One of the privileges of leading Americans United is getting to travel around the country and educate and inspire people so they become part of our movement. I also relish these opportunities to learn about how our movement is faring on the ground in different parts of America.
From Oklahoma City to Kansas City to Philadelphia, I’m delighted to report that the energy for fighting Christian Nationalism and supporting church-state separation is at an all-time high in my tenure (almost seven years) at AU.
Let me tell you more about a recent trip to the Kansas City metropolitan area, which spans Missouri and Kansas. Early one Saturday morning in September, I flew into Kansas City, Mo., to have lunch with AU Board Vice Chair the Rev. Dr. Brian Kaylor before attending his event at First Baptist Church of KCMO, where Brian was invited to talk about his new book Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism.
I highly recommend Brian’s book. It makes a tight and compelling case about how mainline Protestants laid the foundation for the violent, dangerous Christian Nationalism we are witnessing today through establishing traditions like the National Prayer Breakfast and lobbying for the inclusion of “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance.
After lunch we drove over to First Baptist and were happily surprised to see that the church had two extremely large, visible banners on display that said: “Hear Author Brian Kaylor on” and then in even larger letters “Resisting White Christian Nationalism …. Free — Here!”
We snapped a few shots of Brian in front of one of the banners and then made our way into the church, where we met some of the church volunteers and Pastor Stephen D. Jones, one of the church’s two pastors. I asked Pastor Steve if he had received any hate for the banner display. Not at all, he told me.
Pastor Steve shared that his community was busy organizing against White Christian Nationalism, including monthly clergy rallies throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area. He personally had engaged 23 local faith leaders in the area to lead the initiative in conjunction with a local faith-driven racial and economic justice group called MORE2.
I was thrilled to hear about these monthly rallies against White Christian Nationalism, but my favorite part of the day was still witnessing Brian’s passion and charisma as he educated and gently, but masterfully, guided his fellow Christians in doing the work of undoing Christian Nationalism. He pointed out that “if you grew up in a White Christian church, you have some White Christian Nationalism in you” and owned that for himself. He talked about what he called the “mainline establishment hangover” for the “good old days” when white Protestants held all the power in America. And he provided action items for Christians, from repentance to calling out remnants of Christian Nationalism in their church to educating their communities about the problem. With advocates like Brian, our movement is in excellent hands.
After Brian’s talk and a lively Q&A, Pastor Steve shared a list of activities that attendees could take part in to keep fighting White Christian Nationalism. In addition to the monthly rallies, he invited people to join us that evening when AU and local partners were showing the documentary “Bad Faith” at Trinity United Methodist Church, followed by a panel where he, Brian and I would reflect on the film.
Brian had the misfortune of giving this talk on one of the most beautiful afternoons I can imagine weather-wise, but he still packed the pews. That evening, another large crowd of mostly Christians came out for the “Bad Faith” event and the hope in the room was palpable. The next day, I was honored to discuss White Christian Nationalism as the keynote of the annual Get Out the Vote luncheon of a nonpartisan Kansas group called “Mainstream Coalition,” which hundreds of Kansas activists, candidates and elected officials attended. I learned that Mainstream was established over 30 years ago with the primary goal of fighting for church-state separation!
AU’s Vice President for Outreach, Brian Silva, then went on to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where another showing of “Bad Faith” drew over 400 people.
With your loyal and dedicated support, and the strategic and hard work of AU’s staff, we are helping a movement come alive across this country. Keep up the fight. It’s working.
Rachel K. Laser is president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.