The Enduring Threat of Christian Nationalism
The Enduring Threat of Christian Nationalism
The Origins of The Immoral Majority
The Moral Majority emerged in the late 1970s as a response to perceived moral and social decline in the United States. Led by Jerry Falwell, a prominent Southern Baptist pastor and televangelist, the organization sought to mobilize conservative Christians, particularly evangelical Protestants, as a potent political force.
At the core of the Moral Majority's platform were issues such as opposition to abortion, support for prayer in public schools, promotion of traditional family values, and resistance to the perceived encroachment of secularism in American society. Falwell and other leaders of the organization believed that these values were under threat and that it was their duty as Christians to engage in the political process to defend them.
The Moral Majority's influence was particularly evident during the 1980 presidential election, where it played a key role in mobilizing conservative voters to support the candidacy of Ronald Reagan, who shared many of its values and priorities. Reagan's victory marked a significant triumph for the conservative movement, and the Moral Majority was credited with helping to secure his election.
Throughout the 1980s, the Moral Majority continued to advocate for its agenda at both the national and state levels, supporting conservative candidates and lobbying for policies aligned with its values. However, the organization also faced criticism and controversy, with detractors accusing it of promoting intolerance and seeking to impose its religious beliefs on others.
By the late 1980s, the Moral Majority began to decline in influence, facing internal divisions and external challenges. In 1989, Jerry Falwell announced the dissolution of the organization, citing changing political dynamics and a shift in focus towards other forms of activism. While the Moral Majority formally disbanded, its legacy endured, shaping the landscape of conservative Christian political activism in the United States for years to come.
Following the dissolution of the Moral Majority in 1989, many of its members and leaders continued to be active in conservative Christian political and social movements. While the Moral Majority itself ceased to exist as a formal organization, its legacy lived on through the ongoing efforts of its supporters to promote conservative values and influence public policy.
Some members of the Moral Majority became involved in other conservative Christian organizations, such as Focus on the Family, the Family Research Council, and the Christian Coalition, which continued to advocate for similar causes, including opposition to abortion, support for traditional family values, and religious freedom initiatives.
Additionally, many former members of the Moral Majority remained active in conservative politics, working within the Republican Party and supporting conservative candidates at the local, state, and national levels. They continued to play a significant role in shaping the Republican Party's platform and priorities, particularly on social issues.
While the Moral Majority itself may have disbanded, its influence on American politics and culture persisted, contributing to the ongoing prominence of conservative Christian activism in shaping public discourse and policy debates.
The Seven Mountain Mandate
The "Seven Mountain Mandate" is a concept associated with certain streams of Christian Dominionism or Dominion Theology, which advocate for Christians to gain influence and control over seven key spheres or "mountains" of society: religion, family, education, government, media, arts and entertainment, and business. While not all Christian Nationalists subscribe to this specific ideology, some may seek to establish a form of government within the United States that reflects their interpretation of biblical principles and values, often with the goal of transforming society according to their religious beliefs.
The type of government structure that Christian Nationalists aim to establish with the Seven Mountain Mandate can vary, but it typically involves efforts to:
Influence Political Power: Christian Nationalists may seek to gain political power and influence by promoting candidates and policies aligned with their religious beliefs. This can involve running for political office, supporting candidates who share their worldview, and advocating for legislation that reflects their moral values.
Shape Legal Framework: They may work to shape the legal framework of the nation by advocating for laws and policies that align with their interpretation of Christian teachings on issues such as abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, religious freedom, and traditional family values. This can involve lobbying lawmakers, supporting judicial nominees with similar beliefs, and challenging laws perceived as contrary to their religious convictions.
Promote Religious Influence: Christian Nationalists may seek to increase the influence of religion, particularly Christianity, in public life and institutions. This can include advocating for the display of religious symbols in public spaces, promoting prayer in schools and government meetings, and supporting the teaching of creationism or intelligent design alongside evolution in education.
Advance Moral and Social Policies: They may prioritize moral and social policies based on conservative interpretations of Christian teachings, such as restrictions on abortion, opposition to same-sex marriage, promotion of abstinence-only education, and support for traditional gender roles. These policies aim to uphold what they perceive as biblical values and morality in society.
Shape Cultural Narratives: Christian Nationalists may seek to shape cultural narratives and norms through media, arts, and entertainment. This can involve supporting Christian-themed media outlets, producing content that promotes their worldview, and advocating for censorship or regulation of content deemed contrary to their values.
