Religious identity functions as a racial marker conferring privilege in America.

Evidence

Inclusion of religious identity in notions of Americanness is itself a racial project. Being a member of the Judeo-Christian tradition brings with it a certain degree of material and dignitary privilege. A Christian or Jew who is also a racial minority makes one less threatening than minorities who belong to other faith traditions or have no faith at all. — Sahar F. Aziz, The Racial Muslim, 190

Categorization

• XREF: Extends the author’s case that Americanness is itself racialized; connects to scholarship on white Christian nationalism. — connects to: American identity is defined by race and citizenship proxies for national loyalty — Sahar F. Aziz, Sticks and Stones, the Words That Hurt:…, 33; Claims of a Christian founding are strategically deployed to privilege present-day values — Andrew L. Whitehead, American Idolatry, 203