The “Right” History: Religion, Race, and Nostalgic Stories of Christian America

A wide range of right-wing movements are bound together by their adherence to a nostalgic vision the United States as “Christian nation,” yet there meaningful differences in specific narratives promoted these groups that not fully understood. This article identifies two ideal-typical versions this narrative: white Christian nation and colorblind Judeo-Christian nation. The share common declension structure, but differ framing how religion race intersect markers American belonging power. Although participants often slide back forth between practice, distinguishing them analytically enables us better understand renderings history carry different meanings perform kinds political work for movements. Theoretically, analysis extends insights “complex religion” approach sites beyond organized religion, while also demonstrating scholarship on nationalism movements’ use national could each be enhanced greater attention other.