Connect with us

News

Talk of ‘Christian nationalism’ is getting a lot louder – but what does the term really mean?

Published

on

Supporters of then-President Donald Trump pray outside the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C. Win McNamee/Getty Images

A University of Maryland survey from May 2022 indicates that 61% of Republicans support the idea of making the US a Christian nation, despite the fact that 57% think it would be unconstitutional. According to a 2015 Public Religion Research Institute survey, 31% of all Americans and 49% of Republicans think that “God intended America to be a new promised land where European Christians could create a society that would be an example for the rest of the world.”

These figures highlight the impact of a movement known as “Christian nationalism,” which has gained popularity in the run-up to the midterm elections in November 2022. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia has declared herself a Christian nationalist in the open and urged the GOP to follow suit. Some, including Doug Mastriano, the candidate for governor of Pennsylvania, and Representative Lauren Boebert of Colorado, have not only accepted the term but also its principles, such as rejecting the idea of the separation of church and state.

While few Americans identify as “Christian nationalists,” many more have adopted certain tenets of this ideology. It’s crucial to provide a thorough explanation because there is a lot of misunderstanding regarding the true meaning of the label. My research on the ways that race and religion influence Americans’ perceptions of their government inspired me to investigate Christian nationalism and co-write a book that explains how it affects how people see themselves, their country, and their role in the world.

Beyond religion and patriotism, Christian nationalism encompasses more. It is a worldview that dictates who should be in the country and how it should be organized.

Numerous academics, including political scientists, sociologists, historians, and researchers of religion, have examined the topic of white Christian nationalism. Even though their definitions are different, they have some things in common.

Christian nationalism is a political and religious ideology that contends that God created the United States to fulfill His plan for the world and to be a Christian nation. According to this perspective, only Christians are capable of ruling America, and a heavenly hand guides the nation’s goals.

Together with colleagues political scientists Irfan Nooruddin and Allyson Shortle, I co-wrote the book “The Everyday Crusade: Christian Nationalism in American Politics,” which shows how this perspective has been a part of American identity development since the Colonies. Political and religious leaders in the American Revolution connected breaking away from the British to God’s plan to bring about universal peace.

From then on, the belief that God is favoring their country has shaped how many Americans interpret significant events. Examples of this include believing in Manifest Destiny, which holds that the United States was destined to expand westward across North America, and characterizing the “war on terror” as a fight between Christians and non-Christians in the twenty-first century.

Approximately 4 out of 10 Americans are white Christians nowadays. Some of them believe Christian nationalism is the only path to putting the country back on track because they fear they will no longer be the majority. Adherents of Christian nationalism usually confine the definition of a “true” American to those who identify as white, Christian, born in the United States, and whose ancestors originate from Europe.

Christian nationalism is not embraced by most Americans. Nevertheless, it can be seen everywhere—from the Pledge of Allegiance to American flags flying from church pulpits to the phrase “In God We Trust” printed on currency, license plates, and government cars.

Together with my book co-authors, I contend that there is a range of Christian nationalist ideologies. We created a metric we call “American Religious Exceptionalism” for our book project, and we examined state and nationally representative surveys conducted between 2008 and 2020 using it. We divided American citizens into three categories using that data: dissidents, laity, and disciples.

“Dissidents” articulate a more inclusive view of what it means to be an American and reject the notion that the United States was founded on a divine plan. Dissidents make up between 37% and 49% of the population in the nationally representative sampling.

Conversely, the “disciples” hold a strong belief in the divine foundation and leadership of the United States and have more stringent beliefs regarding who can be considered a “real” American and who should be granted entry into the nation. Disciples, who make up between 10% and 14% of the population, are more inclined to worry about the declining proportion of white, Christian Americans and to view immigration as a threat to American culture.

The middle class, or “laity,” comprises between 37% and 52% of the populace. Though not as strongly, they show support for many of the same beliefs as the followers, including anti-Black, anti-immigrant, and anti-Muslim sentiments.

Politicians might be compared to business owners who are always seeking new clients. Among the disciples, who are typically politically active and ready to support a candidate who will further their point of view for the country, some of them have established a loyal following.

By presenting himself as a protector of Christians who are “under siege,” former President Donald Trump has had special success winning over voters who share Christian nationalist views. Tear gas was used to scatter protestors in June 2020, amid unrest over police killings of unarmed Black Americans, so that then-President Trump could have his photo taken clutching a Bible in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. His overt hostility toward Muslims has also contributed to the rise of Christian nationalists from the periphery.

