The Cross and Conflict: How Do Christians Impact Protest Dynamics?

ABSTRACT This study examines the relationship between Christian actors, practices, and sacred sites in US protests and demonstrations, focusing on how political ideology shapes conflict outcomes. Using event‐level data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), the analysis explores 63,000 protest events from 2020 to 2024, disaggregating Christian‐related events by political alignment, location, and practices. Findings reveal that Christians in right‐leaning protest events, often tied to exclusionary nationalist claims and paramilitary groups, and what many conceive of as Christian Nationalist events, are strongly correlated with contentious outcomes and violence. In contrast, Christian participation in left‐leaning events, rooted in inclusive political agendas like racial justice and LGBTQ+ rights, is overwhelmingly peaceful. Religious practices and sacred sites are not inherently conflict‐prone; instead, political context determines their influence. The study underscores the need to disentangle religion from political frameworks to understand its nuanced role in conflict and peace.