The Founding Myth: Why Christian Nationalism Is Un-American

by Andrew L. Seidel

We are witnessing the gradual death of another Christian family value that is still influential, though waning: homophobic discrimination. Nationally, there are as many as 2.4 million homeless American youth, 20 to 40 percent of whom are LGBTQ, despite comprising only 3 to 5 percent of the total youth population.35 The two most common reasons for homelessness in LGBTQ youth are: (1) family rejection on the basis of sexual orientation and gender, and (2) being evicted from family homes as a result of coming out.36 In these situations the family either rejects the child, making it unbearable for them to stay, or deliberately disowns the child, kicking them out. LGBTQ youth who are rejected by their families are eight times more likely to attempt suicide than those who are accepted.37 Ann Coulter, a mouthpiece for Christian nationalism, approves these Christian family values: “Last Thursday was national ‘coming out’ day. This Monday is national ‘disown your son’ day,” she wrote.38 Religion perverts love.