Why I think Christian Nationalism is bad for Christianity. By Kelly Lamon



My daughter, a first-time voter, said to me, “Mom, it feels really important to me that Kamala Harris wins the election.”  I replied, “I feel the same way.” 

Plenty of pundits and talking heads are outlining why: the policies on her website, women’s rights, empowerment of the middle class, her message about lifting people up.  But I want to talk about a different reason. 

As I Christian pastor, I’m concerned about the future of Christianity in the US due to the uprising of Christian nationalism since Trumpism took root. 

It’s no surprise that as a pastor, I believe that faith really matters.  I can cite scientific research about the healing power of spirituality, point you to stories of individual transformation, and highlight the positive impact of religion on society.  Heck, I've devoted my life to sharing this good news.  But I am also astutely aware of the damage that faithful people can do: oppression, manipulation, coercion, and contempt. 

The breed of Christianity that Trump stokes will inevitably weaken the positive witness of Christians in this country.  Christian nationalists believe Christians hold a special place in society, and everyone should adhere to their values.  Those values then should be legislated for all.  One can easily spot how these ideas are antidemocratic and contrary to the establishment clause of the First Amendment.  But even beyond all the constitutional problems, Christian nationalism actually undermines Christianity as a whole. 

You see, Christianity has always been a faith for the underdogs which multiples when it is advanced by the powerless.  History has shown that when Christians gain power through the state or religious organization, it ends up corrupt, hypocritical, and even violent.  It must then go through a process of reckoning to recapture its purpose.  If you want to learn about how nationalism has led Christians to bad places, just google crusades, protestant reformation, Puritan migration (just to name a few).  Therefore, as Christian nationalists vie for power, they literally are setting Christianity up for failure and perversion. 

Don’t fool yourself, Trump doesn’t care about the future of Christianity or its present witness.  To him, Christian nationalism is simply a pawn in the fight for an election win.  He doesn’t know the Bible, he barely can talk about his faith, he has no experience of repentance and forgiveness, and he is a fish out of water when he is asked to carry a burden/cross.  Christian nationalists have pinned their hopes on a savior figure who isn’t even a disciple of Jesus Christ.  And if you are voting for him because the end justify the means, I would ask you, What's the end goal?  A Christianity that has lost its true north?  A country with Christian laws but no Christian faith?   

If this version of Christianity takes hold, our Christian faith will be weakened.  So does it feel important that Kamala Harris wins?  To me, yes indeed.  It matters to protect the image of Christ in this country.

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