You are invited to discuss: White* Christian Nationalism – Sept 2024

Discussion of White* Christian Nationalism
…its beliefs, its hazards, its consequences…

“White Christian nationalism is the biggest threat to American society in this turbulent moment in our history” — so says The Center for American Progress in a recent survey. A direct result of white supremacy and with deep roots in American popular religion, Christian Nationalism has developed rapidly in recent years — and it now imperils individual liberty, threatens social harmony, and jeopardizes religious liberty.

To supplement the showing of the film, Bad Faith (Images, Sept. 23, 7pm) the First Congregational Church is conducting open discussions of the primary ideas fueling Christian nationalism to give our community one way to reflect on its meaning for us, for our region, for the wider world. We will be asking, “Where does white Christian nationalism come from? What are its guiding commitments? How does it make promises and persuade people to join it? Who thinks it is a good idea and why are they committed to using it as a basis for public policy?”

Sept. 23 — 7 pm — Images cinema: Bad Faith
— a film exploring the development and long range implications of white* Christian nationalism in this historical moment.    Following the film, there will be a discussion in the theater on CN led by the college chaplains and faith communities.

Sept. 30 — 7-8 pm, First Congregational church:
Implications >> Next Steps >> Community Support
What should we do as both individuals and a community to address the move by white* Christian nationalism to change public policy on crucial aspects of our personal and public life:
– abortion
  - racial justice
   - religious equality
    - gender equity
     - personal freedom
      - minority rights


*      In response to frequent questions, it helps to know that the term, White Christian nationalism, refers to a specific Christian form of “religious nationalism” that we see gaining prominence as an American “nationalistic” sect. They proclaim that their specific, narrow religious convictions should govern the entire society and simultaneously suppress anyone who holds alternative religious beliefs. Among persons of European descent CN is almost always racist.