Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, addressed the concept of Christian nationalism at a Texas symposium on religion and journalism. She clarified that simply holding conservative religious or political views doesn’t equate to being a Christian nationalist.
Tyler defined Christian nationalism as a political ideology merging American and Christian identities, suggesting that to be a “real American” or “real Texan,” one must be a Christian, specifically of a fundamentalist nature aligned with conservative politics. She noted that Christian nationalism is deeply intertwined with white supremacy and racial subjugation, often perpetuating a sense of belonging limited to privileged groups, specifically white Protestant Christian men who owned property.
While the term “Christian nationalism” is relatively new, its roots trace back to historical events such as the Doctrine of Discovery and even the time of Constantine. Tyler mentioned past examples like the KKK, which embodied a toxic blend of Christianity and white supremacy.
Importantly, she emphasized that Christian nationalism distorts genuine Christian teachings, which focus on supporting the marginalized, contrasting with nationalism’s pursuit of power. Tyler distinguished Christian nationalism from patriotism, stating that the former demands allegiance to power over all else, while patriotism can celebrate the country’s truth and history.
