🕙Download The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy by Philip S. Gorski
The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy by Philip S. Gorski
A bracing examination of a force that imperils American democracy Most Americans were shocked by the violence they witnessed at the nation's Capital on January 6th, 2021. And many were bewildered by the images displayed by the insurrectionists: a wooden cross and wooden gallows; "Jesus saves" and "Don't Tread on Me;" Christian flags and Confederate Flags; even a prayer in Jesus' name after storming the Senate chamber. Where some saw a confusing jumble, Philip S. Gorski and Samuel L. Perry saw a familiar ideology: white Christian nationalism. In this short primer, Gorski and Perry explain what white Christian nationalism is and is not; when it first emerged and how it has changed; where it's headed and why it threatens democracy. Tracing the development of this ideology over the course of three centuries―and especially its influence over the last three decades―they show how, throughout American history, white Christian nationalism has animated the oppression, exclusion, and even extermination of minority groups while securing privilege for white Protestants. It enables white Christian Americans to demand "sacrifice" from others in the name of religion and nation, while defending their "rights" in the names of "liberty" and "property." White Christian nationalism motivates the anti-democratic, authoritarian, and violent impulses on display in our current political moment. The future of American democracy, Gorski and Perry argue, will depend on whether a broad spectrum of Americans―stretching from democratic socialists to classical liberals―can unite in a popular front to combat the threat to liberal democracy posed by white Christian nationalism. Read more
This book written by 2 sociology professors is an excellent explanation about what has happened to our country with folks who support tRump, are on Russia’s side in their invasion of Ukraine, and use “christianity” as a reason to suppress votes, promote inequality, and do violence against other Americans. It has all been so confusing to me – things like the January 6th insurrection where people were carrying signs saying “Jesus Saves” while yelling profanities about Pence and Biden, others carrying American flags and beating up cops with the flag poles. According to the book, something called Christian Nationalism has taken over large swaths of our population and threatens to overthrow Democracy. It is a belief system based on White Supremacy and Male Supremacy and only uses Christianity and Patriotism as words to hide behind while promoting their world view which is anything but Christian or Patriotic. The authors say that “Patriotism is animated by love, Nationalism by hate.” I would add that Christianity is animated by love, and whatever these nationalist folks are calling “christianity” is animated by hate. The book explains how we got to this spot and what we need to do to get through it. Just excellent reading!
Publisher -> Oxford University Press (April 1, 2022) Language -> English Hardcover -> 176 pages ISBN-10 -> 0197618685 ISBN-13 -> 978-0197618684 Item Weight -> 11.7 ounces Dimensions -> 8.51 x 0.82 x 5.82 inches Best Sellers Rank: #9,942 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #9 in Non-US Legal Systems (Books) #9 in Comparative Politics #13 in Nationalism (Books)
