Critics have accused Donald Trump of pushing a “Christian nationalist agenda” in the US that is “detrimental to democracy”, after a report by a religious advisory body he created called for stronger ties between church and state.
The Religious Liberty Commission – made up mostly of conservative Christians – released the draft report on the history and state of religious liberty late last week. It advocates for a stronger role for religion and religious expression across government, schools and the public sphere.
“Far too often in our national life, religion is treated not as a protected and valued contribution to public life, but as a problem or annoyance to be managed, restricted, or sidelined,” the report said.
Shorts
The commission’s chairman, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, said in April that the concept of the state and the church being separate is the “biggest lie that’s been told in America since our founding”.
