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Christian Nationalism - Coggle Diagram
Christian Nationalism
What IS Christian Nationalism?
Public vs. Private religion
Christian nationalism aims to institutionalize Christian power in the US, defining "the role of religion in public life, something distinct from private religiosity" (Whitehead and Perry 165)
White supremacy
“For white Americans...who want to see Christianity institutionalized in the public sphere, they think a white version of that Christianity. It’s racialized” (Perry)
Christian nationalism codes Christianity as monolithic culture: all Christians share similar experiences and holds similar values
“For white Americans it [Christian nationalism] makes them want to double down on authoritarian control, xenophobia, and the exclusion of ethnic minorities” (Perry)
“It is tied to this underlying desire to see Christianity...privileged in the public sphere...and to have power over and above any other type of religion or no religion” (Whitehead)
"Christian nationalism operates as a set of beliefs and ideals that seek the national preservation of a supposedly unique Christian identity" (Whitehead and Perry 153)
Therefore, “It isn’t just the religiosity that’s pushing Americans in this direction” (Whitehead) but rather the belief that Christianity is under attack in the US and must be protected.
"You can't talk about Christian nationalism without talking about this fear of disorder" (Perry)
The "disorder" Perry refers to is the disruption of the power and privilege enjoyed by white Christians due to their high position in American socio-economic hierarchy.
What IS NOT Christian Nationalism?
“Christian nationalism isn’t synonymous with being religious." (Whitehead)
"If they attend church a lot, they tend to be pro-social...whereas if they embrace Christian nationalism they tend to be racist” and anti-social. (Whitehead)
Christian "nationalism appears to be unmoored from traditional Christian ideals and morality" (Whitehead and Perry 165)
"Christian nationalism is not merely a proxy for evangelical Protestant affiliation, traditionalist religiosity, or political conservatism..." (Whitehead and Perry 164)
"Christian nationalism is not reducible to or strictly defined by this particular demographic group or its associated religious tradition(s)" (Whitehead and Perry 167)
Christian Nationalism and Donald Trump
"Christian nationalism is focused on preserving a perceived Christian identity for America irrespective of the means by which such a project would be achieve. Some see Trump as a 'tool'" (Whitehead and Perry 165)
"Trump is the guy who is willing to punch the bully who is coming after you...as the guy who is fighting for us [Christians] not as the representative for what a Christian should be" (Perry)