During the attack on the Capitol building on January 6, 2021, images depicting Christianity as a part of a greater divine mission that links the country and Trump were prominently displayed. Christian nationalists who hold the most extreme beliefs contend that force must be used to bring the government into line with their philosophy.

According to our poll, 68% of disciples think that maintaining the traditional American way of life might need the use of force. The majority of disciples show a strong commitment to representative democracy; however, 48% of disciples want military authority, compared to 6% of dissidents.

The 2022 midterm elections will provide evidence of Christian nationalism’s mainstreaming, as multiple candidates have declared their support for the movement or made strongly aligned remarks with it. Such language can convince the laity that these politicians will best serve their interests, in addition to inspiring disciples. An climate that is conducive to political debates is one of growing partisan polarization, where discussions are sometimes depicted as between angels and demons destroying the nation.

It’s unclear what this implies for American democracy. However, I think Christian nationalism is making a comeback and trying to recapture its “holy land” as some white and Christian Americans fear losing their status.

This piece was originally published by The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news source that strives to provide you with reliable information and insight to help you understand our complicated world.You could sign up for our weekly newsletter if you thought it was interesting.

Welcome to TheEpicTimes.com, your trusted source for comprehensive coverage of news and stories spanning the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. We're committed to delivering timely, insightful, and diverse content that keeps you informed about the latest developments in these dynamic regions. we recognize the importance of understanding the unique cultures, events, and issues that shape the USA, UK, and Canada. Our dedicated team of journalists and contributors is passionate about bringing you reliable news and engaging stories from across these diverse nations.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

12 Nintendo Switch tips and tricks you probably didn’t know (but definitely should)

Published

on

A screenshot of one of the best Nintendo switch tips

Regardless of how long you’ve owned your system, there are certain Nintendo Switch tips and tricks that you might not have known about (if you haven’t already, the Black Friday deals on the Switch might be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for). In this post, we’ll try to correct that by summarizing some of the features that have enhanced our personal use of the gadget.

There exist numerous tips and tricks to enhance your usage of Nintendo’s entertaining and portable system, such as customizing your Switch or remapping buttons to save space or even locate misplaced Joy-Cons. Though in this article we’re only going to talk about items you can customize with the Switch consoles themselves, so there’s no need to buy anything else, you might also want to have a look at some of the greatest Nintendo Switch accessories.

12 helpful hints for the Nintendo Switch

Remap your buttons if you’d like. Want to obtain extra saves? Our best Nintendo Switch advice and techniques are included here.

Recently, there has been a lot of interest in dark mode, in part due to the perception that it could aid with eye strain and, in part, because it looks cool. There is, in fact, a dark mode for the Nintendo Switch. Just select Basic Black from the Themes menu under System Settings. This will alter the background of the menu pages and home screen to black; the games will remain unchanged.

2. Modify the avatar on your Nintendo Switch profile

Upon initializing your Nintendo Switch, you will be prompted to select an avatar and establish a profile. You can, however, always alter your avatar afterwards. Simply tap your symbol in the top-left corner to access your profile page, and then select User Settings > Edit symbol.

3. Remap the buttons on a Nintendo Switch
a picture of one of the top Nintendo Switch tutorials

Remapping the buttons on your controller is something you might not be aware of if you’ve owned your Nintendo Switch for a while, as it was only made possible via an update released in April 2022. Navigate to Controllers and Sensors > System Settings > Change Button Mapping.

On the Nintendo Switch, buttons for both Joy-Cons and the Switch Pro Controller can be remapped. You may adjust the purpose of each button and the joystick’s orientation by simply choosing a controller. It is possible to adjust the Joy-Con inputs for both horizontal and vertical gaming.

Although the Nintendo Switch is incredibly portable, its usefulness when traveling without a power source may be limited by its short battery life. Although a battery charge typically lasts three to four hours, there are a few strategies you can take to extend its life.

One of the most obvious solutions is to lower the brightness of the panel. This is by default set to automatic. To adjust the brightness to a fixed lower level, navigate to the settings page. Disabling controller vibration under ‘Controllers and Sensors’ is an additional choice. Additionally, you can lower the volume and enter flight mode.

To monitor battery life more closely, you can enable the battery percentage display option (System Settings > System). Of course, a portable power bank can be a wise purchase if you plan to use your console for an extended period of time without access to electricity.

Have you lost your Joy-Cons? No worries, the Switch comes equipped with a feature that allows you to find controllers (so long as they are in the same area; it won’t work if they are at someone else’s house). To view the controllers connected to your console, navigate to Controllers > Find Controllers.

