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Published in the September 2024 Edition of the Greater Park Hill News
Full List of Signatories Below

FORUM SERIES

CLICK HERE TO Watch Movie oN AMAZON Prime

CLICK HERE TO Watch Panel Discussion

The Rev. Dr. Amanda Henderson

Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, 1980 Dahlia St, Denver, CO

WHAT IS WHITE CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM & WHY IS EVERYBODY TALKING ABOUT IT?

CLICK HERE TO WATCH PRESENTATION.

October 26, 9:00 a.m, - 12:00 P.M.,

Dr. Jemar Tisby

Montview BOULEVARD Presbyterian Church, 1980 Dahlia St, Denver, CO 80220

Jemar Tisby is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the Church's Complicity in Racism, How to Fight Racism, and How to Fight Racism: Young Reader's Edition. He is also a Professor of History at Simmons College of Kentucky in Louisville. Jemar is the co-host of the "Pass the Mic" podcast. He speaks nationwide on the topics of racial justice, U.S. history and Christianity. Jemar earned his PhD in history and he studies race, religion, and social movements in the 20th century.

Theme for the Weekend: The Spirit of Justice

October 26, 2024, 9:00-12:00

Session 1: Who We Must Be - Often our discussions of justice focus on external realities we desire to change, but we may lose sight of the inner changes that must take place as well. This session will highlight four virtues that characterize people who engage in justice work.

Session 2: Red and Blue and Black and White- While we must focus on specific policies and personnel in each election, our politics is starkly divided along racial lines. There's a history and a theology connected to this division. This session explains why people of different races and ethnicities vote the way they do.

October 27, 2024, 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School: The Spirit of Justice- People often wonder, "How do you keep hope alive in the work of justice?" History gives us hope. Learn some of the Black history they never taught you, and be inspired to continue the journey of justice.

Sermon Series on White Christian Nationalism

August 25, 2024, 10:00 a.m. ~ The Rev. Anna Horen ~ St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 2015 Glenarm Pl, Denver, CO 80205

September 29, 2024, 10:00 a.m. ~ The Rev. Larissa Romero, Senior Minister ~ Park Hill Congregational UCC, 2600 Leyden StreetDenver, CO 80207

October 27, 2024, Preaching 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Adult Forum 9:30 a.m.~ Dr. Jemar Tisby ~ Montview Blvd Presbyterian ~ 1980 Dahlia St, Denver, CO 80220

Faith & Democracy Sermon Series

September 22, 2024, The Rev. Terri Hobart, Luke 10:25-37, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. …Who is my neighbor?

September 29, 2024, Mark Retherford, Genesis 1:26, Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.’

October 6, 2024 , Cate Colburn-Smith, John 8:32, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’

October 13, 2024, The Rev. Terri Hobart, Matthew 25:31-46, As you have done to the last of these, you have done to me.

October 20, 2024, The Rev. Terri Hobart, Matthew 5:9, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the “children of God.”

October 27, 2024, The Rev. Terrance Carroll, Galatians 3:28 There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

Learn More about White Christian Nationalism

“White "Christian" Nationalism is the greatest threat to democracy and the witness of the church in the United States today.”

~ Dr. Jemar Tisby, February 28, 2024

at a recent Public Religion Research Institute (PPRI) Webinar

White “Christian” nationalists have been working for decades to control all aspects of our society, from education to the judiciary. This threat requires mainline Christian churches to reaffirm Christian values of love and inclusion and to speak forcefully against the agenda of White Christian Nationalists. Below you will find more information about this movement and the treat it presents.

White "Christian" Nationalism (WCN) is more akin to a political ideology than a faith tradition.
The values promoted by the WCN movement are a perversion of our gospel values.
WCN threatens our democracy, people on the margins, immigrants, people of color, women and the LBGTQ+ community.
As Christians, people of faith and followers of the Way of Love, we have the responsibility to speak out against the WCN ideology and movement and create a counter movement grounded in love and authentic gospel values.

The following information has been summarized from a recent panel discussion on "Christian" Nationalism:

What is White "Christian" Nationalism?

WCN is a cultural framework that reflects a very particular brand of Christianity. Adherents to WCN idealize and advocate for a fusion of this very particular brand of Christianity with the American civic life. They hold that this particular brand of Christianity should be the undisputed cultural framework in the United States that the government should promote and preserve this cultural framework in America.

WCN believes that American is a divinely ordained promised land for European Christians rather than a pluralistic democracy where the inherent rights of all should be recognized. From the WCN viewpoint, the ideal American is understood to be a natural born white, Anglo, protestant. They further believe that this white, Anglo, protestant men created America and this group should remain central to America’s cultural identity and political leadership.

What Are The Characteristics and Beliefs of White "Christian" Nationalism?

They desire strong ethno-racial boundaries around national identity, civic participation and social belonging. Ideal or true Americans are understood to be a natural born white, Anglo and protestant. They believe this is who created America and this group should remain central to America’s cultural identity and political leadership.
They believe that society should be organized by traditional cultural arrangements where:
Men lead, women support.
Marriage is heterosexual.
Families have a mom and dad and are committed to procreation.
They want to reserve civil rights protection for those who adhere to the WCN view of society.
They are comfortable implementing strong social controls and prefer strong leaders who will defend this culture.
They are supportive of political violence to achieve their goals.

Multiple Surveys Indicate That White "Christian" Nationalism Is Strongly Associated With:

Supporting the second amendment;
Desiring to limit or turn away refugees;
Opposing LBGTQ+ civil rights;
Opposing abortion for almost any reason;
Denying systemic racism;
Belonging to White Evangelical Protestantism.

Why Does This Matter?

The recently released PRRI American Values Atlas Survey, measured the support for "Christian" nationalism in all 50 states. Some if the highlights include:

Three in ten Americans qualify as Christian nationalism Adherents or Sympathizers.
Residents of red states are significantly more likely than those in blue states to hold Christian nationalist beliefs.
At the national level, Christian nationalism is strongly linked to Republican party affiliation and holding favorable views of Trump.
Partisanship is closely linked to Christian nationalist views. A majority of Republicans (55%) qualify as Christian nationalists (21% Adherents and 34% Sympathizers).

How Do We Counter the Threat of White "Christian" Nationalism?

Learn about the history, values and agenda of White "Christian" Nationalists.
Recognize that the values of WCN that promote fear, hate, exclusion, oppression and racism are a perversion of the gospel that promotes love, reconciliation, and justice and dignity for ALL people.
Boldly refute the ideology of WCN.
Boldly witness to gospel values through word and action.
Bear witness to your faith in public as the source of your values.

Additional Resources and Links

Christians Against Christian Nationalism

Resisting Christian Nationalism: FAQ + Resources from Faithful America website

Time Magazine: The Roots of Christian Nationalism Go Back Further Than You Think