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In recent years, Christian nationalism has become one of the most dangerous forces shaping American politics, law, and culture. It is a movement that claims to defend faith—but in reality, it weaponizes religion for political power and control.

It is time to have an honest conversation about what Christian nationalism really is, the harm it causes, and how we can resist it.

That is why the Open and Affirming Coalition is hosting a special book study and conversation with April Ajoy, a former evangelical who uses humor to challenge Christian nationalism and advocate for an inclusive faith.

Before diving into the details of the event, let’s take a closer look at the problem we are facing.

What Is Christian Nationalism?

Christian nationalism is not about personal faith or religious freedom—it is about power. It is the false belief that America was founded as a Christian nation and should be governed according to a narrow, exclusionary interpretation of Christianity.

Those pushing Christian nationalism seek to merge religious identity with political control—often at the expense of democracy, civil rights, and religious diversity.

• It is not about protecting faith
• It is not about personal religious beliefs
• It is about forcing one religious ideology onto everyone

The Core Beliefs of Christian Nationalism

Christian nationalists believe:

• The United States should be governed by their version of “Christian values”
• Church-state separation should be weakened or erased
• LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive freedom, and racial justice threaten “God’s order”
• Schools should teach a whitewashed version of history that aligns with their ideology
• Their faith should dictate government laws and policies

The movement claims to uphold morality, but in reality, it prioritizes control over compassion and exclusion over justice.

The Harm Christian Nationalism Causes

Christian nationalism is not just rhetoric—it has real consequences that shape laws and culture:

• Threats to democracy, including voter suppression and election denialism
• Attacks on marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive justice, and racial equity
• Book bans and censorship in schools and libraries
• Disinformation campaigns that manipulate voters and spread fear

Faith should be about love, justice, and inclusion—not fear, control, and exclusion.

Who Is Behind Christian Nationalism?

This movement is well-organized and well-funded. It is not just coming from churches—it is backed by:

• Billionaire funders and corporate interests
• Right-wing media and disinformation networks
• Politicians using faith as a tool for control
• Extremist groups pushing anti-democratic policies

These forces are working together to reshape America’s political and cultural landscape, and they are gaining ground.

How Do We Fight Back?

Resisting Christian nationalism is not just about opposing bad policies—it is about defending religious freedom, democracy, and human dignity.

Here is what we can do:

• Educate ourselves and others by learning the signs and challenging misinformation
• Defend democracy by supporting policies that protect voting rights and civil liberties
• Uplift inclusive faith voices by amplifying diverse Christian perspectives
• Protect church-state separation to ensure religion is never used as a weapon of oppression

The good news is that we are not alone in this fight.

Join the Conversation: A Book Study and Chat with April Ajoy

“Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding a True Faith”

April 9, 2025 | 7:00–8:30 PM ET
$30 for individuals | $50 for small churches | $70 for large churches
Click Here to Register Now!

April Ajoy, a former evangelical, will share her experiences and insights on how Christian nationalism distorts faith and how we can reclaim a Christianity rooted in justice, inclusion, and love.

This is a conversation we all need to have. If you care about protecting faith from political extremism and defending true religious freedom, do not miss this event.

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