The final two segments of Jemar Tisby's valuable "White Nation Under God" series discussing white Christian nationalism and its role in U.S. political life now have been placed online. Episode 4, entitled "How Christians Can Resist White Christian Nationalism," features Amanda Tyler, executive director of Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. Amanda Tyler focuses on how white Christian Nationalists use Christianity as cover for their anti-democratic and repressive ideology, in that way challenging other Christians to resist this misuse of their religion.
There are plenty of reasons to be concerned about white Christian nationalism—the threat to democracy, how it harms the witness of the church, the violence that supports it exclusionary visions—but we are not helpless in the face of this dangerous ideology.
People of conscience and people of faith can resist white Christian nationalism. We can learn how to identify it. We can point it out to others who may not be aware. Most of all, we can present in our words and our lives a better way to live and love our neighbors.
In episode 5 of the series, Chuck Armstrong, who formerly collaborated closely with right-wing radio commentator Rush Limbaugh, addresses the topic, "How I Escaped the Web of White Christian Nationalism." As the synopsis of this video at YouTube states,
White Christian Nationalism is not merely a set of beliefs, it is a net that ensnares real people. At one time, Chuck Armstrong, a dedicated Christian, worked closely with far-right radio host and Congressional Medal of Honor winner (under Trump), Rush Limbaugh. As Armstrong matured in his faith and had more contact with marginalized and oppressed people, he realized he had been deceived into following a pernicious belief system. This is his journey into and out of White Christian Nationalism.
In episode 5 and the finale of our “White Nation Under God” series, you’ll hear Chuck Armstrong candidly and vulnerably talk about his upbringing, his rise to the heights of influence in conservative talk radio, his time as a staff member at a mega church, as well as the profound changes in life and vocation he has experienced in the past several years.
Chuck’s story is one of hope, courageously standing for one’s principles, and the possibility of escaping the web of white Christian nationalism.
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