If the missing controller has fallen behind the sofa or under the bed, you can locate it by highlighting it and pressing the L or R button on the one you have. If not, it should vibrate. To make both Joy-Cons vibrate in case you lose them, tap the touch screen.

We adore the Nintendo Switch, but if you primarily use digital downloads, you may quickly run out of space once you’ve accumulated a library of games due to the device’s lackluster hard drive capacity. Archiving games that you aren’t playing right now is one way to solve the problem. While maintaining game saves, this frees up space.

Simply select Manage Software > Archive Software after highlighting the game and pressing +. System Settings > Data Management is another way to archive. Choose Quick Archive to receive recommendations based on file size and playtime recently. Select the software you wish to archive by clicking Manage Software.

Naturally, there’s a good risk that your hard drive will eventually run out of capacity, especially if you have the original Switch or Switch Lite, which only have 32GB of space (the 64GB OLED model doubles that). The truth is, you will most likely need to buy a MicroSD card at some point. Third-party choices are supported by the consoles, and Black Friday is frequently a good time to locate deals.

You can move game data between the microSD card and the console if you’re using one (System Settings > Data Management > Move Data Between System / microSD Card). Click Move Data after choosing your destination and the games you wish to transfer. One advantage of purchasing physical games—which are frequently less expensive if you discover a deal at a store like Amazon—is that they don’t take up as much room.

Finding out that a game only supports one save file and that you have to erase the old one in order to create a new one or restart the game can be annoying at times.Making several user profiles is an easy way to get around this. Since every profile has its own save data, you can make a save for every profile you have. Go to System Settings > Users > Add Users to establish a new profile. When you launch a game after that, you’ll be able to select from your many profiles

On the Switch, you can’t record very long gameplay videos, but you can at least snap screenshots and record brief gameplay clips of the previous 30 seconds. You may now transmit screenshots from the Switch to your phone instead of the very restrictive Facebook or Twitter option that was previously the sole way to share images.

Press ‘A’ to bring up the Sharing and Editing options when you open the screenshot on your Switch, and then choose Send to Smartphone. To establish a wireless connection between the devices, you must first use your phone to scan one QR code. After that, you must scan a second code to view an image on a web page. You are free to use the image however you see fit after saving it to your phone.

Using friend codes, you can connect and play games with other Switch users. By accessing your user profile, you may see your code—a 16-digit code that will show up next to your icon. The majority of online multiplayer games, including Fortnite, require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, although some do not. To play online against your trusted pals, you’ll need to add them.

Since the Nintendo Switch is not region-locked, you can purchase games from retailers across the globe in addition to those in your home nation. The drawback is that it can be a little tricky to obtain a digital code from another nation. The code requires you to set up a profile in the nation where it was obtained, however this is a simple and free process.a

Navigate to System > User settings. Select an icon and a nickname for the profile by tapping Add New User. Following that, you’ll need to register as a new user online. Simply follow the instructions, making sure to select the correct nation for your profile and provide a second email address for verification. When you’re finished, you can use your profile to log into the eShop (you’ll notice the currency is different) and use the sidebar menu to redeem your voucher.

You can use any of your profiles to play the game after downloading it. But, if you remove the newly made profile, you won’t be able to access it.

Your Nintendo Switch home screen allows you to customize the wallpaper and rearrange the icons as you see fit. By selecting Custom, you have the option to design your own background color and pre-made themes. You’ll need a microSD card to transfer an image to your Switch in order to add a custom wallpaper. Proceed to System Settings > Themes > Change Theme after that. After selecting Custom, choose the desired image to use.

Once you have more than 12 titles, you may additionally group Switch software. Scroll all the way to the right from the Home Menu and choose “All Software.” In order to examine your software by groups, press the L button. “Select Create new group,” check the titles you wish to include, organize them as you see fit, and give the group a name. It is possible to establish up to 100 groups, each with 200 titles.

12. Understand how to perform a Nintendo Switch hard reset.

The Nintendo Switch could occasionally freeze on you, just like any other electrical gadget. Hard resets are typically able to remedy this. The console should reset if you hold down the system’s power button for up to 15 seconds. In more severe situations, you can conduct a full factory reset by deleting the memory by heading to System Settings > System > Formatting Options > Initialize Console.

If you’re still in the market for a Nintendo Switch system, check out our guide to the top Nintendo Switch bargains or the prices shown below for your area. We also have a post about the top games for the Nintendo Switch.

