Christian nationalists like Mastriano are throwing away constitutional values

As a Christian and American, I unequivocally believe Christian nationalism is an affront to both religion and democracy. When politicians like Doug Mastriano use religion for their own purposes, they threaten the integrity of both.

Religious freedom, enshrined in the First Amendment, is essential to ensure that American democracy can thrive. But instead of safeguarding our national diversity, the religious right has sought to distort the meaning of religious freedom to codify their beliefs into law and favor a very narrow worldview. This radical minority has grown increasingly vocal and visible, with mainstream candidates in favor of imposing a Christian national identity.

State Sen. Mastriano, Pennsylvania’s Republican candidate for governor, has called the separation of church and state a “myth” — and has made Christian nationalism a core component of his campaign. Elements of worship, both Christian and those appropriated from Jewish tradition, can be seen at his rallies and events. When urging his supporters to cast their vote, he used a starkly biblical call to action: “Let’s choose this day to serve the Lord.” The list of examples goes on.

» READ MORE: Why is no one talking about Doug Mastriano’s plan to destroy public education in Pa.?

State Sen. Mastriano’s religious rhetoric, though shocking, is hardly original. Candidates in races across the country are turning to Christian nationalism as their political weapon of choice. Their stances on issues such as abortion, education, and LGBTQ equality are steeped in the language of religion to avoid scrutiny. Questions of who might be harmed by their proposed policies are deflected by claims that their candidacy has divine endorsement. They are God’s candidate, after all, and God’s candidate is beyond reproach.

Our elected leaders bring their whole selves to their positions, including their personal faith or philosophy. A candidate’s values, sometimes informed by their religious beliefs, will undoubtedly influence the way they approach questions of public policy. Throughout our nation’s history, countless politicians have professed deep personal religious convictions while still protecting Americans’ right to believe something different. They have acted with respect for all their constituents, including those of various faiths and those of none.

“We must peel back the veneer of religious rhetoric and examine the policies and people it protects from scrutiny.”

But Christian nationalist candidates like State Sen. Mastriano aren’t interested in balancing religious identity and constitutional responsibility. They are only interested in winning votes and securing power. Candidates like Mastriano do not offer voters a vision of how they intend to serve the needs of their constituents. Instead, they offer voters a threat: vote for me or incur the wrath of God.

That is how Christian nationalists gain traction. They throw away our constitutional values, evade the intricacies of public policy debate, and win voters by making support for their candidacy a religious obligation. Sympathetic voters stop examining their policy positions with a critical eye, and instead offer a blanket endorsement of whatever items are on the candidate’s agenda.

Christian nationalists seek not only to topple the wall of separation between religion and government, they seek to silence discussion of how to build a more perfect union that will better serve all Americans. This election season, we must peel back the veneer of religious rhetoric and examine the policies and people it protects from scrutiny.

Christian nationalism has little to do with Christian identity and everything to do with power. This November, voters can take the power back by holding their candidates accountable — not for their obligations to God, but to their constituents.

Maureen O’Leary is director of field and organizing at Interfaith Alliance, a national organization dedicated to protecting the integrity of both religion and democracy in America.