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Christian Nationalism is the antithesis of my faith [1]

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Date: 2025-04-16

I am a Christian, and all I am asking is that you read this and hear me out. (If you’re still reading even this second sentence, then I know there’s hope.) Christians who are followers of Christ (and no, that's not even close to a redundant statement) should find their natural home in the Democratic Party. The expressed goals that form the foundations of these two groups—helping the poor, caring for the marginalized, promoting justice, advocating for human rights, and environmental stewardship—are perfectly aligned.

Unfortunately, many Democrats are too often hostile to Christians, mocking and shunning us under the misguided conception that we are a gullible, monolithic, and mostly Republican voting block when recent data (2024) from the Pew Research Center reveals that approximately 50% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents in the United States identify as Christians. While bashing Republicans is fair game on Daily Kos (and do they deserve it, never more than now), the constant, disparaging comments about Christians—say, referring to Trump as our “Orange Messiah”—is not only deeply offensive but blasphemous. In fact, someone reading this will likely feel compelled to comment on the “foolishness” of Christianity, and that’s if they’re being gentle. Now, maybe this is akin to the newsflash that water is wet, but calling someone’s core beliefs foolish and mocking their “sky god” is not a great way to start any conversation. It’s also a terrible way to attract potential voters. To be sure, anyone who calls themselves a Christian and voted for Trump has much to answer for, but when Democrats shun and mock Christians, we feel pushed into the Republican camp. There’s a good chance Democrats can take back the House in 2026 and the presidency in 2028, but (like most recent elections) these contests will be won or lost based on how the independent voter leans. Again, water is wet, but alienating 50% of that base is highly counter-productive. The healing must begin now, not in 2026 or 2028. Unless Democrats can make room for Christian voices to be heard, we’ll face more disastrous days at the ballot box.

So, it’s pretty simple: If the Democratic party wants more of the Christian vote, just treat us with the respect that Democratic ideals say we deserve. On the contrary, Republicans are all too happy to pay lip service towards Christian ideals to maintain political power, but their actions constantly betray their words.

And this ongoing and very dangerous irony brings us to what originally inspired me to write this piece: Christian Nationalism. Let me say, here and now, without equivocation: Christian Nationalism is in no way, shape or form an expression of Christianity. Christian Nationalism draws selectively from the Bible to support its ideology, but it is not a theologically grounded Biblical doctrine. Instead, it’s a political ideology that falsely blends Christian identity with American identity. It is an extremely dangerous political movement. Every Christian worthy of the name should be taking part in a full-throated-repudiation and active resistance of this perversion of our faith.

A particularly alarming manifestation of this is Project 2025, a document outlining deeply right-wing “reforms” rooted in a narrow and heretical interpretation of Christianity. Let’s be clear: Its aim is to transform the United States into a godless theocracy (did the authors of Project 2025 really think we wouldn’t notice that absurd contradiction?) And it’s working. Or at least it’s happening. The proposals within Project 2025 now being enacted are profoundly unsettling, raising critical questions about why individuals across the political and religious spectrum aren’t banding together to fight this monstrous profanity.

Jesus's teaching about giving to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's (Matthew 22:21) shows the importance of separating church and state. Twisting scripture to justify political agendas, as Christian Nationalists do, risks creating the kind of oppression predicted in works of fiction like "The Handmaid's Tale." So, to boil this down to one sentence: Scripture must inform and shape Christian convictions, not be cynically employed to justify pre-existing political agendas. Christian Nationalism, and initiatives like Project 2025, invert this crucial order, selecting and distorting scripture to rationalize a predetermined political program.

Meanwhile, there are charlatans like Paula White-Cain, the current, so-called “spiritual advisor” to the White House, who do not represent Christian thought and beliefs. (Buying an “angel from God” by sending $1,000 to Paula! Seriously? SMH) These Svengalis promote false teachings such as Prosperity Theology to profit from people’s uninformed desperation, which is about as evil as it gets. And yes, as a Christian, I am called to name and speak out against such evil. Some of you who have managed to read this far into my diary might be thinking I’m an outlier in these kinds of thoughts and actions. Actually, I’m very mainstream; it’s Paula White-Cain and the authors of Project 2025 who are the outliers.

And this is one aspect where the rift between Democrats and Christians falls squarely on the shoulders of the latter: Followers of Christ must speak out unequivocally against such people and their heresies, which is one of the main reasons I felt compelled to write this article. From this point on, I will be diligently working to encourage other Christians to do the same, both here on Kos, in mainstream Christian publications, and in any other ways that I can think of (suggestions in the comments are welcome!) But Democrats also have a crucial role to play.

First, it is essential to avoid the false and divisive generalization that equates all Christians with heretics like Paula White-Cain. While I know she’s a fairly minor player in the grand scheme of things, I reference her here not only because her actions are a recent, relevant example that has rightly been called out in the diaries and comments on Kos, but also because the linked clip above is such a blatant, cheesy, and down right embarrassing example of the kind of behavior that leads Democrats to mock and shun Christians. But these same generalizations alienate sincere believers and undermine coalition-building.

Second, the Democratic Party should create space for Christians, avoiding the creation of a perceived conflict between Christian faith and Democratic values. I have no doubt that there are many Democratic Christians who feel marginalized when their faith is dismissed or censored. Reminding everyone that Christianity is not monolithic—that many Christians support Democratic policies and not all Republicans are Christians; no, not by a very long shot—is crucial. The Democratic Party should strive to accommodate faith-based perspectives without compromising its core values.

Third, focus on shared values, such as justice, humility, equality, and love of neighbor, which stand in direct opposition to the coercive and exclusionary tendencies of Christian Nationalism.

By addressing the threat of Christian Nationalism with both theological rigor and political inclusivity, we can build a stronger, more just society together. Reconciliation between Democrats and Christian faith communities is absolutely possible, but it necessitates a willingness on both sides to engage in open, honest, and respectful dialogue. This dialogue must be characterized by humility and a genuine willingness to listen and learn from one another. If we remain entrenched in our respective positions, Republicans will continue to make gains because of our unwillingness to bridge the divides that separate us. We must expend our time and energy on finding reconciliation on those issues, and work together to advance our collective calling: the common good.

Post-script: I know this is a long diary, but it’s a huge and vital topic. If you’ve gotten this far, thank you, and I mean that, from the core of my being and my beliefs. At least I know that you are open to the conversation, which is, at least in my opinion and observations, one of the key aspects that makes a Democrat a Democrat. My core message is this: While actively fighting against Christian Nationalism, give Christians a chance. Don’t mock or shun us. Know that true Christians recoil from the heretical ideology contained in Project 2025 and from people like Paula White-Cain in a very personal way, precisely because we realize that these ideologies and people claim to speak for us. They do not speak for me, and don’t speak for the vast majority of Democrats who are sincere followers of Christ. I have no doubt that Christians can find agreement with Democrats on almost every core issue. And it’s our collective responsibility to find and explore ways where we all agree, and then, most importantly, to act in ways that will help us all treat each other as we want to be treated.

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