ST. LOUIS (First Alert 4) -- Some Missouri faith leaders are speaking out on what they said are the dangers of Christian Nationalism and its impact on the nation’s democracy and government.
The concern follows U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley’s speech where he called himself an advocate for Christian nationalism to a crowd at a national conservative convention in Washington, D.C., on July 8.
These religious leaders told First Alert 4 that their biggest fear is violence in the aftermath of Hawley’s speech.
“Some will say that I am advocating Christian Nationalism. And so I do,” Hawley said last Monday.
It’s a stance met with applause that has religious leaders across Missouri and the nation calling for accountability.
Rev. Molly Housh-Gordon with the Unitarian Universalist Church in Columbia, Missouri, said religious freedom is essential to other freedoms and you cannot have one without the other.
“Sen. Hawley your fantasies of tyrannical control are not welcome. Missourians love our neighbors. Missourians know better,” Housh-Gordan said.
Rev. Nathan Empsall is an Episcopal Priest who is also the executive director of Faithful America.
“First of all - which Christianity? Christianity is two billion people across the world. It’s a diverse religion. When they say a Christian nation, they mean a specific form of mostly white, mostly evangelical conservative straight patriarchal Christianity that becomes often white nationalism,” Empsall said.
Progress Missouri, branded as Missouri’s progressive communications hub, brought a handful of religious leaders from across the state for a virtual town hall Monday. They say Sen. Hawley’s words are dangerous for Missourians.
Last week, Hawley spoke with First Alert 4 about his controversial speech. He insists his motive is keeping the political left from destroying the First Amendment and religious liberty that makes the foundation of the U.S.
“It is a fact of history and not open to debate, a fact that we were founded by Christian believers and that our fundamental ideals including those in the Constitution of the United States, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights all come to us from a Christian tradition,” Hawley shared. “That is just a fact and I think that’s something worth preserving.”
The common message from the leaders of the faithful Monday was possible violence to happen as a result of increased talks of Christian nationalism.
Empsall points to a recent Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) study on the threat to Christian Nationalism. The report’s data shows Christian nationalism adherents are nearly seven times more likely than Christian nationalism rejectors to support political violence.
When it comes to adherents who completely agree, nothing surprising is revealed. 75% of adherents said the U.S. government should declare America a Christian nation. 81% of adherents said U.S. laws should be based on Christian values. 84% of adherents said if the U.S. moves away from our Christian foundations, we will not have a country anymore. 77% of adherents said being Christian is an important part of being truly American.
But just 50% of adherents said God has called Christians to exercise dominion over all areas of American society.
The PRRI examined how Christian nationalist views “intersect with white identity, anti-Black sentiment, support of patriarchy, antisemitism, anti-Muslim sentiments, anti-immigrant attitudes, authoritarianism, and support for violence.”
“I just don’t know why Senator Josh Hawley does not wish to stand with all Missourians,” Senior Minister of Brentwood Church in the Ozarks Phil Snider explained. “His rhetoric undermines values held dear and threatens the fabric of our democracy. we must stand united against any ideology that seeks to divide and alienates and champion a faith that calls for justice and equality for all.”
Empsall told First Alert 4 his concern is the line after that viral clip from last week. The full paragraph reads, “And some will say now that I am calling America a Christian nation. And so I am. And some will say I am advocating Christian nationalism. And so I do. Is there any other kind worth having?”
Sen. Josh Hawley: America Founded on ‘Christian Nationalism’ (dailysignal.com)
“Christian Nationalism is not compatible with religious tolerance or religious freedom because it’s saying we will have a Christian nation, sorry Jews, Muslims, atheists, this nation is not for you the same way it is for others,” Empsall explained. “At best we will tolerate you here, but you will not get the same level of rights as others.”
This group of religious leaders did not have any action steps beyond encouraging Missourians to vote in the upcoming elections.
Hawley was not available for an interview or comment Monday.
Copyright 2024 KMOV. All rights reserved.