The Bible is based on love for all people and for all of creation. Christian nationalism is based on hatred; on white supremacism; on “us vs. them,” even though in God’s very good creation, there is no “us” or “them.” The Bible declares that all are created in the very image of God; Christian nationalism declares that some are better than others.

To be blunt: Christianity is not a national religion, and Christian nationalism has no business running this country. Because Christian nationalism actually has nothing to do with Christianity. It is a perversion of God’s mercy, God’s justice and God’s everlasting love.

Full disclosure: I am an Episcopal priest who strives to align my beliefs and life with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I fall short all too often, but I do my best to follow Jesus. What I do NOT do is demand that everyone else believe as I do.

Christian nationalism claims that the laws of this land are determined by so-called Christian principles but fails to recognize that those principles are in direct violation with what the Bible actually says.

If Trump and his followers wanted Christian values to run this country, they would ensure everyone had enough to eat and clean water to drink. They would demand health care for all. They would welcome immigrants and asylum seekers. They would grant women full reproductive rights and control over their own bodies and futures. They would empty the prisons; proclaim jubilee and forgive debts; and make this nation the shining light on a hill that Ronald Reagan proclaimed it was (even though he, too, failed to follow through on this).

If we were to follow God’s laws and desires in this nation, we would all have more than enough. We would celebrate every single person. And we would realize that perverting God’s word to make political decisions and gains is nothing less than sin.

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ABOUT THE WRITER

The Rev. Canon Dr. Lauren R. Stanley is an Episcopal priest serving in the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota. She wrote this for InsideSources.com.

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