The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy

by Philip S. Gorski

It is important to recognize how differently white Christian nationalism functions from “religious commitment” as social scientists traditionally measure it. As other studies have shown, white Christian nationalism and religious commitment are not the same, and often they move white Americans in different directions on issues of social justice and equality. In this case, white Christian nationalism goes in the opposite direction of religious commitment. That is to say, once we account for Christian nationalism in our statistical models, white Americans who attend church more often, pray more often, and consider religion more important are less likely to prioritize the economy or liberty over the vulnerable. Why is this the case? Because white Christian nationalism is about ethno-traditionalism and protecting the freedoms of a very narrowly defined “us.” Religious commitment, in contrast, can expand what philosopher Peter Singer calls the “circle of empathy,” our ability to put ourselves in others’ shoes. But if white Christian nationalism narrows our circle of empathy, there’s another, closely connected ideology that helps justify why those outside the circle are so unworthy of help.