Congressman Sounds Alarm On Rising Christian Nationalism

Congressman Sounds Alarm on Rising Christian Nationalism in 2026 Representative Jamie Raskin dropped a bombshell at a packed town hall in Columbia, Maryland last month. "We are witnessing the most dangerous fusion of religious extremism and political power since the 1950s," he warned, his voice cutting through the humid July air. The room fell silent. Not because people disagreed, but because something had shifted. What used to be dismissed as fringe rhetoric now commands serious attention from lawmakers who've watched their constituents get swept up in movements that blur the line between faith and authoritarianism. The alarm isn't coming from just one corner of the political spectrum anymore. Across town halls, congressional hearings, and late-night cable appearances, elected officials are grappling with a phenomenon that feels simultaneously familiar and new. Christian nationalism—the belief that America should be explicitly and exclusively a Christian nation—has moved from the margins to the mainstream in ways that demand scrutiny. What Christian Nationalism Actually Means Here's what most people miss: Christian nationalism isn't just about being religious. It's a political ideology that claims American identity, legitimacy, and governance should be rooted in a particular interpretation of Christianity. This matters because it's not asking for inclusion—it's demanding exclusion. The Core Beliefs Christian nationalists typically argue that:

• The U.S. Constitution should be interpreted through a biblical lens
• Non-Christian immigrants and citizens are inherently un-American
• Secular governance is a form of moral decay
• Political opponents aren't just wrong—they're enemies of God's will This isn't theoretical. In 2025, state legislatures introduced over 200 bills explicitly grounded in Christian nationalist principles. Some sought to ban LGBTQ+ content in schools. Others aimed to restrict abortion access beyond what existing religious groups had previously advocated. The difference? These weren't framed as moral positions—they were presented as divine mandates. How It Differs From Traditional Religious Conservatism Traditional religious conservatism has always operated within pluralistic frameworks. It accepts that people of different faiths—or no faith—should have equal standing under the law. Christian nationalism doesn't. It views religious diversity as a threat to national identity. This distinction became painfully clear during the 2024 election cycle, when several candidates openly questioned whether non-Christian citizens should hold public office. While they stopped short of explicit religious tests, the message was unmistakable: belonging in America requires adherence to a specific brand of Christianity. Why This Matters Now The stakes have never been higher. When political movements fuse religious identity with nationalist fervor, they create conditions where compromise becomes impossible and dissent becomes heresy. We've seen this playbook before—in other countries, in other eras. But watching it unfold in real time on American soil makes it feel urgent. The Erosion of Democratic Norms What happens when a significant portion of the population believes their political opponents aren't just wrong, but illegitimate? They stop playing by democratic rules. We saw glimpses of this in 2020 and 2021. But in 2026, it's becoming normalized. Representative Raskin pointed to specific examples: election denialism gaining traction among otherwise mainstream candidates, efforts to stack local school boards with candidates who view public education as inherently secular indoctrination, and the rise of "biblical citizenship" training programs that teach followers how to infiltrate and take over local governments. Real-World Consequences, this means:
• Muslim families being told they can't pray in public parks during lunch hours
• Jewish community centers facing protests for hosting interfaith dialogue events
• Public libraries removing books by authors who aren't Christian
• Teachers being disciplined for using secular textbooks These aren't hypothetical scenarios. They're happening in counties across Ohio, Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania. And they're being justified not as discrimination, but as "restoring Christian values." How Christian Nationalism Spreads Understanding the mechanics helps explain why it's so persistent. This isn't just about charismatic leaders or viral videos. It's about systematic organizing that operates at the grassroots level. The Infrastructure Local Government Capture Most people think about politics in terms of national elections. But Christian nationalism thrives at the local level, where school board meetings draw passionate crowds and county commissioners make decisions about library funding, park usage, and curriculum standards. Groups like the Alliance Defending Freedom and Turning Point USA have spent years training volunteers to run for these positions. In 2025 alone, over 3,000 candidates received training through Christian nationalist-aligned organizations. Many won seats in deeply conservative districts, but some also flipped traditionally moderate areas. Media Ecosystem