Where Do We Go From Here? April Ajoy on Christian Nationalism and Star-Spangled Jesus
Sep 24, 2025
April Ajoy, a content creator and author of 'Star-Spangled Jesus', dives deep into her deconstruction journey from purity culture to questioning political beliefs. She explores how Christian nationalism intertwines with evangelism and reflects on its personal impact. April shares her transformation through satire on TikTok and offers insights on global Christianity as an antidote to nationalism. Her candid discussion on gender identity with her non-binary spouse and hopes for change in faith communities make this conversation both enlightening and inspiring.
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Growing Up In Purity Culture
- April Ajoy grew up as a pastor's kid immersed in purity culture with harmful illustrations like chewed gum and licked cupcakes.
- Those objectifying metaphors taught girls their bodies were temptations and caused long-term shame.
TikTok Started A Movement
- April accidentally began political satire on TikTok in 2020 after viral mom videos led her to post about Christians and Trump.
- The viral response revealed many other Christians privately disagreed with Trump and felt isolated.
When Faith Becomes Political Identity
- Christian nationalism fuses theological identity with political identity so they become indistinguishable.
- It asserts America was and must remain a Christian nation enforced by laws from a narrow scriptural reading.
