FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2022
CONTACT
Manisha Sunil, West End Strategy Team
msunil@westendstrategy.com; Phone: 202-417-0171
Interfaith Alliance: Christian Nationalism is on the Ballot this Election Season
Following the release of data underscoring the rising threat of Christian nationalism, Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush emphasized the role of people of faith as the solution
WASHINGTON—New polling released today suggests that Christian nationalism is gaining traction on the right, but younger generations are resisting its encroachment into public life. In response, The Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, released the following statement on the faithful and patriotic responsibility to reject Christian nationalism:
“This new polling is alarming and underscores how critical it will be to dismantle this pernicious ideology as we approach the midterms. Christian nationalism is on the ballot this fall, and it is incumbent upon every person of all faiths and none to unite against this existential threat to our democracy.
“This is not a right-left issue – the preservation of the constitutional right to believe as we choose, free from coercion, is foundational to our democracy and national identity. Interfaith Alliance has worked for nearly three decades to advance an inclusive vision of religious freedom that serves people of all faiths and philosophies.
“When we discuss Christian nationalism, we should be clear it is a anti-democratic ideology, rooted in the myth that we were founded as a Christian nation, that seeks to grant Christians a privileged position in civic life with power over others. We should also avoid conflating membership in a particular religious tradition with support for a political ideology. America’s religious landscape is incredibly diverse, and other studies suggest that higher rates of religious practice indicate less support for Christian nationalism.
“Our democratic freedoms are at stake – which is why people of diverse faiths and beliefs are rising up to counter the creep of Christian nationalism into public life. Combating this corrosive ideology requires we understand not only the crisis at hand, but the power of people of faith as the solution.”
Next Wednesday, September 28 at 10:00 a.m. ET, Interfaith Alliance is convening a briefing on the threat that Christian nationalism poses to our democratic institutions ahead of the midterms. You can register to attend the event in-person on Capitol Hill here and register to tune in online here.
If you are interested in speaking further with Interfaith Alliance, please contact Manisha Sunil at (202) 417-0171 or msunil@westendstrategy.com.
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Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.