Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Pagan
A Pagan Response to Christian Nationalism

A Pagan Response to Christian Nationalism

Last updated on: October 2, 2022 at 3:00 am by John Beckett

A Pagan Response to Christian Nationalism 2022-09-23T14:22:21-06:00 John Beckett

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

This question is probably better suited for someone who’s more politically active than I am. But the question came to me and so I’m going to do my best to answer it.

I would love to have your perspective on the rise of Christian nationalism. How can we Pagans and polytheists formulate a good response and offer something better.

What is Christian nationalism?

Here’s an article that addresses this question from Christianity Today, an Evangelical publication whose theology and politics are conservative but not Trumpish. Here’s a key quote:

Christian nationalism is the belief that the American nation is defined by Christianity, and that the government should take active steps to keep it that way. Popularly, Christian nationalists assert that America is and must remain a “Christian nation”—not merely as an observation about American history, but as a prescriptive program for what America must continue to be in the future.

Christianity Today makes it clear that Christian Nationalism is a bad thing, but it downplays just how dangerous it is. This piece from Dean Obeidallah of MSNBC is more explicit:

The term Christian nationalism is inseparable from white nationalism and is defined by the belief that the United States was founded as a white, Christian nation. It also relies on the core belief that there should be no wall between church and state, rather that our laws should be based on right-wing, extreme interpretations of the Christian faith.

In practice, Christian nationalism is anti-choice, anti-woman, anti-LGBTQ. Some are willing to tolerate other religions (or at least, they say they are while they’re trying to persuade fence-sitters to vote for them) but all of them want far-right conservative Christianity to be the dominant religion in the United States and they want the laws support it. They want religious discrimination to be legal when they do it – when anyone else claims discrimination that’s just their religious freedom.

They oppose government efforts to alleviate poverty and expand access to health care. They oppose public schools, in part because public schools are secular (or at least they’re supposed to be) but also because they oppose the concept of universal education, largely because it interferes with parents’ “rights” to indoctrinate their children in Christian nationalism.

Christian nationalism combines the worst of Christian fundamentalism with the worst of right-wing politics. And it’s winning elections in some places. It is truly a dangerous thing.

Christian nationalism is not a new thing

From the earliest European settlements in North America, some have tried to build a theocracy. At times they succeeded – Massachusetts hanged several Quakers for preaching pacificism and equality.

But by the time of the American Revolution, religiosity had waned, even though virtually everyone was at least nominally Christian. A plain reading of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and other founding documents make it clear that while their authors acknowledged the God of Christianity, their intent was to establish a secular republic – something Christian nationalists deny despite ample evidence.

Perhaps the most prominent Christian nationalist group was/is the Ku Klux Klan, who reached their peak in the 1920s. They presented themselves as the guardian of morals and stability, and against Jews, Catholics, immigrants, communists, and of course, African Americans. At one point its membership was over 4 million, or 3.8% of the population.

A reaction against modernity and social progress

At its core, Christian nationalism is a reaction against modernity and the social progress that began in the 20th century. It sees advancements by women, People of Color, LGBTQ people, and people of other-than-Christian religions as bad things.

It is a reaction against the reduction of privilege (not the loss – we’re not there yet) of straight white Christian men. It is a reaction against the sexual revolution. And it is a reaction against the organic decline of Protestant Christianity as the norm against which all culture and cultures are measured.

They’re losing the culture wars, and since they can’t win on their own merits, they’re attempting to grab and use the power of government to force everyone else to conform to their culture.

And they’re endangering the life and liberty of everyone who isn’t part of their cult.

Religious alternatives

People don’t become Christian nationalists because there aren’t any better alternatives. People become Christian nationalists because they hate people who are different from them, and they can’t stand the thought of being anything other than the dominant religion and culture.

Few if any people are going to leave Christian nationalism for Paganism. At best, they’ll realize that the goals and methods of Christian nationalism are antithetical to the teachings of Jesus and they’ll become a Mainline Protestant or a moderate Evangelical. That’s fine – Paganism isn’t a proselytizing religion.