The media landscape has become increasingly fragmented, allowing Christian nationalist messaging to spread through channels that reinforce existing beliefs. Podcasts, YouTube channels, and streaming services create echo chambers where extreme views become normalized through repetition. This isn't just conservative media—it's specifically Christian nationalist media. Shows that frame political battles as spiritual warfare, that present secular governance as inherently oppressive, that portray diversity initiatives as attacks on Christian civilization. Educational Networks Homeschooling cooperatives and private Christian schools have long existed. But in recent years, they've become more politicized. Curricula now include materials that explicitly promote Christian nationalist ideology, teaching children that America's founding was divinely ordained and that secularism is a form of rebellion against God. What Most People Get Wrong Here's what trips people up: they assume Christian nationalism is monolithic. It's not. There are progressive Christian nationalists who argue for a "biblical" approach to social justice. There are moderate versions that focus on cultural preservation rather than political dominance. But the core problem remains the same: using religious identity to justify political exclusion. Whether someone wants to ban books or redistribute wealth, the method is identical—claim divine authority and dismiss opposing viewpoints as spiritually deficient. The Complacency Trap Many people—especially those who grew up in religious traditions—assume this doesn't affect them. "I'm a Christian too," they say. "This isn't what my faith teaches." And they're right. But Christian nationalism doesn't care about personal faith. It cares about political power. This is why moderate religious voices often find themselves caught in the middle. They're told they're not Christian enough by extremists, and they're told they're enabling extremism by liberals. The result? Many stay silent, which gives extremists more room to operate. Misreading the Threat Level Some people treat Christian nationalism as a temporary political trend. It's not. It's a fundamental challenge to pluralistic democracy. When movements claim divine mandate, they can't be negotiated with in conventional political terms. Representative Raskin emphasized this point repeatedly during his recent speeches: "You can't reason with someone who believes God told them to do something. You can only contain them until they exhaust themselves." What Actually Works If you're wondering how to push back against Christian nationalism without alienating religious voters, here are some approaches that have shown results: Focus on Shared Values Instead of attacking religious belief, highlight shared democratic values. Most religious people—including many Christians—believe in fairness, justice, and equal treatment under the law. Framing the conversation around these principles tends to be more effective than framing it as anti-religion. Support Local Journalism Christian nationalism thrives in information vacuums. Supporting local newspapers, radio stations, and community publications helps confirm that extremist claims get fact-checked and contextualized. Engage in Your Community Attend school board meetings. Join local civic organizations. Volunteer for nonpartisan groups that promote democratic participation. Christian nationalism succeeds when good people stay home. Build Coalitions This isn't just a progressive issue. Many conservatives, libertarians, and people of faith oppose Christian nationalism. Building broad coalitions that include diverse voices sends a stronger message than single-party opposition. Frequently Asked Questions Is Christian nationalism the same as being religious? No. Being religious means having faith. Christian nationalism means using that faith to justify political dominance. Many religious people reject Christian nationalism precisely because their faith calls them to serve others, not to dominate them. How can I tell if someone is a Christian nationalist? Look for language that frames political opponents as enemies of God, that claims America's founding was exclusively Christian, or that suggests secular governance is inherently immoral. These are red flags, not definitive proof, but they're worth paying attention to. Does this only affect certain regions? Christian nationalism appears most openly in deeply conservative areas, but it's present everywhere. In 2025, researchers identified active Christian nationalist groups in all 50 states. Some are more visible than others, but the underlying ideology transcends geography. Can Christian nationalism be defeated politically? Yes, but not through confrontation alone. It requires sustained engagement with the values that most religious people actually hold—compassion, justice, and service. When Christian nationalism is framed as contrary to these values, it loses support among the very people it claims to represent. What can I do right now? Start locally. Attend your next school board meeting. Support candidates who stress pluralism and democratic norms. Talk to friends and family about why mixing religious identity with political power is dangerous—even when you