Christian Nationalism and Modern Antisemitism

 https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/christian-nationalism-and-modern-antisemitism/

While we are often reminded to “Never forget,” many of us were never taught this history. Understanding the legacy of Christian nationalism and its role in shaping antisemitic attitudes is crucial in recognizing when the Church uses its power to harm marginalized groups—and in taking action. Addressing Christian nationalism’s ongoing influence can help foster genuine interfaith reconciliation and prevent history from repeating itself.

Throughout history, Christian antisemitism has fueled discrimination, violence, and exclusion, from early Church doctrine to the horrors of the Holocaust. Despite Vatican II and various Protestant reforms, antisemitic attitudes persisted in Christian societies long after World War II. Today, Christian nationalism has emerged as a significant force in the U.S. and beyond, often fueling conspiracy theories, political extremism, and religious intolerance. While many Christian institutions have distanced themselves from historical antisemitism, elements within Christian nationalist movements continue to promote antisemitic ideas, sometimes disguised as political rhetoric, theological resistance to reconciliation, or conspiracy theories.

Christian nationalism is a political ideology that merges religious identity with national identity, claiming that a nation must be governed by Christian values to fulfill its divine purpose. This ideology has gained increasing influence in the United States, Europe, and parts of Latin America and Eastern Europe, where it is often associated with far-right politics and hostility toward religious minorities, including Jews.