Authoritarianism, xenophobia, Christian nationalism, and theological conservatism among Christian leaders in the United States, during COVID-19

Global emergencies, such as pandemics, have historically inflamed racism and xenophobia against minority groups. The COVID-19 pandemic is no exception, as it has been associated with an increase in xenophobia, racial conflict, and hate crimes targeting Asian Americans. While research has identified empirical predictors of xenophobia, including Christian nationalism, group threat, and intergroup attitudes, little research has explored these relationships longitudinally among religious leaders. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to examine direct and indirect pathways between theological conservatism, authoritarianism, xenophobia, and Christian nationalism in a national sample of seminary students preparing for religious leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. Statistical analyses revealed two significant mediation effects: (1) authoritarianism mediated the relationship between theological conservatism and Christian nationalism, and (2) authoritarianism also mediated the relationship between theological conservatism and xenophobia. These findings hold important implications not only for research but also for clinical and religious education contexts. They underscore the need for targeted interventions within religious education programs to address the potential for authoritarian and xenophobic attitudes among future religious leaders. By understanding these relationships, religious institutions can better equip their students to challenge racism and promote inclusivity in their future roles as community leaders.