The sweeping rise of Christian nationalism on the right has taken extreme
forms since the election of Donald Trump in 2016. From “Stop the Steal” to the
storming of the U.S. Capitol and now, the overturn of Roe v. Wade — Christian
nationalist rhetoric has undergirded it all. But given that a majority of
Americans identify as Christian, faith also isn’t going anywhere in our
politics. So what would a better relationship between church and state look
like?
To discuss, Jane Coaston brings together two people who are at the heart of
the Christian nationalism debate. Katherine Stewart is the author of “The
Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism” and has
reported on the Christian right for over a decade. Esau McCaulley is a
contributing writer for Times Opinion and theologian-in-residence at
Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago.
Stewart feels that the movement is paving the way to something with graver
consequence. “This is a movement that wants to promote theocratic policies,”
she says. “But theocracy is really not the end point. It’s sort of a means to
an end, which is authoritarianism.” McCaulley agrees the danger is real. But
to him, there’s a place for faith-informed arguments in the public square.
“When you try to enforce your religion as the base of your argument and the
sole way of being a good American, that’s Christian nationalism,” he says.
“And when you’re saying, well, hold on, here is a value that I want to
advocate for, perhaps this is my best presentation of the issue, let’s vote
and let society decide — I think that’s the best that you can hope for.”
Mentioned in this episode: * “
Christian Nationalists Are Excited About What Comes Next” by Katherine Stewart in The New York Times
* “
How Religion Can Help Put Our Democracy Back Together” by Richard Just in The Washington Post Magazine
(A full transcript of the episode will be available midday on the Times
website.)
Read more
The sweeping rise of Christian nationalism on the right has taken extreme
forms since the election of Donald Trump in 2016. From “Stop the Steal” to the
storming of the U.S. Capitol and now, the overturn of Roe v. Wade — Christian
nationalist rhetoric has undergirded it all. But given that a majority of
Americans identify as Christian, faith also isn’t going anywhere in our
politics. So what would a better relationship between church and state look
like?
To discuss, Jane Coaston brings together two people who are at the heart of
the Christian nationalism debate. Katherine Stewart is the author of “The
Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism” and has
reported on the Christian right for over a decade. Esau McCaulley is a
contributing writer for Times Opinion and theologian-in-residence at
Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago.
Stewart feels that the movement is paving the way to something with graver
consequence. “This is a movement that wants to promote theocratic policies,”
she says. “But theocracy is really not the end point. It’s sort of a means to
an end, which is authoritarianism.” McCaulley agrees the danger is real. But
to him, there’s a place for faith-informed arguments in the public square.
“When you try to enforce your religion as the base of your argument and the
sole way of being a good American, that’s Christian nationalism,” he says.
“And when you’re saying, well, hold on, here is a value that I want to
advocate for, perhaps this is my best presentation of the issue, let’s vote
and let society decide — I think that’s the best that you can hope for.”
Mentioned in this episode: * “
Christian Nationalists Are Excited About What Comes Next” by Katherine Stewart in The New York Times
* “
How Religion Can Help Put Our Democracy Back Together” by Richard Just in The Washington Post Magazine
(A full transcript of the episode will be available midday on the Times
website.)
Read less