Straight White American Jesus

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In this third episode of NARWATCH, Brad sits down with Matt Taylor to discuss the increasingly concerning influence of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) as the 2024 election approaches. They delve into the dangerous concept of tribunals being used as para-government forces by NAR leaders and its troubling traction among militias. The conversation also explores how NAR has become a significant accelerationist force on the American right, paralleling radical far-right militias, and examines the potential electoral outcomes and their implications for the U.S. government structure and societal stability. The episode concludes with a preview of Matt Taylor’s upcoming essay, 'The Colonized God,' addressing the distortions of Christian nationalism. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad and Dan dive deep into the controversial Project 2025, which involves figures like Donald Trump distancing himself from its details despite many from his camp being involved in its formation. The conversation moves to the recent National Conservatism conference (NatCon), addressing key speeches by Al Mohler and Senator Josh Hawley, both promoting Christian nationalism. They critique the theological and historical inaccuracies in Hawley's references to St. Augustine and the Puritans. The episode rounds out with a detailed analysis of a stunning political result in France, where the left-wing coalition successfully opposed the far-right, offering a hopeful parallel for similar movements in the U.S. going forward. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ What is the idea that the Bible is “inerrant,” that it is without error of any kind, is not a central Christian affirmation? What if it’s actually bad theology, contradicting other core commitments that orthodox Christians hold? What if inerrancy turns the Bible into a tool for high-control American Christianity, detracting from what Christians actually say is the cornerstone of their faith? In this episode, Dan looks at an “immanent critique” of the doctrine of inerrancy, showing why it’s a bad doctrine from within the theological framework of the very Christians who affirm it. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad discusses the alarming rise of white Christian replacement fears and Christian nationalism in Texas. The episode highlights a meme retweeted by the True Texas project, which endorses great replacement theory and Christian nationalism. The podcast features an in-depth conversation with Robert Downen from the Texas Tribune about the True Texas Project's controversial conference, Texas' new school curriculums integrating biblical stories, and the legal battle over Annunciation House, a Catholic charity aiding refugees. They delve into the far-right movements aiming to resist demographic changes perceived as threats to white Christian dominance. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of 'Straight White American Jesus Weekly Roundup,' host Brad Onishi discusses the significance of the recent SCOTUS ruling on presidential immunity and its implications for American democracy. Brad explains the connections to Christian nationalist movements and the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, which seeks to reshape the executive branch under a potential Trump presidency. Co-host Dan Miller shares insights on the ruling's legal complexities and its longer-term implications. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage in activism ahead of the 2024 election. Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 00:00 Introduction and Special Offer 00:47 Political Commentary and Encouragement 01:32 Discussion on Military Actions Against Protesters 01:59 Heritage Foundation and Trump's Actions 02:43 SCOTUS Ruling and Its Implications 03:34 Personal Reflections and SCOTUS Analysis 05:55 Justice Sotomayor's Dissent 08:20 Implications of Presidential Immunity 10:54 Historical Context and Legal Precedents 19:03 Final Thoughts and Call to Action 32:50 Understanding Presidential Immunity 34:21 Implications of the SCOTUS Ruling 38:01 Long-Term Effects and Ambiguities 41:45 The Politicized Supreme Court 47:52 Christian Nationalism and the Heritage Foundation 59:15 Historical Parallels and Future Concerns 01:03:58 Reasons for Hope and Call to Action Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ What exactly does it mean when someone levels an accusation that an individual, or a church, or even a whole denomination, affirms “bad theology”? Is it intended to start a conversation? To correct that theology? To bring something into view that might not otherwise be apparent? Is it just a tool of high-control religious environments? In this episode, Dan takes a look at this idea and argues that it can be any and all of these, with very different aims and effects. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad interviews Anne Nelson, author of the Shadow Network, about the modern intersection of religious movements and political campaigns in the U.S. They discuss the 'Courage Tour,' led by Lance Wallnau and Charlie Kirk, which aims to mobilize votes for Donald Trump through religious fervor and political organizing. The conversation traces the historical roots of such campaigns back to Jerry Falwell’s I Love America rallies in the 1970s and explores the sophisticated strategies and technologies now employed. Anne also highlights the role of the Council for National Policy and the targeting of swing states and diverse demographics to influence the 2024 election. Read Anne Nelson: https://washingtonspectator.org/michigan/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 00:00 The Rise of Jerry Falwell and the Religious Right 00:51 The Courage Tour: A Modern Political-Religious Movement 01:19 Interview with Anne Nelson: Insights on the Courage Tour 02:51 The Mechanics of the Courage Tour 08:09 The Role of Pentecostalism and Political Strategy 13:15 Council for National Policy: Historical Context and Influence 21:14 Targeting New Demographics: Black Voters and Suburban Women 26:14 Digital Campaign Tools and the As One App 28:38 Conclusion and Reflections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ We're discussomg the fallout from Thursday's presidential debate, highlighting President Biden's poor performance and its potential impact on his campaign. We also cover significant Supreme Court decisions related to abortion access and gun rights for domestic abusers. Additionally, the episode touches on Oklahoma's controversial move to make Bible teaching compulsory in schools and the importance of staying informed and engaged as crucial political and legal battles unfold. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ “Why so angry?” That’s the question many people have when confronted by Christian and social conservatives who have different views on politics, religion, or policy than they do. We understand the differences. We understand that in a large, complex society there are bound to be significant differences. We understand that those differences can stir powerful emotions. But the vitriol those conservatives aim at their political and social opponents still feels like it’s out of all proportion to the issues at hand and the task of living together. In this episode, Dan reflects on this question, arguing that conservative Christian theology effectively demands that they demonize their opponents to justify what they view as God’s commands for society. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get full access to this episode, bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In this month's bonus episode, Brad and Dan discuss the impact of June's personal happenings and analyze Pew data on religion, gender, and politics. The hosts examine trends in young men veering right, potential influences of Russ Vought in a Trump administration, and the implications of Project 2025. They examine a narrative on societal shifts in LGBTQ acceptance during the 2010s and the contemporary backlash against gender norms, connected through new Pew research. The episode also features reflections on the moral grounding of non-religious Americans and the enduring presence of Christian nationalist beliefs among Biden voters. Finally, Brad teases a humorous story about Election Day 2008. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:23 Family Matters and Episode Overview 01:02 Pew Data on Religion, Gender, and Masculinity 02:23 Teaching Anecdote and Changing Social Norms 05:07 Discussion on Morality and Social Influence 08:59 Pew Data on Gender Issues Among Young Men 11:09 Humorous Interlude: Home Alone and Aging 13:54 Back to Pew Data: Gender Norms and Voting Patterns 31:12 Religion's Role in Public Life 34:46 Conclusion and Subscriber Information Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get full access to this episode, bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad discusses with author Mark Green about his new book, 'The Inflection Election: Democracy or Fascism in 2024'. They explore the critical choice facing the U.S. in the upcoming election, with paths leading either towards continued democratic freedom or increased authoritarianism under Donald Trump's influence. The conversation highlights Representative Jamie Raskin's forward in Green's book, emphasizing the stark differences between defending democratic principles and the potential rise of a fascist regime. They also touch on issues of violence and corruption within the political landscape, the role of Trump’s rhetoric, and the impact of fascist ideologies in certain American communities. Buy the Inflection Election: https://www.powells.com/book/the-inflection-election-9781510780835 00:00 Introduction: The Crossroads of Democracy 00:58 Guest Introduction: Mark Green 03:24 Historical Context: Inflection Elections 04:09 Trump's Authoritarian Threat 06:53 Hypothetical Future Under Trump 16:56 Violence and Corruption in Politics 30:41 Hope and Action: The Path Forward Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get full access to this episode, bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad Onishi and Dan Miller delve into several critical issues in this week's Straight White American Jesus Weekly Roundup. They start with a vigorous discussion on the constitutionality of Louisiana's new law mandating the Ten Commandments in classrooms, highlighting the religious and historical contradictions in the proponents' arguments. They move on to address the disturbing allegations against Robert Morris, former pastor of Gateway Church, scrutinizing the broader systemic issues within Christian evangelical circles. Finally, they examine recent incendiary comments by Steve Bannon and Roger Stone, exposing plans for revenge and grievance should Trump secure a second term. The episode concludes by reflecting on the broader implications of these events on the American socio-political landscape. On the SBC with Robert Downen: https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/special-episode-the-southern-baptist-conventions-apocalypse-with-robert-downen/ 00:00 Founding Fathers and Secularism 00:39 The Debate on 'In God We Trust' 01:00 