Christian Nationalism Is Wrong

The Center for Human Equality in Oregon stands firm in its commitment to a foundational American principle: every human being is unique, irreplaceable, and deserving of equal respect and dignity.

At the heart of this mission lies Ethical Individualism, the human relational philosophy conceived by Russell McAlmond in his seminal work, Ethical Individualism: A Human Relational Philosophy. This framework rejects group-based judgments in all forms—whether rooted in race, ideology, religion, or identity politics—and insists that we relate to one another as unique individuals.

It offers a compelling alternative to the collectivist pitfalls of our time, including the rise of Christian nationalism. Ethical Individualism is not an abstract theory but a practical guide for everyday human interactions. It prioritizes mutual trust, respect, and dignity in every encounter.

McAlmond developed it as a secular philosophy that optimizes relationships by focusing on the person before us—not the demographic category they represent. It stands in direct opposition to any ideology that elevates one group above another, declaring that true equality flows from recognizing the inherent worth of the individual.

True Christianity and the Roots of American Equality

Christian nationalism must not be conflated with Christianity itself. Authentic Christian teaching affirms the profound equality of all people: every human being is created in the image of God (imago Dei). This biblical insight undergirds the Declaration of Independence’s ringing assertion that “all men are created equal” and endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights. The Founders drew on this universal human dignity to craft a nation where rights belong to individuals, not to favored religious or ethnic groups.

True Christianity, at its core, inspires humility, love for neighbor, and justice for all—values that transcend tribal boundaries and call believers to serve rather than dominate.

Christian nationalism, by contrast, distorts this heritage. It elevates Christians as inherently superior politicians, citizens, or human beings simply by virtue of their faith. It implies that national identity and political power should privilege one religious group over others—believers and non-believers alike.

This elevation treats non-Christians as lesser participants in the American experiment, judged not by their character, actions, or contributions, but by their lack of Christian affiliation. Such group favoritism mirrors the very collectivism it often claims to oppose.

The Parallel with Group Judgmentalism

This approach engages in the same error as other identity-based movements, such as certain implementations of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Both substitute group membership for individual merit. Christian nationalism applies group judgmentalism to non-Christians, deeming them suspect or second-class in the public square.

DEI often applies parallel judgments to other groups, assigning collective guilt or privilege based on race, gender, or other categories. Ethical Individualism rejects both. It insists that judging individuals by their group identity—whether to uplift Christians or any other demographic—is morally wrong and practically corrosive to human relations.

McAlmond’s philosophy exposes the root problem: all forms of groupism obscure the unique mosaic of experiences, choices, and character that define each person. When we reduce someone to their religious label, racial category, or political tribe, we fail to see them fully. We replace empathy and discernment with stereotypes and suspicion.

This not only violates human dignity but undermines the social trust essential to a free society.

Un-American in Spirit and Practice

Christian nationalism is also un-American because it departs from our founding commitment to equality under the law for every individual. The United States was not established as a confessional state where citizenship or political legitimacy depends on adherence to a particular faith. Our Constitution deliberately avoids establishing religion, protecting the rights of conscience for all—Christian, Jew, Muslim, atheist, or otherwise.

Elevating any religious group as “better” politicians or citizens contradicts the principle that government derives its just powers from the consent of the governed, not from ecclesiastical approval. Ethical Individualism reaffirms the American ideal: we judge fellow citizens by their actions and character as unique individuals, not by group affiliation.

This approach fosters genuine pluralism, where people of all faiths (or none) can participate fully in the life of the republic without fear of second-class status. It promotes win-win relationships built on mutual respect rather than zero-sum competitions between identity blocs.

A Call to Ethical Individualism

The Center for Human Equality calls on Oregonians and all Americans to embrace Ethical Individualism as the 21st-century standard for human relations. This means:

Treating every person we meet as a unique universe of value, worthy of respect human qua human.

Rejecting policies and rhetoric that privilege one religious group over others in public life.

Affirming the equality inspired by imago Dei while refusing to weaponize faith for political supremacy.

Building institutions and communities that evaluate individuals on merit, character, and conduct—not inherited group traits.

Russell McAlmond’s vision provides a moral North Star for navigating our polarized age. It does not demand the abandonment of religious conviction but calls believers and non-believers alike to a higher relational ethic: see the individual first.

In doing so, we honor the best of America’s heritage and the deepest truths about human worth.At the Center for Human Equality, we believe this philosophy can heal divisions and restore trust. By rejecting group judgmentalism—whether in the guise of Christian nationalism, DEI orthodoxy, or any other collectivist ideology—we reclaim the promise of a society where every person stands equal before the law and in one another’s eyes.

The path forward is clear: ethical individualism for every unique human being.

Let us choose dignity over dominance, individuality over identity, and equality over elevation. This is the Oregon way—and the American way—worth fighting for.