Fellows On Fellows: Leading with Moral Courage in a Divided Democracy | AGLN

In an era characterized by deepening political polarization and rising domestic tension, the intersection of faith, leadership, and democracy has never been more critical. The challenges facing the United States today are not merely legislative or political; they are deeply rooted in community health, spiritual identity, and the way citizens engage with difference. When the institutions designed to protect democracy are strained, the responsibility shifts to civil society to foster resilience and peace.

Two prominent voices in this space, Elizabeth Neumann and Rev. Adam Russell Taylor, recently convened to discuss these urgent themes. Neumann, a former Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism at the Department of Homeland Security and author of Kingdom of Rage, brings a national security perspective to the rise of domestic extremism. Taylor, President of Sojourners and author of A More Perfect Union, offers a theological framework for justice and the "Beloved Community." Their dialogue explores how leaders can navigate the currents of Christian nationalism, political violence, and the unfinished business of civil rights.

Key Takeaways

• The threat landscape has shifted: Since 2015, the primary driver of terrorist violence in the U.S. has transitioned from foreign religious extremism to domestic white supremacist and anti-government ideology.
• Faith communities are at a crossroads: While the church has historically been a driver for civil rights, recent trends show a regression in justice-oriented conversations and a rise in Christian nationalism.
• Patriotism requires nuance: A healthy democracy needs a form of patriotism that both reckons with historical sins and celebrates the nation’s foundational ideals.
• Leadership demands a "non-anxious presence": In times of systemic anxiety and "nihilist extremism," leaders must prioritize community grieving and emotional resilience to guide others effectively.

The Shift from Foreign to Domestic Threats

For two decades following the attacks on September 11, 2001, the American national security apparatus was primarily focused on combating foreign terrorism, specifically threats from groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS. However, a significant pivot occurred around 2015. Data from counterterrorism agencies began to show a marked rise in plots and attacks originating from within the United States, driven largely by white supremacist and anti-government ideologies.

Elizabeth Neumann, who served in the Department of Homeland Security during this pivot, highlights that this domestic threat is not solely ideological. While white supremacy remains a potent motivator, a new category has emerged: the "nihilist violent extremist." These are individuals who have lost hope, finding themselves in a state of despair where violence becomes a performative exit strategy rather than a means to a political end. This nihilism suggests that the root cause of modern violence is often a profound lack of belonging and community health.

"The burden is not on government. The burden is on us. The burden is on us to say, 'I want a healthier community, a community that disagrees peaceably... but I'm not going to dehumanize you or vilify you in our disagreements.' And if we could do that, we can reduce the amount of violence in our country."

Neumann argues that while the government has tools to intervene once a criminal threshold is crossed, it is ill-equipped to handle the "pre-criminal" space. The dehumanization and bullying that serve as precursors to violence happen in online forums, living rooms, and community gatherings. Therefore, the antidote to this violence lies in civil society—specifically in the refusal to tolerate dehumanizing rhetoric in daily interactions.

The Crisis and Potential Within the Church

Both Neumann and Taylor identify a disturbing trend within American Christianity: a retreat from social justice and an embrace, by some factions, of Christian nationalism. Taylor, whose faith journey was shaped by the legacy of the Civil Rights movement and the Black church, views the separation of personal faith from public justice as a "false binary."

The Regression of Justice Conversations

There was a moment of progress in the early 2000s and up to roughly 2015, where evangelical communities increasingly engaged with issues of racial justice, poverty, and global health (such as the PEPFAR initiative). However, data indicates a sharp decline in these conversations around 2018 and 2019. Neumann notes that political polarization effectively stifled these discussions, labeling biblical calls for justice as "liberal" or "Marxist," thereby shutting down moral inquiry within conservative spaces.

Confronting Christian Nationalism

The rise of Christian nationalism presents a theological and democratic crisis. This ideology, which fuses American identity with a specific brand of Christianity, often provides a sense of belonging to those feeling displaced by cultural shifts. However, it frequently relies on the dehumanization of political opponents and immigrants—behavior that stands in direct contradiction to the teachings of Jesus.

Taylor argues that the church is currently failing to be the "light" it is called to be. The imagery of the January 6th Capitol attack, where violent actions were paired with Christian symbols and prayer, served as a harrowing example of this dissonance. To counter this, Taylor advocates for discipling believers away from the idolatry of politics and back toward Christian virtues of kindness, truth-telling, and gentleness.

Redefining Patriotism and the Beloved Community

As the United States approaches its semiquincentennial (250th anniversary), there is an urgent need to articulate a moral vision that can compete with the narratives of division. Taylor suggests that the current political landscape is polarized between a Left that is often reticent to express patriotism and a Right that often refuses to reckon with the nation’s historical sins.

A healthier path forward involves a "redemptive patriotism." This approach acknowledges the ugly realities of the past while simultaneously celebrating the democratic ideals of liberty and justice. To defeat a harmful moral vision, one must offer a compelling, positive alternative. Taylor points to the concept of the Beloved Community, a framework popularized by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as that necessary alternative.

"Build an America where neither punishment nor privilege is tied to any parts of our identity and where everyone is equally respected and valued and where our growing diversity is seen as a strength and not a threat."

This definition bridges policy and aspiration. The removal of systemic punishment and privilege is a measurable policy goal, while the cultivation of mutual respect and the celebration of diversity are spiritual and cultural mandates. This vision shifts the focus from merely "winning" political battles to building a society where dignity is universal.

Leading Through Anxiety and Grief

Leadership in a time of deep division requires more than strategic acumen; it requires emotional and spiritual fortitude. Both Neumann and Taylor acknowledge the toll that constant advocacy and exposure to violence take on leaders. The traditional coping mechanisms often fail in the face of unprecedented societal fracturing.

The Necessity of Grief

A significant barrier to healing in Western society is the inability to process grief. The anger and rage prevalent in political discourse are often manifestations of "stunted grief"—the result of disappointments and losses that have not been properly mourned. Effective leaders must create spaces for community grieving, acknowledging losses rather than rushing to the next action item.

Being a Non-Anxious Presence

In an environment defined by anxiety, the most powerful leadership trait is the ability to remain a "non-anxious presence." This does not mean ignoring reality, but rather anchoring oneself in values that transcend the immediate chaos. For leaders in the public square, success may not always look like a legislative victory. Instead, success may be defined by maintaining one's humanity, fostering community connection, and refusing to succumb to the nihilism that fuels extremism.

Conclusion

The challenges facing American democracy are daunting, with violence and polarization threatening the fabric of the nation. Yet, the dialogue between Neumann and Taylor offers a path forward rooted in moral courage. The survival of the democratic experiment depends not on the government alone, but on the willingness of citizens to reject dehumanization and embrace a shared commitment to the common good.

By reclaiming a faith that bridges divides rather than deepens them, and by striving for a patriotism that is both honest and hopeful, communities can begin the hard work of healing. As the nation moves toward its 250th year, the call to build the Beloved Community remains the unfinished business of every generation.