half the people may support it. Among White people in Louisiana and Mississippi, support can be even higher.

Confidence in Democracy and Trump

Interestingly, Christian nationalists tend to be more optimistic about the future of democracy, and many believe that Trump’s presidency is “ordained by God.” They’re also more confident he’ll respect free speech and peacefully leave office when his term ends.

Different Studies, Different Results

Depending on how you define “Christian nationalism,” different studies find different numbers. Pew Research says only 6% of Americans fit a strict definition, while other studies say as high as 30%. But overall, researchers say the findings aren’t at odds—they just use slightly different ways of measuring.

While it is true that some hold the belief that America should be defined as a Christian nation, it is important to recognize that being a Christian extends far beyond simply declaring the title. True Christianity is not just a matter of identification or cultural heritage — it is a daily commitment to follow Christ and to embrace His teachings. This journey calls upon each believer to align actions. words. and choices with the principles found in Scripture, allowing faith to be more than a private conviction but a living testimony to those around them.

To call oneself a Christian is to undertake the ongoing responsibility of seeking Christ’s guidance, demonstrating compassion, humility, and integrity in every sphere of life. It means letting one’s life reflect the love, grace, and truth embodied in Jesus, so that others may see, through example, the geniune impact of faith. In the midst of national conversations about religion and identity, let us remember that authentic Christianity is shaped not by labels or legislation, but by hearts transformed and lived in service to the message of Christ.

Bottom Line

America is divided and conflicted about the role of Christianity in its government and public life. Many people want the country to remain rooted in Christian values, but there’s no clear consensus on what that should actually look like. And while “Christian nationalism” is a term that’s getting more attention, most Americans either don’t know what it means or don’t support its strongest forms. The conversation about faith and America’s identity isn’t going away anytime soon.

Minister A Francine Green

September 2025

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