The United States is seeing the rise of Christian nationalism and how it's deeply impacting today's political climate, especially with the far-right. Amanda Tyler, the executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and the lead organizer of the Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign, has studied the roots of Christian nationalism. Tyler joins Reality Check's John Avlon to discuss how Christian nationalism is used as a political ideology to merge one's faith with partisan politics.
As Deplorable as Greene is..The fact her District chooses her to represent Them is even more Disturbing..
@Michael Whitted TRUMP 2024!
@Ryan Weible I LOVE MY GUNS! Read the second amendment
The colonists that risked their lives escaping to pursue religious freedom were well aware what religious bigotry meant. Depending on which King or Queen was in charge, torture, drowning, and being burned at the stake. Many were in prison for their faith, and given a choice to the new world or die in the old. They knew and feared religious persecution. That is why freedom of religion also means freedom from religion. Separation of church and state is a cornerstone of democracy. Tax exemption makes religion imo big business. I would assume this also makes it highly insidious with con men and women. 😵💙
I wish more people would be taught or learn about history. Learning about history you learn to see patterns in social behaviors. It increases your ability to use reasoning. To not learn about history leaves you open to manipulation and making decisions out of fear and emotion which often goes sideways. Leading to bad decision making.
Everyone who has replied to me, here, has a good point. To the one who questioned me about counties, cities, townships, and neighborhoods, you have a good point. As a matter of fact, the United States Federal government should actually prohibit states from forcing all their schools to indoctrinate religion, but that does not mean that the federal government should have a say to ban religion from ALL public schools. That power should belong to governments that are smaller than state governments, not larger. School districts should have a right to decide whether to indoctrinate religion or not to indoctrinate religion and what religion they should indoctrinate. To those of you who question me about religions that I disagree with, you have a good point. There should be Christian schools, both Catholic and Protestant, Jewish schools, Muslim schools, Hindu schools, Buddhist schools, and schools of every other religion I can think of. As a Catholic Christian, I may disagree with all the other religions I have named, but I will fight for your human rights not only to build schools however you like, but also to fund schools however you like because I believe in freedom, especially freedom from a nationwide government that bans religion from ALL public schools. Religious classes should not be limited to private schools when I think of poor religious parents who cannot financially afford to send their children to those such private schools. Also, if you believe that abortion should be a human right, what about the human rights of the babies, themselves? Our babies should have a government protected right simply to live and we should not be forced to keep or abort our children. We should be given more options. A twelve-year-old girl who has been raped should be given the option to have her baby and give it up for adoption to loving parents whom she knows can take care of a baby better than she can. There should also be more foster centers that will talk parents into carrying their children to full term before taking the children away for loving purposes, so those children are not getting aborted and this is an issue that I will not yet stop fighting until we, the human race, stops aborting babies, ONCE AND FOR ALL!!! We are NOT the only ones who should have human rights. Our babies should have them, too and they should have the protected right to live. We should educate ourselves and our children about what to do with our unborn and have human rights to virtually everything EXCEPT abortion. That is what should be taught in social studies class.
Lauren Boebert says, “I’m tired of this separation of church and state junk.” Yet evangelical voters like her justified their support for Trump with the rationalization, “We’re electing a President, not a pastor.” And these people don’t see the inconsistency and hypocrisy of these two positions.
@Wait What
I was a Seventh-day Adventist for two decades. I constantly heard about the imminent Sunday Law/Mark of the Beast. We are farther from that probability than we ever were. This is a case of Chicken Little running around yelling, “The sky is falling.”
It’s just not happening.
@Clif Payne and for the Muslims, the Koran is real, and for the Jews, the Old Testament is real, on the contrary, maybe none of it is real.
As a devout Catholic myself this doctrine terrifies me, this reminds me of a quote I’ve read once “if fascism ever is to come to the United States it will come with a cross wrapped in an American flag.” Thomas Jefferson once said that America “should not be a Christian nation” because the separation of church and state is meant to keep the government out of the church and vice versa. This is how are country was founded by our founding fathers and how it should stay. As a Christian i do want people to come to Jesus obviously but I will never force my religion on anyone as this is wrong period. Be vigilant and pray the rosary for peace in our nation especially for minorities God bless
@Illawong that was king Herod. Your spreading lies,
Thanks for sharing this truth that some of us have gone through so much with even our love ones that I adore. We can not stop speaking with love ❤️. Because I know that my love ones All know how much I love ❤️ and respect and given my all for them or their love ones. So, I have the faith and love 😘 that they are in alert and see. For me is hard because I am a retired mental health therapist and they know that I am very spiritual. So, if it’s not, don’t give me therapy. It’s don’t preach to me 😌. But I don’t give up, with much love ❤️ and respect. May The Almighty bless you and keep you…
What an important interview. Amanda Tyler is very brave to advance her theories/cause, especially due to the violence that the Christian Nationalists promote in “Gods” name.
