CHURCH AND STATE

Does Religious Freedom Only Apply to White Christian Nationalists?

Praying in public school deprives students of religious freedom

Photo by Gonzalo Kenny on Unsplash

The Supreme Court keeps dropping hit after hit. But, unlike your favorite artist you choose to stan, Americans are forced to tune in because our rights are on the line. Many believe that conservative justices violated their oath to ensure “the American people the promise of equal justice under law.” Instead, their decisions are guided by their religious beliefs. Of course, they may fervently deny their motivations. But, it’s clear they’re using their lifelong appointments to turn America into a Christian nationalist state, where no one else’s beliefs are welcome. Let’s unpack this.

In 2019, the Supreme Court incorporated their religious preferences into an opinion. When Alabama moved to execute a death row inmate, Domineque Ray, they deprived him access to an Imam, a Muslim spiritual adviser. For security reasons, they insisted, they would only permit a Christian chaplain, which the Supreme Court decided in a 5–4 decision was constitutional. So this national debate isn’t about any ole religion — this is about white Christian nationalism.

None of this is new. White Christian nationalists have consistently pushed their…