But Whitehead said Christian nationalists, who are more numerous among Republicans, can be expected to maintain their fervor.Ĭhristian nationalism is emerging alongside and in some cases overlapping with other right-wing movements, such as the conspiratorial QAnon, white supremacy, and denialism over COVID-19 and the 2020 election. That's down from nearly one in four a decade earlier, just as Americans have become less religious overall. Their research found about one in five Americans align with many of those views. should be declared a Christian nation, advance biblical values and allow school prayer and religious displays in public places. It gauged opinions on such things as America's role in God's plan and whether the U.S. In the book, Whitehead and co-author Samuel Perry measured rates of Christian nationalism by drawing on a 2017 Baylor University survey.
“There’s no room for compromise, so that is the threat to democracy.” “It literally is good and evil,” he continued. Mastriano “is a unique case where he really does in his speeches highlight this apocalyptic idea” where his supporters and causes are on God's side, said Andrew Whitehead, sociology professor at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and co-author of “Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States.” “Praise Jesus!” “God is smiling on us and sending His blessings." “Thank you Father God!!” Mastriano has called the separation of church and state a “myth."Īfter his victory, the comments section of his campaign Facebook page had the feel of a revival tent: Watchers of Christian nationalism consider Mastriano's win - in a rout, with 44% in a crowded field despite opposition from the state party establishment - by far the highest-profile victory for the movement. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who uses biblical phrasing to “be a watchman on the wall" against those seeking to "destroy our faith,” easily won her primary. Some of Idaho’s Republican primaries for the Legislature were won by candidates touting Christian values or sharing priorities with Christian nationalists, such as sports bans for transgender athletes. The former spoke of a “spiritual battle" on Capitol Hill and a need for “strong, God-fearing patriots.” The latter was photographed holding a gun and a Bible and said, “God calls us to pick up the sword and fight, and Christ will reign in the state of Idaho.” Madison Cawthorn and an Idaho gubernatorial hopeful, Lt.
There were losses by some high-profile candidates, such as U.S. Many Christian nationalists see former President Donald Trump as a champion despite his crude sexual boasts and lack of public piety.Ĭandidates seen as Christian nationalists have had mixed success in this year's Republican primaries, which typically pitted staunch conservatives against opponents even further to the right. Researchers say Christian nationalism is often also associated with mistrust of immigrants and Muslims. That often overlaps with the conservative Christian political agenda, including opposition to abortion, same-sex marriage and transgender rights. Some say it's a pejorative and insist everyone has a right to draw on their faith and values to try to influence public policy.īut scholars generally define Christian nationalism as going beyond policy debates and championing a fusion of American and Christian values, symbols and identity.Ĭhristian nationalism, they say, is often accompanied by a belief that God has destined America, like the biblical Israel, for a special role in history, and that it will receive divine blessing or judgment depending on its obedience. In fact, few if any prominent candidates use the label. Mastriano - who has ignored repeated requests for comment from The Associated Press, including through his campaign last week - has rejected the “Christian nationalist” label in the past. Mastriano, a state senator and retired Army colonel, has not only made faith central to his personal story but has woven conservative Christian beliefs and symbols into the campaign - becoming the most prominent example this election cycle of what some observers call a surge of Christian nationalism among Republican candidates.
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