United Church of Christ’s General Minister and President, the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson says it is time to start talking about Christian nationalism as “extremism.”
“We have to stop referring to it as Christian,” she said, explaining that the movement does not “rest in the tenets of the Christian faith,” reminding us of Jesus’ second commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself.”
Thompson noted how the use of Christian symbolism in nationalism is problematic as it is leading many people to believe that what is being said and done is in the name of God. “But let me just say this is not all Christians in the United States. There are still many who are leaning into the prophetic witness that is evident in scripture. We are seeing people speaking out against the treatment of immigrants and standing up for gender minorities. There are people advocating for human rights.”
With the U.S. Christian landscape being one that is not monolithic — there are conservative and progressive believers — Thompson shared how it was time for the country to define what “Christian” is.
She also stressed the need to “speak out around the misinformation and disinformation that is aligned with Christianity.”
“For too long we have ignored the untruths that are present around Christianity. It is not enough for us to ignore it and think it will go away,” said Thompson. “It’s okay to name these ideologies what they are. They do not speak to the tenets of our faith. We must be able to say that they are lies,” said Thompson. “If we are not willing to do that, we become part of the problem.”
In the blurring of lines between Christianity and patriotism, Thompson sees an opportunity for congregations to step up awareness through education. “Whether it is with our confirmation classes or in our communities, do the education that is necessary to speak to why this theology is not sound. We cannot be afraid at this particular time. We have to believe that the courage that we need is given to us by the presence of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Read more at UCC.org.