Opinion | Donald Trump and Christian Nationalism
To the Editor:
In “One Reason the Trump Fever Won’t Break” (column, Oct. 2), David French argues that since today’s Christian nationalists are theologically inarticulate, they must be driven by “emotion, prophecy and spiritualism.” This misunderstands the way religious traditions work.
Like other religious movements, today’s white Christian nationalism is fueled by habits of heart and mind that have been passed down from generation to generation, which is to say they are historically and theologically grounded.
These habits include a racialized view of America as a caste society, an unshakable suspicion that government elites are conspiring against us, the fear that those beyond our border are intent on doing us harm, and the conviction that the United States is an instrument of divine purpose, “the greatest nation on earth.”
These religious habits can be traced to the very origins of the English colonial experiment in North America. They have always been a part of American culture, and we should not be surprised that they continue to shape our public life today.
Pretending that Christian enthusiasm for Donald Trump is just some kind of mass psychosis or mob mentality may allow some Christians like Mr. French to feel better about themselves and their churches. But they need to confront a deeper truth: There is something compromised at the core of the white American Christian tradition.
John Fanestil
San Diego
The writer is the author of “American Heresy: The Roots and Reach of White Christian Nationalism.”
To the Editor:
David French’s column was well written and analytical, but it did nothing to stop me from shaking my head at the biggest contradiction in American politics today: Why does the religious right love Donald Trump?
Mr. Trump is amoral and irreligious. His personal and business lives are full of actions, such as multiple marriages and liaisons, allegations of infidelity and questionable business ethics, that mock evangelical behavior. He flaunts his personal, business and legal challenges. In short, his life story is everything that traditional evangelicals should be expected to abhor.
The only explanation is that Mr. Trump and evangelicals have a symbiotic relationship that puts both in positions of power and influence. Regardless, that fact still flies in the face of the traditional honest fervor that motivates conventional religious people. I would like to see additional columns that explain why the Trump-evangelical bond won’t break anytime soon.
Andrew J. Sparberg
Oceanside, N.Y.
To the Editor:
This column reminded me of when Donald Trump said: “I consider it a great badge of honor. … Essentially, I am being indicted for you.” Sounds like an upside-down Bible to me. Mr. Trump’s new messiah persona is very scary to me as a thinking Christian.
Mary Ewing Rixford
Dallas
