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Five Questions With Christian Nationalism Expert Amanda Tyler

Joyce Vance

Jul 13

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Earlier this week, Missouri Senator Josh Hawley said, “Some will say now that I am calling America a Christian Nation. So I am. And some will say that I am advocating Christian Nationalism. And so I do."

Taken at face value, those two words, when put together, could have positive connotations for many people, suggesting the convergence of Christian values and love of country. But that’s most definitely not what “Christian nationalism” means in America today.

Tonight we’re joined by Amanda Tyler, a lawyer who is the executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. The organization defines its mission as upholding the historic Baptist principle of religious liberty: defending the free exercise of religion and protecting against its establishment by government. She is the lead organizer of BJC’s Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign and co-host of BJC’s Respecting Religion podcast, an outspoken voice in support of both religion and religious freedom.

Amanda, testifying on the Hill in December 2022

Tyler is the author of a forthcoming book on this topic, “How to End Christian Nationalism,” which is due out in October. We are fortunate to have her with us tonight to help us understand what Christian nationalism stands for and to help us help others understand that two words that sound like they reflect positive values can have a far different meaning in reality, one that should concern all of us.

“Five Questions” is a feature for paid subscribers. It’s my way of thanking people who support this work financially so I can devote more time and resources to it. I value having all of you here—free subscriptions will always be available. I’m very grateful to everyone who reads the newsletter and engages in the hard but essential work of civil discourse.