Perceived white Christian persecution drives opposition to voter access

Evidence

White Christian nationalists sincerely believe that whites and Christians are the most persecuted groups in America. Consequently they view efforts to expand access to the democratic process—such as removing obstacles to voter participation—as an existential threat to their political power. — Philip S. Gorski and Samuel L. Perry, The Flag and the Cross, 48

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to Hochschild’s deep-story framing and research on ‘perceived discrimination’ among white Christians. — connects to: White Christian nationalist beliefs predict perceived anti-white discrimination — Philip S. Gorski and Samuel L. Perry, The Flag and the Cross: White Christian…, 93; White Christian nationalism treats voting as a right limited to worthy groups — Philip S. Gorski and Samuel L. Perry, The Flag and the Cross: White Christian…, 313; Feigned persecution, not actual threat, drives religious voter turnout (+10 more)

Broader Connections

• Feigned persecution, not actual threat, drives religious voter turnout #qualifies (0.82)
• Racial attitudes, not ideology or values, drive whites’ opposition to race-targeted policies #corroborates (0.80) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 3735
• Racializing religion serves the political purpose of excluding targeted minorities #expands (0.80)
• White opposition to racially targeted policies is substantially racially motivated #corroborates (0.78) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 3753
• Christian nationalism conflates whiteness with Christian American identity #expands (0.78) — Andrew L. Whitehead; Samuel L. Perry, Taking America Back for God, 14
• White nationalist support grew and voter suppression followed multiracial electoral victories #expands (0.75) — Nikole Hannah-Jones et al., The 1619 Project, 1325