In 2012 I published a book titled The Constitution of Religious Freedom, in which I presented an argument about the meaning and significance of the religion clauses of the First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” My early thinking about this issue came in a course I taught at Drake University by the name of “Law, Politics, and Religion.”
Robert Kagan, in his recent book Rebellion, when discussing contemporary antiliberal theorists such as Patrick Deneen, says that those who opt for your second definition of "Christian nation" seem to take it for granted that the disputes of the sixteenth century among competing Christian groups have been largely settled. As he points out, correctly in my view, if the "true" Christian denomination were to be established, disputes would soon arise as to which group of Christians during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries could lay claim to having the most martyrs.
Thank you Dennis. I found it curious in the past (up through Obama I think), that U.S. presidents typically ended their speeches with “God bless America.” Biden substituted, “God bless our troops.”
Trump, I don’t think, says God bless anybody. Unsurprising.
However he just this week named Paula White as his WH faith leader - whatever that position is supposed to mean, other than advancing the number two definition of Christian nationalism you spoke about.
Robert Kagan, in his recent book Rebellion, when discussing contemporary antiliberal theorists such as Patrick Deneen, says that those who opt for your second definition of "Christian nation" seem to take it for granted that the disputes of the sixteenth century among competing Christian groups have been largely settled. As he points out, correctly in my view, if the "true" Christian denomination were to be established, disputes would soon arise as to which group of Christians during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries could lay claim to having the most martyrs.
Thank you Dennis. I found it curious in the past (up through Obama I think), that U.S. presidents typically ended their speeches with “God bless America.” Biden substituted, “God bless our troops.”
Trump, I don’t think, says God bless anybody. Unsurprising.
However he just this week named Paula White as his WH faith leader - whatever that position is supposed to mean, other than advancing the number two definition of Christian nationalism you spoke about.
For a less sanguine take on the theme of Christian Nationalism try:
Matteson, Dannis. 2024. "Resisting Christofascism Today." Mother Pelican: A Journal of Sustainable Human Development 20. www.pelicanweb.org/solisustv20n10page21.html
For a less sanguine take on the theme of Christian Nationalism, try:
Matteson, Dannis. 2024. "Resisting Christofascism Today." Mother Pelican: A Journal of Sustainable Human Development 20. www.pelicanweb.org/solisustv20n10page21.html
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Thoughtful article, Dennis. I would add the true Christian is focused not on the kingdom (or nation) on this earth.
Freedom from religion.