Continue Reading

News

Maria Menounos Saw Signs of Pancreatic Cancer a Year Before Her Diagnosis — Here’s What Doctors Missed

Published

on

Maria Menounos Saw Signs of Pancreatic Cancer a Year Before Her Diagnosis — Here’s What Doctors Missed

In December 2022, about a year and a half ago, Maria Menounos received the horrifying news that she had pancreatic cancer. Since then, the TV and podcast host has had surgery to remove the tumor along with her spleen, a fibroid, and 17 lymph nodes. She has also turned into an ardent supporter, striving to increase public awareness of the illness. It’s a crucial job since, according to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), pancreatic cancer can be difficult to diagnose because the organ is situated too deep in the abdomen for medical professionals to feel or see tumors, and because symptoms aren’t always evident. Menounos’s route to a diagnosis, which included several missed indications and months of doctor appointments, serves as an example.

During a recent episode of Hoda Kotb’s podcast, Making Space, Menounos talked about how she had been experiencing severe bloating for several months prior to receiving her diagnosis. She said, “I looked like I swallowed a basketball for at least a year and a half or so.” In March 2022, Menounos stated, she had a test for celiac disease and had an endoscopy and colonoscopy in an attempt to “get to the root of what’s happening,” but the physicians “didn’t find the source.”

Additional SheKnows

She continued, “I was attempting to exclude items from [my] diet to see if there was a difference, so I kept snapping pictures of [my bloating]. “I told myself that there was a problem and that I would keep looking for it until I found it.”

Eight months before receiving a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, in April 2022, Menounos suggested that her pancreas might be the issue on an episode of her own podcast, Heal Squad. Menounos recounted the incident, saying, “[I said,] ‘I think something’s wrong with my pancreas,'” and that “a whole discussion about the pancreas” ensued. She described her remarkably precise prediction as “so random.”

Menounos began to have new-onset diabetes in June 2022, which is another sign of pancreatic cancer. Menounos recalled, “I said, ‘I don’t have this,’ first.” “I have no reason to develop Type 1 diabetes at 43 years old or older.” In retrospect, it appears that doctors overlooked this further warning indication. Research suggests that newly developing diabetes in adults over 50 “may be an early symptom of pancreatic cancer,” according to PanCAN. having diarrhea and what she had previously described as “excruciating” stomach discomfort. Menounos’s agony persisted even after CT scans, blood tests, and stool examinations revealed nothing abnormal. Ultimately, a growth on her pancreas was discovered during an MRI in December 2022. A biopsy later identified the abnormality as a stage 2 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.

Menounos was fortunate to have been diagnosed with cancer at an early stage and to have had the means to receive treatment. However, during the course of the year, Menounos’ doctors missed several symptoms even with those resources. The E! News alum is committed to sharing her experience because it validates the strength of persistence and self-advocacy in the doctor’s office.

Menounos stated earlier this month in a PanCAN ad that the best thing you can do for your health is “early detection, paying attention to your body and the signals it’s giving you.” “I want people to realize that they need to pay attention and take charge of their health.” According to PanCAN, signs of pancreatic cancer specifically can include back or abdominal pain, sudden-onset diabetes, jaundice, nausea, loss of appetite, changes in stool, and enlargement of the pancreas (also known as pancreatitis).

It’s important to be aware of the signs of cancer and other health problems and to make sure that medical professionals give your worries due consideration. Menounos emphasized, “You can’t just listen to somebody else tell you what’s happening in your body.” “If the suffering continues, you must not give up.”

Read about these famous people who have discussed their autoimmune diseases before you leave:

THIS IS ALT TEXT

Superb SheKnows

Subscribe to the SheKnows Newsletter. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for the most recent updates.

Continue Reading

News

8 teens face murder charges in deadly beating near Las Vegas high school

Published

on

8 teens face murder charges in deadly beating near Las Vegas high school

After the attack, Jonathan Lewis, 17, passed away, according to the Clark County coroner’s office. It was stated that complications from numerous blunt force injuries were the cause of his death. Homicide was recorded as the cause of his death.

After the attack, Jonathan Lewis, 17, passed away, according to the Clark County coroner’s office. It was stated that complications from numerous blunt force injuries were the cause of his death. Homicide was recorded as the cause of his death. In KLAS

The ages of all eight are thirteen to seventeen. The teenagers’ names were withheld for a while due to their age. In Nevada, a case involving a 16- or 17-year-old accused of murder is immediately sent to the adult court system. We call this procedure “certification.” Although it is not always the case, judges have the authority to certify minors over 14 as adults for any type of felony offense, including murder.

