An Analysis of MAGA Christian Nationalism

America was founded on the principle of separation between church and state. Nearly 250 years later, the lines between the two have become increasingly blurry. Today, American identity has been fused with Christian identity to create a third force: Christian Nationalism. Moreover, Trump has paved the way for Christian Nationalism to sweep across the entire nation and its governance. Perhaps the clearest example comes in the Charlie Kirk Memorial Service held last week in Glendale, Arizona. Along with prominent political figures, members of the Christian faith spoke at Kirk's funeral. However, the issue isn't the mere appearance of religious iconography; the problem arises when our political leaders claim their policies, views, and stances are supported by God. Indeed, the nearly five-hour-long funeral service perfectly encapsulates the principles of Christian Nationalism: a belief in American and Christian superiority. To Christian Nationalists, the two identities are not just connected, but the same.

Unpacking the origins of Christian Nationalism is difficult. The roots of a combined church and state in America date back to colonial times. However, the Founding Fathers crafted the Constitution as a secular document, as evidenced by its lack of religious language. Moreover, the First Amendment guarantees the right to freedom of religion. So, how did the lines become so blurred today? While numerous factors have influenced today's socio-political landscape, a key part was the rise of reactionary televangelists in the 1980s. Indeed, in the 20th century, a myriad of SCOTUS decisions further delineated the separation of church and state, i.e, Engel v. Vitale, Everson v. Board of Education, Lemon v. Kurtzman. As a direct response, the Moral Majority was founded. The story starts with Jerry Falwell, a segregationist educator, dismayed by Supreme Court rulings. His obsession with keeping Christian schools white led to the Moral Majority organization taking flight. Today, Falwell is credited as the father of the Christian Right. In its time, the Moral Majority would preach against LGBTQ rights, abortion, and feminism. Moreover, Falwell's organization had a profound cultural impact on the shift towards conservatism and Reagan's presidency. Although the organization disbanded in the late 80s, its impacts are still felt today. The modern politicization of Christianity emerged due to Falwell. The widespread nature of the Moral Majority introduced the masses to Christian superiority, a tool that Trump has wielded in his toolbox since 2016.

Christian Nationalism is its own cultural framework. Prescribers of Christian Nationalism believe the nation was founded on Judeo-Christian values. As aforementioned, there is little significant evidence to indicate that our nation's governance is founded upon religious values. However, the wider implications of this quintessential Christian Nationalist belief are fascinating. Christian nationalism frames Americans as holy. As a result, anyone who is not a follower of Christ is not American. Even worse, anyone who is not American is not a member of God's chosen people. Fundamentally, Christian Nationalism creates an Us vs. Them mentality. Anyone who does not fit under both identities is otherized. Crucially, the "other" is viewed as phenotypically inferior and morally bankrupt. Another dominant belief of Christian Nationalists is their affinity for utilizing the Bible when crafting official legislation and policy. A survey from the Pew Research Center finds that, "nearly eight-in-ten people who say the U.S. should be a Christian nation also say the Bible should have at least some influence on U.S. laws, including slightly more than half (54%) who say that when the Bible conflicts with the will of the people, the Bible should prevail." Unfortunately, the use of the Bible in public policy has already had disastrous effects. For example, Ted Cruz cites the Bible as a key influence on his unequivocal support of Israel. Moreover, a group of conservative lawmakers used Bible passages to argue for the prohibition of gender affirming care for Trans youth in front of the Supreme Court.

Christian Nationalism stems from cultural insecurity. Indeed, back in the 80s, with SCOTUS decisions and the proliferation of hippie progressivism, the Moral Majority was founded. Clearly, Trump has used the same counterculture method to make MAGA and Christian Nationalism mainstream. But for Trump, Christian Nationalism isn't about upholding Christian values as much as it is about upholding power. Evangelical views allow MAGA to imbue fear and hatred into their audience. Evidently, xenophobia propagated by Trump's rhetoric finds its basis in religion. By continually citing the Bible, Trump and his allies gain credibility among their voters despite their policy directly contradicting the Bible's teachings. Religious freedom expert Amanda Tyler, of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, puts it best: "The 'Christian' in Christian nationalism is more about identity than religion and carries with it assumptions about nativism, white supremacy, authoritarianism, patriarchy, and militarism." Indeed, MAGA's Christian Nationalists have twisted the Gospel's word for their own political goals.

MAGA's obsession with Christian Nationalism is the biggest danger to the principle of religious freedom upon which our nation was founded. In America, the identities of one's religion and one's political affiliation must be separate. Yet, Trump and his allies try to blur that line every day in order to marginalize religious minority communities. As a cultural movement, Christian Nationalism is more about political power rather than belief in God. Indeed, the coalition's early roots in the 80s prove that it was never about Christianity. Many devout Christians today vehemently oppose the popularity of the movement as well, condemning its blasphemous methods of twisting God's words into political campaign soundbites. Overall, MAGA's adoption of Christian Nationalism is a threat to everyone.