A review by booksrockcal
The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy by Samuel Perry, Philip Gorski

adventurous challenging dark informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.25

This book provides a succinct but complete analysis of the role of Christian Nationalism throughout US history and in recent events related to the Jan 6 insurrection. The authors trace the roots of Christian Nationalism to 17th century American and the establishment of a Puritan colony claiming to be better than others. The authors show how throughout history white Christian Nationalists have secured power and authority at the expense, marginalization, exclusion, and extermination of minority groups and for the benefit of white Protestants.  White Christian Nationalism uses religion and nationalism to motivate exclusionary, non democratic and authoritarian policies as exemplified by the Jan 6 insurrectionists the authors examine the impact of the ideology today in the context of history.