Nations under God: How Church–State Relations Shape Christian Responses to Right-Wing Populism in Germany and the United States

Abstract

Right-wing populists across many western countries have markedly intensified their references to Christianity in recent years. However, Christian communities’ reactions to such developments often vary significantly, ranging from disproportionate support in some countries to outspoken opposition in others. This paper explores the role of structural factors, and in particular of Church–State relations, in accounting for some of these differences. Specifically, this article explores how Church–State relations in Germany and the United States have produced different incentives and opportunity structures for faith leaders when facing right-wing populism. Based on quantitative studies, survey data, and 31 in-depth elite interviews, this research suggests that whereas Germany’s system of “benevolent neutrality” encourages highly centralised churches whose leaders perceive themselves as integral part and defenders of the current system, and are therefore both willing and able to create social taboos against right-wing populism, America’s “Wall of separation” favours a de-centralised religious marketplace, in which church leaders are more prone to agree with populists’ anti-elitist rhetoric, and face higher costs and barriers against publicly condemning right-wing populism. Taking such structural factors into greater account when analysing Christian responses to right-wing populism is central to understanding current and future dynamics between politics and religion in western democracies.

Menapaki Demokrasi dalam Sistem Protestan di Amerika Serikat

“…Bersikap pro aktif salah satu misi dalam kehidupan umat Protestan, karena jemaatnya merupakan bagian dari tatanan kemasyarakatan dan kebangsaan. Demokrasi adalah sistim politik dimana rakyat bertugas untuk memilih dalam menentukan siapa-siapa yang bertugas menempati jabatan penting (Cremer, 2021).…”

“…Fenomena yang disebut sebagai politik agama seperti ini sangat menarik perhatian masyarakat di Amerika Serikat. Awal abad ke 20 menjadi awal gerakan Protestan dalam merespon konsep liberalisme serta sekularisme yang terjadi di Amerika Serikat (Cremer, 2021).…”

A Religious Vaccination? How Christian Communities React to Right-Wing Populism in Germany, France and the US

“…The German, French and American case studies seem to confirm this hypothesis. In Germany, the churches’ consistent and unambiguous public opposition to the AfD has been credited with creating a strong ‘social firewall’ in religious communities against the populist right (Cremer 2021; Elcott et al 2021; Püttmann 2016). Thus, although initially not opposed to a new right-wing party, Germany's churches soon became one of the AfD's most prolific adversaries by clearly positioning themselves in the pro-immigration camp and shouldering much of Germany's refugee aid.…”

“…First, that the decentralized structure of the American religious landscape limited Christian leaders’ ability to ‘speak for Christianity’ publicly in the way their French and German counterparts could. Thus, while America's religion-friendly separation of Church and State has created a religious marketplace full of diversity and vitality, the same diversity also means that no single set of leaders can speak with the level of authority for American Christianity as, for instance, an alliance of Protestant and Catholic bishops could in Germany or France (Campbell and Putnam 2011; Cremer 2021). Such dynamics were exacerbated by an accelerating crisis of religious hierarchies in America (Chaves 2011; Olson 2008).…”

A Posture of Protest? The Search for Christian Identity in A Post-Secular Society: Between Secularised Eschatology and A Sacralisation of History

“…In other spaces, like Germany and France, where religious leadership came out strongly against the Alternative für Deutschland or the Rassemblement National, right-wing movements have been more cautious (Elcott et al, 2021: 54-55). Nations differ in how they institutionally relate church and state, and these divergent Van Der Tol and Rowley 111 journals.tplondon.com/ijor settlements seem to impact support for or opposition to populist movements (Cremer, 2021). In instances where the clergy opposed right-wing movements, references to Christianity tended to be limited to a cultural Christianity, often unapologetically so, and Christians in these movements tend to be marginalised.…”