Christian Nationalism: Truth Talk on the Anti-democratic Movement Rejecting Equality & Law

SPEAKER: Rachel Laser, President & CEO, Americans United for Separation of Church and State

INTERVIEWER: Katherine Stewart, journalist and author of Money, Lies and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy and The Power Worshippers; member of AU’s Board of Trustees

Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 4:30 PM - 5 PM PT (7:30 PM - 9 PM ET)

RSVP: https://www.habermaninstitute.org/events-20242025/2025/5/28/christian-nationalism-today

In this discussion, Katherine Stewart and Rachel Laser offer a rare look inside the machinery of the movement that brought the current administration to power. They will explore its successes -- but also highlight its weaknesses. Along the way, they will reveal a disturbing truth: religious nationalism is a deeply anti-democratic movement that rejects the ideals of religious pluralism, equality, and the rule of law.

Join us in pulling back the curtain on the inner workings and leading personalities of the movement that has turned religion into a tool for domination. Over the last decades, it has evolved into an interconnected set of think tanks, legal advocacy groups, and policy organizations that seek control of the judiciary, elected legislators, and the political agenda. Bankrolled by a subset of America's super-wealthy conservatives, it is far more organized and better funded than most people realize.

This talk will also explore, as an example, and top of mind for our community, the movement’s complicated and often contradictory stance towards American Jews.

While the movement’s successes to date have been stunning, a determined pro-democracy movement has many advantages that can be used to meet the challenge.

Register to receive the Zoom link for this webinar. Barring technical issues, the recording will be posted on our Program Archive.


ABOUT: Rachel Laser

Rachel Laser is the President and CEO at Americans United for Separation of Church and State. As a lawyer, advocate, and strategist, she has dedicated her career to making our country more inclusive.

Before joining AU, Rachel built bridges between disparate groups on a host of issues that connect to church-state separation. As the deputy director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (the RAC), Rachel ran interfaith campaigns on LGBTQ+ equality, immigration reform, gun violence prevention, and paid sick, family, and medical leave.

A graduate of Harvard University and the University of Chicago Law School, she is also a former national board member of Reproductive Freedom for All (previously NARAL Pro-Choice America).