Influence Economic Systems: While less emphasized than other spheres, some Christian Nationalists may also seek to influence economic systems and business practices according to their religious beliefs. This can involve supporting businesses that align with their values, advocating for ethical business practices grounded in biblical principles, and opposing economic policies perceived as unjust or exploitative.
Overall, the government structure that Christian Nationalists may seek to establish within the United States with the Seven Mountain Mandate often involves efforts to infuse the political, legal, social, cultural, and economic spheres of society with their interpretation of Christian principles and values, ultimately aiming to create a society that reflects their religious worldview.
Government Mountain Mandate
The "Government Mountain" within the Seven Mountain Mandate encompasses various aspects of political leadership, governance, and public policy. Here's an expansion on what this mountain entails:
Political Leadership: This aspect involves individuals who hold positions of political power and influence, including elected officials, government executives, and policymakers at local, regional, national, and international levels. Christians participating in this sphere may seek to uphold principles of integrity, justice, and moral leadership in their decision-making processes.
Governance and Administration: This aspect pertains to the structures, processes, and institutions responsible for managing public affairs and delivering government services. It includes branches of government such as the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as agencies, departments, and administrative bodies. Christians engaged in this sphere may advocate for principles of good governance, accountability, and transparency.
Policy-Making and Legislation: This aspect involves the formulation, adoption, and implementation of laws, regulations, and public policies that shape society. Christians in this sphere may seek to advocate for policies aligned with their moral and ethical beliefs, such as those related to human rights, social justice, family values, and religious freedom.
Civic Engagement and Advocacy: This aspect pertains to the active participation of citizens in the political process, including voting, advocacy, and community organizing. Christians may engage in grassroots activism, lobbying efforts, and advocacy campaigns to promote policies and initiatives that reflect their values and priorities.
International Relations and Diplomacy: This aspect involves interactions between governments, international organizations, and foreign entities, including diplomacy, trade negotiations, and international cooperation. Christians may engage in efforts to promote peace, justice, and humanitarian assistance on the global stage, advocating for policies that uphold human dignity and advance the common good.
Overall, the Government Mountain within the Seven Mountain Mandate calls upon Christians to engage with the sphere of political leadership and governance, seeking to influence policies and practices in accordance with their faith-based values and principles. It represents a call to stewardship and responsibility in shaping the direction of society through active participation in the political process.
Christian Nationalist Republic
The term "Christian Nationalism" refers to a political ideology that seeks to merge Christianity with the identity and governance of a nation. It often advocates for policies and laws based on specific interpretations of Christian beliefs and values, with the goal of establishing a society or government that reflects and enforces these principles. While the specific goals and manifestations of Christian Nationalism can vary, it is distinct from a traditional republic in several key ways:
Religious Foundation: Christian Nationalism places a primary emphasis on Christianity as the foundation of the state and its governance. It seeks to integrate religious doctrine and morality into the legal and political framework of the nation, often advocating for laws and policies that align with particular religious beliefs.
Exclusivity of Religion: In a Christian Nationalist vision, Christianity is often regarded as the exclusive or dominant religion of the state, with limited recognition or accommodation for other religious beliefs or practices. This can lead to policies that marginalize or discriminate against religious or cultural minorities.
Political Authority: While republics typically derive their authority from the consent of the governed and operate under secular legal frameworks, Christian Nationalism may advocate for the authority of religious leaders or institutions to influence or direct governmental decisions. This can blur the separation between church and state and undermine the principle of religious freedom.
Social and Cultural Policies: Christian Nationalism often promotes specific social and cultural policies based on conservative interpretations of Christian teachings, such as restrictions on abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, promotion of traditional gender roles, and advocacy for religious displays in public spaces. These policies may prioritize religious values over individual rights and freedoms.
National Identity: Christian Nationalism often seeks to establish a strong sense of national identity rooted in Christian heritage and values. This can involve the promotion of symbols, rituals, and narratives that reinforce a Christian-centric understanding of national identity, potentially excluding or marginalizing those who do not adhere to these beliefs.
In contrast, a republic is a form of government where political authority is vested in the people and exercised through elected representatives, with a focus on democratic principles, individual rights, and the rule of law. While some republics may have historical or cultural ties to religious traditions, they typically operate under secular legal systems that guarantee religious freedom and protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs or affiliations.
Overall, the difference between a republic and the government structure advocated by Christian Nationalists lies in the extent to which religious doctrine and authority shape the legal, political, and social fabric of the nation, potentially at the expense of pluralism, secularism, and individual liberties.