Pluralism, Fascism and Religious Nationalism

By Larry Hoffman, As published in The Union

A small, growing and very vocal reactionary faction in the Republican Party is promoting the concept of Christian nationalism. Some like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Ron DeSantis outright endorse it. Despite our constitution clearly calling for the separation of church and state, this group wants to steer us in this extremist direction that would eliminate the rights and freedom of others, which is the essence of fascism. They also mistakenly declare that Christian nationalism was the intention of the founding fathers, when in fact many were deists or atheists (including Washington, Madison, Franklin, Jefferson, and Adams). They valued reason over revelation.

The United States of America was established on both the principles of religious freedom and pluralism. Freedom of religion was one of the primary tenets laid out in the First Amendment. Political and societal pluralism was what James Madison wrote about in his Federalist Paper Number 10.

Religious freedom allows anyone to practice whatever religious faith they choose — Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam or anything else. Or one may choose to practice no religion at all. That is one of the fundamental principles we have codified and embraced in this country. However, it is now under assault by those who want to establish Christianity as the institutionalized national religion.

Pluralism was indeed recognized as a core requirement for the formation of our nation. The founding fathers understood that differing points of view on politics and differing cultural practices were the cornerstone of building our democratic republic. They knew that the peaceful coexistence of diverse groups depends upon the acceptance of each other’s right to being.

Clearly, Christian nationalists want just the opposite of a pluralist society. They are emphatic about attacking all aspects of our society that promote what they view as non-Christian beliefs and ways of life. You hear them daily now. They include the banning of books, restrictions being placed on school curriculum and teachers/educators, dismissing realities of black history, discriminating against LGBTQ+, eliminating women’s access to abortion, and more.

Fascism is literally the opposite of pluralism. At its extreme, a fascist society will not tolerate any difference of opinion, belief, race or nationality. Nazi Germany was a prime example of such. But Nazism didn’t spring up all at once. It started as a social movement, like Christian nationalism, that ultimately became ubiquitous in Germany and the singular way of life. Nazism was based on the premise that the Aryan race was meant to dominate the world. Plans to exterminate non-Aryans emanated from that belief. They were vermin, as Hitler said (and as Trump now refers to immigrants and others). For many years Christian nationalist politicians and promoters have been attempting to develop their world view into an American social movement. If unchecked, this movement could lead us down that slippery slope into a fascist society.

If you practice Christianity, think about this scenario. A non-Christian group (e.g., Islamic or Jewish) has secured total power in this country. They have imposed their religious creed and acceptable societal behaviors on everyone. Laws are written and religious norms are expected to be followed despite your differing beliefs. What if this movement threatened your way of life or your life itself? A non-Christian religious nationalism would be just as intolerant of others as the Christian nationalists are of others right now.

Here’s another potential scenario. A singular and insular Christian religious group professes that only their exact interpretation of Christianity is truly the Christian nationalism that all must follow. This, despite the fact there are many Christian denominations that practice religion in their own unique way. Are you prepared to forego your form of Lutheranism, Catholicism, Methodism, Baptist, Quaker, Evangelist or any other Christian faith when one faction decides theirs is the only true form of Christianity? If it becomes institutionalized and embedded in the country’s laws, your differing religious views will be excluded and not tolerated. You either join or become an outsider with all the consequences that entails.

I think practicing religion and following a faith is fine. Forcing yours on me and others is not. Our founding fathers understood this.

Do you want to live in a fascist country? Will you recognize fascism and help sustain a pluralist, inclusive nation? Do you want to keep our nation one where you, your neighbors and others needn’t worry about losing religion rights and other freedoms? Because that’s the nation ours was and is intended to be.