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The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy

by Philip S. Gorski (Author), Samuel L. Perry (Author), Jemar Tisby (Foreword)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 439 ratings
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A bracing examination of a force that imperils American democracy

Most Americans were shocked by the violence they witnessed at the nation's Capital on January 6th, 2021. And many were bewildered by the images displayed by the insurrectionists: a wooden cross and wooden gallows; "Jesus saves" and "Don't Tread on Me;" Christian flags and Confederate Flags; even a prayer in Jesus' name after storming the Senate chamber. Where some saw a confusing jumble, Philip S. Gorski and Samuel L. Perry saw a familiar ideology: white Christian nationalism.

In this short primer, Gorski and Perry explain what white Christian nationalism is and is not; when it first emerged and how it has changed; where it's headed and why it threatens democracy. Tracing the development of this ideology over the course of three centuries―and especially its influence over the last three decades―they show how, throughout American history, white Christian nationalism has animated the oppression, exclusion, and even extermination of minority groups while securing privilege for white Protestants. It enables white Christian Americans to demand "sacrifice" from others in the name of religion and nation, while defending their "rights" in the names of "liberty" and "property."

White Christian nationalism motivates the anti-democratic, authoritarian, and violent impulses on display in our current political moment. The future of American democracy, Gorski and Perry argue, will depend on whether a broad spectrum of Americans―stretching from democratic socialists to classical liberals―can unite in a popular front to combat the threat to liberal democracy posed by white Christian nationalism.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0197618685
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0197618684
  3. Publisher
    Oxford University Press
  4. Publication date
    April 1, 2022
  5. Language
    English
  6. Dimensions
    8.28 x 0.79 x 5.71 inches
  7. Print length
    176 pages
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

The Flag and the Cross

The Flag and the Cross

The Flag and the Cross

The Flag and the Cross

The Flag and the Cross

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Though the book classes as religion, it will be important reading for students of sociology and political science as well as students of religion, given its sophisticated survey work. It will also interest nonacademic readers struggling to understand the impact of this movement on American politics." -- A. W. Klink, CHOICE

"Deeply researched and immensely clarifying, The Flag and the Cross offers a sobering account of the history of white Christian nationalism and the threat it poses in our present moment. Anyone who cares about the fate of American democracy should read this book." -- Kristin Kobes Du Mez, New York Times bestselling author of Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation

"White Christian nationalism is the key concept to understand the authoritarian American right today. In this exceptional investigation, drawing on sociology, social psychology, philosophy, and history, Gorski and Perry show how the various apparently incoherent strands of libertarianism, racism, and authoritarianism combine to make a toxic moral and political stew. This book makes a vital contribution to our understanding of the current moment." -- Jason Stanley, author of How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them

"For anyone concerned about the future of religion and democracy in America, Gorski and Perry's The Flag and the Cross is essential reading. This book helps us understand how white Christian nationalism divides Americans along racial and religious lines." -- Anthea Butler, author of White Evangelical Racism

"Gorski and Perry make sense of the seemingly senseless January 6 uprising. Built on powerful evidence, they show how white nationalism wove itself into the very fabric of modern conservative values. By making visible the creation of white nationalism, this book gives me hope that we can unmake it." -- Beth Allison Barr, Professor of History at Baylor University and author of The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth

"Particularly for those concerned with gaining a basic understanding of Christian nationalism in order practically to engage it, Gorski and Perry's book is a valuable resource...The Flag and the Cross is able to bridge the often-vexing divide between theory and practice...Gorski and Perry's work compliments that of scholars and activists concerned with the wider project of anti-racism by offering an account which is both critical and constructive, and importantly, relevant to all readers." -- Nathan Dever, Modern Believing

Book Description

A bracing examination of a force that imperils American democracy.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press (April 1, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0197618685
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0197618684
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.1 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.28 x 0.79 x 5.71 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 439 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Samuel L. Perry

    Samuel L. Perry

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    Samuel L. Perry (Ph.D., Chicago) is a sociologist of American religion, race, politics, sexuality, and families. He is the author or co-author of four books: Growing God’s Family (2017); Addicted to Lust (2019); Taking America Back For God (2020); and The Flag and The Cross (2022). He teaches at the University of Oklahoma.

