The surprising roots of white Christian nationalism

Plus: a philosopher's take on AI |

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By Olivia B. Waxman Staff Writer A new book aims to provide context for the “white Christian nationalism” sentiment that surged in the U.S. during the Trump era. Robert P. Jones, author of The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy: And the Path to a Shared American Future —out Sep. 5—argues the roots of the phenomenon/ideology go back further than you might think. Jones urges readers to look back to 1493, when Christopher Columbus returned to Spain from his North American voyage and papal edicts were declaring western Christianity superior to all other forms of religion. Jones sums up the central philosophical dilemma that Americans have faced ever since: “Is America a divinely ordained promised land for European Christians, or is America a pluralistic democracy where all stand on equal footing as citizens? Most Americans embrace the latter vision. But a desperate, defensive, mostly white Christian minority continue to cling to the former.” Click here to read the rest of the book excerpt on Time.com.

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