Sneak Preview: My First Public Conversation About My Forthcoming Book BACKSLIDE

The new release *Backslide: Reclaiming a Faith and a Nation After the Christian Turn Against Democracy* arrives as the United States confronts a surge of white Christian nationalism. Robert P. Jones notes that a majority of Republicans now endorse a Christian‑nation agenda, eroding the constitutional separation of church and state. Bright Line Watch data shows the democracy score falling from 67 to 54 within a year of the Trump administration, while the Varieties of Democracy project says the loss equals rolling back six decades of civil‑rights progress. The book frames these trends as a direct threat to faith and governance.

Jones argues that the movement weaponizes the Bible, demonizes empathy, and replaces traditional Christian love with hierarchical, patriarchal control. He draws parallels to Southern Baptist rhetoric that once justified slavery and to Nazi Germany’s suppression of compassion, noting that leaders like Al Mohler now label empathy a toxic emotion. By weaving personal memoir with scholarly data, *Backslide* shows how the erosion of compassion fuels policies such as aggressive ICE detentions and the construction of concentration‑camp‑style facilities. The author calls on white evangelical Christians to confront this distortion, offering examples of progressive pastors who model a faith rooted in justice and mercy.

For business leaders, understanding the fusion of extremist theology and anti‑democratic policy is a risk‑management imperative. The book’s evidence that white Christian nationalism can reshape immigration law, labor regulations, and corporate ESG expectations signals potential regulatory volatility. *Backslide*—available for pre‑order now and slated for release on September 8—offers a roadmap for executives seeking to align corporate values with genuine religious liberty and democratic norms. By supporting the book through independent retailers such as Bookshop.org or the author’s own shop, professionals can stay informed while reinforcing a marketplace that resists authoritarian cultural shifts.