The term “paleo-Confederate,” used by Pastor Douglas Wilson, highlights his views as a leader within the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), a network of Christian nationalist churches. Wilson believes that while Southern slavery was wrong, the Confederacy upheld essential constitutional and cultural values. He advocates for household voting, where men vote on behalf of their families, and espouses racist views that exclude Muslims and Hindus from a future Christian republic.
Christian nationalists, including Wilson, perceive America as fundamentally a Christian nation, aiming to infuse government with conservative Evangelical values. This perspective rejects the separation of church and state, seeking to establish a theocracy dominated by far-right white male Evangelicals, undermining First Amendment freedoms.
While many Evangelical Christians reject Wilson’s extreme views, the influence of Christian nationalism is growing, notably illustrated by figures like Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who supports Wilson’s ideologies. The Capitol attack on January 6, 2021, showcased the intertwining of Christian symbols and violence, highlighting the movement’s threat to democracy.
With proponents advocating for government based on “biblical principles,” many Christians express concern about the movement’s misrepresentation of Jesus’s teachings focused on love and acceptance. Amid serious threats to religious freedom, there is a call for unity among all Americans to combat these extremist views.
