In the spotlight of contemporary discourse, the relentless scrutiny of White Christian nationalism reveals an unintended consequence — the propagation of a racist myth. This unwavering attention not only scrutinizes the phenomenon but also contributes to the dissemination of a perception that White Christian nationalism positions Whiteness as a fundamental aspect.
In exploring the depths of this issue, we uncover not only the challenges of this focus but also the critical need to reassess narratives that inadvertently perpetuate divisive myths. This article delves into the nuanced layers of the discourse surrounding White Christian nationalism, shedding light on its implications and the broader implications of perpetuating such narratives.
Critics have labeled it as “imposter Christianity,” a heretical belief system that “sanctifies lies,” and even “the most serious threat” to democracy in America.
This refers to White Christian nationalism, a divergent form of religion that has made its way into the political mainstream. Adherents of White Christian nationalism assert that the United States was established as a Christian nation, despite the Constitution’s omission of any reference to God and its explicit endorsement of the separation of church and state.
What sets this belief apart is its manipulation of biblical language to rationalize violence, sexism, and animosity toward people of color.
Yet, amid the widespread discussion of White Christian nationalism, there’s an often-overlooked consequence that deserves attention.
The extensive coverage of White Christian nationalism inadvertently perpetuates a troubling myth: the false notion that Whiteness serves as the default identity within evangelical Christianity.
This unintended outcome is fueled by the media’s continuous focus on the subject, resulting in a flood of books, articles, and even a Hollywood film centered around the beliefs of White evangelical Christians – the primary adherents to Christian nationalism.
A survey conducted in February 2023 revealed that almost two-thirds of White evangelical Protestants aligned themselves as sympathizers or adherents of Christian nationalism.
However, the persistent connection between Whiteness and evangelical Christianity overlooks a significant narrative. There exists a sizable community of Black, Latino, African, and Asian evangelical Christians who are actively reshaping America. This phenomenon marks what some scholars describe as the “de-Europeanization of American Christianity.”
And these non-White evangelicals will likely not only save the American church but transform the nation’s politics.
This future will belong to people like Pastor Peter Lim, founder of a growing congregation of Asian-Americans called “4Pointes Church of Atlanta.” Lim, a Korean American evangelical, says the media’s hyperfocus on White Christian nationalism often renders communities like his invisible.
He says he’s attended evangelical conferences where the only people who are featured onstage are White pastors or leaders. He wrote in an essay that Asian-American evangelicals often experience “perpetual invisibility” — akin to what Asian Americans encounter more broadly in this country.
“You just feel overlooked — your story or your experience is minimized,” he says. “It’s not done intentionally. But you don’t feel like you belong. It tells you that your stories don’t belong. It does hurt.”
Lim’s experience is the result of a passive form of racism. It’s not deliberate or malign; it’s a sin of omission rather than commission by many journalists, church leaders and commentators who rightly warn about the dangers posed by White Christian nationalism.
I’ve done it myself: In the past, when I thought about evangelicals, I only saw White Christians.