Far-right 'patriot' groups are 'openly embracing Christian nationalist ideology'

After veteran Democratic strategist James Carville compared far-right Christian nationalists to al-Qaeda, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) demanded an apology. But Carville hasn't backed down, maintaining that Christian nationalists are pushing a form of religious extremism that is not unlike al-Qaeda's ideology in Islamist fundamentalism.

In a report published by The Guardian on December 24, journalist Alice Herman focuses on the links between Christian nationalism and far-right "patriot" groups such as the Patriots of Ozaukee County, Patriots United and Patriot Academy.

"Many, including the Ozaukee County organization, openly embrace Christian nationalist rhetoric and ideology, arguing that the laws of the U.S. government should reflect conservative Christian beliefs about issues like abortion and LGBTQ+ rights," Herman explains. "Their religious interpretation of the U.S.'s founding has propelled these groups not only into fights over elections administration, but also, against vaccine requirements and protections for transgender people."

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Christian nationalists, Herman notes, are pushing "numerous bills to restrict voting access."

"Many patriot groups in (Wisconsin) are animated by the Christian nationalist viewpoint," Herman reports. "Patriots of Ozaukee County declares, on its website, that it views as fundamental 'truths' that 'God is our creator' and 'Jesus is our savior.' The Ozaukee County group has also hosted Constitution Alive! events touting the claim that the U.S. constitution is a Christian document, led by the Patriot Academy organization, a Christian nationalist group that also offers weapons courses."

Herman adds, "They're not alone. Patriots United, a group in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, exemplifies the typical rhetoric of the Christian Right, describing its membership as 'constitutional conservative Christians who seek to glorify and honor God' with the explicit aim of increasing 'Christian influence' in local government."

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Read The Guardian's full report at this link.