A well-done presentation. I am a 62 yr. old white male, raised in a rural, midwest county. I have found that my state and the proximate communities that I have returned to after living in quite a few different places have changed dramatically. Having read a bit about the rise of fascism in Europe in the 20’s and 30’s, for the first time in my life, I find myself very afraid of where we are going as a nation. The rise of populism and the facets of it that refer to “Christian Nationalism” – the people who are true believers that participated in Jan. 6 – are genuinely terrifying. One party as been complicit and even encouraged the manifestation of these movements. We the People had better take notice and do more than vote. All this has happened before.
@shaney Thank you Shaney…what a thoughtful and brilliant comment…As a German who moved to the US four years ago I just can ask you: Please run for President…Whats going on right now must not be the new normal! And On Tyranny should be mandatory in schools////
@DJ64 Danke fuer diese Antwort…leider lesen das immer nur die Falschen…Gruesse aus Oregon
@Grauzone bay Mr. Grauzone bay… I thought you were messing with me when you said run for President – made me laugh out loud. But I had to reply when you suggested that “On Tyranny” should be mandatory reading. Couldn’t agree more. Timothy Snyder has taught me a lot. Jason Stanley and Ruth Ben-Ghiat are equally enlightening.
@shaney Thanks for the hint, Shaney… I need new books anyways…Greetings to where ever you are and have a nice weekend
@Grauzone bay 👍
These people need to leave their religious nonsense OUT of our government, period. The Founders were smart enough to know that the two should never mix, thus the establishment clause: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”
Thank you for this insight. As a Christian, I am deeply troubled by what “Christian Nationalists” claim to do in the name of God. I pray that they are soundly rebuked by other Christians.
I pray that we most to more that pray.
@dionysusnow We can start at the ballot box. Staying silent on this trend is to allow it to grow.
It is so important for Christians to stand up to the idolatry of so called “christian” nationalism which has corrupted the belief of so many in this country.
I just feel like going all ‘Jesus at the Temple’ or Elijah and Jezebel, and I’m sick of being quiet about it. ‘If I do not speak, the very ROCKS will cry out.’
When Trump says the words “god” or “love” my skin crawls. It’s so fake.
@Clif Payne Just cannot get off the liberal talking points can you? I am not a fan of Trump and a huge portion of conservatives are not a fan of Trump. I do not vote personalities – I vote policies. Let me ask you something. If I am convinced that the unborn constitutes a human life, and I am convinced of this, what kind of person would I be if I compromised for political expediency? And you will probably want to hit me with subterfuge but please just answer my question.
He couldn’t be a more devoted Satan Worshipper if he actually tried.
The only thing that man loves or reveres is himself and what he can take from others.
If Hell actually does exist as a punishment for misdeeds…I know trump will be arriving there the instant after his cold, black heart stops beating.
Thank you. I’ve been waiting for something like this. I can’t even say I’m a Christian anymore because people assume I’m one of these wackos trying to destroy our country.
Oh no, everybody should know that there’s a difference. It’s just that everyday it seems like more & more of those whackos come out of the woodworks.
(Should probably say that I’m not Christian nor Atheist, I’m a Muslim that has a great deal of respect for the teachings of those like Job, Abraham, Moses, and yes that includes Jesus.)
@⸻
…and I respect and support, and I resolve to defend, anyone who wades into a hot-button topic like this and who is brave enough to state that he/she is not a “Christian nor Atheist”!
Sincere Thanks To You — because I believe you manifest the bed-rock principles our nation needs to continue striving for and reaching for, in order to survive & prevail in troubling times like these.
You and I, we may not be brothers, but maybe we can still be “cousins”…
😏🤝 Many blessings to you.
I’m glad this interview was done. A great and informative segment on Christian Nationalism. As a atheist I didn’t realize that Christian Nationalism was about political power but not true faith to Christianity. Great job Amanda Taylor!
Benjamin Franklin was an agnostic, not a Christian. He worked with Christians and they worked with him. The Founding Fathers were trying to keep religion and state separate and anyone who says otherwise is just trying to rewrite history.
@EthanBEKG I used to live in a southern French city, Beziers. What the so-called Christians did to the Cathars living there was absolutely brutal. Worth researching if you have the time.
@masterchinese28 – And most of the extremely well-educated Founders were Deists, not straight Christian
@MossyMozart Smart people!
Great story! Thank you for letting this Christian know she isn’t alone in feeling horrified by what these people are doing.
Jesus was not born to have all this hate & racism. Rapture must be near. Feel blessed u r in the light of God & all faiths go to heaven. I was there, I know & there is no more beautiful place on earth.
Garden,
There are some of us – the 7,000 that have not bowed the need to the trumpian Ba-al… who reject the worldliness offered by Trump
I don’t live in the states. I live in Canada and as a Christian I don’t want non Christians to be turned off by Christian Nationals. This is horrific. To be such mean, heartless people is an affront to real Christianity.
As a Christian from Germany, I can just say: “Oh no, not again please!” … Christian Nationalism was a movement with too much influence also here in Germany – about 90 years ago. Certainly one of these phenomenons that we would want to see NEVER AGAIN. We (hopefully) all know what this has contributed to (In case you don’t understand: A comparison with 1932’s Germany is almost always a really bad sign…).
The American Founders worked hard to cut these people out of government…..
