No Prophets: Rep. Jared Huffman on the dangers of Christian nationalism

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The separation of church and state has long been considered part of the foundation of American democracy. Rep. Jared Huffman of California's 2nd congressional district, argues in a newly penned book, “No Prophets: The Fight to Save Democracy from Christian Nationalism,” that this bedrock principle and democracy itself is under threat by Christian nationalism. With 250th anniversary celebrations underway and President Donald Trump’s emphasis on a Christian founding narrative, “No Prophets” lands during a particularly prescient time for Christian nationalists trying to advance their agenda across the U.S. government. 

Huffman will join environmental activist and author Bill McKibben to discuss the book. Copies will be available to purchase from our bookstore partner Brookline Booksmith and Huffman will sign following the conversation.

About “No Prophets”

Sinclair Lewis is said to have warned: “When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross.” On January 6, 2021, Rep. Jared Huffman saw something chillingly close to that vision. Thousands of Christians following self-declared prophets stormed the Capitol. The insurrection should have been a national wake-up call about Christian nationalism. Instead, most Americans and politicians looked away.

“No Prophets” argues that Christian nationalism is now America’s most dangerous political movement. Huffman pulls back the curtain on religious extremists behind the insurrection who have only grown more powerful with Trump’s return. Openly vowing to destroy church-state separation and democracy as we know it, they now work inside the highest levels of government to drive domestic and foreign policy, reshape federal agencies, undermine science and education and tilt elections. The endgame: An authoritarian theocracy that imposes their religious beliefs by force of law.

Drawing on his experiences as a formerly devout Christian and the only Humanist ever to serve in Congress, Huffman maps the movement’s largely hidden landscape — taking readers behind the scenes of the Capitol, exposing the tactics and myths Christian nationalists use to advance their agenda and showing how America is imperiled by our reluctance to confront threats cloaked in Christianity.

But, he argues, it’s not too late. If we muster a broad interfaith coalition grounded in shared commitment to democracy, we can reclaim the public square for everyone — religious and secular — to share on equal terms.

“No Prophets” is a clear-eyed, urgent appeal to defend the secular foundations of democracy.

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