I'm getting ready to read and review a new book for the Journal of Church and State titled: "Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States." The label "Christian Nationalism" is a loaded term. amazon.com/Taking-America…
Two questions I will be asking as I read:
1) Do the authors label Christian faith that is concerned about the common good and justice as Christian nationalism?
In my view, not all religions concerned about justice and the common good can be reduced down to nationalism.
1) Do the authors label Christian faith that is concerned about the common good and justice as Christian nationalism?
In my view, not all religions concerned about justice and the common good can be reduced down to nationalism.
"Nationalism," it seems to me, is *motivated* by a concern for being either privileged or dominant within a nation-state as a narrative-shaping identity-marker. Nationalism instrumentalizes religion; whereas religion for its own sake has reverberating impacts on society.
2) For consistency's sake, will religious liberals be accused of nationalism, or is that a conservative-only epithet?
The voices that decry "Theocracy" and "Nationalism" often fall silent when it's their politics getting affirmed by a religious tribe. newyorker.com/news/on-religi…
The voices that decry "Theocracy" and "Nationalism" often fall silent when it's their politics getting affirmed by a religious tribe. newyorker.com/news/on-religi…
Tribalism reflects much of the problem with the discourse around religion and nationalism. Practitioners can see themselves as internally motivated by altruism whereas external critics detect nefarious quests for power.
I hope the authors untangle and explore the difference.
I hope the authors untangle and explore the difference.
