Christian Nationalism Wrapped in the Canadian Flag

Recently information from a report regarding the three-week occupation of Ottawa a year ago was released. Some supporters of the convoy have argued that it was a peaceful protest in the nation's capital but the report strongly suggests otherwise. Businesses were forced to shut down, residents were subjected to relentless noise, and people going about their daily lives were verbally and physically threatened, often as police passively looked on. 

Among those affected were people from faith communities and outreach ministries in the city core. The pastor and members of a Presbyterian congregation were confronted in a threatening manner & their meal ministry shut down for a time because of safety issues. You might recall that the Shepherds of Good Hope outreach ministry was also under seige with protesters demanding they be fed. Despite this latter disruption there was the positive outcome that tens of thousands of dollars were donated to support their work.

What I find deeply troubling is that a significant number of these invaders were people who purported to be Christians, although of an ilk which seems to have more to do with the Canadian brand of Christian Nationalism and which appears to consider the actual teaching and example of Jesus as optional. A few months later a group calling itself “The United People of Canada,” took over a deconsecrated church in Ottawa, although that initiative didn't last long. 

I thought of what happened here when I read that a research project in the United States has found that more than half of Republicans believe the country should be a strictly Christian nation, either adhering to the ideals of Christian nationalism (21%) or sympathizing with those views (33%).It is a relief that while a majority of Republicans currently either adhere to or sympathize with Christian nationalism, the survey found that this remains a minority opinion nationwide. According to the PRRI/Brookings study, only 10% of Americans view themselves as adherents of Christian nationalism and about 19% of Americans said they sympathize with these views. Still, this movement, which seems to be growing, is significant. 

We can say that Canada is not the United States but we do need to be vigilant about the pernicious effect of Christian National because it simply isn't Christian. We saw last year that some politicians are willing to literally cosy up to those who espouse these views. As those whose desire is to follow the Christ of acceptance and love we must be vocal in our opposition to divisive forms of nationalism wrapped in religion and a flag, whatever the flag might be.