Full list of authors and credentials is listed below.

We write with deep consternation regarding “Revolutionary Pulpits: The Last Hope of A Dying Republic,” an event held on Oct. 10 in Concord that featured Reverend William Cook who promotes Christian Nationalism. As faith leaders and community members committed to the flourishing of all people, we believe that gatherings rooted in exclusionary ideologies pose a threat not only to our democratic values but to the fabric of the diverse communities we serve.

Christian Nationalism distorts the sacred call of faith, turning it from a beacon of hope, inclusion, and service into a tool for division and control.

Our democracy, much like our faith, is strongest when it invites all people to participate fully, to contribute their gifts, and to live in dignity. It is incumbent upon us, as stewards of a faithful witness, to ensure that our public discourse remains one of grace, truth, and mutual respect. Additionally, the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

In contrast, the Christian Nationalist movement seeks to undermine these values by conflating religious authority with political power, narrowing the scope of who is deemed worthy of participation in both faith and democracy. We reject this approach as antithetical to the teachings of all faith traditions, which call us to serve one another humbly, justly, and with open hearts.

Our concern is not just for the immediate harm these ideologies inflict upon marginalized communities, but for the broader erosion of trust and unity in New Hampshire. History has shown that when faith is wielded as a weapon, it fosters fear and division, undermining the very bonds that hold our society together.

We affirm that there is another way. A way that builds bridges, listens with compassion, calls for justice and lifts up the dignity of every person. We seek a world where faith is a source of inspiration to live out the values of mercy, peace, and justice, not a vehicle for exclusion or control.

In response to this organized effort to spread disinformation, we encourage our community to reflect deeply on the call to action we have as people of faith and conscience. Let’s work together to uphold a vision of democracy that is open to all, grounded in mutual respect and shared responsibility.

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We look forward to the important conversations that this moment invites and the strength to stand together for a New Hampshire that reflects our highest ideals.

Authors of this My Turn include Lisa Beaudoin, Interim Executive Director, NH Council of Churches; James McKim, President, Manchester NAACP; Rabbi Robin Nafshi, Temple Beth Jacob, Concord; Zandra Rice Hawkins, Granite State Progress; Martin Tow, Clergy Organizer, Granite State Organizing Project; Linds Jakows, Director, 603 Equality; Louise Spencer, co-founder, Kent Street Coalition.