Christian nationalism — the belief that the U.S. should be an expressly Christian nation governed by biblically-based laws — has become a significant overt force in U.S. politics and religious life. It has influenced the Trump administration’s treatment of “religious liberty” and of non-Christians (especially Muslims) and has critical ramifications for church-state separation and the rights of religious minorities.
In this webinar, four leading scholars and researchers discussed their recent research on Christian nationalism. Sociologists Andrew Whitehead of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and Samuel L. Perry of the University of Oklahoma presented findings from “Taking America Back for God” (Oxford University Press, 2020), the first comprehensive empirical analysis of Christian nationalism in the United States. Journalist and researcher Katherine Stewart, author of “The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism” (Bloomsbury, 2020), described a network of think tanks, advocacy groups and pastoral organizations that seek, she asserts, “to replace our foundational democratic principles and institutions with a state grounded on a particular version of Christianity.” Lastly, Baker Institute nonresident scholar David R. Brockman discussed the role of Christian nationalism in Texas politics. William Martin, the Harry and Hazel Chavanne Senior Fellow in Religion and Public Policy and director of the Religion and Public Policy program, moderated the discussion.
This event was sponsored by the Baker Institute Religion and Public Policy program. Follow @BakerInstitute on Twitter and join the conversation with #BakerReligion.
Agenda
3:00 p.m. — Presentation
4:00 p.m. — Q&A
Featured Speakers
David Brockman, Ph.D.
Nonresident Scholar, Baker Institute; Adjunct Professor, Texas Christian University and Southern Methodist University
Samuel L. Perry, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Oklahoma
Katherine Stewart
Journalist and Author, "The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism" (Bloomsbury, 2020)
Andrew Whitehead, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Sociology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI); Director, Association of Religion Data Archives, Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture, IUPUI
Moderator
William Martin, Ph.D.
Harry and Hazel Chavanne Senior Fellow in Religion and Public Policy; Director, Drug Policy Program; Director, Religion and Public Policy Program, Baker Institute
