Dr. Bradley Onishi: “Project 2025, Christian Nationalism, and November Elections”

Presented by the Berkeley Center for the Study of Religion, Dr. Bradley Onishi joins us for a talk titled, “Project 2025, Christian Nationalism, and November Elections.”

While calls for the United States to be a “Christian nation” have resounded for decades (if not centuries), there is now, paradoxically, an American movement to return to monarchy. In the face of demographic change, cultural progress, and global crises, Christian nationalist theologians and reactionary Catholic leaders long to replace the American Constitution, and the democracy it holds in place, with a post-constitutional Caesar who will rule without the burden of checks and balances or sharing power in any meaningful way. This is not a movement for a Christian nation – a return to a time when Christianity went hand in hand with America; a going back to the supposed pax Americana of the 1950s. This is a desire for something more akin to medieval Christendom. In this talk, Dr. Bradley Onishi will explain how the movement is connected to Project 2025 and has become part of the 2024 presidential election.

Dr. Bradley Onishi is a social commentator, scholar, and co-host of the Straight White American Jesus (SWAJ) podcast. He founded Axis Mundi Media in 2023 in order to provide a platform for research-based podcasts focused on safeguarding democracy from the threats of extremism and authoritarianism. His writing has appeared at the New York Times, Politico, Rolling Stone, NBC News, HuffPost, and many other outlets. Onishi is a frequent guest on national radio, podcast, and television outlets, including “Fresh Air” with Terry Gross and MSNBC. His podcast, SWAJ, ranks in the top 50 of Politics shows on Apple’s podcast charts – ahead of programs from NPR, the NYT, and other national outlets. His book, Preparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism – And What Comes Next is available now.

Established in 2014, the Tolerance Lectures are generously sponsored by the Endowed Fund for the Study of Religious Tolerance.

Sponsor(s): Endowed Fund for the Study of Religious Tolerance, Berkeley Center for the Study of Religion, Center for Race and Gender, Institute for the Study of Societal Issues, Social Science Matrix, Center for Right Wing Studies

Admission: Admission is free for students, faculty, and the community.

For more information about this event or for accessibility related inquiries, please write to Patty Dunlap, pattydunlap@berkeley.edu.