The ‘Christian’ label in Christian nationalism functions as a coded signal beyond theology.

Evidence

So, when we talk about the Christian in Christian nationalism, remember that in this sense it carries with it all this extra cultural baggage. Recognizing this is important for two reasons. First, acknowledging this baggage shows how it serves as a signal to those with ears to hear. The scaffolding of this cultural framework helps them imagine a very particular type of nation, with a particular set of people in power. Second, it helps us distinguish the Christianity of Christian nationalism from other expressions of Christianity. This is not to say that Americans who embrace Christian nationalism are not Christian. Many are devout Christians and hold various theological beliefs in common with many Christians of color, those arguably most dispossessed by the ideology of Christian nationalism. — Andrew L. Whitehead, American Idolatry, 151

Categorization

• XREF: The coded-signal framing dovetails with the reader’s notes on how dress/protest language can carry meanings encoded for an in-group audience (signal vs. noise theme). — connects to: Christian nationalism seeks power, not pluralistic cultural influence — Katherine Stewart, The Power Worshippers: Inside the…, 26; Christian nationalism functions as a power grab disguised in religious language, not genuine piety — Andrew L. Whitehead; Samuel L. Perry, Taking America Back for God, 455; Christian nationalism differs from the Christian nation narrative in its boundary-preserving intent — Andrew L. Whitehead; Samuel L. Perry, Taking America Back for God, 95 (+4 more)
• SEED: Could support an essay on how political-religious labels operate as membership badges carrying implicit policy content — ‘dog-whistle’ mechanism in general.

Broader Connections

• Christian nationalism functions as a power grab disguised in religious language, not genuine piety #expands (0.88) — Andrew L. Whitehead; Samuel L. Perry, Taking America Back for God, 455
• Christian nationalist adherence is primarily political rather than religious #expands (0.86) — Andrew L. Whitehead; Samuel L. Perry, Taking America Back for God, 214
• Christian nationalism seeks power, not pluralistic cultural influence #expands (0.82) — Katherine Stewart, The Power Worshippers, 26
• Christian nationalism fuses ethnic, racial, and political hierarchy with religious identity #expands (0.80) — Andrew L. Whitehead; Samuel L. Perry, Taking America Back for God, 66
• Christian nationalism sustains support among people outside organized religion #expands (0.79) — Andrew L. Whitehead, American Idolatry, 165
• Christian nationalism differs from the Christian nation narrative in its boundary-preserving intent #qualifies (0.78) — Andrew L. Whitehead; Samuel L. Perry, Taking America Back for God, 95
• Christian nationalism is a cultural framework, not a political theology #complicates (0.75)