The Gray Area with Sean Illing Behind the panic in white, Christian America
Jul 1, 2019
Robert Jones, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute and author of "The End of White Christian America," delves into the seismic shifts within American religion and politics. He discusses how white Christians, once a majority, are now a minority among younger demographics, fueling a sense of cultural loss. Jones explores the rise of movements like the Tea Party, the changing identities within Christianity, and the implications of these shifts on American political landscapes. His insights reveal the tension between evolving values and traditional beliefs.
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White Christian America Defined
- White Christian America, a cultural and political force built by white Protestants, has shaped the nation.
- Race has increasingly unified this group, despite historical divisions between denominations.
Racial Issues, Not Abortion, United the Right
- The narrative of abortion as the central issue uniting the Christian right is misleading.
- Reactions to the civil rights movement in the 1960s were the key driver of white evangelicals' shift to the Republican party.
Rethinking the Narrative
- Robert Jones, raised Southern Baptist, had to re-evaluate his understanding of the Christian right.
- Jerry Falwell's criticism of MLK Jr.'s public activism reveals the racial undertones of his rhetoric.
