One identity, two flags: Christian nationalists, the Israeli flag and national authenticity

Abstract

Although we commonly associate a national identity with one flag—its own—some nationalists express their identities with two. In recent years Christian nationalists in the United States and South Korea have been flying the Israeli flag alongside their own. We posit that their symbolic agendas are focused more on domestic issues than foreign policy. Christian nationalists endeavor to overturn the official variants of their respective national identities which embrace pluralism and secularism. They signal their authentic nation by flying the Israeli flag alongside their own in order to convey biblicality. By symbolically setting themselves apart from their non-pious compatriots these nationalists are promoting an alternative, multi-tiered national identity which situates religious Christians at the top and all others underneath.