Understanding the Fusion of Faith and National Identity in America
If you’ve heard the term “Christian nationalism” floating around in today’s news or conversations but aren’t sure what it means, you’re not alone. In layman’s terms, Christian nationalism is the belief that America is, and should always be, a distinctly Christian nation — not just in religion, but in its very identity, history, values, and government. Supporters of Christian nationalism want Christianity to have a privileged place in American society, influencing everything from our laws to our symbols, holidays, and even our understanding of what it means to be “truly” American.
But there’s more to it than just mixing religion and politics. To really understand Christian nationalism and why it’s such a debated topic, let’s break it down step by step.
More Than Just Religion
At first glance, it might seem like Christian nationalism is simply about wanting more Christian influence in public life. But according to sociologists Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry, who wrote the book “Taking America Back for God,” Christian nationalism isn’t mainly about how often a person goes to church or how closely they follow Christian teachings.
Instead, the “Christian” in Christian nationalism is more about identity than about personal faith or religious practice. It’s about seeing “Christian” as a cultural marker — a way to define who is really inside or outside the nation. In this sense, being “Christian” is linked with assumptions about American heritage, history, and who belongs in the national community.
Christian nationalism tends to go hand-in-hand with ideas about nativism (favoring native-born Americans over immigrants), white supremacy, patriarchy (men holding primary power), authoritarianism (favoring strong central control), and militarism (emphasizing military strength). In other words, it’s a package of beliefs and attitudes about who should have power and how the nation should be run.
How Does Christian Nationalism Show Up in Politics and Policy?
Christian nationalism isn’t just a set of private beliefs — it has real impacts on politics, laws, and the way Americans interact with each other. Academic studies using large, nationally representative surveys have shown that Americans who hold strong Christian nationalist views are more likely to support certain political positions and behaviors.
Let’s look at some ways Christian nationalism appears in public life:
· Authoritarian Approaches: People who identify with Christian nationalism often approve of tactics that emphasize respect for national symbols and traditions, like mandatory pledges of allegiance or public displays of patriotism. They may believe that questioning the nation’s history or symbols is unpatriotic or even threatening.
· Distrust of Religious Minorities: Christian nationalists tend to fear or distrust religious minorities, including Muslims, Atheists, and Jewish people. This can result in policies or attitudes that exclude or marginalize these groups.
· Attitudes Toward Race and Police: Christian nationalism is linked to condoning police violence toward Black Americans and distrusting reports of racial inequality in the criminal justice system. This means that supporters are less likely to believe that systemic racism is a problem, and more likely to blame individuals rather than social structures.
· Views on Racial Inequality: Those who embrace Christian nationalism are more likely to believe that racial inequality exists because of the personal shortcomings of minority groups, rather than because of unfair social systems or policies.
· Opposition to Interracial Families: Studies have found that Christian nationalists report feeling “very uncomfortable” with interracial marriage and transracial adoption — that is, when people of different races marry or adopt children across racial lines.
· Immigration and Refugees: There is a strong anti-immigrant sentiment among Christian nationalists. They are more likely to fear refugees and oppose policies that welcome immigrants from other countries.
· Anti-Science Attitudes: Christian nationalists are more likely to oppose scientists and science education in schools, especially when it comes to topics like evolution, climate change, or other areas where science might conflict with their religious or cultural values.
· Gender Roles: People who support Christian nationalism often believe that men are better suited for all leadership roles in society, while women are better suited to care for children and the home. This reflects traditionalist views about gender and family roles.
Where Did Christian Nationalism Come From?
Christian nationalism isn’t a new phenomenon. The idea that America is a “Christian nation” dates back to the country’s founding. Early leaders sometimes described the nation using religious language, and Christian churches played a big role in shaping American culture.
But the combination of Christianity and nationalism as a political force has grown and changed over time. In the 20th and 21st centuries, especially during periods of rapid social change (like the Civil Rights Movement, the women’s rights movement, and debates over immigration), some Americans have looked to Christian nationalism as a way to “defend” what they see as traditional American values.
Christian nationalism often comes up in debates about:
· Prayer in public schools
· Ten Commandments monuments on government property
· Whether America should officially recognize Christian holidays or symbols
· Who gets to be seen as a “real” American
Why Does Christian Nationalism Matter?
Understanding Christian nationalism matters because it shapes how Americans talk about freedom, justice, and who belongs in the country. It affects decisions about public education, immigration, voting rights, and more.
Some see Christian nationalism as a way to protect their values and traditions in a rapidly changing world. Others view it as a threat to religious freedom, pluralism (the idea that people of many different backgrounds and beliefs can live together peacefully), and equality.
The debate over Christian nationalism is really a debate about the meaning of America: Is the United States meant to be a nation for one group, or a land of diversity and freedom for all?
What Christian Nationalism Is NOT
It’s important to note that Christian nationalism is not the same thing as being a patriotic Christian or simply having your faith influence your values. Many Christians, including those who are active in politics, oppose Christian nationalism because they believe that mixing religion and government can lead to less freedom and more division.
Final Thoughts
Christian nationalism is a powerful cultural and political force that aims to keep Christianity at the center of American life — not just as a religion, but as an identity. It is closely connected to issues of race, power, gender, and national belonging.
By understanding what Christian nationalism is, and how it influences our laws and society, we can have more informed and respectful conversations about the future of America. Whether one embraces or opposes Christian nationalism, it’s important to recognize its impact and the reasons behind its appeal.
If you want to learn more, Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry’s book, “Taking America Back for God,” is a great resource for digging deeper into the history and effects of Christian nationalism in the United States.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 