Christian nationalism functions as a power grab disguised in religious language, not genuine piety
Evidence
Christian nationalism is significant because calls to “take America back for God” are not primarily about mobilizing the faithful toward religious ends. Some social scientists have argued that when evangelicals appeal to the religious heritage of the United States or work toward privileging Christianity in the public sphere they are focused on encouraging greater religious devotion. We disagree. They are instead seeking to retain or gain power in the public sphere—whether political, social, or religious. Christian nationalism is, therefore, ultimately about privilege. It co-opts Christian language and iconography in order to cloak particular political or social ends in moral and religious symbolism. This serves to legitimate the demands, wants, and desires of those embracing Christian nationalism in the transcendent. — Andrew L. Whitehead; Samuel L. Perry, Taking America Back for God, 455
Categorization
- DEFINE: Clarifies the contested popular notion that evangelicals’ political appeals are religiously motivated devotion.
- XREF: Connects to the surplus-value analyses in Marti’s ‘fully orthodox’ idea and Fea’s account of waning-influence fear among evangelicals in the same chapter. — connects to: For Christian nationalists, family-policy stances serve political boundary-making, not personal morality — Andrew L. Whitehead; Samuel L. Perry, Taking America Back for God, 433; Nationalism functions as a world religion marked by quarreling sects; European populists co-opt Christian symbols to cloak political aims in religious morality. — Andrew L. Whitehead; Samuel L. Perry, Taking America Back for God, 537 (+34 more)
Broader Connections
- For Christian nationalists, family-policy stances serve political boundary-making, not personal morality
#exemplifies(0.82) — Andrew L. Whitehead; Samuel L. Perry, Taking America Back for God, 433 - Nationalism functions as a world religion marked by quarreling sects
#complicates(0.75)