The Threat of Christian Nationalism

Join others at SUMC, welcoming Rev. Joey Shelton in the Sanctuary!
Register here, walk-ins are welcome!

The Threat of Christian Nationalism

What is it?  It is a political ideology that merges Christian identity with national identity, promoting the idea that a nation should be founded and governed by Christians, with Christian values and laws shaping public life and policy. It contends that a nation, such as the United States, was intentionally created as a Christian entity and that its government has a duty to promote a Christian society. This belief system often includes a vision of returning to a nostalgic, idealized Christian past and can be linked to an anti-democratic sentiment that prioritizes Christian supremacy over religious pluralism and constitutional separation of church and state.

Why should I care? Jesus teaches us to put God first and love our neighbor. Christian nationalism puts political power first and marginalizes our neighbor. It is considered a threat to democratic principles because it promotes exclusion and undermines the constitutional rights of non-Christians. By asserting Christian supremacy, the movement can lead to discrimination against religious minorities and the non-religious. Christian nationalists may misuse the concept of religious liberty to justify circumventing laws and regulations that protect a pluralistic society.

Why should I attend Rev. Shelton’s talk?  As a United Methodist pastor, college professor and lawyer reared in the deep south Bible Belt, Joey Shelton is well acquainted with the dangers associated with racial tension, religion, and politics. Shelton combines his professional training and experiences to address these dangers. At the 2024 United Methodist North Carolina Annual Conference, Shelton spoke of the need for our society to explore the concept of our personal and communal deep stories and their intersections with race, religion, politics and peacemaking. A prominent aspect of these convergences is the current political rise of Christian Nationalism in the United States. Since his 2023 move to North Carolina from his native Mississippi, Shelton has spoken on Christian nationalism at various United Methodist gatherings and book clubs. Additionally, he has made presentations as a guest of the Center for Reconciliation at Duke Divinity School; served as a panelist for the 2024 screening of  the documentary “Bad Faith: Christian Nationalism’s Unholy War on Democracy” at the Hayti Heritage Center; was a featured speaker for the 2025 Jack Crum Conference on Prophetic Ministry; and was the conversation partner with author Amanda Tyler regarding her book “How to End Christian Nationalism” in a 2025 forum organized by Pastors for North Carolina Children.

Rev. Shelton is a retired elder of the Mississippi United Methodist Conference. His professional experience includes 10 years of law practice, 9 years in Higher Education, and 17 years as pastor of rural and urban UM churches. A native Mississippian, Joey has 2 adult daughters and lives in North Carolina with his wife, Connie Shelton, the Bishop of the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.