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  2. Philip S. Gorski

    Philip S. Gorski

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    Philip Gorski is Professor of Sociology and Religious Studies at Yale University. He writes on religion and politics in the United States and Western Europe. He lives in New Haven, CT.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
439 global ratings
A helpful and direct read
5 Stars
A helpful and direct read
A helpful and direct read. Informative. A solid resource if you find the topic confusing and are concerned about the state of American democracy.
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Top reviews from the United States

CMohr
5.0 out of 5 stars Provides Outline of basic tenets of MAGA movement
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2024
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I’ve made a set of index cards with the central ideas notated for quick reference so that U can easily refer to them in discussions..
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Renee M.Hernandez
5.0 out of 5 stars What is christian nationalism
Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2024
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Very good book on Christian Nationalism
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Book Shark
4.0 out of 5 stars Compelling Succinct Case
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2022
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The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy by Philip S. Gorski and Samuel L. Perry

“The Flag and the Cross” is an interesting examination of what Christian nationalism is and how its “deep story” keeps getting re-told and embellished to suit those who buy into it. Authors Gorski and Perry make the compelling case that white Christian nationalism is the greatest threat to our democracy. This eye-opening 169-page book includes the following four chapters: 1.“This Is Our Nation, Not Theirs”, 2.The Spirit of 1690, 3.Freedom, Violence, Order and 4. Avoiding “The Big One”.

Positives:
1. A professionally written book. It’s focused and succinct.
2. A fascinating premise, white Christian nationalism’s threat to democracy.
3. Clearly explains upfront what this book is all about. “This book is a primer on white Christian nationalism, what it is, when it emerged, how it works, and where it’s headed.”
4. A good use of charts and graphs to complement the excellent narrative.
5. The format is very good and easy to follow. The authors address four fundamental questions pertaining to white Christian fundamentalism. “In this book, we address four fundamental questions: (1) What is white Christian nationalism? (2) When did it emerge? (3) How does it work politically? And, finally (4) Where might it be headed tomorrow?”
6. Explains the fundamental concept of the “deep story”. “America was founded as a Christian nation by (white) men who were “traditional” Christians, who based the nation’s founding documents on “Christian principles.” The United States is blessed by God, which is why it has been so successful; and the nation has a special role to play in God’s plan for humanity. But these blessings are threatened by cultural degradation from “un-American” influences both inside and outside our borders.”
7. The general principle defined. “White men must sometimes exercise righteous violence to defend (their) freedom and maintain social (and racial) order. It is freedom for “us” and authoritarian social order for “them.”
8. Explains the basic difference between patriotism and nationalism. “Patriotism is animated by love, nationalism by hatred.” “White Christian nationalism is nationalist because it rejects pluralism and what many on the right call “globalism.””
9. Myths debunked. “And these are myths: the United States was not founded by Pilgrims and Puritans. Ninety-eight percent of America’s inhabitants were not “evangelicals” at the founding. It has never been illegal to pray in public school. And the Constitution says absolutely nothing about God, the Bible, or the Ten Commandments.”
10. The authors show many correlations between white nationalists and specific issues. “Instead, the strongest connection was between white Christian nationalism and antipathy toward socialists. It is that group, not atheists or Muslims, that white Christian nationalism finds the most threatening.”
11. The spirit of 1690 explained. “In the Spirit of 1690, whiteness connotes “freedom” and “order,” but also “violence”: freedom in opposition to Black bondage; order against native “savagery,” and violence as the means of ensuring both.”
12. Find out what the “Curse Matrix” is.
13. White Christian libertarianism. “At the same time, Fifield happily supported President Eisenhower’s efforts to conjure up a Christian—and capitalist—America to fight the “Godless communism” of the Soviet Union.”
14. MAGA! The secularization of white Christian nationalism. “MAGA is a secularized and reactionary form of white Christian nationalism. Which makes Donald Trump the new John Wayne.”
15. The link between Christian values and authoritarianism. “The more that white Americans seek to institutionalize “Christian values” or the nation’s Christian identity, the more strongly they support gun-toting good guys taking on (real or imagined) gun-toting bad guys, the more frequent use of the death penalty, any-means-necessary policing, and even torture as an interrogation technique.”
16. Interesting polls. “In a poll conducted in October 2020, political scientist Paul Djupe found 73% of Americans who scored in the top 25% of our Christian nationalism scale also affirmed core tenets of the QAnon conspiracy.”
17. Preferences of white Christian nationalists. “Instead, white Christian nationalism clearly favors the Electoral College system. These findings suggest that the “populism” linked with white Christian nationalism is an authoritarian populism, one that happily exchanges democratic procedure for tribal victory.”
18. Notes included.

