Star-Spangled Jesus - by April Ajoy

Book Synopsis

An updated edition of the hilarious and eye-opening account of leaving Christian Nationalism behind to follow Jesus better.

April Ajoy wouldn't have called herself a Christian Nationalist when she performed her original song "America Say Jesus" on the Jim Bakker show, or when she participated in Jesus Marches across America, or when she posted cringe-worthy videos on YouTube to campaign for Mitt Romney. April just considered herself a good Christian: faithful, Republican, and determined to make America a Christian nation once again.

But as her view of the world widened, Ajoy began to see cracks in her steadfast beliefs and recognized the ways her conservative politics and religion were intertwined in her mind. Did God really bless America? Is it actually by His red, white, and blue stripes that we are healed?

Ajoy, content creator and podcast host, shares funny stories from her time deep within Christian nationalism, exploring how aspects of evangelical culture such as product boycotts, Satanic panic, and end-times theology have all been exploited to advance the Christian Nationalist narrative. She also illuminates the ways nationalist thinking has infiltrated our churches and political arenas, shaping not only modern evangelical culture but also American public policy and international relations.

Part memoir, part guidebook, part call to action, Star-Spangled Jesus explores how the fight to make America a "Christian nation" has damaged us all and shows how one woman left Christian Nationalism and why America should too.

Review Quotes

"Star-Spangled Jesus is the Rosetta Stone for understanding white Christian nationalism. Behind all the stats and the polling are the people who subscribe to this ideology, and few will even come close to April Ajoy's firsthand experience in the movement.... Star-Spangled Jesus will help you understand white Christian nationalism's hold on so many people and the danger it poses to democracy and the church."
--Jemar Tisby, PhD, Professor of History at Simmons College of Kentucky, New York Times bestselling author of The Color of Compromise and The Spirit of Justice

"Ajoy is by turns knowing, salty, and funny. She holds grace for Christians yet to detach from nationalism, but there is no love lost for the weird conflation of Christianity and conservative politics that she left. A timely, insightful book for understanding this cultural movement."

--Booklist

"A courageous call to reimagine faith. With defiant joy and her characteristic humor, April Ajoy offers us all an invitation to stubbornly refuse to let the patriotic pastors and prosperity preachers steal our faith...For many people, rejecting the star-spangled Jesus is not the end of faith -- it is a new beginning."
--Shane Claiborne, author, activist and founder of Red Letter Christians

"Ajoy debuts with a witty account of her departure from the toxic Christian nationalism in which she was raised... an approachable insider's look at a controversial movement."--Publishers Weekly

"An insightful and hilarious journey out of Christian nationalism... both timely and timeless, challenging readers to rethink beliefs while providing plenty of laughs along the way. This is the guidebook for finding a faith that's true to its roots and open to the future."--Mary Katherine Backstrom, author of Holy Hot Mess

"April shares her story using wit and humor...you'll hear what only someone who lived through it can share and why it's so important for Christians to rise up and resist Christian Nationalism."
--Tim Whitaker, Founder of The New Evangelicals

"If you only have time to read one book on the state of American Christianity this year, it should be Star-Spangled Jesus."
--Jonathan Merritt, critically-acclaimed author and columnist

"This book is not preaching to the choir... it is the breadcrumbs to help lead millions out of the forest of lies they were taught from inception... how we were all groomed to become warriors for the kingdom, not citizens of this world. My only hope ... is that we can get enough copies into the hands of those who need this salvation."
--Father Nathan Monk, Author

"Who knew Christian Nationalism could be so funny?! This was exactly the kind of transparent, hysterical storytelling that I needed to make me start believing again."
--Tyler Merritt, Author of I Take My Coffee Black

About the Author

April Ajoy is a content creator and podcast host who uses humor to shine light on harmful, toxic, and sometimes just weird traits of American Evangelicalism. After growing up an evangelist's kid entrenched in Christian Nationalism and working in conservative Christian media, she saw the harm caused firsthand. Still a Christian, she uses her platform to expose the dangers of Christian Nationalism while promoting a more inclusive faith. April has been featured on Buzzfeed, CNN, Newsweek and more. She's been married to Beecher for over ten years and they have two daughters together.