Community Gathering: The Authoritarian Turn in White Christian Nationalism

As we gear up for the 2024 elections, author and scholar Bradley Onishi, co-host of the Straight White American Jesus podcast, will discuss the dangers to our political system of an increasingly authoritarian white Christian nationalism. Followed by a book signing of his new book, Preparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism and What Comes Next.

All are welcome! Join us at 3 p.m. for our featured presentation followed by Q & A. For those unable to attend in person, you may livestream it here or watch later on our You Tube channel.

Please stick around after the formal program for a special Humanists and Friends Reception at 4:30 p.m. in the downstairs level. We'll serve appetizers and drinks and you'll get a chance to talk to our speaker and other guests.

Note: We will be selling Preparing for War for $15 (HMN members) and $20 (nonmembers). Cash or credit card.

In his book, Onishi describes how a years-long campaign blending white grievance politics and evangelicalism led directly to the Jan. 6 Insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Now, he says, Christian nationalism is an integral component of the rising fascist threat in local and national politics -- through the candidacy of Donald Trump and manifold events in cities, schools, churches, and town squares across the nation.

Onishi, who teaches at the University of San Francisco, is a religion scholar and social commentator who explores the intersection between conservative religion and politics. He and his co-host, Dan Miller, both former evangelical ministers, examine the culture and politics of the Religious Right three times a week on the Straight White American Jesus podcast.

In Preparing for War, Onishi combines his own experiences in youth groups and prayer meetings of the 1990s with a look at how the country's most conservative religious communities have birthed a movement that has taken a dangerous turn, in fact igniting a civil war.

Through chapters on white supremacy and segregationist theologies, conspiracy theories, the Christian-school movement, purity culture, and the right-wing media ecosystem, Onishi invites us to learn about this troubling history, which is critical to preserving the shape of our democracy for years to come.

This event is sponsored by HumanistsMN. If you are not yet a member, please consider joining to help us cover our costs and build the humanist movement. Not ready to join? Donations are gratefully accepted! Join or donate at humanistsmn.org.