Introduction to House Bill 71 01:40 Historical vs. Moral Significance of the Ten Commandments 01:50 Christian Nationalism and Legal Contradictions 02:31 Robert Morris Scandal 02:47 Steve Bannon and Roger Stone's Vision for a Second Trump Term 03:00 Introduction and Casual Banter 04:25 Louisiana's Ten Commandments Law 06:34 Legal and Theological Implications 11:05 Evangelical Perspectives on the Ten Commandments 23:46 Symbolism and Authority of the Ten Commandments 26:56 Historical Injustices in Plain View 27:30 Robert Morris and Gateway Church Scandal 31:48 The Rot of Patriarchy in Religious Culture 35:36 Political Hypocrisy and Abuse in Evangelical Circles 45:47 Roger Stone's Chilling Election Strategy 48:17 Steve Bannon's Call for Retribution 53:38 Reasons for Hope Amidst Political Turmoil Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ “Where the Bible speaks, we speak.” Maybe this phrase is coming from your pastor, maybe it’s coming from Uncle Ron at the family cookout, maybe it’s coming from a Christian friend or coworker. No matter who is saying this to you, it almost certainly communicates their defense of the their religious and social views on the grounds that they have their origins in the Bible. But is this always the case? Is this how Christian identity actually takes shape? In this episode, Dan argues that it’s not, and looks at what this claim to “speak where the Bible speaks” is really doing. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brad and Matt Taylor discuss recent flag controversies and the dishonest ways leaders have dismissed the Appeal to Heaven symbol as innocuous. They explore the historical and political influence of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) in U.S. presidential elections since 2000, detailing their involvement in George W. Bush's and Donald Trump's campaigns. The conversation shifts to the current strategies of the NAR and its coordination with Turning Point USA and Charlie Kirk in swing states for the 2024 election, particularly targeting Latino and African American communities. The episode emphasizes the growing political impact of the NAR and the urgency for broader awareness and media coverage. Buy Matthew Taylor's book, The Violent Take It By Force: https://icjs.org/the-violent-take-it-by-force/ Spiritual Warriors NAR Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ev0P92-fqs Charismatic Revival Fury: https://icjs.org/charismatic-revival-fury/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get full access to this episode, bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad Onishi converses with Dr. Scott Coley, author of 'Ministers of Propaganda: Truth, Power, and the Ideology of the Religious Right.' Coley discusses the concepts of ideology, propaganda, and legitimizing narratives within conservative evangelical communities. They explore how these elements create and maintain social hierarchies, such as those based on race and gender, and the role of 'Christo authoritarianism.' Coley emphasizes how religious resources are used to justify and perpetuate these hierarchies. The episode also addresses how questioning or resisting these beliefs is often suppressed within these communities. Buy Ministers of Propaganda: https://www.eerdmans.com/9781467466004/ministers-of-propaganda/ 00:00 Introduction to Civil Rights Movement and Passive Resistance 00:51 Critique of Civil Rights Movement's Approach 01:43 Introducing Dr. Scott Coley and His Book 03:53 Understanding Ideology and Propaganda 07:48 Legitimizing Narratives and Social Hierarchies 17:26 Christo Authoritarianism and the Hermeneutics of Legitimization 25:03 Explicit and Implicit White Supremacy in Evangelicalism 35:08 Gender Hierarchies and Patriarchy in Evangelicalism 39:06 Conclusion and Premium Content Information Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get full access to this episode, bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad Onishi and Dan Miller examine the shocking comments by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito caught on tape and contrast them with Chief Justice John Roberts' more measured approach. The hosts also delve into the Southern Baptist Convention's recent resolution condemning in vitro fertilization (IVF) and its implications for reproductive rights and the 2024 elections. Lastly, they discuss Georgia as a testing ground for voter suppression tactics designed to benefit Trump and the GOP in upcoming elections. 00:00 Introduction: The Challenge of Polarization 01:19 Supreme Court Controversies: Alito's Shocking Comments 01:55 Analyzing Alito and Roberts: Trust in the Supreme Court 02:04 Southern Baptist Convention and Reproductive Rights 02:22 Georgia's Voter Suppression Tactics 02:55 Meet the Hosts: Brad and Dan 04:43 Supreme Court Justices Undercover: Alito and Roberts 30:48 Reflecting on Political Discourse and Integrity 31:11 Supreme Court Controversies: Then and Now 34:34 Southern Baptist Convention's Stance on IVF 38:24 Political Implications of the SBC's IVF Resolution 50:00 Georgia: The MAGA Movement's Testing Ground 51:06 Election Integrity and Voter Suppression Tactics 59:32 Hope Amidst Political Turmoil 01:01:01 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ If you’ve encountered today’s right-wing culture warriors, you have heard them lambast efforts at LGBTQ+ inclusion, police reform, combatting climate change, and myriad other issues as reflecting the “spirit of the age.” But what do they mean by this? Where does this phrase come from? Is it specifically Christian, or does it have broader meanings? And most importantly, once we decode this phrase, what do we find people doing with it? Dan tackles these questions in this week’s episode. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get full access to this episode, bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad Onishi discusses with Eric Klinenberg the long-lasting social and political effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, framing it as a form of 'social long COVID.' The conversation highlights how the events of 2020 intensified distrust in government and deepened societal divisions, setting the stage for challenges in the 2024 elections. They also explore the symbolic role of face masks in these divisions and the impact of local mutual aid networks. Looking ahead, they assess how unresolved issues from 2020 continue to influence American civic life and political attitudes. 00:00 Introduction: The Lingering Effects of 2020 01:25 The Social Disease of Long COVID 02:04 Reflecting on the Pandemic's Impact 02:12 Interview with Eric Kleinberg 04:07 The Symbolism of Masks 07:49 America's Unique Pandemic Response 25:38 Mutual Aid Networks and Community Resilience 31:49 The Structural Isolation Crisis 36:25 Looking Ahead to the 2024 Election 43:31 Conclusion: The Future of American Democracy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get full access to this episode, bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad and Dan discuss the harsh rhetoric from the American right in response to Trump's recent conviction on 34 felonies, including calls for retribution against Democrats. They explore the significant ethical issues surrounding Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. The episode also covers Texas' proposed public school curriculum changes that push a Christian-centric education, and reactions from a Mexican American family's departure from Idaho due to feeling unwelcome. The hosts emphasize the dangers of the current conservative landscape and its implications for American politics and education. 00:00 Introduction: Should Democrats Be in Jail? 00:26 Reactions to Trump's Conviction 01:04 Exploring the Supreme Court Fallout 02:09 Texas School Curriculum Controversy 02:33 Weekly Roundup and Personal Updates 04:04 Discussion on Trump's Verdict and Political Reactions 18:30 Clarence Thomas and Supreme Court Ethics 29:26 Frustration with Institutional Norms 30:08 Texas School Curriculum Controversy 31:54 Religious Influence in Education 38:46 Parental Concerns and Ignorance 46:01 Texas GOP Convention Highlights 53:25 Mexican American Family's Idaho Experience 59:46 Concluding Thoughts and Reasons for Hope Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brad speaks with journalist and scholar Philip Deslippe about the origins of yoga in the United States as a response to the precarity of South Asian lives in 20th century America. "A century ago, students of yoga in the United States, like many practitioners today, believed that they were engaging in something pure, ancient, and Indian. In reality, the yoga they were doing was a bricolage of the metaphysical and mundane presented to them in an exotic, Orientalized package by largely educated and worldly immigrants from India. These teachers were themselves responding and adapting to a nativist and racist climate. Yoga in the United States during the interwar decades is one of many examples of how Asian religions in the United States cannot be fully understood outside the context of Asian American history." This episode is part of a new series by Axis Mundi Media and APARRI called APA Religions 101. Subscribe here: https://feeds.redcircle.com/581b8afe-eda8-45df-997d-3b22e5b57c64 Learn more about APARRI. APARRI’s vision is to create a society in which Asian Pacific American religions are valued, recognized, and central to the understanding of American public life. Since 1999, The Asian Pacific American Religions Research Initiative (APARRI) has been a vibrant scholarly community advancing the interdisciplinary study of Asian Pacific Americans and their religions. Producer: Dr. Bradley Onishi: @bradleyonishi Audio Engineer and Musician: Scott Okamoto: @rsokamoto For more information about research-based media by Axis Mundi Media visit: www.axismundi.us Funding for this series has been generously provided by the Henry Luce Foundation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get full access to this episode, bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Mike Hixenbaugh is a Pulitzer finalist, Peabody award winner, and the author of They Came for the Schools: One Town's Fight Over Race and Identity, and the New War for America's Classrooms. In the book, Hixenbaugh delivers an immersive and eye-opening story of Southlake, Texas, a district that seemed to offer everything parents would want for their children—small classes, dedicated teachers, financial resources, a track record of academic success, and school spirit in abundance. All this, until a series of racist incidents became public, a plan to promote inclusiveness was proposed in response—and a coordinated, well-funded conservative backlash erupted, lighting the fire of a national movement on the verge of changing the face of public schools across the country. They Came for the Schools pulls back the curtain on the powerful forces driving this crusade to ban books, rewrite curricula, limit rights for minority and LGBTQ students—and, most importantly, to win what Hixenbaugh’s deeply informed reporting convinces is the holy grail among those seeking to impose biblical values on American society: school privatization, one school board and one legal battle at a time. Buy it