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

by Philip S. Gorski

Demographic change is also a key factor. As white Christians approach minority status, white Christian nationalists are starting to turn against American democracy. After all, the basic principle of democratic government is majority rule. So long as white Christians were in the majority and could call the shots, they were willing to tolerate a certain amount of pluralism, provided that “minorities” did not insist too much on equality. Now faced with the prospect of minority status themselves, some members of the old white majority are embracing authoritarian politics as a means of protecting their “freedom.”15 Is their freedom really in danger? They surely believe that it is. White Christian nationalists sincerely believe that whites and Christians are the most persecuted groups in America.16 Consequently they view efforts to expand access to the democratic process—such as removing obstacles to voter participation—as an existential threat to their political power.