Liberty for Us, Limits for Them: Christian Nationalism and Americans' Views on Citizen's Rights

Abstract

Americans are often split along partisan and religious lines regarding which claims they consider “rights” as well as which of these rights they prioritize over others. Beyond standard political and religious characteristics, we propose that a pervasive ideology that centers conservative religious ethno-culture within America’s deep story and future—Christian nationalism—plays a central role in shaping how Americans evaluate “rights.” Analyses drawn from a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults show Christian nationalism is a leading predictor that Americans prioritize gun rights, religious freedom, and states’ rights, but deprioritize freedom of speech, the press, right to a speedy and fair trial, and protection from unlawful searches or seizures. Further analyses indicate Christian nationalism is the strongest predictor that Americans view voting as a privilege, not a right. Findings suggest Christian nationalism may incline Americans to support rights more suited to the continuance of the current social order and maintenance of power structures, while also making them less likely to support rights traditionally associated with challenging these structures.

Must religious nationalism divide? Race, government‐supported religion, and views of political solidarity and compromise

“…Whitehead and Perry (2020), for example, find the association between Christian nationalism and Americans’ moral views (e.g., on LGBT rights, divorce, abortion, gender roles) shows little variation across race. Other studies fail to find much racial variation even in seemingly relevant topics of civil rights (Davis, Perry, and Grubbs 2023). And still others like McDaniel, Nooruddin, and Shortle (2022) find that Black Americans who subscribe to “American religious exceptionalism” may be less engaged politically.…”

“…Recent studies examining support for government policies or leaders favoring religion in general or Christianity specifically have documented its association with ethnocentrism, social hierarchies, and even authoritarian conflict (Armaly, Buckley, and Enders 2022; Davis, Perry, and Grubbs 2023; Gorski and Perry 2022; McDaniel, Nooruddin, and Shortle 2011, 2022; Perry 2022, 2023; Pew Research Center 2021; Shortle and Gaddie 2015; Stewart, Edgell, and Delehanty 2018). This pattern has led some to conclude that the push for government to establish, promote, or support religion is inherently divisive, representing a reactionary “us versus them” orientation that may perceive American politics in terms of zero‐sum cultural and political conflict, and seek to reinforce traditional boundaries and hierarchies (Gorski and Perry 2022; Whitehead and Perry 2020).…”

Race over Religion: Christian Nationalism and Perceived Threats to National Unity

“…Adults who score higher on Christian nationalism hold prejudice toward atheists and Muslims, but their views on Jews are more opaque. Moreover, Samuel Perry, Landon Schnabel, et al (2022) find Christian nationalism is positively associated with support for “religious freedom” (see also Davis et al 2023). While this is almost certainly more oriented toward “Christian freedom” than freedom for non-Christian or irreligious Americans, there is in the language of Christian nationalism an appeal to religious toleration that is not the case for ethno-racial outsiders.…”

Christian nationalism, religious struggles, and the structural amplification of emotional distress

“…2023), and support for restricting the civil rights of those who fail to conform to traditional American ideals of whiteness, citizenship, and Protestantism (Davis et al. 2023). One recent line of inquiry has attributed the poorer mental health profiles of Christian nationalists to the fears and perceived losses that are represented in their belief systems (Upenieks 2022).…”