As Pagans, let us remember that “Christians” aren’t our enemies. Fundamentalist Christians, Christian nationalists, and other Christians who would do us harm and restrict our rights are our enemies. Moderate and progressive Christians are our allies in a war for religious freedom and a culture of compassion, tolerance, and acceptance.

And as one of the tiniest of religious minorities, we need all the allies we can get.

Living an authentic Pagan life

Those whose circumstances require them to stay in the “broom closet” have my sincere sympathy. For the rest of us, it’s important to life an authentic Pagan life. That doesn’t mean talking about your religion non-stop – we don’t like it when Christians do that and we shouldn’t do it either.

But whatever it is that Paganism means to you, do it faithfully and diligently. Celebrate the turning seasons and the Wheel of the Year. Pray, meditate, and make offerings to your Gods and ancestors. Honor the land and the spirits of the land.

And whatever you do, support religious pluralism. Christian nationalists want one religion to rule them all – Pagans and other people of good will want a glorious garden of many religions, where everyone can find the path that calls to them and follow it to their heart’s content.

The battle is at the ballot box

The vast majority of Christian nationalists are a lost cause. Their minds are firmly made up and no amount of evidence and reason, no appeals to humanity or to Jesus Himself will change them.

They must be defeated.

Remember that we are where we are in large part because a significant number of Americans couldn’t be bothered to vote for Hillary Clinton when the alternative was disaster. So now we’re living in the disaster.

Vote. Vote in every race in every election. Especially vote in the primaries – the horribly low turnout in primaries is the only reason Christian nationalists make it to the general election. If you live in a red state with open primaries, cross over and vote for less-evil Republicans.

No election is too small. Many of the current battles are being fought in school boards. Know who you’re voting for. Consider running for office yourself. Contribute to progressive candidates.

Mainly, vote for candidates who support personal freedom and a pluralistic society.

Cede no ground, leave no one behind

There are multiple battles being fought at the moment. One is over reproductive rights. Roe v. Wade was settled law for 50 years, and now the Supreme Court has decided we have only the rights the majority deigns to give us. The court fights are mostly over. This will be fought at the state level for years to come… unless the Republican win complete control of the federal government again (as they did in the first two years of Trump’s presidency), in which case they’ll pass a nationwide ban on abortion.

Another is over books. Book burning and book banning is always bad. Children of all ages deserve to learn real history, not whitewashed propaganda. If that makes some parents uncomfortable, good.

And we have gone from “bathroom bills” to legal attacks on the very existence of trans people, especially trans kids. Trans people are some of the most vulnerable in our society. They deserve our support and our protection.

Use all the tools in your toolbox

Vote. Contribute to progressive candidates. Call out prejudice and bigotry whenever and where ever you encounter it. Form alliances with people who share your values even though they don’t share your religion.

Look out for your neighbors, especially those likely to be targeted by Christian nationalists.

And for those of you whose Paganism includes magic – as mine does – remember that you have skills others do not. Use them. Magic is no substitute for mundane action, but magic can make mundane action far more effective.

In the words of Peter Grey, “Witchcraft is the recourse of the dispossessed, the powerless, the hungry and the abused.”

In the long run, Christian nationalism will fail. Religions and political systems that attempt to suppress freedom and the human spirit require tremendous resources to maintain. Eventually, life finds a way.

But in the meantime, they can cause horrible oppression – and they’re doing so now.

Fight.

Community

Christian nationalism

white Christian nationalists

Previous Post

September 28, 2022

Religiously Affiliated Colleges Need to Decide What’s First

Next Post

October 5, 2022 Surviving and Succeeding in Difficult Times

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Books Community CUUPS Druidry Foundations and Context Gods and Goddesses Magic Myth Nature Ritual Spiritual Practice Theology Travel Uncategorized Videos

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was the name of the Jewish ruling council in Jesus’ time?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Essenes Sanhedrin Sadducees Pharisees