**Concerns Grow Over Conservative Christian Influence in Politics**

Opponents of former President Donald Trump worry that he might prioritize conservative Christianity and blur the boundaries limiting religious influence in public life. Rachel Laser, president of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, emphasized the significance of the upcoming election, expressing that the stakes are extremely high. For nearly a decade, right-wing Christian influence has been on the rise, especially during Trump's tenure. His 2016 campaign promise that "Christianity will have power" and symbolic actions, such as brandishing a Bible after federal agents dispersed racial justice protesters, have exemplified this fusion of religion and government.

Trump's administration and the Supreme Court have reflected the belief that American governance should align with a Christian worldview. This influence has been evident in various areas, such as the fall of Roe v. Wade, opposition to transgender rights, and movements against critical race theory. Even with a Democrat in the White House, conservative Christian power has strengthened in Republican-dominated states. For instance, the Alabama Supreme Court chief justice cited God in a ruling that classified frozen embryos as children, while Oklahoma mandated Bible teachings in public schools.

Nationally, the idea of elevating Christian teachings above government holds a minority view. A Pew Research Center study found that 15 percent of Americans believe the government should stop enforcing the separation of church and state, while 28 percent think the Bible should take precedence if it conflicts with the people's will. Despite this, the movement has faced resistance, particularly in the 2022 midterms, where many candidates advocating the end of church-state separation were defeated. The repeal of Roe also sparked backlash, even in conservative states.

Liberal evangelicals, Catholics, and interfaith groups are rallying around Ms. Harris in key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Arizona. Their campaign efforts include ads highlighting women's trauma from sexual abuse within churches and their pregnancy experiences post-Roe. Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal Church, who recently retired, noted the alarming rise of Christian Nationalism, likening it to historical uses of Christian ideology to justify subjugation.

The upcoming election serves as a test of the liberal coalition's ability to weaken Trump’s firm support among conservative Christians. Republican Christian strategists are amplifying a unified message across their networks, encouraging evangelicals and Catholics to vote, positing that increased voter turnout among them would benefit Republicans.

Jason Rapert, president of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers, criticizes the Democratic Party for supporting policies contrary to biblical teachings. Rapert's group aims to embed Christian values in legislation, such as granting embryos constitutional rights. Kelly Shackelford of the First Liberty Institute, another attendee of Trump's pastor event, looks forward to furthering conservative legal successes.

Regardless of the election outcome, conservative Christian values are likely to remain influential across the country. In states like Alabama, Bible citations often accompany legislation that limits voting, LGBTQ, and women's rights. JaTaune Bosby Gilchrist from the ACLU of Alabama cautions that shifting the nation to value the Constitution fully may take decades.