The Christian nationalism of our current moment draws on centuries of exclusionary rhetoric and violence. Yet, those who labor toward a more just society build upon the leadership of visionaries within a very different faith-based understanding of patriotism. Our success will require a sustained multi-faith commitment to achieving a truly inclusive democracy. The freedom to believe as we choose is a fundamental component of this vision. We refuse to cede ground to anti-democratic activists who seek to recast religious freedom as a license to discriminate. True religious freedom protects people of all faiths and none.

Freedom of and Freedom from Religion: Religious and moral beliefs are deeply personal and, for many of us, a key part of our sense of self. The First Amendment protects the right of every person to believe as we choose with the expectation that the government won’t play favorites among traditions or favor religion over nonreligion.

Religious freedom is often called our “first freedom” because our founders saw freedom of conscience as the cornerstone for all other rights.

Diversity of Belief Is a Source of Strength: Americans adhere to nearly 3,000 religious and spiritual traditions, with no one community claiming a privileged status. People of all faiths and none are equal contributors to our shared society and all are eligible to run for office.

Pluralism in Action: The right to religious freedom is unalienable – but it’s not unlimited. For every American to believe as they choose, we can’t impose our beliefs on others. Religious freedom doesn’t include the right to coerce, shame, or exclude others from public life because they don’t share our beliefs.

Personal Belief, Public Life: The wall of separation between church and state protects religious institutions as much as it protects our government. Religious communities have the freedom to share their teachings without government interference, provided the public sphere remains open to all.

Equality: Across religious traditions, we are taught that every person is imbued with sacred dignity and worth. We strengthen our moral foundation by advancing policies that affirm our shared humanity and ensure that all people are treated equally under law.

By learning to recognize and reject Christian nationalism in a unified voice, we can finally deliver on our nation’s foundational promises.

This summary is adapted from What Is Christian Nationalism? The Complete Guide (freedomforum.org).

For more about the Christian nationalist movement and Project 2025, check out our related briefs.