Standing outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2023, Georgia McKee witnessed two very different responses on the second anniversary of the infamous mob attack.
Circled together and holding candles, one group of faith leaders condemned Christian nationalism, calling it a “poisonous ideology” and “gross distortion of our Christian faith.”
The other group marched in front of the Supreme Court building, shouting into megaphones, wearing MAGA hats, waving American flags and holding signs saying, “One Nation Under God.”
McKee took some videos on her phone, spliced them together to contrast the two gatherings and showed the final video to her co-workers at the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, a coalition of Baptist denominations that advocates for the separation of church and state. Next, she created a TikTok account and posted the video. In the year since, it’s had over half a million views.
“That made us realize, oh, people like this content,” said McKee, digital communications associate at BJC. “We got lots of messages saying, thank you so much for showing this video, we need more of a Christian witness that is faithful to the message of Jesus.”
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@endchristiannationalism Happening now in front of the Capitol, 2 years post January 6 insurrection. #christiannationalism #seperationofchurchandstate #january6 #jan6thinsurrection #washingtondc #prayervigil
The @EndChristianNationalism TikTok account has gained more than 40,000 followers and earned over 600,000 likes in the past year. The account is affiliated with BJC’s Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign, a grassroots movement that provides training and resources for combating Christian nationalism on the ground.
“It’s not just about going viral for us,” said McKee, who runs the account.
Raised in Texas, McKee grew up attending a Southern Baptist church where an American flag flanking the pulpit was commonplace. But in college at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, McKee began to reckon with what she saw as exclusionary elements of her faith. She deconstructed, became spiritual but not religious and then joined an Episcopal church for a season. Today, McKee is a seminarian at Wake Forest University School of Divinity, where she’s studying to become a Baptist minister in a more progressive Baptist tradition, like Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Alliance of Baptists, “or whatever comes next,” she told media.
After a year of making videos where she leans into her now-trademark tiny clip-on mic and gives play-by-plays of Christian nationalism in action, McKee can spout off a definition for the topic without hesitation.
“Christian nationalism is a political ideology and cultural framework that abuses the name of Jesus for a very specific American goal,” McKee said. “Christian nationalism is not Christianity.”
Many of her TikToks are intended to educate viewers on the topic. She’ll highlight the Christian nationalism of figures such as Sean Feucht, Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene while also celebrating Christians, such as Shane Claiborne and BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler, who oppose the ideology. McKee also uses the platform to connect people to resources for addressing Christian nationalism in churches and in local politics.
“We’ve really seen the impact of online to offline organizing with TikTok,” said McKee. “We multiple times have helped people develop their public comment that they’re going to go and share that evening at their local school board or city council meeting.”
After stumbling across the @EndChristianNationalism account, Megan Fanning, who lives in Mansfield, Texas, began connecting with McKee this spring after Texas lawmakers passed a bill allowing chaplains in public schools.
Supporters of the state chaplaincy policy change say it will help Texas students address mental health issues. But critics claim the new law is an attempt by Christian nationalists to convert children to a specific faith.
“We’ve communicated about the chaplain policy ever since the bill was signed, because the school boards had six months to vote for or against it,” said Fanning. “She offered resources, a chaplain toolkit, fact sheets, educational PDFs.”
The resources led Fanning to email her school board members referencing facts and information provided in the Christians Against Christian Nationalism toolkit. Christians Against Christian Nationalism also hired its first field organizer, Lisa Jacob, to lead opposition to Christian nationalism in North Texas. Jacob delivered a rousing public comment condemning the chaplain bill at a Mansfield school board meeting in December, shortly before the board voted against implementing the chaplaincy bill in the school district.
“To have a field organizer from Christians Against Christian Nationalism come and speak at our school board meeting on behalf of our community against this chaplain policy meant so much,” said Fanning. “I like to think that community feedback might have made a difference in them voting against and rejecting the policy.”
While the account certainly attracts mainline Christians, according to McKee, it’s not just theologically progressive Christians who are engaged. McKee is intentional about avoiding theological or political debates that aren’t centered on Christian nationalism, an approach she says helps appeal to a broad audience.
