The Christian Nationalism of John McCain

By Frederick Clarkson
Talk to Action
Fri Apr 11, 2008

The blog Jed Report has made a You Tube video from an interview conducted by Dan Gilgoff at Beliefnet last year. It is a compelling two and a half minute bit of vid, but Jed Report does not identify the source. The link to the original is below in this post (revised and updated) from a few months ago, which also provides a fuller context. -- FC

In an interview with BeliefNet, last year, John McCain came out as a Christian nationalist. This is a disturbing development from a man who has been profoundly critical of the religious right in the past, but has courted movement leaders, and received the endorsement of some while seeking the GOP nomination for president over the past year.

In this interview, he comes out more strongly as a Christian nationalist and critic of separation of church and state than any nominee for either party in modern American history.

There was a flurry of correspondence with the Anti-Defamation League in the wake of his statments. (reprinted on the flip) But the upshot was this statement from the ADL:

In response, ADL welcomed Sen. McCain's clarification, but added, "Nevertheless, we are deeply disappointed that you did not expressly retract your statement that "the Constitution established the United States of America as a Christian nation.

Last October, journalist Dan Gilgoff interviewed John McCain on BeliefNet. The interview was titled: John McCain: Constitution Established a "Christian Nation."

Q: A recent poll found that 55 percent of Americans believe the U.S. Constitution establishes a Christian nation. What do you think?

McCain: I would probably have to say yes, that the Constitution established the United States of America as a Christian nation. But I say that in the broadest sense. The lady that holds her lamp beside the golden door doesn't say, "I only welcome Christians." We welcome the poor, the tired, the huddled masses. But when they come here they know that they are in a nation founded on Christian principles.

(Continued here.)