Welcome to Moscow, Idaho — and the 'Extremely American' fight over Christian nationalism

In Moscow, Idaho, there is a pitched battle for the soul of the community – and it’s all wrapped up in a battle for the souls of the community. It pits residents who like the quiet college town’s all-are-welcome vibe – with its visible pride flags and Black Lives Matters signs – with a church that abhors those things.

A fundamentalist congregation called Christ Church wants to make Moscow an explicitly Christian city, governed by Biblical principles. To accomplish this, they and their...