When Donald Trump says, “Make America Great Again,” what era is he referring to and which demographic is he appealing to?

Robert P. Jones, author of the New York Times bestselling book “The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy,” argues that the slogan is aimed at white Christian voters who fear a lose of cultural control.

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He joined Created Equal to discuss how white Christian nationalism has steered U.S. history and politics. Jones detailed the hidden roots of white supremacy in American society; defined white Christian Nationalism and revealed its anti-democratic nature; and gave his thoughts on what needs to be done to move toward a country that truly values all its citizens equally.

“We’re living in a real moment of reckoning, and part of that reckoning is telling the truth about what happened,” Jones said.

Jones will be giving a talk on democracy, social values and the American story at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 23-24, at the University of Detroit Mercy.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation with Jones.

Guest:

• Robert P. Jones is the founder of the Public Religion Research Institute and author of “The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy and the Path to a Shared American Future.”

Listen to Created Equal with host Stephen Henderson weekdays from 9-10 a.m. ET on 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand.

It’s no secret that America’s politics are polarized. According to one preacher and educator, they’re not broken beyond repair. Jim Wallis, author of “The False White Gospel” says the Christian gospel is one way to bridge the political divides in the United States.  

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Wallis says the teachings of Jesus Christ are at odds with the white Christian nationalism that has dominated conservative politics for a long time. 

“Jesus did not say ‘blessed are the peace lovers, or the peacekeepers.’ He said blessed are the peace makers — which means conflict resolvers,” Wallis said. “White Christian nationalism is a conflict maker, dividing people. And Jesus says we’re supposed to be peacemakers, conflict resolvers.” 

Guest: 

• Jim Wallis is a writer, educator and preacher. He is the author of “The False White Gospel” and is the inaugural holder of the Chair in Faith and Justice and the founding Director of the Georgetown University Center on Faith and Justice. 

Listen to Created Equal with host Stephen Henderson weekdays from 9-10 a.m. ET on 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand.