The article discusses the author’s unease with the political and religious left’s critique of Christian nationalism, suggesting that it often overlooks equivalent critiques of Zionism. While Christian nationalism promotes the idea that certain nations are founded on Christian principles, Zionism similarly asserts Jewish claims to land, often at the expense of other populations. Both forms of nationalism reflect ethnoreligious particularism and can lead to oppression.
Christian nationalism is characterized by an emphasis on returning to “Christian” values, which the author views as deeply intertwined with white privilege and supremacy in the U.S. and Europe. The author argues that this belief system has detrimental social effects, including legislative attacks on reproductive rights and LGBTQ rights.
Zionism, which originated as a response to anti-Semitism, sought to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine but has become problematic due to its conflation with Judaism. The author critiques the inherent issues of bias, noting that both movements ignore the ethical teachings of their respective faiths, favoring nationalism over justice and inclusion.
Ultimately, the author calls for a consistent moral critique of all forms of ethnoreligious nationalism, emphasizing that both Christian and Jewish nationalisms need condemnation for undermining human dignity and rights. The piece advocates for a comprehensive critique of nationalism across religious and political lines, warning that failing to do so diminishes moral authority on these urgent issues.
