Christian Nationalism and the Rise of Book Banning

On February 6th, 2024, Missouri Republican candidate Valentina Gomez released a video of her burning two books focused on teen experiences in the LGBTQ+ community with a flamethrower. In her video, which was viewed over 3.6 million times on Twitter (now X), Gomez pledged to destroy “grooming books” like the ones she burned if she became Missouri’s Secretary of State (Gomez). Unfortunately, Ms. Gomez is hardly an outlier in the Republican Party and her pledge to ban or even burn books that oppose her Christian worldview is hardly a novel one.

Following the rise of the Christian nationalist movement, the United States has witnessed a concerning upward surge in demands to ban books. According to the American Library Association, the number of book titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% from 2022 to 2023, there was an 11% increase in schools, and about 47% of the titles that are targeted surround the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals (Collis). These shocking numbers can be attributed to the alt-right Christian sector of the Republican Party that now represents the majority of the Republican Party. Many in this sector use their religion as a way to justify banning books that oppose their ideologies. These attempts at censorship frequently work to stifle the religious freedom of non-Christians and cut off free speech. This dangerous ideology of Christian nationalism seeks to intertwine personal Christian beliefs with American politics and ultimately impose Christian beliefs on society. By understanding the connection between Christian nationalism and book bans, we can better address this issue and safeguard our First Amendment rights.

Christian nationalism is an ideology that portrays the United States as a "Christian nation" and seeks to privilege Christian beliefs and values in public policy. According to former Christian nationalist and evangelical minister Brad Onishi, Christian nationalism is the idea that “this is a Christian nation, that this was founded as a Christian nation, and, therefore, it should be a Christian nation today and in the future” (Barrón-López & Lane). Although it is undeniable that our nation was founded as a Christian nation, it is no longer a Christian nation as not all of its members are Christians, making Christian nationalism an unconstitutional ideology. By claiming that America is a Christian nation, Christian nationalism directly opposes the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. The Free Exercise Clause gives citizens the freedom to practice or not practice religion, but by banning books, Christians are suppressing the freedom not to practice Christianity (United States Courts). 

Christian nationalism and book banning represent clear violations of the principles enshrined in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. The U.S. Supreme Court has only weighed in on book banning once in Island Trees School District v. Pico (1982). Their 5-4 decision stated that school boards could not restrict the availability of books in their libraries simply because its members disagreed with their idea content as that would be an infringement upon the First Amendment (Oyez). At its core, the First Amendment safeguards several fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of speech, the freedom of the press, and the freedom of religion. Christian nationalism, with its aim to establish Christianity as the dominant force in public policy and governance, directly undermines these constitutional guarantees. 

Firstly, Christian nationalism seeks to privilege Christian beliefs and values over other religious or secular perspectives. By advocating for the censorship or banning of books that do not align with their Christian worldview, proponents of Christian nationalism attempt to suppress alternative viewpoints and dissenting voices. This suppression runs counter to the spirit of the First Amendment, which protects the right of individuals to express diverse opinions, beliefs, and ideologies without fear of government interference or reprisal.

Furthermore, book banning infringes upon the freedom of speech and the freedom of the press by limiting access to information and ideas. The First Amendment recognizes the importance of a free exchange of ideas in a democratic society, acknowledging that robust debate and discussion are essential for advancing knowledge and resolving differences. When books are banned or censored based on religious or ideological grounds, it stifles intellectual discourse and inhibits individuals' ability to engage critically with a wide range of perspectives.

Additionally, Christian nationalism's efforts to impose its religious beliefs on society violate the principle of religious freedom outlined in the First Amendment. The Establishment Clause prohibits the government from favoring one religion over others or endorsing religious beliefs, ensuring that individuals are free to practice their faith—or choose not to—without interference from the state. By advocating for the censorship of books that challenge Christian teachings or values, proponents of Christian nationalism seek to impose their religious beliefs on others, undermining the religious freedom of non-Christians and individuals with different theological perspectives.

Often called the child of conservative Christianity and the Republican Party, Christian nationalism works to impose its ideology on the whole of society. This frequently leads to book banning because books are a necessary piece of education, and education is a major factor in influencing a child’s worldview. We believe so many things simply because we are taught that it is so. In the eyes of Christian nationalists, books about the LGBTQ+ community or different religious ideologies are influencing or even tempting their children in the wrong direction. Many Christian nationalists view this kind of literature as a threat to their belief system and so they seek to suppress it to maintain their dominance in shaping public discourse.

