by Deacon Bill Scholl
Pope Francis once suggested that “a good Catholic meddles in politics offering the best of himself so that those who govern can govern.”
This is such an apt description of the Catholic virtue of social justice, in which the individual strives to improve the common good with a special attention to those on the margins.
However, I fear that all Christians who practice this political virtue are being marginalized by the catastrophizing of a very fringe ideology with the derogatory term “Christian nationalism.”
As American Catholics, we stand opposed to any extreme form of government that disenfranchises citizens because of religious belief or the lack thereof.
While some religious leaders have rightly criticized Christian nationalism defined as an ideology that seeks to merge Christian and American identities to privilege one specific faith, the term is also understood by some to mean being patriotic as a Christian.
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, observed that “Christian nationalism is a confusing term because it can confuse two things that should be distinct: devotion to the nation and devotion to the church.”
However, the problem with Christian nationalism is that it does not exist in any meaningful sense, and can have the effect of demonizing anyone who seeks to witness to their Christian faith in the public square.
Solving a problem that really isn’t a problem creates real problems and enables injustice.
To illustrate how easily targeting the “problem” of Christian nationalism can turn into oppression, one simply need only make a mental “Mad Lib” of it. Insert another religion or identity group in place of Christian. How would we feel about solving the problem of Muslim nationalism, or Jewish nationalism, or even atheist nationalism?
Whipping up Christian nationalism into a mortal threat to democracy poses an even greater threat. It stifles Christian political speech by first shaming, then suppressing, and eventually canceling out the Christian voice.
The history of American progress has been trailblazed by Christian men and women who followed their conscience and the Gospel to participate in Jesus’s mission to “set the captive free.” (Lk 4:18 ).
From the abolition of slavery to universal suffrage to civil rights, Christians have led the way. While all movements have extremists, they are not what defines it. If anything, America needs more Christians bringing the wisdom of Jesus Christ into the public conversation, not less.
Anyway, am I right to be concerned or am I missing something? I would love to hear your thoughts. You can send an email me at: social justice@archkck.org.
