Christian nationalism

noun

: an ideology calling for a government that incorporates or endorses aspects of Christian religion (as by making decisions, laws, policies, etc., in accordance with Christian beliefs, by engaging in government promotion of Christianity, or by legally enforcing Christian doctrine)

… Christian nationalism is a presumption that Christians are America's first citizens, architects, and guardians and that we have the right to define the nation's culture and identity. And, crucially, it is an assumption that the government has rightful jurisdiction over the nation's cultural and religious identity …

—Paul D. Miller

Christian nationalism is the use of Christian symbols or teachings in order to prop up a nation-state or an ethnic identity. … Christian nationalism assumes outward conformity enforced by social or political power.

—Russell Moore, quoted in The New York Times

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above