UNDERSTANDING THE "CHRISTIAN NATIONALIST MOVEMENT"

Among the many other ideologies that have sprung up in the last few years, the mainstream media is now focusing on the many faceted philosophy of the "Christian Nationalist" movement. Below is a non partisan review of the movement and some of it's splinter organizations (Ed. note: There is no central operational structure for this movement, rather itis still in ideology mode)

FACT SHEET

What Is the Christian Nationalist Movement?

**1. Working Definition

Christian Nationalism is a political-cultural movement that asserts:

• The United States has historically Christian foundations;

• American identity and civic order are strengthened when those foundations are acknowledged, preserved, or restored;

• Public institutions should reflect Biblically informed moral norms, though not necessarily impose a state religion.

It is not monolithic, and positions vary widely across the movement.

2. Core Beliefs Across Most Factions

1. America’s heritage is rooted in Christian moral philosophy.

2. Government should protect space for Christian expression in public life.

3. Secular progressivism has overreached, marginalizing traditional communities.

4. Local control is preferable to expanding federal power.

5. Stable families and religious communities are essential for social order.

3. The Four Major Factions of the Movement

A. Cultural Christian Nationalists (largest group)

• Seek revival of Christian cultural norms.

• Oppose aggressive secularization.

• Support public prayer, holidays, family-centered policy.

• Not theocratic.

B. Constitutional Christian Nationalists

• Believe the Founders expected a religiously informed citizenry.

• Support public policy consistent with “Judeo-Christian principles.”

• Cite historical texts, early state constitutions, and Founders’ writings.

C. Political/Activist Christian Nationalists

• Organized groups focused on legislation, education, and governance.

• Engage in school board races, parental rights efforts, pro-life advocacy.

• View institutions as captured by secular ideology and seek to reverse it.

D. Maximalist Christian Nationalists (small minority)

• Advocate explicit Christian legal frameworks.

• Favor more prescriptive laws aligned with Biblical morality.

• Often used by media to define the whole movement, though unrepresentative.

4. Key Motivating Concerns

A. Cultural Decline

• Collapse of family stability

• Gender ideology in schools

• Moral relativism and secularism

B. Loss of Religious Liberty

• Restrictions on faith-based charities and medical conscience rights

• Litigation around religious expression in public education

C. Institutional Capture

Belief that government, academia, and corporate sectors have been overtaken by anti-religious or hyper-progressive ideologies.

D. Historical Revisionism

Resistance to narratives portraying Christianity or America’s origins as inherently oppressive or illegitimate.

5. What the Movement Wants

Policy Goals

• Protect religious liberty

• Expand parental control in education

• Reinforce traditional marriage and family norms

• Limit or regulate gender-transition procedures for minors

• Strengthen school choice

• Restrict late-term abortion

Cultural Goals

• Return to visible “civil religion” elements (prayers, national symbols)

• Affirm Christianity’s historical role in shaping national identity

Political Goals

• Decentralize federal authority

• Elect representatives who affirm faith-based values

• Increase Christian influence in local governance and civic life

6. Myths vs. Realities

Myth 1: Christian Nationalists want a theocracy.

Reality: Only a fringe minority advocates that. Most seek cultural influence, not clerical rule.

Myth 2: It is a white nationalist movement.

Reality: Major growth sectors include Hispanic, African, Caribbean, and Korean Christian communities.

Myth 3: Christian Nationalism is anti-democratic.

Reality: Most factions support increased local participation and view themselves as preserving constitutional order.

Myth 4: It rejects the First Amendment.

Reality: Most argue the First Amendment forbids an official state church but does not require public secularism.

7. Why It Is Growing Now

• Institutional distrust (media, government, education).

• Backlash to progressive cultural policies in schools and corporations.

• Demographic realignment among working-class voters and religious minority groups.

• Local activism success, especially in school board and municipal races.

8. Political Impact

• Strong mobilization engine for the GOP and Trump-aligned candidates.

• Increasing presence in state legislatures and local governments.

• A potential long-term shift in political coalitions, integrating Hispanic and African church networks with rural conservatives.

9. What It Is Not

• Not a formal organization

• Not a unified hierarchy

• Not synonymous with evangelical Christianity

• Not inherently violent or insurrectionist (a common press conflation)

10. Summary Statement

Christian Nationalism is best understood as a diverse, multi-ethnic movement seeking to restore Christianity’s cultural, moral, and civic influence in American public life.It is animated by a belief that secular progressivism has destabilized national cohesion and that a return to Christian-informed values is necessary for social order and political continuity.