ARTICLE

The Left Seeks To Radicalize The Term "Christian Nationalism"

News Image By Tony Perkins/Family Research Council February 11, 2021
Share this article:

As a late-night comic, Bill Maher has made a living making jokes at the expense of politicians, movie stars, and society's elite. As an avowed atheist, Maher has also routinely turned his comedic ire on people of faith. 

But after a recent monologue in which he referred to the recent attack on the U.S. Capitol as a "faith-based initiative" and described Christian theology as "magical religious thinking" and a "mass delusion," not many people are laughing.

Last Friday, the host of HBO's "Real Time" closed his show by discussing former President Trump's impeachment trial, which began earlier this week in the U.S. Senate. But rather than discussing the merits of the trial, Maher decided to vent about Christians. 


"The events of January 6 were a faith-based initiative and Trumpism is a Christian nationalistic movement that believes Trump was literally sent from heaven to save them," Maher claimed. He added, "We need to stop pretending there's no way we will ever understand why the Trump mob believes in him. It's because they're religious. They've already made space in their heads for [expletive] that does not make sense."

Of course, no one should expect insightful or nuanced reflections on American religion or cultural trends from Bill Maher. But the comic's claim that "Christian nationalism" is behind the January 6 assault deserves attention because of a larger misconception that needs refuting.

Recently, there has been an increasing amount of talk about "Christian nationalism." But what is it, exactly, and why is it being portrayed as something subversive? As I explained to Tony Perkins yesterday on Washington Watch, it is important to define terms. First, "Nationalism is affinity or advocacy for one's own nation, for the culture and heritage of one's country." 


While there is not an agreed-upon definition of Christian nationalism, generally speaking, "Christian nationalism, as explained in the literature, is this idea that Christianity and American identity are one and the same." In other words, Christian nationalism believes that America is defined by Christianity and that governments should take active steps to keep it that way. 

More extreme adherents of Christian nationalism conflate their Christian and American identities and ideologies, believing that their American identity is inextricable from their Christian one.

While the topic of Christian nationalism deserves a lengthier discussion than this article allows, it can be stated that the overwhelming majority of American Christians love their country and do not subscribe to the "Christian nationalism" that seeks to marginalize other Americans based on theological differences. 

Most American Christians do not embrace the excesses of the political ideology that may have motivated some of the protestors on January 6. This is not surprising. After all, the Bible explains that Christians are "sojourners and strangers" in whatever country they reside.

But what is most troubling, and why Bill Maher's comments matter, is that by lumping all conservatives under the radioactive label "Christian nationalism," those on the left are seeking to cast doubt on the motives and beliefs of Christians. 

If Christians are under a "mass delusion," as Maher argues, why should they be allowed to participate in society? 


By equating Christians with fanatics and conspiracy theorists, Maher and others are seeking to silence and sideline Christians from participating in the political process. By radicalizing the term "Christian nationalism," they want to imply that Christian political engagement is somehow nefarious and subversive.

As Tony Perkins explained, "This is designed to do one of two things. One, to drive Christians from political and cultural engagement because they don't want to be tainted with one of these labels, or two, it will cause some to shrink back from their faith, hiding the fact that they are Christians."

In short, Bill Maher offers a refreshingly clear view of how many nonbelievers view people of faith. 

Since only six percent of Americans have a biblical worldview, Christians should expect their faith to be belittled and dismissed. This is exactly what Jesus predicted would happen (John 15-16). 

But in the face of lies about us and our beliefs, we shouldn't back down. Rather, as citizens of the City of God and City of Man, we must recommit to speaking the truth in love and loving our neighbors by engaging in the public square. Now, more than ever, our witness is needed.

Originally published at Family Research Council - reposted with permission.




Other News

May 08, 2025You Thought Your Phone Tracked You? Meet Your Car

A recent survey by the American Automobile Association found that more than 80% of consumers are unaware their vehicle collects and shares...

May 08, 2025God Moves In California: Mass Baptisms Challenge The Woke Narrative

Another sign of the incredible spiritual movement shaping America just kicked off this Saturday. Thousands of people stood on the shores o...

May 08, 2025The Danger Of Looking To AI 'Companions' To Solve America's Loneliness Epidemic

Americans are in the midst of a loneliness epidemic, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is pitching artificial intelligence (AI) "companions" as...

May 08, 2025Israel Prepares For Final Push Against Hamas With 'Gideon's Chariots'

Israeli troops are set to "act with great force" and will stay in every area that is taken in Gaza unless a hostage deal is reached by May...

May 06, 2025Echoes Of Babel: When Man Builds Towers With Code

AI is not neutral. It is shaped by the datasets it is trained on, which are themselves reflections of cultural, political, and ideological...

May 06, 2025Rainbow Ratings? Churches To Be Ranked By LGBT Activist Group

In an act that should alarm every freedom-loving Canadian, a government-funded LGBT activist organization has launched a campaign to creat...

May 06, 2025Faith leaders: State's Newest Trans Scheme Actually Codifies 'Evil'

Colorado, run for multiple years already by Democrats in the governor's office, Democrat majorities in the state House and Senate, and an ...

Get Breaking News