@Beer Against Humanity Not hard enough it seems.
@Beer Against Humanity Yep, too little … too late. Hopefully this time it isn’t too late.
Thank you for posting what I was thinking.
My father went to war against Hitler’s christian nationalism in 1942.
God bless you Amanda. Well said. I used to work side by side with evangelicals years ago at the Right-to Life march in Washington D.C. and I admired their dedication and their piety. When I was involved in the march, we expressly told participants that the march was NOT a protest and NOT politically partisan. It was a prayerful observance. The speeches on the ellipse reflected that. Eventually, the entire character of the movement changed and it became more angry, more partisan and less prayerful. The speeches on the ellipse began looking like political rallies. With the advent of Trump, my respect for many (not all) evangelicals has diminished and I am deeply ashamed of many of my fellow Catholics who have embraced a political movement far removed from the ideals of Christianity. You clear and thoughtful message gives me hope. I will be looking into how I might participate.
PROUD Catholic here who has NOT & will NOT embrace this inept, pathetic SO – CALLED Christian movement.
great comment. It’s beginning to get scary; like,-” fascism in Europe in the 20’s and 30’s”, scary. Christian’s, like yourself, will make the biggest difference in the direction of American history.
When I get anxious about the future, i find comfort, in the thought, that as long as Christian’s, remember to behave like Christian’s, like disciples of Christ, then we will be alright.
There will always be times when your religious beliefs force you to be a bit political. Your wanting to participate in the march, for example. But, making sure politicians know what you think about legislation, IS the right thing to do, as a Christian and as an American.
The devout, being counted and effecting policy change, even if I disagree with the changes, doesn’t frighten me. Differences in the interpretations of legislation, and the debates, demonstrations, and marches that stem from them, are expected in a democracy. They will never damage the Country the way this violence and white nationalism can.
You mentioned being Catholic. Every time I hear an extremist / nationalist, argue, that they represent Christianity, and that Christian’s should not shy away from, the word nationalist; I think, about Catholicism.
I mean, Catholics can not be nationalists, right? The doctrine comes from the Vatican, in Vatican City. Vatican City, is it’s own Nation(since 1929), it is not part of this(USA) Nation.
These days, very few Catholics live their lives wholly governed by the Vatican; however, identifying one’s self as ‘USA nationalist’, would mean, not caring about anything- the Vatican or Pope has to say.
My Baci (God rest her soul) was Catholic and pious, mass twice a week, pious. She was also non-judgmental and a great American.
When I was a kid, I remember her saying that Reagan shouldn’t run, because, he was Catholic. She said “as a Catholic, his actions and choices should represent the will of the Church, Dogma, Doctrine and The Pope.” So, she would not be voting for him, because, “our President, should act for the will of the people, for America”, she explained.
The violence, separatism and political ideology of this, extreme nationalism movement, shouldn’t make it a good fit for any Judeo-Christian religion. But, I’d think the conflict of interest for Catholics would be unsurmountable.
I am glad to read, that people like yourself, are paying attention, and ready to stand apart from people like the Faux Christian, at 8:36 in the video, willing to stand with the ‘out numbered’, and stand up for America. This video, Amanda Tyler’s message, and comments like yours, give me hope. Thanks~ Lisa
Thank you for addressing this. Many have been feeling this but didn’t know how to put it into words.
As a Vietnamese Buddhist, who believes in peace and forgiveness, I find this Christian Nationalism fad really terrifying, excessive, and neo-colonizing. It’s one thing to love your country and be faithful to your deity, but it’s another story to become a pawn of blind loyalty.
@Sunny Ramsey I understand what he’s doing. I don’t understand how it’s relevant to the point. What are YOU having trouble understanding?
Agreed! I’m a Black American (and an atheist) and this is very troubling … but it isn’t surprising
@guitarandrums I think it is pretty obvious that telling his nationality and religion says: he isn’t an American and isn’t a Christian, as an outsider on both themes, he made his opinion of someone seeing this particular circle of christian nationalists going on in America.
There are a lot of other commenters saying “as a christian,” or “as a christian in country x,” or “as someone from country x,” All those people are giving their opinion as someone from within or without these two specific groups looking what is going on with USA, their religion and politics and the mix of both.
I hope this helped answer your question.
Excellent video! Thank you John Avlon for this! Both the interview with Tyler and your explanation of how the framework of our government was not based on Christianity but on ethics and personal freedom. Also the quote, “everyone can have their own opinion but their own facts” is a great take down of the distortion of reality some are married to in this country. I think what is happening, in part, with some Christians is that because we have some verbiage in our culture that refers to God (such as the pledge of allegiance) they assume it’s actually part of the framework of our government. However, it’s clear that many in this country will not recognize this as they have of course, “drunk the cool aid.”
It actually made me the most angry when they tried to force me to like Donald Trump. I am a Christian and I’ve studied the Bible for a few decades. When they did that, I had to re-evaluate a lot of things about the faith. I will say I do still believe in Christ and His teachings. But I couldn’t care less about the teachings of the Republican Party.
I have always said. ” When you blend your faith with politics, something gets corrupted. And I don’t think it will be the politics”