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By Khaleda Rahman
National Correspondent
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Senator Josh Hawley has doubled down on remarks he made advocating Christian nationalism.
The Missouri Republican made a speech at the National Conservatism Conference on Monday. He began by speaking about how The City of God, a book of Christian philosophy written by Augustine of Hippo in the early fifth century, had helped "shape the destiny of this country."
"We are a nation forged from Augustine's vision," he said. "A nation defined by the dignity of the common man as given to us in the Christian religion, a nation held together by the homely affections articulated in the Christian faith: love for family, love for neighbor, home and country.
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"I'm sure some will say now that I am calling America a Christian nation. And so I am. And some will say that I am advocating Christian nationalism. And so I do... my question is, is there any other kind worth having?"
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Hawley went on to say that "the truth is, Christian nationalism is not a threat to American democracy."
He claimed that American democracy was founded by Christian nationalism.
It is "the best form of democracy yet devised, it is the most just the most free, the most humane, and the most praiseworthy," he added. "The Christian political tradition is our political tradition. It is the American political tradition."
He also called for the "transgender" flag to be taken down from federal buildings, instead inscribing them with the words: "In God We Trust."
Hawley's speech sparked a backlash on social media, with some accusing him of breaking his oath to support the U.S. Constitution and calling on him to resign.
Hawley appeared to respond to the criticism by posting a link to his full speech on social media. "Watch the speech the Left is melting down over!" Hawley wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
His office has been contacted for further comment via email.
Some on social media criticized Hawley's remarks, saying they reveal the truth about the Republican agenda.
"They aren't even trying to hide it," Robert Reich, former Labor Secretary and a professor of public policy at UC Berkeley, wrote on X. "The rise of Christian Nationalism threatens our rights and our lives."
Lucas Kunce, a Missouri Democrat who is hoping to unseat Hawley in November, wrote: "Josh Hawley is not like us.
"He thinks he should be in charge of what happens in your bedroom, your doctor's office, your workplace, your marriage, and even your own body. It's creepy. It's weird. It's Big Brother b*******. And it sure as hell isn't his job."
The Freedom from Religion Foundation wrote that Hawley is "openly betraying his oath to support our secular Constitution and should be removed from office."
America "has never been, and will never be, a Christian nation," the post said. "We are a nation where you are free to be a Christian, or an atheist, or whatever you want."
Melanie D'Arrigo, a former Democratic congressional candidate, wrote: "Christian Nationalism is an anti-Democratic political ideology that centers white supremacy, and fuels discrimination, hate crimes, and right-wing extremism. Sen. Josh Hawley, who swore an oath to defend the Constitution against domestic enemies, supports it. Hawley must resign."
In his speech, Hawley said he rejected the ethnocentrism and "blood and soil" authoritarianism touted by "some who call themselves Christian nationalists.
"That is not the way. That is not our tradition. That is not what we believe," he said. "Let us not be controlled by fear. Let us not return to the harsh ethnic nationalism of the ancient world or to the authoritarian ideology of blood and soil... in this land, we defend the liberty of all. In this nation, we practice self-government of the people."
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