“We’re seeing that even in the evangelical camp, even conservative Christians that I might not agree with on any other topic, are able to still say Christian nationalism is a topic that has to be talked about, that it has to be something that’s combated in all local churches, not just progressive churches,” said McKee. “Fighting Christian nationalism, for it to truly end, it cannot be a progressive issue. It has to be a Christian issue.”
@endchristiannationalism Thank you to everyone who made this happen!!! #christiannationalism #reawakenamerica
In addition to attracting a range of Christians, and even many non-Christians, the account engages people of a variety of ages, especially millennials in their 30s and 40s. According to McKee, having a space explicitly dedicated to opposing Christian nationalism on TikTok is crucial, especially given the influence of conservative Christian celebrities such as Allie Beth Stuckey and Sadie Robertson Huff, who, McKee said, have been influenced by Christian nationalism.
“We’re seeing like this old school fundamentalism almost become trendy and cute,” said McKee.
Tim Whitaker, creator of the nonprofit The New Evangelicals who runs the organization’s hugely popular TikTok account, said part of @EndChristianNationalism’s success on the platform can be attributed to its focus on giving people verifiable facts.
“What I like about their account is that they’re giving a lot of just data. You know, hey, here’s what this person said, here’s what this person did,” said Whitaker. Simply reporting instances of Christian nationalism, he added, is critical in a time when the average American is likely unaware of the extent to which Christian nationalism is fueling national politics.
“I think it’s really important going into 2024 more than ever, that there are Christians who are loud about resisting such an ideology and movement for the sake of all their neighbors,” said Whitaker.
Josh Shepherd contributed to this article.
Kathryn Post is a reporter for Religion News Service based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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28 Responses
I am both shocked and saddened that the Roys report is platforming people like The New Evangelicals and maligning the school system for wanting chaplains in schools – while portraying Christians like Sadie Robertson Huff and ABS in a negative light. (If the school system is going to hire mental health counselors to help students, would you rather have progressive leftists that support gender transitions for children and other harmful ideologies advising teenagers?) For progressives like the author of this article and I suppose now Roys, any desire by Christians to vote for or promote politicians/policies that support common sense morality and a worldview informed and guided by Scriptural principles is labeled “Christian Nationalism.” Truly sad. The bias in this article is very revealing. Goodbye Roys Report.
Reporting is not supporting. It’s stunning to me the assumptions people make based on a news article.
Agreed. Reporting is not supporting, but what if the reporting is often from the same side or angle of a complicated issue?
A quick search of your website using “nationalism” yields one article that seems less critical and more nuanced:
“New Study Finds Christian Nationalists To Be More Complex Than Media Portrayals”
I’m no fan of Christian Nationalism, but I’ve noticed many more articles about it from a negative light than I have for Progressive Christianity on julieroys.com. Do the same word search on, “Progressive” or “Progressivism” or “liberal” and compare.
Are the sources and authors used by this website balanced in your view?
With “Restoring the Church” by “Reporting the Truth” being an important goal of julieroys.com, and one I agree with, is the reporting and restoring somewhat equally weighted and criticisms aimed at the distortions, untruths, and sins of the left and right of Christianity?
Or maybe these goals are aimed primarily at evangelical and/or conservative churches?
The focus of my reporting is the evangelical church. So, you’re correct. Our site does not report on progessives very much because they are a pretty small minority within evangelicalism.
Jesus is not America First. And any movement that attempts to claim he is such is not from God.
He calls us to personal reformation, not political reformation.
Many missed Jesus in the first century because they were looking for a militarian strong man.
People today are missing Him for the same reason.
Greg, personal reformation should result in an impact in all aspects of our lives. Politics is one aspect we should not shy away from. Although, I agree that Jesus did not give us a mandate to make a Christian nation, it does not exclude political involvement. I would argue that a nation’s set of laws is actually one piece of strategy to promote the gospel because as Roman’s says, the law makes people have knowledge of sin. We are fortunate to be able to influence this in our country. Furthermore, the lack of maintaining and enforcing our laws is one reason people may be “missing him”.
Another day, another faction. So now we’ve got to keep up with an anti-movement movement, Christians Against Christian Nationalism. Although I’m sure their hearts are in the right place, this side will probably be just as confusing and apt to throw any logic out the window as much as the other side. If I’m wrong I’ll apologize.
“Christian nationalism” is wrong because it doesn’t conform to the clear message of scripture. You’re wrong from the opposite wing, but for the same reason.
That was my thought exactly. A progressive calling someone out for not knowing what true Christianity is is quite humorous.
“But critics claim the new law is an attempt by Christian nationalists to convert children to a specific faith.”
John 14:6
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
I suppose if you don’t want your children spending eternity with God….
If you want your children to spend eternity with God, YOU teach them well. God has given YOU the tools. It’s not the school’s job, or the government s job. It’s YOUR job. Just like you would be likely mortified and angry if the school was to try and brainwash your kids in the Islamic faith or a Hindu religion, or not even brainwash, but even, say pray each morning as a group to the Hindu gods. Would that be ok? No it would not. Christian education is to be at home, at church, at Christian school, at Christian functions that YOU choose to send your children to or be a part of. Your children’s faith education is your responsibility and yours alone. The US is a big beautiful place of many cultures and faiths and we, as Christians can shine brightly for Christ and attract many or we can bully our way about. Jesus attracted people by loving them. We should do the same.
Wilma,
As a retired educator, I can assure you that absence of God leads to despair. Absence of God leads to confusion. Absence of God gives Satan a foothold. Absence of God leads to abuse. Absence of God leads to hopelessness. Absence of God leads to a sin-filled existence.
Nobody disputes that the purpose of school is to educate. That said, nobody disputes that our current public education system is failing miserably. Putting God back into the conversation is a fantastic idea. Students exposed to the hope found in Christ will have happier and more productive lives in the long run. Separation of Church and State in the Constitution was meant to protect religion from government intrusion; it was not meant to keep Christ out of the classroom.
Do you believe Jesus is the answer? If so, why would you want to withhold that answer from students in public schools?
Only partly correct. I am sure Buddhist kids have had productive and happy lives, along with others. Also the separation was meant to not have a state-sponsored religion or church (like they do in Europe). If you want to have Christian chaplains in schools, then you also have to have rabbis, imams, and other religious elders in schools as well. Just like they do in prisons and in the military. The Bill of Rights and the Constitution are equal opportunity offenders (just ask those Christians who are upset that Satanists put up their displays on public squares next to the manger scene).
Trying to argue with the Norbot is futile. May have tried and have gotten nowhere. No need to waste your time. Tis would be better to try to get out of the “The Pit” than reason with pre-programmed argumentation.
If it’s a conservative movement, it’s called evil. If it’s liberal, it’s called progressive social justice. Both sides use their faith to push their ideology.
These people aren’t fooling anyone. The left is no threat to their theology of bending the knee to sin and they’d like the rest of the church to quietly play along. They don’t want separation of church and state as much as they want meek church compliance with the state as long as it promotes a liberal agenda.
On the other hand, the MAGA cult ascribes to Trump messianic characteristics, calling him God’s annointed and the only one who can save America, and would have no problem with him crowning himself king.
How about if churches just teach people the biblical difference between good and evil and let that knowledge inform their voting choices?
Christian nationalism is a cancer in the church and in America and needs to be excised. Christian nationalists are no different than the 1st century Jews who chose Barabbas. Instead their messiah and god is Trump. And we all know what happened in 70 AD to those that picked Barabbas. Consider me a Roman soldier.
The very fact that these groups are using Tik Tok, a Chinese Communist app meant for information gathering and propaganda, shows how truly misguided they are. They do not understand the forces against the Church any more than they understand how the words of Jesus need to be more “progressive”. Soon HE will separate the sheep from the goats, for all to see. Many will be shocked to see who is who.
I guess you are OK with Christian nationalists who supported a coup against the Constitutional transfer of power then. Your attempt at deflection from the problem of Christian nationalism is noted.
I was happy to see comments that mirror my problem with this article. Why on earth are we using progressive Christians to make arguments that theologically conservative Christian also make. I thought Julie was theologically conservative. She has gone to lengths to make that claim over the years. This site includes so many articles by progressives that it really makes one wonder. We do not need the biblically weak to argue on our behalf. Let the progressives have their social justice, abortion, Paul-hating and leave biblical arguments to the ones who actually believe the Bible.
