“Christian nationalism” is fundamentalist Christianity. In the modern U.S. context, when people say “fundamentalism,” they mean a form of religious absolutism aligned with conservative social values — racism, anti-abortion politics, anti-LGBTQ rights, patriarchal gender norms, rigid hierarchy, and a sentimental mythologizing of an imagined past. In the U.S., conservatism has long been organized around racism (especially anti-Black racism) as its central wedge issue; the other bigotries are pulled in behind it in an effort to roll back social progress and restore an older, unequal order. Those positions map directly onto the right wing.
“Christian nationalism,” therefore, is fundamentalism — which is to say, systemic white supremacy dressed in religious language.
Thank you for featuring Tim Whitaker on your site. I find christian evangelicals so self-righteous and hateful to anyone disagreeing with them, .... that, while I'm glad Tim found the light, I think of all the damage that has been done, in their self-righteous name, almost unforgivable. I was raised by Methodists, true Christians in Jesus' loving name, doing good in their community. Unfortunately, my sister married an Evangelical, whose PRIDE IN HIMSELF, for doing good, takes away from the good works. We are a split family, and life is short, and I am sad.
My higher power is now, the wisdom of the Universe. Believe what gets you through this marvelous life.
I do not belong in this conversation - because I do not believe in the myths of godhead. I have not explored Buddhism or any other of the various systems humanity has devised to provide a philosophy of self control, self awareness or connection to the inhabitants of this planet. I claim no degree of expertise in the search for meaning I do try to live in the moment and there is no doubt that key concepts of Christianity linger from my childhood - the Golden Rule being foremost among them. This "Rule" appears in many of the mainstream religions/philosophies in varied iterations and seems to approach universality - in humans. Indeed we have in the secular world codified it as the "social contract" homo sapiens is sometimes forced to embrace.
Quasim and Tim, one can hope, have started a dialog that could be fruitful assuming humans have the ears and brains to receive it.
It’s sad that people are raised to hate something they don’t understand. If people would be more open minded, things would be better. I never was raised to hate anyone for what they believed. Thank you for bringing Tim into my orbit. Great job Qasim and Tim ✌🏻
What a Wonderful and sorely needed coalition, like the Interfaith philosophy group at my old college, COD. I have respect for you and Mr. Whitaker.
I told someone about how you neatly and respectfully addressed realities of Sharia law in response to all the craze about Mandami winning NYC. The ensuing conversation that lead to this response blew my mind in the worst way. Essentially, this person believes that all Muslims are extremists.
This is the kind of witness the moment demands. Someone who can name the rot without flinching and still stand in the lineage of a Jesus who never asked His followers to become border guards for the empire. What you’re describing isn’t faith gone astray. It’s faith hijacked by people who fear losing power more than they fear losing their souls.
The courage here is in admitting how the propaganda worked on you and refusing to let that be the final chapter. That kind of honesty is rare in any tradition. When Christians and Muslims stand side by side against the machinery that feeds on fear, it exposes how brittle that machinery actually is.
This is real work. And it moves the world a little closer to sanity.
Thank you Tim. Raised as a Jew in the 50’s, my family’s closest friends included Christians. Personally I always felt Christ’s actual teachings were aligned with Judaism. (Churchs’ teachings were another matter). Similarly I have experienced nothing from mainstream Muslims that separates them from me. It would seem the issue is mainly one sprouting from fundamentalism rather than the core of the beliefs, and all religions have this potential to foster hate. So let’s add Jews (and Buddhists) to this respectful and loving coalition.
Thank you Tim. I appreciate your honesty and humility and willingness to own your past role helping to spread this harmful myth. And I appreciate your willingness to help undo that harm now. We need thousands more like you.
I was raised as a "cradle Catholic", but had the seed of inquiry planted in me at 18 by a friend in college. I began my spiritual journey that led me ultimately to just go my own way. (The Catholic to Unitarian to Unity to spiritual seeker pipeline is real. I call myself a "Janitarian" now, tongue in cheek, and say that I'm not only lapsed, I'm prolapsed 😉.)
I'm extremely grateful. The God of my understanding truly loves everyone, equally. All are "saved". We just need to seek to know ourselves and find God inside, in or out of any formal religions. Jesus was a great Master and yogi. But not the only one.
The second "coming" won't be a benevolent looking white dude petting a lamb wearing a halo and judging everyone. That's a human construct and practice. I believe it's the awakening of the Christ consciousness within all of us, happening now, in stories just like yours and Qasims. Thank you both for being such beautiful humans and spreading love to counter this fascist regime. Rock on. ♥️✌️🐝
I am thankful for Christians (current or former) like Tim Whitaker and John Pavlovitz, who really stand up for love and justice, and against Christian Nationalism.
“Christian nationalism” is fundamentalist Christianity. In the modern U.S. context, when people say “fundamentalism,” they mean a form of religious absolutism aligned with conservative social values — racism, anti-abortion politics, anti-LGBTQ rights, patriarchal gender norms, rigid hierarchy, and a sentimental mythologizing of an imagined past. In the U.S., conservatism has long been organized around racism (especially anti-Black racism) as its central wedge issue; the other bigotries are pulled in behind it in an effort to roll back social progress and restore an older, unequal order. Those positions map directly onto the right wing.
