Christian Nationalism is a Straw Man

The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE) was founded by Heidi Beirich and Wendy Via in 2020. The purpose for its founding was “to address the gap in efforts to stop transnational hate and far-right extremism movements, particularly U.S.-based activity that is exported to other countries and across borders.”

According to their website, these ladies both used to work for the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a left wing extremist group that labels virtually all conservative groups, including mainstream Christian groups, as right wing extremists. They believe that these “right wing extremist groups “pose an existential challenge to a more just and fair world.” They also believe that “far-right extremism is perhaps the greatest threat to inclusive societies and democracies worldwide. It cannot be allowed to grow unchecked.” Their website goes on to say, “We believe that to protect and advance human rights, particularly those of marginalized and underrepresented communities, build inclusive democracies, and solve global challenges, we must expose and counter the far-right actors and movements that undermine those values.” In particular, they have identified the areas of racial justice, women’s rights, voting rights, and LGBTQ+ rights as particular places where “right wing extremism” must be stopped.

GPAHE has a particular animus against Christians, and have identified “Christian Nationalism” as a special threat to creating what they consider a just world. They have posted an article in which they have listed 10 alarming truths about the rise of Christian nationalism in America. (You can read it at: https://globalextremism.org/post/10-alarming-truths-about-christian-nationalism/) The “10 truths” are:

1. Christian Nationalism Seeks to Transform the U.S. Into a Theocracy
2. It’s Not Just Religious — It’s Authoritarian
3. The Movement Is Now Deeply Embedded in Political Power
4. Apocalypticism Fuels Political Extremism
5. The Doctrine of Dominion Is Popular and Pervasive
6. Far-Right Billionaires and Media Ecosystems Are Fueling the Movement
7. Catholic Integralists Believe Their Religion — Not Democracy — Should Govern the U.S.
8. Their Vision Criminalizes Dissent from Catholic Orthodoxy
9. The Threat Is Real
10. Resistance Is Growing

It seems that the term “Christian Nationalism” was coined by a man named Gerald Lyman Kenneth Smith in the early 1940s. Smith was a fascist, a rabid anti-Semite, and anti-communist. At that time, he started the Christian Nationalist Crusade, the Christian Nationalist Party, the America First Party, and an extremist monthly publication called The Cross and the Flag.

Modern day anti-Christian groups like the SPLC and GPAHE have glommed on to Smith’s vision and attempted to apply it to modern Christians as a way of painting them as right wing radicals. They have come up with several talking points in an attempt to identify Christians with this extreme radicalism. Their talking points include:

1. Belief in a Christian Nation
2. Advocacy for the prominence of Christianity in public life
3. Promotion of Christian Values
4. Support of political policies that reflect their interpretation of Christian values
5. Claim of facing persecution
6. Advocacy for religious freedom in a way that may lead to discrimination against non-Christians.

The only problem is, the entire approach they are using in their attempt to identify Christians based on a political narrative is a lie. These are not the beliefs of Christianity. This is not to say there aren’t people who identify with these talking points. There are certainly people who believe that way, just like there are many on the left who believe the American way of life needs to be overthrown. If you look hard enough, you can find almost any belief you can imagine. But these kinds of extreme beliefs are only held by a fringe minority – on both sides.

Here are the facts:

There is no such thing as a society that has no religious beliefs. It is certainly true that American society was built on the foundation of Christian beliefs, and that the values underlying our society are Christian values. That is very different, however, from the idea that Christians in America are seeking to establish a theocracy. If biblical values were not the norm, the religious values of some other faith would be. It is impossible for that not to be the case. GPAHE, and those who believe like them, is simply trying to substitute their own naturalistic values for biblical values – one faith in place of another.

The fact is, some set of beliefs will be dominant in public life. It can’t be any other way. And whatever those beliefs end up being will determine the country’s societal environment. If GPAHE’s leftist values emerge as dominant, it will inevitably lead to some form of totalitarianism. Historically, that has happened in every place where those values have become dominant. It is only biblical values that are able to create a societal environment that genuinely leads to righteousness, justice, and love.

Freddy Davis is the president of MarketFaith Ministries. He is the author of numerous books entitled The Truth Mirage, Rules for Christians Radicals, Liberalism vs. Conservatism, and his latest book Shattering the Truth Mirage and has a background as an international missionary, pastor, radio host, worldview trainer, and entrepreneur. Freddy is a graduate of Florida State University with a BS in Communication, and holds MDiv and DMin degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is a popular speaker, particularly on the topic of worldview and its practical implications for the Christian life. He lives in Tallahassee, FL, with his wife Deborah.

You may also contact Freddy at Leadership Speakers Bureau to schedule him for speaking or leadership engagements.

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