Advocate Warned Against Christian Nationalism

Jimmie Hawkins detailed the impact of Christian nationalism on American democracy and the church.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Christianity

Advocate Warned Against Christian Nationalism

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Do you believe the integration of religious identity into public policy harms democratic systems?

Jimmie Hawkins, Director of Advocacy and Witness for the PC(USA), warned that Christian nationalism poses a significant threat to democratic norms. He argued that merging church and state power compromises the moral independence of the church.

Why it matters

The influence of Christian nationalism creates tension regarding the separation of church and state. Experts suggest this alignment impacts the prophetic voice and institutional integrity of religious organizations.

Data indicates that nearly one-third of Americans are Christian nationalist adherents or sympathizers. Support rates exceed 50% in states like Arkansas and Mississippi, while remaining at 20% or lower in states such as Massachusetts and Oregon.

The players

Jimmie Hawkins

He serves as the Director of Advocacy and Witness for the PC(USA) and is the author of a book on the history of Christian nationalism.

Theo Brown

He participated in an online Q&A session alongside Jimmie Hawkins to discuss the implications of religious nationalism.

Ruth McDonald

She took part in an online discussion with Jimmie Hawkins regarding his research and advocacy work.

The details

Speaking during the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church's McClendon Scholar in Residence Program, Hawkins discussed themes from his book, In God We Trust: The Origins of Christian Nationalism. He engaged in an online Q&A to explore how state alignment diminishes the church's traditional independence.

Friendship Press published Jimmie Hawkins' book in September 2026.
Hawkins spoke during the program on October 7, 2026.

Culture Shift

This discourse reflects the broader societal shift as Americans debate the role of religion in government. By framing Christian nationalism as a challenge to established democratic norms, the conversation highlights a growing divide between secular governance and religious institutional identity.

The regional data suggests that residents in states with high support rates for Christian nationalism may experience different levels of integration between faith and public policy. These findings could influence how community members navigate local political discourse and religious advocacy.

The takeaway

Understanding the prevalence of Christian nationalism helps citizens identify how religious rhetoric shapes legislative priorities. Readers can evaluate how their own local community values align with or diverge from these national trends.