Negatives:
1. So good, I wanted more, much more. Many issues left on the table.
2. No formal bibliography.
3. Some of the charts were harder to follow.

In summary, this is a very good brief book that examines white Christian nationalism. The authors do a very good job of explaining why white Christian nationalism is a threat to our democracy by answering four fundamental questions and its foundation the “deep story”. The book’s focused and succinct approach will be welcomed by readers looking for direct answers. I recommend it.

Further recommendations: “One Nation Under God” by Kevin Kruse, “Founding Myth” by Andrew Seidel, “Why the Religious Right Is Wrong about Separation of Church and State” by Robert Boston, “Nonbeliever Nation” by David Niose, “The Dark Side of Christian History” by Helen Ellerbe, “Birth Control, Insurance Coverage, & the Religious Right” by A.F. Alexander, “The God Argument” by A.C. Grayling, “Freethinkers” by Susan Jacoby, “Moral Combat” by Sikivu Hutchinson, “Republican Gomorrah” by Max Blumenthal, “American Fascists” by Chris Hedges, “Doubt” by Jennifer Michael Hecht, and “Society Without God” by Phil Zuckerman.
59 people found this helpful
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Greg Smith (aka sowhatfaith)
5.0 out of 5 stars Read Once to Learn & Read in Community to Respond
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2022
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The Flag + The Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy is just the second book in 2022 to receive the highest possible rating of 5+. Written by Philip S. Gorski (Frederick and Laura Goff Professor of Sociology and Religious Studies at Yale University) and Samuel L. Perry (Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Oklahoma), this eye opening new book explores the very real threat posed by white Christian nationalism. Importantly it does so in an accessible volume that explores the development of this troubling ideology over the last three centuries, and places recent events within that larger historical context. I approached the volume expecting to have prior learning reinforced and be introduced to a small amount of new content; instead, I learned a great deal. I am also planning to reread the book this summer alongside a few friends.
12 people found this helpful
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Larissa Buchholz
5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant account of White Christian Nationalism and its threat to American democracy
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2022
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A brilliant and very necessary account in depicting the long running historical roots of White Christian Nationalism and its threat to American democracy. Going beyond any presentism that pervades the mass media and their personalized accounts of American politics, this book offers a much needed intellectual intervention. It greatly complexifies our thinking about the perplexing polarization and radicalization of politics in the US, and the key fronts for critical resistance to prevent the worst. It is a rare case that a book is both highly accessible and yet deeply intellectually penetrating. The knowledge I have acquired as a non-specialist gave me great insight. The Flag and the Cross is a must read for not just historians and social scientists, but anyone who cares about politics and their fate in our country.
11 people found this helpful
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AW
5.0 out of 5 stars A gripping read and compelling look at white Christian nationalism in the US
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2023
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Perry and Gorski are two leaders in the study of white Christian nationalism in the United States and they deliver a real gift to us all with this book. Full of accessible empirical evidence for their arguments, this book grabs you and doesn't let go. If you care about democracy, this is a must-read. Highly recommended.
7 people found this helpful
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Erika C
4.0 out of 5 stars Data driven and eye opening
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2023
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The Flag and the Cross isn’t easy to read, from the perspective of a feel good piece. Its hard truths, examination of white supremacy through our country’s inception and history, and data driven analysis, is gut wrenching. But! I couldn’t put it down. I feel better equipped to face into our county’s future as we decide whether to pretend White Christian Nationalism remains on the fringe, or if, as a united people, we stand toe to toe with WCN and fight back.
6 people found this helpful
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DKH37205
5.0 out of 5 stars Exposing the camouflage of Christian nationalism
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2022
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There are deep political divides within the USA…that is about the only fact that many can agree on. This well researched and very readable book helps explain the source of this divide and why Christian nationalism is one of the primary forces contributing to the political tension. Defining “Christian” nationalism is tricky in itself because the movement uses religion to assert political its political power. The authors do an excellent job of explaining the origins of this movement, their power goals and why it presents a threat to the pluralist democracy that they never supported and are dedicated to destroying. The book uses data to support their arguments and are unflinching in their analysis. Most importantly, they expose the religious camouflage the movement uses to disguise their blatant political agenda.
24 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Joseph Myren
5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME
Reviewed in Canada on October 19, 2023
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AWESOME
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Mishsind308
1.0 out of 5 stars Not for me
Reviewed in Australia on April 27, 2023
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Not my type of book
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