The incident took place on Wednesday, November 1st, close to Rancho High School on the 1900 block of Searles Avenue.

LVMPD Lt. Jason Johannson stated at a press conference on Tuesday that all 10 individuals involved were Rancho High School students. Johannson declared that there was insufficient evidence to classify the occurrence as a hate crime and called the footage “void of humanity.”

Eight of the ten had been recognized by police as of Tuesday, according to Johannson. All eight were taken into custody by police and the FBI early on Tuesday.

According to Johannson, Lewis was not defending himself and was lying on the ground when he passed out. The altercation was allegedly about a vape pen and some stolen wireless headphones.

The father of the younger Lewis, Jonathan Lewis, revealed to 8 News Now that his 17-year-old son passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 7, due to the wounds. Lewis, an out-of-state resident, expressed his hope that the passing of his son would spark a discussion about youth violence in the Las Vegas area.

In a statement to 8 News Now after the arrest, he stated, “We all must be held accountable for our choices.” “In our community, we should be able to live in harmony and experience love! For me, justice is just now beginning to be understood. For me as a father, a big part of justice is identifying the real reasons why, at this age, our kids choose violence—the underlying causes, the fear of ongoing resource conflict and reliance on a dysfunctional system—and creating our own self-regulated riches and health instead!

Two persons who were still unidentified were requested to be identified by police. As of Tuesday afternoon, neither of the two’s photos had been made public.

It is suggested that anyone with information get in touch with the LVMPD Homicide Section via email at [email protected] or by phone at 702-828-3521. Call Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or use their website to remain anonymous.

“Instead of enslaving yourselves to anger, rage, and cowardly violence, I’m calling on the youth to use their collective mob voice to demand change, create a deep sense of community, and do something with your power,” stated the older Lewis.

Continue Reading

Trending Posts

A screenshot of one of the best Nintendo switch tips A screenshot of one of the best Nintendo switch tips
News3 weeks ago

12 Nintendo Switch tips and tricks you probably didn’t know (but definitely should)

Share this post: Share on X (Twitter) Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on WhatsApp Share on TelegramRegardless of...

Maria Menounos Saw Signs of Pancreatic Cancer a Year Before Her Diagnosis — Here’s What Doctors Missed Maria Menounos Saw Signs of Pancreatic Cancer a Year Before Her Diagnosis — Here’s What Doctors Missed
News3 weeks ago

Maria Menounos Saw Signs of Pancreatic Cancer a Year Before Her Diagnosis — Here’s What Doctors Missed

Share this post: Share on X (Twitter) Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on WhatsApp Share on Telegram In...

8 teens face murder charges in deadly beating near Las Vegas high school 8 teens face murder charges in deadly beating near Las Vegas high school
News3 weeks ago

8 teens face murder charges in deadly beating near Las Vegas high school

Share this post: Share on X (Twitter) Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on WhatsApp Share on TelegramAfter the...

Yahoo Singapore Telegram Yahoo Singapore Telegram
News3 weeks ago

Former Workers’ Party Member of Parliament Yaw Shin Leong dies at age 47

Share this post: Share on X (Twitter) Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on WhatsApp Share on TelegramSGAN JAPAN...

Oil prices dive on big US crude stock build, record output Oil prices dive on big US crude stock build, record output
News3 weeks ago

Oil prices dive on big US crude stock build, record output

Share this post: Share on X (Twitter) Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on WhatsApp Share on TelegramTexas (Reuters)...

‘Biggest waste of money out there’: Suze Orman slams CNN host for leasing a car — but as vehicle prices and auto loan rates hover near record highs, is leasing actually a bad money move? ‘Biggest waste of money out there’: Suze Orman slams CNN host for leasing a car — but as vehicle prices and auto loan rates hover near record highs, is leasing actually a bad money move?
News3 weeks ago

Suze Orman slams CNN host for leasing a car — but as vehicle prices and auto loan rates hover near record highs, is leasing actually a bad money move?

Share this post: Share on X (Twitter) Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on WhatsApp Share on Telegram Suze...

A drug called Captagon may have helped fuel Hamas' attack on Israel A drug called Captagon may have helped fuel Hamas' attack on Israel
News3 weeks ago

A drug called Captagon may have helped fuel Hamas’ attack on Israel

Share this post: Share on X (Twitter) Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on WhatsApp Share on TelegramOfficials from...

Trending