A survey conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute and the Brookings Institution has revealed an extremely concerning trend – a significant number of White evangelicals and Republicans are sympathetic toward Christian nationalism.
Christian Nationalism Adherents
The survey revealed that Christian nationalism has found a stronghold among certain groups in the US. Among White evangelicals, 29% qualified as adherents, while an additional 35% were classified as sympathizers. Among Republicans, the trend was similar, with 21% classed as adherents and 33% classed as sympathizers.
Support for Political Violence
While the aforementioned finding is concerning, it wasn’t the most alarming part about the survey’s results. Christian nationalism adherents are almost seven times more likely than non-adherents to agree that “true patriots might have to resort to violence to save our country.”
The Troubling Statistics
Of Christian nationalism adherents, 40% held the aforementioned view in comparison to only 6% of non-adherents. Even more troubling is that 12% of those who support such political violence admitted to personally threatening or using weapons against someone in recent years.
Authoritarianism and Disregard for Rules
The survey also highlighted a tendency among Christian nationalists to idealize authoritarian leaders who are willing to break rules to achieve their objectives. Half of Christian nationalism adherents and 38% of sympathizers endorsed the idea of such leaders.
Views on Race
The survey also revealed that Christian nationalism could be linked to certain views on race and immigration. A majority (57%) of Christian nationalism adherents did not see White supremacy as a significant problem in the country.
The Replacement Theory
Additionally, 70% of adherents rejected the notion that historical discrimination contributes to the current challenges faced by Black Americans. Moreover, 71% supported the “replacement theory,” a racist idea suggesting that white Americans and Europeans are being intentionally replaced by non-White immigrants.
Prejudices and Stereotypes
The survey also uncovered some troubling biases in regard to Muslims and Jewish people. Approximately 23% of adherents agreed with the stereotype that Jewish people in the U.S. hold too many positions of power. Meanwhile, 67% advocated for banning people from some Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States.
Traditional Gender Roles
Another noteworthy finding is that 69% of Christian nationalism adherents agreed with the idea that “in a truly Christian family,” the husband should be the household head while his wife submits to his leadership.
A Changing Religious Landscape
The survey’s results have come as the religious landscape of the United States is shifting. Churches are facing declining numbers and more and more people are distancing themselves from organized religion. It’s interesting that, despite this, Christian nationalism seems to be on the rise.
The Internet’s Response
News of the survey’s troublesome findings was shared across the internet and people were largely concerned. In response to the finding that Christian nationalists are almost seven times more likely to agree with political violence, one person said: “Hilariously on-brand, Christians. You’ve been a violent cult for most of your existence and I’m sure that would make Jesus proud.”
An Easier Sell
Others weren’t as harsh with their words. One individual said: “Fascism hidden behind Christianity is an easier sell. Hide the real ideas behind the cross and otherwise-good people will fall for the nationalism.”
A Personal Story
A few people shared personal stories. One person wrote: “My sister very much falls into this. She will go around saying Jesus loves everyone and we need to show kindness to all but she has also [said that] that cruelty toward non-believers is kindness.”
A Hate-Filled Church
The commenter continued: “[She says it’s kindness because] they will be delivered to God sooner rather than later as that would show them their errors before redemption is too late. I went to her church once. It was hate-filled and disgusting. If you don’t believe in God like they do, then they want to kill you. Full stop. They are just waiting for their moment.”
An Islamic Terrorist
Others discussed the way far-right Christianity couldn’t be further from Jesus’ teachings. “Not that I believe in it but sometimes I wish Jesus Christ would come down from the heavens and ask every single one of those guys, ‘What are you doing? Eh?’” one person said. “He’d probably be labeled an Islamic terrorist,” another replied.
America Is Changing
Another said: “The GOP is filled with White boomers who are seeing America shift from being mostly White, Christian, and individualist to a more diverse, less religious, [and] more collectivist population. This is causing extreme discomfort as ‘their’ America is ‘going away.’ Those that aren’t Christian nationalists still likely hold some warmth for it because it retains part of what they saw as ‘their’ America.”
The Republican Party
A fair few commenters discussed Christian nationalism within the Republican Party. “Christian nationalism came first and then they wrapped the Republican Party around it,” one person said. “Like two idiots walking directly at each other while everyone else tries to avoid them before they collide,” another added.
An International Perspective
An international commenter said: “That’s [messed up]. At this point, if I was American, I’d want a segregated split of the country between the red and blue states before the whole country actually does devolve into a Christian nationalist fascist state.”
Christian Nationalists Are Fascists
Another person said: “They are fascists. They support a system of government of authoritarian rule where you cannot vote out your political leaders, they simply stay in place. They are fascists.”
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