Christian Nationalists often claim they’re all for equal treatment among religions – but when a government actually installs a system of equal treatment, they’re the first to complain.
We saw an example of this recently in Florida, where some legislators are in a tizzy because Islamic schools are taking part in a private school voucher program. It seems these lawmakers were all for “choice” in education – until someone made a choice they disliked.
A similar situation is unfolding in Somersworth, N.H., where local officials created a forum for citizens to fly flags on city property. This public forum, which has existed since 2017, was recently shut down by city officials. Why? Because a member of the Satanic Temple sought and won the right to hoist a flag at Halloween. Mayor Matt Gerding said he wants to “protect the City from abuse of this policy.”
So, when Christian groups use the policy to display flags in Somersworth, it’s no problem. When a group the mayor does not like or understand uses its constitutional rights and does the same thing, it’s “abuse.”
We often see this problem pop up at the end of the year, when Christmas and other holidays become prominent. In December 2023, a Mississippi man drove all the way to Des Moines to vandalize a display by the Satanic Temple at the Iowa statehouse, where a nativity scene was also on display. Some state officials said they wished they could ban the Temple’s display.
Consider guest prayers before government meetings. When they’re delivered by local Christian pastors, there’s usually no outcry. If a non-Christian or a secular representative takes advantage of the forum, there’s often a fuss. (See a recent example here.)
Over the years, I’ve frequently raised this issue with proponents of official prayer in public schools. “Be honest,” I’ve said. “Is this really what you want? Because I can guarantee you that not all the prayers will be Christian.” They pretend they’d be OK with Islamic, Hindu or Buddhist prayers or even secular invocations – until someone actually does it.
Let’s be clear about this: In the United States, there is no hierarchy of religions. We don’t have a system whereby large or “popular” religions get special rights while all others are merely tolerated. All are required to be treated the same. This means if a benefit is extended to one faith, it must go to all. If government creates a forum under which the symbols, signs and language of the majority faith are displayed publicly, other faiths and the nonreligious can take advantage of that.
Americans United reflects this basic principle in its slogan: “Freedom Without Favor. Equality Without Exception.”
Think about those last two words. They’re important, and, when properly applied, they are a necessary corrective for the Christian Nationalists among us. As Thomas Jefferson once observed, in America, religious freedom is for “the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mahometan, the Hindoo, and Infidel of every denomination.”
Public officials who can’t grasp a concept this central to the American experience should consider another line of work.
