Why I Identify as a Civic Nationalist: Faith, Family, and the Foundation of Shared Values

The easiest way to explain why I found myself identifying as a civic nationalist is actually through something deeply personal: my faith.

Years ago, I was at a local business gathering when I struck up a conversation with someone. They asked a simple yet profound question:"If all Christians believe in Jesus, then why are there so many denominations?"

That question caught me off guard. But the answer—or at least my best attempt at one—came quickly.

I told them that the church is a lot like a family. In every family, there are shared beliefs and core values that form the foundation of love and unity. But at the same time, each family member is unique, with their own perspectives and preferences. I know this firsthand—I'm one of six siblings. While we tend to agree on the foundational things, the details can vary quite a bit.

And while I'd love to say that my perspective is always the right one (and that the other five should just get on board), the truth is, that’s rarely how it works. What matters most is that the foundation remains the same, even if what is built on top of it differs. That’s okay. In fact, it’s good.

The same can be said for the church, and why there are so many denominations. There's a shared foundation in faith, but different ways of expressing and organizing that faith. And that’s perfectly okay.

In my own family, we represent a wide range of denominations—Southern Baptist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Nondenominational, Evangelical, Anglican (which is where I find myself)—and more. That kind of diversity of belief within a shared faith isn’t something to fear; it’s something to embrace.

Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and God made it clear that we are all created in His image. Because of this, every person is an image-bearer of Christ—worthy of respect, dignity, and love. This truth gives us even more reason to extend kindness and understanding beyond labels or political affiliations.

It was that very realization—that diversity can coexist with unity—that ultimately led me to civic nationalism.

What Is Civic Nationalism?

Civic nationalism is rooted in a political identity based not on culture or ethnicity, but on shared citizenship and values. A civic nation defines itself by its political institutions and liberal democratic principles—freedom, justice, equality under the law—and asks its citizens to uphold those values.

In a civic nation—whether it’s our great country or our home state of Arkansas—membership is open to all, regardless of background. What unites us is not where we come from or what traditions we practice, but what we believe in as citizens: our commitment to the shared foundation of the republic.

Just like the church has many denominations but one faith, a civic nation can have many viewpoints but one foundation of civic values. And that’s a beautiful thing.

Civic nationalism asks us to see one another not by the letter behind a name or the label we carry, but as fellow citizens and image-bearers of both our state and our nation. It reminds us that our shared humanity and commitment to common principles should unite us above all else.

Why It Matters

We live in a time where it’s easy to fall into the trap of tribalism—of thinking our group has all the answers. But true unity doesn’t mean uniformity. It means shared principles with space for diverse voices. That’s what my faith taught me. That’s what my family modeled. And that’s what civic nationalism offers our country—and Arkansas.

It’s not about demanding that everyone look, think, or worship the same. It’s about recognizing the common ground that allows us to live, work, and build something meaningful together—right here in Arkansas, and across this nation we all call home.

And that’s why I’m proud to call myself a civic nationalist.

Joshua Irby

State Senate – District 16

Paid for by Joshua Irby