Christian Nationalism and the 2024 Election

Read this op-ed style article on Christian Nationalism from our youth intern Amanda!

October 1, 2024

By Amanda A.

Note: This piece is written in the style of an Op-Ed and reflects the opinion of the author

There has been a lot of talk about Christian nationalism in this election cycle, and it’s important to understand what that term means and what it doesn’t.. 

So, what is it? Americans United for the Separation of Church and State describes Christian nationalism as “the dangerous belief that America is — and must remain — a Christian nation founded for its White Christian inhabitants and that our laws and policies must reflect this.” Christian nationalism adherents seek to blur the lines between church and state in order to preserve their privilege. By way of example, one strategy associated with Christian nationalism is advocating for the Ten Commandments to be posted in public school classrooms — a policy advocated for in a growing number of states.  

Frederick Clarkson, a senior research analyst at Political Research Associates claims that many extremist politicians wear the ‘Christian nationalist’ label proudly in order to win elections. Senator Josh Hawley recently called Christian nationalism “America’s only hope.” Furthermore, he described this ideology as a pillar of American democracy. It may be true that this country has some origins in Christianity, but there is nothing in the Declaration of Independence to justify any notion of Christian nationalism and supremacy. Furthermore, the Constitution clearly states that the separation of church and state is crucial to democracy. 

What is it not? It is important to name that Christian nationalist ideology is not synonymous with what it means to be Christian. It is its own identity and ideology, and many Christians work against that definition and manifestation of their faith and beliefs. 

As a Jew, I too have a long list of red flags. Any ideology that promotes supremacy for some, the lack of separation of church and state, the “vanquishing of enemies of Christ”, and historical revisionism is extremely unsafe for us. Not only do these tactics fly in the face of Jewish values, but they have been used to oppress Jews for centuries. 

Christian nationalist strategies have been more overtly focused on eroding LGBTQ+ rights.. A study from the Public Research Religion Institute published in March of 2024 suggests that there is a link between Christian nationalism and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and sentiment. Across all 50 United States, support for Christian nationalism is negatively correlated with support for policies like nondiscrimination protections or same-sex marriage. 

Christian nationalist strategies are particularly focused on undoing protections for transgender and gender non-conforming people, and even erasing their identities. Many avowed Christian nationalists use language like “protecting women” to mean “attacking transgender people”, aiming to distract and manipulate women into hatred just like they use language like “Judeo-Christian values” to mean “Christian chauvinist” to distract Jews. Many use transgender people as scapegoats. As Jews, I think we can recognize this tactic, because it’s been used to persecute us for centuries. 

We can see these beliefs and strategies laid out clearly in Project 2025, Christian nationalists’ modern manifesto, aiming to topple secular U.S. democracy as we know it. Keshet’s new Project 2025 explainer outlines the possible impacts of Project 2025 on LGBTQ+ people and Jews, including the rollback of anti-discrimination protections, restrictions on gender affirming care, and the removal of affirming curriculum and safe spaces.

If Project 2025 were to go into effect,  that would mean the very little life-saving LGBTQ+ education that students receive would be eliminated. Gender-affirming care would be under harsher attack. My high school GSA, the one that improved school culture and prevented suicide, the one that built up youth leaders like myself to fight for LGBTQ+ liberation, could be banned. 

In this time, as we see the continued blurring of the lines of church and state, it is important for us to identify the manifestations of Christian nationalist strategies. Adam Russel Taylor outlines warning signs of Christian nationalism in U.S. politics in this article published by Sojourners. One sign, Russel Taylor says, is the demonizing and othering of immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, or non-Chrisitans, claiming these people as “un-American”. Another sign is a candidate referring to America as “chosen”, or “divinely inspired”, without acknowledging the way that our country has fallen short of its founding principles. 

As Jews, as people committed to LGBTQ+ equality, the separation of church and state and democracy, it is key for us to understand how the manifestations of Christian nationalism are present and being advocated for in our culture, in our laws, and in this election cycle. It is also important to not confuse Christian nationalism for what it means to be Christian, and be clear about how we are using the term. 

One step we can all take to act on our values and beliefs is to vote for the world we all want, where all LGBTQ+ people, where people of all faiths, have equal rights.