“Christian nationalism,” therefore, is fundamentalism — which is to say, systemic white supremacy dressed in religious language.
Thank you for featuring Tim Whitaker on your site. I find christian evangelicals so self-righteous and hateful to anyone disagreeing with them, .... that, while I'm glad Tim found the light, I think of all the damage that has been done, in their self-righteous name, almost unforgivable. I was raised by Methodists, true Christians in Jesus' loving name, doing good in their community. Unfortunately, my sister married an Evangelical, whose PRIDE IN HIMSELF, for doing good, takes away from the good works. We are a split family, and life is short, and I am sad.
My higher power is now, the wisdom of the Universe. Believe what gets you through this marvelous life.
I do not belong in this conversation - because I do not believe in the myths of godhead. I have not explored Buddhism or any other of the various systems humanity has devised to provide a philosophy of self control, self awareness or connection to the inhabitants of this planet. I claim no degree of expertise in the search for meaning I do try to live in the moment and there is no doubt that key concepts of Christianity linger from my childhood - the Golden Rule being foremost among them. This "Rule" appears in many of the mainstream religions/philosophies in varied iterations and seems to approach universality - in humans. Indeed we have in the secular world codified it as the "social contract" homo sapiens is sometimes forced to embrace.
Quasim and Tim, one can hope, have started a dialog that could be fruitful assuming humans have the ears and brains to receive it.
I've enjoyed seeing Tim on YouTube. Recently I've added Amy Hawk as well, she's an evangelical Christian who stands against Trump.
Here is a facebook short of her taking on Franklin Graham over the Epstein victims.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1587395519084407
Hey Qasim and Tim! Thank you for this very important piece/peace! ☮️
It’s sad that people are raised to hate something they don’t understand. If people would be more open minded, things would be better. I never was raised to hate anyone for what they believed. Thank you for bringing Tim into my orbit. Great job Qasim and Tim ✌🏻
Wow... thanks for sharing this!
And this is precisely why I am Thankful 🧡 One Love
What a Wonderful and sorely needed coalition, like the Interfaith philosophy group at my old college, COD. I have respect for you and Mr. Whitaker.
I told someone about how you neatly and respectfully addressed realities of Sharia law in response to all the craze about Mandami winning NYC. The ensuing conversation that lead to this response blew my mind in the worst way. Essentially, this person believes that all Muslims are extremists.
As an American raised as a conservative Catholic who then lived in two Muslim countries, I say a hearty “Amen” to this post!
This is the kind of witness the moment demands. Someone who can name the rot without flinching and still stand in the lineage of a Jesus who never asked His followers to become border guards for the empire. What you’re describing isn’t faith gone astray. It’s faith hijacked by people who fear losing power more than they fear losing their souls.
The courage here is in admitting how the propaganda worked on you and refusing to let that be the final chapter. That kind of honesty is rare in any tradition. When Christians and Muslims stand side by side against the machinery that feeds on fear, it exposes how brittle that machinery actually is.
This is real work. And it moves the world a little closer to sanity.
As a Presbyterian in a small Kentucky city I believe that there are many paths to God.
Fear builds a wall and there is no seeing beyond that wall, for some people. Every chance we can, we chip at that wall.
Thank you Tim. Raised as a Jew in the 50’s, my family’s closest friends included Christians. Personally I always felt Christ’s actual teachings were aligned with Judaism. (Churchs’ teachings were another matter). Similarly I have experienced nothing from mainstream Muslims that separates them from me. It would seem the issue is mainly one sprouting from fundamentalism rather than the core of the beliefs, and all religions have this potential to foster hate. So let’s add Jews (and Buddhists) to this respectful and loving coalition.
Thank you Tim. I appreciate your honesty and humility and willingness to own your past role helping to spread this harmful myth. And I appreciate your willingness to help undo that harm now. We need thousands more like you.
I was raised as a "cradle Catholic", but had the seed of inquiry planted in me at 18 by a friend in college. I began my spiritual journey that led me ultimately to just go my own way. (The Catholic to Unitarian to Unity to spiritual seeker pipeline is real. I call myself a "Janitarian" now, tongue in cheek, and say that I'm not only lapsed, I'm prolapsed 😉.)
I'm extremely grateful. The God of my understanding truly loves everyone, equally. All are "saved". We just need to seek to know ourselves and find God inside, in or out of any formal religions. Jesus was a great Master and yogi. But not the only one.
The second "coming" won't be a benevolent looking white dude petting a lamb wearing a halo and judging everyone. That's a human construct and practice. I believe it's the awakening of the Christ consciousness within all of us, happening now, in stories just like yours and Qasims. Thank you both for being such beautiful humans and spreading love to counter this fascist regime. Rock on. ♥️✌️🐝
I am thankful for Christians (current or former) like Tim Whitaker and John Pavlovitz, who really stand up for love and justice, and against Christian Nationalism.