Order

Abstract

In this chapter we demonstrate how Christian nationalists are deeply invested in ensuring family life in the United States reflects a particular order prioritizing patriarchy, heterosexuality, and cisgender identification. The family is viewed as the building block of society and the ultimate litmus test for any moral decay within a society. Using attitudes toward gender roles and identity, divorce, and same-sex marriage, this chapter illustrates the diversity of attitudes among the four responses to the Christian nation narrative. Using multiple waves of national survey data, we also explore change over the last decade concerning how Christian nationalism is related to views of the family. We show that Christian nationalism is concerned with ensuring families in the United States reflect a particular order. Finally, we show that contrary to prior chapters, Christian nationalism and personal religiosity can at times work in the same direction but for differing reasons.