Christian Nationalism is un-Americann | Forum

#1

Christian Nationalism is political ideology that asserts the US government is defined by Christianity and it should actively preserve and promote it. The Constitution is a secular document that makes no mention of any specific religion and explicitly rejects religious privilege within the 1st amendment:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof [...]"

Christian Nationalism and the Constitution of the United States are at odds, but the latter has authority being the law of the Land. Christian Nationalism rejects the constitutional principle of a secular state and is fundamentally at odds with core American democratic principles.

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#2

@SkepticalOne

Trump attached the constitution with the Bible and made it available for $59.99. They are printed in China for under $5.

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#3

@SkepticalOne

Christian Nationalism is un-Americann

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof [...]"

Depending on the implications of "preserving and promoting Christianity," I think Christian nationalism may or may not be unconstitutional. Politicians can and have justified a lot of political policies ex post facto by saying they "uphold Christian values" (anything from helping the poor to banning abortions). That doesn't automatically make the policy unconstitutional though. Additionally, amending the constitution is itself constitutional, which makes designating things as unamerican this way a bit fraught. And even if we could, I'm not sure American-ness is a great proxy for policies being good or bad. Slavery was at one point American and constitutionally protected.

And all that being said, I probably agree that separation of church and state is necessary to avoid a lot of problems. But not due to it being American; I think that's dangerously close to trying to get an ought from an is.

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<blockquote>Christian Nationalism is un-Americann</blockquote><blockquote>“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof [...]"</blockquote>Depending on the implications of "preserving and promoting Christianity," I think Christian nationalism may or may not be unconstitutional. Politicians can and have justified a lot of political policies ex post facto by saying they "uphold Christian values" (anything from helping the poor to banning abortions). That doesn't automatically make the policy unconstitutional though. Additionally, amending the constitution is itself constitutional, which makes designating things as unamerican this way a bit fraught. And even if we could, I'm not sure American-ness is a great proxy for policies being good or bad. Slavery was at one point American and constitutionally protected. And all that being said, I probably agree that separation of church and state is necessary to avoid a lot of problems. But not due to it being American; I think that's dangerously close to trying to get an ought from an is.

#4

@Savant

Separation of church and state allowed for other religions to compete without the Government interfering.

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(Last edited by Shoresy on )

#5

This confuses a religious establishment with democratic participation. The First Amendment restricts what government may establish; it does not prohibit citizens from voting according to their religion or preferred culture. Christians possess the same right as every other cultural group to community organize politically, actively advocate policies reflecting their values, and use activism to seek public support for institutions serving their Christian communities.

Government may not establish an official church, compel religious observance, deny equal citizenship, or reserve public benefits exclusively for Christians. But also...“secular government” does not mean a "cultureless government" so to speak in which only nonreligious values may influence public policy. Religious organizations can't be prohibited from also participating in generally available welfare programs to promothe the welfare of that culture.

Therefore, Christian nationalism is unconstitutional only when it is defined to include coercion, legal religious supremacy, or discriminatory privileges. Defining it narrowly that way and then announcing that it conflicts with the Constitution is going down the rabbit hiole of circular reasoning. That's not really a refutation of Christians justly voting to preserve their culture.

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This confuses a religious establishment with democratic participation. The First Amendment restricts what government may establish; it does not prohibit citizens from voting according to their religion or preferred culture. Christians possess the same right as every other cultural group to community organize politically, actively advocate policies reflecting their values, and use activism to seek public support for institutions serving their Christian communities. Government may not establish an official church, compel religious observance, deny equal citizenship, or reserve public benefits exclusively for Christians. But also...“secular government” does not mean a "cultureless government" so to speak in which only nonreligious values may influence public policy. Religious organizations can't be prohibited from also participating in generally available welfare programs to promothe the welfare of that culture. Therefore, Christian nationalism is unconstitutional only when it is defined to include coercion, legal religious supremacy, or discriminatory privileges. Defining it narrowly that way and then announcing that it conflicts with the Constitution is going down the rabbit hiole of circular reasoning. That's not really a refutation of Christians justly voting to preserve their culture.

#6

Separation of church and state prevents the state from interfering with the religion chosen by people.

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