Liberty for Us, Limits for Them: Christian Nationalism and Americans' Views on Citizens' Rights [post]

Samuel Perry, Joshua Davis, Joshua B. Grubbs
2022 unpublished
Americans are often split along partisan and religious lines regarding which claims they consider "rights" and which rights they prioritize. Beyond standard political and religious characteristics, we propose that a pervasive ideology that centers conservative religious ethno-culture within America's deep story and future—Christian nationalism—plays a central role in shaping how Americans evaluate "rights." Analyses show Christian nationalism is a leading predictor that Americans prioritize gun
more » ... rights, religious freedom, and states' rights, but deprioritize freedom of the press, right to a speedy and fair trial, and protection from unlawful searches or seizures. Christian nationalism is also descriptively associated with deprioritizing free speech, though this becomes non-significant with controls. Christian nationalism is also the strongest predictor that Americans view voting as a privilege, not a right. Associations are generally consistent across gender and race. Findings suggest Christian nationalism inclines Americans toward more authoritarian and anti-democratic perspectives on "rights," prioritizing in-group liberty, but deprioritizing rights that protect suspected disrupters of social order or challenges to power.
doi:10.31235/osf.io/f7r9k fatcat:znsvunzv6fbhzc3llywo42gkga