What happens when religious conviction becomes political power?
In No Prophets, this timely examination explores the growing influence of Christian nationalism in American politics and the consequences of blending religious identity with national power. At a moment when political disagreements increasingly feel like battles over morality, identity, and the future of the country, this book asks a fundamental question: Can American democracy remain free and pluralistic when one religious vision claims a special right to define the nation?
From the rise of Christian nationalism and the networks that transformed religious activism into political influence to the role of prophecy, political loyalty, and the events surrounding January 6, this book examines the forces reshaping America's democratic landscape.
It explores the battles over schools, courts, constitutional rights, race, gender, sexuality, religious freedom, and national identity. It also examines a crucial distinction that is often lost in the debate: Christianity itself is not the enemy of democracy. Millions of Christians reject political domination and believe that religious liberty means protecting every person's freedom of conscience.
At the heart of this book is a defense of constitutional pluralism. America does not require citizens to share one faith, one political ideology, or one vision of the nation's past. It requires a system in which people with profoundly different beliefs can live together as equals.
No Prophets is ultimately a call for Americans to reject political absolutism, defend the Constitution, protect religious freedom for everyone, and remember that no politician is a prophet and no political movement owns the nation.
Because democracy does not need prophets.
It needs citizens.