Christian Nationalism


CFS-Fall 2022
Eight Weeks (9/22-11/10)
Thursdays 9am-11am

Course Title:

Christian Nationalism in America

Course Description:

In recent years an aggressively politicized form of Christianism has become more active in America. From moralistic legislation, to religious privilege, “school choice,” book bans, weaponizing prayer and an attempted insurrection, a belief in America as a “Christian Nation” has energized a sectarian movement that threatens core principles of secular democracy. We will shine a spotlight on the most egregious cases and highlight national organizations pushing back with educational, ethical and legal force.

Recommended Texts:

Katherine Stewart, The Power Worshippers; Andrew Seidel, The Founding Myth;  Gorski and Perry, The Flag and the Cross; Anthea Butler, White Evangelical Racism

Instructor:

Chris Highland has been teaching at OLLI since 2016. With degrees from Seattle Pacific University and San Francisco Theological Seminary, he was a minister and chaplain prior to becoming a humanist celebrant. Author of numerous books, Chris writes the “Highland Views” column for the Asheville Citizen-Times. http://www.chighland.com.


Week One (9/22):  What is Christian Nationalism?

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Stewart: Intro to PW

Gorski and Perry: Survey Questions

Video: Katherine Stewart


Week Two:  Is America a Christian Nation?

Mystery Quote

Christian Nationalist-related Organizations

Video:  Tony Perkins: Family Research Council

Lepore:  These Truths

Declaration and Constitution as Imagined by CN

Dream of CN

Rep. Huffman on WCN (one-minute!)

Video: Andrew Seidel


Week Three:  Religious Privilege, Exceptionalism & Freedom of Religion

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Modern Roots of the Invasive Tree

Essential Elements

Franklin Graham: “Never been a Christian nation”

“The Deep Story” (Flag and Cross)

School Vouchers (AU)

Secularized WCN (Flag and Cross)

Video:  JFK to Houston Ministers

Video:  BJC: Amanda Tyler (CNN)

Christian Nationalism and J6


Week Four:  The Issue of Power

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Douglass selections

Drollinger: Blueprint

Flag and Cross: What WCN is NOT

Boyd: The Myth of CN

Paula White: White House is Holy Ground

“Re-claiming” (Madison County)

Barton

Wallnau  

Video: Anthea Butler


Week Five:  Sexual Politics and Morality

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Renkl: “Sex Wars”

Barr: Notre Dame

CBN on Persecution

Fundamental Fears

“Spiritual Warfare”

Lakoff: Conservative Moral Hierarchy

Good News Club

Mark Burns (SC)

Mark Robinson (NC)


Week Six:  Expanding Worldviews

Mystery Quote

Ingersoll

What Does “Judeo-Christian” Really Mean?

“Judeo-Christian”

The Hagees with Powerful Friends:

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Video:  Christians United for Israel

Boorstein (WaPo)

Rauschenbush (Interfaith Alliance)

Gideons (“Who are the Gideons” PHOTO)

Video: The Life Book (Gideons, “How To” #1)


Week Seven:  Apoplectic for the Apocalypse

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Video:  Boebert

Ayaan Hirsi Ali on Rushdie

Stewart: Conclusion

Video: Charlie Kirk (Turning Point USA)

Video:  Turning Point USA in Dream City

Video:  Interfaith America (Eboo Patel)


Week Eight: Power of Pushing Back: Positive, Practical Ways Forward

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SWAJ

SWAJ Conference

WCN-Wheel of Power

The Power of Coalitions

What Can Be Done? (Flag and Cross)

Laser (Perspective, Church and State)

Stewart: Epilogue

Stewart: Questions

BlitzWatch Coalition

Congressional Freethought Caucus

Video:  Tisby

Video:  Kamau

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