If we look at the rhetoric used to justify censorship, it is overwhelmingly clear that there is a strong connection between Christian nationalism and the surge in book-banning demands. Both differing religious viewpoints and homosexuality are frequently cited as grounds for banning certain books, with proponents arguing that such literature promotes ideologies contrary to their interpretation of Christianity (Curcic). Christian nationalists often frame their actions as defending their moral values or as protecting impressionable minds from harmful influences. However, in reality, these efforts infringe upon the rights of individuals who don’t subscribe to Christian ideologies to access diverse ideas and perspectives, stifling intellectual freedom and inhibiting critical thinking.

To effectively respond to book bans inspired by Christian nationalism, it is crucial to take a multifaceted approach that upholds religious freedom for everyone. First and foremost, we must reaffirm the principles of the First Amendment, which guarantees the freedoms of religion and speech. This includes defending the rights of individuals to explore and engage with diverse religious and secular viewpoints without fear of censorship or persecution.

Additionally, promoting inclusive education that respects the plurality of religious beliefs and perspectives is essential.  We can empower individuals to think critically and make informed decisions about their beliefs by fostering an environment where diverse ideas are welcomed and discussed openly. Even conservative Christians will need to have the ability to respect and listen to the opinions and beliefs of others if they intend to convince unbelievers that they hold an objectively correct opinion. 

Instead of working to ban books for all children in schools, parents who subscribe to Christian nationalism have the option to monitor the books that their children read. If they want, parents can even start book clubs with their kids and other Christian families to discuss their Christian ideologies while refraining from infringing on the rights of others. Christian parents might even use books they dont support to teach their kids about different communities they might disagree with but can still love as God’s creation. If anything, sudden shocking exposure to diverse ideologies could turn a child away from Christianity or worse, lead a child to hate an ideology he has been shielded from his whole life. 

Suppose Christian nationalists refuse to monitor the books their children read privately and continue to infringe on the rights of non-Christians and Christians who don’t subscribe to Christian nationalism. In that case, we must use community engagement and activism to combat book bans and defend religious freedom. If book ban demands continue rising, we need to raise bipartisan awareness about the dangers of censorship, mobilize support for inclusive education policies, and advocate for the protection of intellectual freedom at local, state, and national levels. By standing together against efforts to suppress ideas and silence dissent, we can uphold the values of religious liberty and promote a more inclusive and democratic society.

In conclusion, the connection between Christian nationalism and book bans in the United States highlights the importance of defending religious freedom and freedom of expression for all individuals. By understanding the motivations behind censorship efforts and actively challenging them, we can work towards creating a society where diverse beliefs and perspectives are respected and valued. Only by standing up against intolerance and censorship can we ensure a future where intellectual diversity thrives and religious freedom flourishes.

Bibliography

Barrón-López, Laura, and Sam Lane. “What Is Christian Nationalism and Why It Raises Concerns about Threats to Democracy.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 1 Feb. 2024, www.pbs.org/newshour/show/what-is-christian-nationalism-and-why-it-raises-concerns-about-threats-to-democracy. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.

"Board of Education, Island Trees Union Free School District No. 26 v. Pico by Pico." Oyez, www.oyez.org/cases/1981/80-2043. Accessed 14 Apr. 2024.

Collis. “Book Ban Data.” Advocacy, Legislation & Issues, 2 Oct. 2023, www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/book-ban-data. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.

Curcic, Dimitrije. “Banned Books Statistics.” WordsRated, 11 May 2023, wordsrated.com/banned-books-statistics/. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.

Gomez, Valentina. “When I’m Secretary of State, I Will 🔥burn🔥all Books That Are Grooming, Indoctrinating, and Sexualizing Our Children. Maga. America First🇺🇸 Pic.Twitter.Com/M8waki3yhp.” Twitter, 6 Feb. 2024, twitter.com/ValentinaForSOS/status/1754964444776443937. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024. 

United States Courts. “First Amendment and Religion.” United States Courts, www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/educational-activities/first-amendment-and-religion#:~:text=The%20Free%20Exercise%20Clause%20protects,a%20%22compelling%22%20governmental%20interest. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.