Those who believe the Bible should be able to spot the unBiblical flaws of Christian nationalism. Unfortunately, too many conservatives are showing they are vulnerable to the Christian nationalist movement, forgetting that scripture and salvation trump nationality (no pun intended). Our Biblical citizenship should supercede our national citizenship. Jesus was not an American; He has followers all over the world, in every color and on every continent.
If it takes a progressive to point this out, so be it.
Or as my grandma used to say, you KNOW you’re in sin when a heathen points it out!
For the past 8 years, it seems that the “Godless heathens” have a better grasp of Scriptures and understand what it is to be Christlike much more than most American Evangelicals.
Yes, Marty. A nuanced article critiquing Christian nationalism with thoughts from conservative Christians could be insightful, but the completely predictable, cliched opinions of someone like Georgia McKee, who has left historic Christian belief and sees a future with the LGBT-affirming Cooperative Baptist Fellowship or Alliance of Baptists “or whatever comes next” are a waste of time and not even news. Why promulgate her views on TRR?
As citizens of God’s Kingdom we are to be an influence in our country and culture; which some do take too far; while others will throw all engaged citizens into the same basket of those they deem deplorable.
Thousands have died throughout Church history because two principles were held to be true.
(A) Christianity or a particular Church was the only true faith and (B) It was the burden of the Church though the State or the State though the Church to enforce that conviction.
Although there are varieties of Christian Nationalism the danger of (B) becoming a reality becomes all the more possible if certain Christian Nationalists get their way.
[McKee can spout off a definition for the topic without hesitation. “Christian nationalism is a political ideology and cultural framework that abuses the name of Jesus for a very specific American goal,” McKee said.]
I’m not sure how this is a “definition.” It doesn’t define the contours of the ideology or any of the content of the cultural framework.
Is there a better definition that McKee gives somewhere else?
Darren, the article I mentioned in my comments will give you some more definitions of Christian nationalism.
Many decades ago I left a Methodist Church, and one of the reasons I did was because of its political liberal politics. The church’s business is not human politics. One would hope that the church would instill enough of the Bible’s teachings that church members would make the right decisions in the secular world. One can see that the Methodist churches and involvement in politics is one reason that it is in the mess that it is in now. 😪
I was fortunate enough to go to a Dispensational church, which like many of that type eschewed politics. So what has happened to many Dispensational churches in the last several years? They have substituted self-interested greed for teaching God’s Word‼️🤬
This Christianity Today article looks at this problem in a much more polite manner than I would.
“What Is Christian Nationalism?”
https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2021/february-web-only/what-is-christian-nationalism.html
Human politics is bad in any church including liberal ones.
There’s a lot a pretty silly stuff out there that could be labeled “Christian Nationalism”. There’s a lot of pretty disturbing stuff as well; that whole Jan 6th thing for example.
There’s also a lot of throwing that term around as well. In irresponsible ways.
I would, for example, fit the bill as a Christian Nationalist for many: pro-life, moderate politically, theologically conservative on some issues but not on others, dont want drag queens in public schools, etc… But just because I believe That Christ is Lord and that his followers should influence their society, I could be considered a CN by some. (full disclosure: I am not American. Can only Americans be CNs?)
I recommend Andrew Walker’s piece over at World Mag from Jan 9: “Look out—they’re coming!”
It would serve as a good counter balance to this article.
Steve,
The problem is HOW do Christians want to influence society. And it seems most of them don’t want to do in the ways advocated by Scripture. Kind of hard to be the light and salt, if you are a hypocritical, bullying, unkind sphincter now can you? That bit about living peacably with others doesn’t apply to others outside their Kool-Aid drinking and deluded MAGA bubble. They would rather follow Barabbas (aka Donald Trump). And what’s worse, is those who do want follow Scriptures and knows this idolatry is wrong are cowed and too chicken to speak up against the madness. Either that or the cult plays the persecution card, stand against the Godless world, etc. and they fall in line.