Christian Nationalism in U.S. Politics
In the United States, a paradox surfaces with unsettling regularity: the profusion of Christian Nationalism within the corridors of a constitutionally secular state. This political ideology, steeped in the conviction that the U.S. was fundamentally Christian at its inception, advocates for governance aligned with biblical principles. It exerts significant influence on policy and the national conscience, which is evident among the more devout members of Congress. We should be aware of and afraid of its implications. The roots of Christian Nationalism can be traced back to a time preceding the nation's founding, a time marked by the Puritans' voyage across the Atlantic. Their vision of a 'City upon a Hill' infused early American self-perception with a sense of divine mission, hinting at a new beginning and a theocratic blueprint. This theological idealism, though secularized, persisted as the nation shaped its identity. By the 19th century, these religious undertones had