A new report provides an in-depth look at the role Christian nationalism played in the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol.
The Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty (BJC), the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) and Christians Against Christian Nationalism issued the 63-page report titled “Christian Nationalism And The January 6, 2021 Insurrection” during a Feb. 9 virtual meeting. The report includes writing by leading scholars of Christian nationalism and activists.
Its seven sections include:
- “What Is Christian Nationalism?” by Andrew Whitehead and Samuel L. Perry
- “What Is White Christian Nationalism?” by Anthea Butler
- “The Patriotic Witness Of Black Christians” by Jemar Tisby, Ph.D.
- “Network Of Christian Nationalism Leading Up To January 6” by Katherine Stewart
- “Events, People, And Networks Leading Up To January 6” by Andrew L. Seidel
- “Attack On The Capitol: Evidence Of The Role Of White Christian Nationalism” by Andrew L. Seidel
- “Christian Responses To Christian Nationalism After January 6” by Amanda Tyler.
In the report’s Introduction, Tyler, executive director of BJC, observes, “Christian nationalism is a political ideology and cultural framework that seeks to merge American and Christian identities, distorting both the Christian faith and America’s constitutional democracy. Christian nationalism relies on the mythological founding of the United States as a ‘Christian nation,’ singled out for God’s providence in order to fulfill God’s purposes on earth. Christian nationalism demands a privileged place for Christianity in public life, buttressed by the active support of government at all levels.”
During the unveiling of the report, Seidel, FFRF’s director of strategic response, called Christian nationalism “an existential threat to the American republic” and said he believes most Americans don’t realize how close the nation came to losing its democracy.
The report is available at: www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org/jan6report
