Texas Republicans double down on white 'Christian nationalism' as state 'grows more purple'

09 May 2023

The Religious Right has repeatedly claimed that the "separation of church and state" concept is not in the U.S. Constitution, and that the United States is a "Christian nation." But there is nothing in the Constitution that favors one religion over another.

The Constitution's 1st Amendment, adopted in 1791, reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." This means that while Catholics and Protestants enjoy freedom of religion, Christianity will not have preferential treatment over Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism or any other faith.

When Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan), both Muslims, were sworn into Congress using the Koran, it was perfectly in keeping with the 1st Amendment. Similarly, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Illinois), a Hindu, used the Bhagavad-Gita for the swearing-in ceremony.

A variety of faiths are being practiced in Texas. But according to liberal Washington Post columnist Paul Waldman, far-right Republicans in the state legislature are expressing their disdain for that diversity by trying to legislature white Christian nationalism.

"Texas is growing more purple with each passing year, which is exactly why the Republican-dominated legislature is reasserting the right's political and cultural power with ever more radically conservative laws," Waldman explains in his May 9 column. "Part of that effort is a series of bills meant to impose not just religion, but Christianity, into public schools.

The columnist continues, "One bill would allow schools to mandate 'a period of prayer and Bible reading on each school day.' Another says school personnel must be allowed to 'engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty.' Yet another would allow schools to replace school counselors with 'chaplains' — no training or certification required. The centerpiece is the bill requiring the posting of the Ten Commandments, which has already passed the (Texas) State Senate."

Waldman notes that one of the outspoken opponents of the Ten Commandments bill is Democratic Texas State Rep. James Talarico, a Mainline Protestant who is enrolled in a Presbyterian seminary in Austin. Talarico said the bill "not only violates our American values, but I think it violates my Christian values."

The Post columnist argues, "Christian nationalism rejects our legal and cultural tradition of religious pluralism. It holds that the United States was a Christian nation from its founding and that Christianity should be the basis of public policy and political power. Prominent national Republicans are increasingly emphasizing Christian-nationalist themes…. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA) calls herself a 'proud Christian nationalist.'"

Talarico describes Christian nationalist-inspired bills as "the death rattle of a dying worldview."

The Texas Democrat told Waldman, "In some ways, the far right is like a wounded animal here in Texas. They know that Texas is becoming increasingly diverse, Texas is becoming younger, and that new Texas is not going to stand for these extreme policies."

Read Paul Waldman's full Washington Post column at this link (subscription required).

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