This is quite surprising.
After sparking considerable controversy, Heidi Przybyla, a reporter for Politico, has issued an apology for her remarks regarding Christians who subscribe to the concept of God-given rights, which she equated with “Christian nationalism.”
In an article published in Politico, Przybyla addressed the comments she made during an appearance on MSNBC’s “All in With Chris Hayes” the previous week. During the cable news segment, she asserted that Christian nationalists believe that rights, as Americans and as humans, do not originate from any earthly authority but rather from God. She criticized this perspective, stating that it allows individuals, primarily men, to interpret God’s will to justify their actions.
Przybyla also discussed the notion of natural law, which she described as a fundamental aspect of Catholicism, acknowledging its positive role in social justice movements such as the fight for racial equality and civil rights. However, she expressed concern over what she termed as an “extremist element” among conservative Christians who apply this concept selectively to issues such as abortion and gay marriage, citing a recent ruling in Alabama regarding the legal status of embryos created through in-vitro fertilization.
In response to the backlash against her remarks, Przybyla clarified that her intention was to distinguish between mainstream Christians and a subset advocating for Christian nationalism. She acknowledged that her words may have been misinterpreted and expressed regret for any confusion they caused, emphasizing the importance of precision in conveying meaning as a journalist.
Furthermore, Przybyla highlighted the alignment of her views with those of the nation’s founders, referencing the Declaration of Independence’s assertion that individuals are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.
Critics, including Bishop Robert Barron of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona-Rochester, condemned Przybyla’s comments, warning against the danger of forgetting that rights derive from God rather than government, which could lead to totalitarianism.
The controversy surrounding Przybyla’s remarks coincided with increased attention to the term “Christian nationalism” in American politics, exemplified by the release of Rob Reiner’s documentary “God and Country.” This documentary defines Christian nationalism as the belief that America was founded as a Christian nation and advocates for laws based on biblical principles, a notion it portrays as distorting both the constitutional republic and Christianity itself.
In a separate interview, Christian Post Executive Editor Dr. Richard Land criticized the growing use of the term “Christian nationalism” as a tactic to discredit patriotic beliefs and promote a negative narrative about America. He rejected attempts to associate Christian nationalism with racism or prejudice, arguing that such labeling unfairly maligns individuals who believe in America’s unique role in the world as Christian nationalists.