According to Religion News Service, author and researcher Robert P. Jones released a new book on September 5 titled "Backslide: Reclaiming a Faith and a Nation After the Christian Turn Against Democracy." The publication examines the historical and contemporary intersections between white Christian identity and democratic governance in the United States.
The work explores recent trends in political polling and sociological data that suggest a growing segment of the American population links national identity directly to specific religious doctrines. Jones, who serves as the president and founder of the Public Religion Research Institute, has spent years tracking how shifts in religious demographics impact voting patterns and public policy preferences.
The book documents a historical transition where elements of American Christianity shifted from supporting democratic institutions to questioning their validity in favor of nationalist frameworks. Jones argues that this movement presents a significant challenge to the stability of pluralistic governance. He outlines how these political shifts are rooted in long-standing cultural narratives concerning the role of the church within the state.
Jones suggests that addressing these developments requires a reexamination of the foundational principles of American faith traditions. He emphasizes that the current political environment is heavily influenced by the belief that the nation’s success is inextricably tied to the dominance of one religious worldview.
The author notes that "the health of the nation depends on a separation between religious identity and government power."
The text provides an analysis of how various denominations have responded to these political pressures over the past decade. It details the ways in which church leaders are currently navigating internal disagreements regarding the appropriate level of political engagement. The book also highlights the influence of demographic changes, noting that the decline of white Christian majorities has served as a catalyst for the rise of nationalist rhetoric.
Jones posits that the tension between religious exclusivity and democratic equality remains the central conflict for modern American institutions. He writes that the future of the nation’s democratic framework depends on whether citizens can distinguish between religious practice and political ideology.
The publisher has announced a series of speaking engagements for Jones throughout the fall to discuss the findings of the book. These events will take place at various academic institutions and public forums across the country. Further data sets and supplementary research related to the claims made in the book are scheduled for release on the Public Religion Research Institute website later this month.
Source: https://religionnews.com/2026/09/05/how-christians-can-defend-democracy-against-christian-nationalism/