On a frigid day on January 6, churches and groups across the state of Massachusetts braved the cold to oppose Christian nationalism.
Bundled in parkas, groups gathered outside several churches and public parks and held signs depicting messages such as “There is nothing Christian about Christian nationalism.”
This was an effort launched by congregations of the United Church of Christ in Massachusetts on the third anniversary of the insurrection event of January 6, 2021when supporters of then-President Donald Trump broke into the U.S. Capitol, injuring officers and challenging the country’s peaceful transfer of power.
“Christian nationalists want their beliefs to be the official national religion that governs our laws, our education and our families,” said David Langston, deacon of First Congregational Church of Williamstown. “They would end the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom, and as Christians and citizens, we oppose the abandonment of both Christian teaching and the Constitution. »
Building a counter-movement
Langston estimates that about 40 people attended the “remarkable” ceremony at the church, located in the middle of the Williams College campus. He and two other speakers gave lectures addressing the issues and dangers of movements advocating for the United States to be a Christian nation.
Their congregation has joined with others to put on an exceptional event each year. since the first anniversary of January 6.
“We need a counter-movement in the country,” Langston said. “We want this to spread. We would like every congregation in America to stand up and say, “Christian nationalism is not Christian. »
Williamstown Church has also hosted a reading group for the past four years and hosted events such as these outstanding annual events, teaching classes and a interfaith discussion forum raise awareness of the threats posed by Christian nationalism. The congregation is planning a Lenten series that will incorporate book segments on Christian nationalism throughout the season.
Need for religious freedom
For this year’s Standout against Christian Nationalism event, Langston said he collaborated with the United Church of Christ in Norwell And First Congregational Church of North Adams to simultaneously welcome stars to their respective communities. They invited churches across Western Massachusetts from the UCC and all denominations and backgrounds to host their own events.
This is the second year that First Congregational Church of Lee organized a significant event in their city.
“We are clear that Jesus condemned the use of force and violence in his name – in the garden during his arrest, at the cross – and did not require people to believe in him before teaching them, healing them and eating with them. said Rev. Marisa Brown Ludwig, pastor of Lee’s First Congregational Church. “We are Christians who cannot accept the idea that Christianity is used to exclude or force an American way of being in our country. We know that our freedom to follow Christ is only possible when other people can also freely follow their conscience.
“We stand today, as Christians, against Christian nationalism. »
“Recovering Christianity”
The upcoming 2024 election creates an added sense of urgency as religious groups grapple with this issue.
“We think the problem of Christian nationalism is going to get worse before the election — more militant, more dangerous,” Langston said, emphasizing that while he hopes they’re wrong, they want to be proactive.
“The threat of Christian nationalism has grown in recent years and was strengthened with the election of Rep. Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House,” said Betsy Burris, moderator of the Williamstown church. “Johnson, who is second in line to the presidency, actually claims that separation of church and state is a misnomer and defines his “worldview” as “the Bible.” This may be his personal view, but it is completely inappropriate for a public servant serving a diverse democracy.
The responsibility to express an alternative and inclusive vision of Christianity, in relation to the state, is a pressing issue within the Christian Church, prominent organizers say.
“Reclaiming Christianity as a religion of love and equity, inclusion and justice, is the work of congregations like ours,” said Williamstown church activist Sherwood Guernsey.
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