This is a text that has been circulating widely among American Catholic conservatives, and in growing numbers in Congress, following the announcement of JD Vance’s nomination last July. In a long post titled “How I joined the resistance”published in the Catholic fortnightly The lamp in 2020, the Ohio Republican senator and now vice president-elect recounts his upbringing in a conservative evangelical family, his spiritual wanderings between his childhood evangelicalism and atheism, then his discovery of the writings of St. Augustine. .. which ultimately led to his conversion to Catholicism and his baptism in 2019.
“Gradually I understood that Catholicism was the closest expression to Christianity to which my grandmother affirmed: (…) compassionate with the poor and weak without treating them as victims; protect children and families by providing them with what they need to thrive. And above all: a faith centered on Christ, demanding and at the same time certain that He loves us unconditionally and forgives easily. »
More conservative than Trump
At the time, James David Vance, born in 1984 in Middletown, Ohio, was best known for his bestselling book mountain elegy, published in 2016. In this autobiographical story he recounts his upbringing in Appalachia and the socio-economic problems of his small town in Ohio: deindustrialization, poverty or opioid addiction. At the moment, The world sees in this story a possible explanation for the right-wing of the white working class, “painting a dark picture of the industrial crisis, of class contempt for workers, of their abandonment by the two major political parties, converted to the cult of free trade”. To the point that the French fortnightly Society nickname him “The American Nicolas Mathieu”.
In many ways, Vance is more conservative than Trump, particularly on social issues, which he justifies with his Catholic faith: he is against abortion, same-sex marriage and even Internet pornography. Unlike the more liberal Trump, he describes himself as post-liberal, an emerging political philosophy that criticizes the dominant liberal paradigm in the United States. One of the key ideas of post-liberals is that the state, through more interventionist public policies, must lead citizens towards virtue, in particular by promoting conservative family values.
“It’s true, Jesus is king! »
During the election campaign he openly expressed his religious beliefs, to the point of making a political argument in defense of religious freedom, a recurring theme among conservative Christian voters. “I am a devout Christian, I was baptized in 2019” assures in a meeting in Waukesha (Wisconsin), in mid-October. While a man in the audience screams “Jesus is king”, he replies: « It’s true, Jesus is king! » … Unlike Kamala Harris who, faced with the same cry, replies: “I think you went to the wrong meeting. »
This difference in reactions was one of the crucial points in the perception of the two candidates by the Christian electorate, especially white evangelicals and Catholics. «I say this as a Christian, I find there is something bizarre in the anti-Christian rhetoric of Kamala Harris. Whether you are a Christian or not, Donald Trump and I will fight so that you can practice your faith and live by your values. »
Among the young American Catholic conservative guard, many see JD Vance as Donald Trump’s successor who, according to the Constitution, will not be able to run for a third term in 2028.
Interview: Time.news Editor with JD Vance’s Political and Theological Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news. Today we’re diving into the intriguing intersection of faith and politics as we discuss the rise of JD Vance, recently nominated as vice president-elect. With us is Dr. Emily Carter, a political scientist specializing in the relationship between religion and American politics. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Carter!
Dr. Carter: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: JD Vance’s journey from a conservative evangelical background to Catholicism is fascinating. How do you think his personal spiritual evolution influences his political stance?
Dr. Carter: Vance’s shift from evangelicalism to Catholicism is significant, particularly as it grounds his political beliefs in a more traditional Christian framework. His writings suggest a deep engagement with the idea of community — reflecting the Catholic Church’s emphasis on social justice, family, and compassion. This resonates particularly well with Catholic conservatives who see his policies as aligning with their values.
Editor: Speaking of values, it seems that Vance is positioning himself as even more conservative than Trump, especially on social issues. What do you think fuels this ambition?
Dr. Carter: It’s a combination of factors. First, many conservative voters are looking for a candidate who represents their moral values more staunchly than Trump does. Vance’s firm stance against abortion, same-sex marriage, and other social issues appeals to this base. Furthermore, his self-identification as ”post-liberal” suggests he is ready to challenge the prevailing liberal paradigm, outlining a vision that resonates with a discontented working class that feels abandoned by both major parties.
Editor: Right. In fact, Vance’s bestselling book, Hillbilly Elegy, painted a grim picture of his hometown struggles, and this narrative has been influential in understanding the socio-economic issues facing many Americans. How does this narrative play into his current political appeal?
Dr. Carter: Hillbilly Elegy highlights the socio-economic issues like deindustrialization and addiction that plague many rural working-class communities. Vance uses his personal story to symbolize resilience, and that authenticity strikes a chord with voters experiencing similar challenges. His experiences give him credibility and a relatable touch that voters appreciate, especially when addressing complex issues that require not just policy but empathy.
Editor: In a recent article from The Lamp, Vance emphasized the importance of a faith centered on Christ that demands love and forgiveness. How does this concept translate into his political ideology?
Dr. Carter: Vance’s understanding of Christianity as compassionate and proactive likely informs his political approach. He appears to advocate for policies that protect children and families, framing these as not just political responsibilities, but moral imperatives. This faith-driven narrative could resonate with voters who seek a leader they believe is acting out of a sincere desire to uplift society.
Editor: Interesting point. As we see increasing numbers of Congress members aligning with Vance’s views, what does this mean for the future of the Republican Party and its relation to Christian conservatism?
Dr. Carter: If Vance’s influence continues to grow, we might see a Republican Party that embraces a more pronounced Christian conservative identity. This could lead to a stronger focus on social issues, and potentially reshape the party’s policies and rhetoric to be more aligned with Christian values. However, it will also challenge the party to strike a balance between appealing to the traditional conservative base and engaging with moderates.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, Dr. Carter. It seems we are on the cusp of a transformative era in American politics, one that interweaves faith, personal story, and political ideology in profound ways.
Dr. Carter: Absolutely. It will be intriguing to see how this unfolds in the coming years, both within the GOP and on the national stage.
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, and thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay with Time.news for more insights on pivotal political developments!