Lake of the Woods Democratic Club

Rev. Rick Clore, a retired Baptist minister from Orange, will speak to the LOW Democratic Club on October 9 about the rise of the doctrine of Christian Nationalism in American politics.

The meeting will take place on Thursday, October 9, in Classroom 2 of the LOW Community Center. The doors open at 1 p.m., and the program will begin at 1:30 p.m.

Clore is a former member of the Executive Committee of the Orange County Democratic Committee and a sponsor of the Youth Democratic Club at Orange County High School.

Christian Nationalism is a political ideology that fuses American or national identity with Christian identity, asserting the nation is or should be defined by Christian values and history. While appealing to a growing portion of the Christian community, its doctrines are often at odds with both Christian theology and the ideals of a free and independent democracy.

Christian Nationalism often seeks to impose Christian culture and values on government and society, sometimes promoting the idea of Christian rule or a distinct political privilege for adherents to the Christian faith. It often distorts love of country into a form of political idolatry, prioritizing national identity over ultimate spiritual allegiance. 

At its worst it can create a framework of “Christian supremacy,” which contrasts with the Christian call to love neighbors and oppose idols. 

The tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, an American right-wing political activist, entrepreneur, and media personality who was co-founder of the conservative activist organization Turning Point USA, appears to have stimulated interest in Christian Nationalism in the United States.

The Constitution of the United States, which has guided the nation through good times and bad for nearly 250 years, will be the subject of a presentation by an authority on America’s founding document at the club’s November 13 meeting.

Patrick Campbell, director of the Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution at Montpelier, will be the guest of the club at the 1 p.m. meeting in Classroom II of the Lake of the Woods’ Community Center.

Campbell was a U.S. Marine infantry officer and judge advocate for 21 years before retiring to teach Advanced Placement Comparative and U.S. Government courses, coaching and administration in independent schools. In 2017, he joined the staff at Montpelier, the Orange County home of James Madison, the primary author of the Constitution.

As director of the Center for the Constitution, Campbell is responsible for coordinating seminars for educators, law enforcement officers and international groups about Madison’s legacy.

Campbell has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Notre Dame, an LL.M. from the Judge Advocate General School, and Juris Doctor and Master of Education degrees from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

Campbell and his wife of over 30 years, Arlene, have two adult sons. Besides history, he spends his time fruit and vegetable gardening, recreational swimming, serving as a soccer referee and international travel.

The Montpelier Foundation established the Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution in 2002 with the purpose of providing seminars for educators on topics related to the U.S. Constitution. Among its other programs, the Center produces a podcast called “Consider the Constitution” hosted by Dr. Katie Crawford, which features interviews with constitutional scholars, policy and subject matter experts, heritage professionals, and legal practitioners.

The Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution at Montpelier

“Consider the Constitution” on Spotify on Apple Podcasts