Week 4: The Path Forward: Resisting Christian Nationalism with Faith and Action

🌱 Faith Over Fear

September 3, 2025

This Week’s Readings

The Psychology of Christian Nationalism - Conclusion
How to End Christian Nationalism - Chapter 7-8 + Conclusion

Hello, Welcome to Week 4 of August's Resistance Book Club!

This month, we will be focusing on Christian Nationalism. It's imperative to understand this ideology, the main driver in today's political climate. As Christians, it'll be our job to dismantle this harmful ideology. In September, we will explore how to be more of an activist. In October, we will study propaganda. In November, we will discuss how our parenting style could influence how we vote, and in December, we will discuss abortion. So be sure to subscribe to the Resistance Book Club.

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The history of America is not a pretty one. It was founded on exploitive systems that continue today. Much of what we have been taught has been extremely white-washed. White supremacy and patriarchal systems still abound today. White Christian Nationalism is one such ideology that continues to uphold these systems. The real question is, how do we move forward? Many would say that Trump voters can't be reasoned with and although that's true for some, Pamela Cooper-White believes the only way forward is through meaningful conversations.

"No one says this is easy. Nonviolent resistance isn't easy. Having the courage to have difficult conversations isn't easy. It requires just such holding in tension the impulses of care and outrage. Yet change is possible. And personal relationship is the place where it is most likely to begin."

When is the right time to have such a hard conversation? Pamela Cooper-White developed a traffic light triage assessment tool on whether or not to approach such a conversation with someone.

Red Light - STOP - talking will do no good - at least not here, not now, not by me

These are true believers. Conversations with them will most likely not be fruitful. These individuals are truly indoctrinated with propaganda and oftentimes are in faith communities that confirm their "confirmation bias". They are unlikely to listen to anyone outside of their bubble. Removing exposure from the leader is the best antidote for this person. Sometimes it's best to walk away from conversations with true believers before things get to heated.

Yellow Light - Try, but treat lightly

Someone who is only a soft Christian Nationalist may be willing to listen and have some dialogue. The conversation should be approached with a listening ear and empathy. At anytime the conversation things may change and you may want to head back to red light.

Green Light - Go deeper, gently and wisely

When someone is ready to dive deeper into their held beliefs there's some critical things to keep in mind according to Pamela Cooper-White.

Building and maintaining relationship always comes first
- Find common ground
- Kindness is an absolutely necessary ingredient
Realize that old family dynamics will be stirred up by new conflict
Breathe
Notice your feelings, especially defensiveness, and try to "bracket". Set your feelings mentally to one side in order to listen.
Learn to listen with intention, and listen more than you speak.
Avoid making assumptions
Make I statements.
Avoid argumentation or debate
Don't allow political sparring to become the centralf eature of a relationship
Be willing to admit your own failings

"When trying to engage in a serious conversation across a political divide, accusing a dialogue partner of being a racist or a misogynist is an immediate conversation stopper"

Taking Action Close to Home

Those pushing Christian Nationalist ideology do so through our public schools. We see this in legislation trying to push the 10 Commandments in schools, as book bans, and even prioritizing Christian holidays on the school calendar. According to Amanda Tyler, "research has shown that younger generations are much less likely to embrace Christian nationalism than older generations are." By ensuring that this ideology is pushed onto our younger generations it essentially indoctrinates them at a young age.

So what do we do? We take action! At the state level and at our local school boards. We need to get involved and ensure that all people of faith have the ability to practice the faith they see fit, not just a select group of people's faith. Faith and religion belongs at home, not in our public schools, so Christians need to point out these encroachments when they can.

Another way to take action is through faith-based advocacy (which we will be talking about in September). Through our faith as Christians we use our voice and advocate for our neighbor, contact our local representatives, write an op-ed to our local paper, organize a voter registration drive, or even help members of your community to get out and vote. There are so many ways to combat Christian Nationalism, but the only way to combat it is through

ACTION!

With warmth,

Amy

Working Towards Improvement

Reflection

What's one action you could commit to this month-whether it's organizing, educating, voting, or having a hard conversation?

I would love to hear your insight about this week's readings!

September Book Club Picks

Theme: Building Faith-Inspired Action

Faith-Rooted Organizing by Alexia Salvatierra & Peter Goodwin Heltzel
Harvest the Vote by Jane Kleeb

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