here: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/they-came-for-the-schools-mike-hixenbaugh?variant=41284682088482 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get full access to this episode, bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Last night we learned that Donald Trump was convicted on all 34 accounts of falsifying business records. Brad and Dan ask what this means for the coming months, how it will affect the election, and why the GOP refuses to abandon a man who has been impeached twice, lost his re-election campaign, and now becomes the only former president convicted of a felony. Brad is joined by Dr. Hank Willenbrink at the end of the episode to talk about the roles, performances, and characters Trump and Trump supports play in order to create a self-enclosed MAGA ecosystem impervious even to the news that he is now a convicted criminal. Dr. Hank Willenbrink substack: https://performingforthedon.substack.com/ Book: https://www.routledge.com/Performing-for-the-Don-Theaters-of-Faith-in-the-Trump-Era/Willenbrink/p/book/9781032302898 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan had a family emergency this week, so instead of It's In the Code we have a special episode. In the first part, Brad speaks to Dr. Jeffery Stoyanoff and Dr. Brian Onishi about their new podcast Horror Joy - a deep dive into horror in hopes of finding joy lurking in the shadows. They talk about the allure of horror films and books, the ways horror provides a window into our contemporary hopes and fears, and why Jaws is actually reallly good f*cking movie. In the second part, Brad speaks to Dr. Susannah Crockford, creator of Miss Information. She explains the allure of conspiracy theories, what they do for people, and how we need to think differently about the misinformation problem. Subscribe to Horror Joy here: https://redcircle.com/shows/97996083-5fe9-41d5-824e-f069a412ed76 Subscribe to Miss Information here: https://redcircle.com/shows/21b4b512-ceef-4289-b9fc-76f302f5bd22 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Memorial Day, we are proud to introduce the newest limited series from the Institute for Religion, Media, and Civic Engagement and Axis Mundi Media. Miss Information is a podcast about how conspiracies and misinformation infiltrate wellness communities and religious spaces. Subscribe here: https://redcircle.com/shows/21b4b512-ceef-4289-b9fc-76f302f5bd22/episodes/3532f1b2-5f15-4302-82f6-8a281d676871 Misinformation is big news, but what does it mean and why does it matter? If misinformation is simply incorrect information, can it be solved simply by telling people the right answer? In this episode, we learn how misinformation can prevent people from voting if they think they aren’t eligible or can’t vote by mail; how misinformation can convince people to take certain drugs to cure a disease even if it’s not proven to be safe; and the ways misinformation can draw people into conspiracies like QAnon. But it’s not as simple as dispelling all misinformation from our midst. That seems impossible. Rather, in dialogue with Dr. David Robertson from the Open University, what we will discover points to a different question: Why do people believe misinformation at all and what does it do for them? In other words, instead of focusing on what people believe, perhaps the phenomenon of misinformation directs us to ask what beliefs do - who they favor, who they put in power, who they marginalize, and who they leave vulnerable. And by understanding the mechanics, maybe we can mitigate the damage misinformation does to our public square. For more information about research-based media by Axis Mundi Media visit: www.axismundi.us For more information about public scholarship by the Institute for Religion, Media, and Civic Engagement follow us @irmceorg or go to www.irmce.org Funding for this series has been generously provided by the Henry Luce Foundation. Creator: Dr. Susannah Crockford Executive Producer: Dr. Bradley Onishi (@bradleyonishi) Audio Engineer: Scott Okamoto (@rsokamoto) Production Assistance: Kari Onishi Dr. Susannah Crockford (@suscrockford): Ripples of the Universe: Spirituality in Sedona, Arizona Further Reading Robertson, David G. UFOs, Conspiracy Theories and the New Age: Millennial Conspiracism. London: Bloomsbury, 2016. Robertson, David G., and Amarnath Amarasingam. “How Conspiracy Theorists Argue: Epistemic Capital in the Qanon Social Media Sphere.” Popular Communication 20 (2022): 193-207. https://doi.org/10.1080/15405702.2022.2050238. Howard, Philip N. Lie Machines: How to Save Democracy from Troll Armies, Deceitful Robots, Junk News Operations, and Political Operatives. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2020. Bail, Chris. Breaking the Social Media Prism: How to Make Our Platforms Less Polarizing. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2021. Uscinski, Joseph E., and Joseph M. Parent. American Conspiracy Theories. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014. Byford, Jovan. Conspiracy Theories: A Critical Introduction. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2011. Argentino, Marc-Andre. “The Church of QAnon: Will Conspiracy Theories Form the Basis of a New Religious Movement?” The Conversation, May 18, 2020, https://theconversation.com/the-church-of-qanon-will-conspiracy-theories-form-the-basis-of-a-new-religious-movement-137859 Hao, Karen. “How Facebook got addicted to spreading misinformation,” MIT Technology Review, March 11, 2021, https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/03/11/1020600/facebook-responsible-ai-misinformation/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CORRECTION for Friday's on the original version of this Weekly Roundup that Biden invited Netanyahu to speak to congress when it was Mike Johnson. Was trying to express that Biden should condemn the invitation strongly. Alas.Brad and Dan discuss the Alito Appeal to Heaven flag controversy, Trump's "Unified Reich" video, and the affirmation of Palestinian statehood by US allies. Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get full access to this episode, bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In light of the news that Justice Alito flies an Appeal to Heaven flag over his beach house, Brad speaks to four experts on what it means and why it's a truly significant moment in the life of SCOTUS. Dr. Matthew Taylor, author of the Violent Take It By Force: https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506497785/The-Violent-Take-It-by-Force Annika Brockschmidt, journalist, author: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Annika-Brockschmidt/author/B06XH8QPWM?ref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Andrew Seidel, constitutional lawyer and author of American Crusade: https://www.unionsquareandco.com/9781454943921/american-crusade-by-andrew-l-seidel/ Rev. Angela Denker, writer and pastor - author of Red State Christians: https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506482507/Red-State-Christians Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get full access to this episode, bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ “If my people, who are called by my name, humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” If you’ve encountered this invocation, it’s almost certain that you’ve encountered it in the context of American Christian nationalism. You might know it’s a verse from the Bible, but where does it come from? What is its full context? Does it mean what the Christian nationalists seem to think it does? Does it really justify their theocratic vision for America? Dan tackles all these issues in this week’s episode. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Oklahoma over the past few years, there have been bills put forward: - Designating the Bible as the Official State Book. - Establishing the nation's first taxpayer-funded religious charter school. - Displaying the Ten Commandments at the state capitol. - Mandating the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public school classroom. - Using Bible verses to justify spanking children with disabilities in school. - Religious school tax credits. - Banning the teaching of evolution in public schools. - The governor claiming the state of Oklahoma for Christ in his inaugural speech. I spoke with Rep. Mickey Dollens, one of the few Democrats in the Oklahoma legislature, about these bills and how he and others are fighting back. Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get full access to this episode, bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get full access to this episode, bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad and Dan take on a series of stories related to hypermasculinity, politics, and religion. They begin with the commencement speech by Harrison Butker, the NFL player who sparked controversy with his rad-trad commencement speech. From there the hosts move to the Trump sycophants visiting his trial each week - breaking down why they are all dressing like Trump and what this says about the toxic masculinity operative on the American Right. They finish with a brief discussion of Texas Governor Greg Abbot's pardon of a man who ran over protesters and shot a person at point blank range. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get full access to this episode, bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ While the term “cult” still has a broad popular usage, it’s a term of analysis that has virtually disappeared from the field of Religious Studies. It also isn’t a word that people will hear often when listening to Straight White American Jesus. Instead, they’ll hear a lot about “high control religion.” But what is the relation between these ideas? If “high control religion” names the same things people have in mind when they think of “cults,” why not just call it a “cult?” Why set aside a term that makes so much intuitive sense to so many people? Dan explores these issues in this week’s episode, and explains why the concept of high control religion allows us to examine the American religious landscape with fresh eyes. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Buy Matthew Taylor's book, The Violent Take It By Force: https://icjs.org/the-violent-take-it-by-force/ Subscribe to Miss Information: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/miss-information/id1745590655 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get full access to this episode, bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ On the first episode of our new monthly sit-down with Dr. Matthew Taylor, he and Brad discuss startling new findings about the mainstream adoption of NAR ideas. They then get into a prophsesy from a NAR apostle about the creation of a global Muslim caliphate that will threaten all the governments of Europe and the United States - an Islamaphobic revelation they claim is straight from God. Finally, Matt explains how NAR figures like Ché Ahn are attending "Jewish Lives Mattter" rallies in order to save Jews from themselves - not exactly loving your neighbor. Buy Matthew Taylor's book, The Violent Take It By Force: https://icjs.org/the-violent-take-it-by-force/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NAR WATCH: a monthly episode on the New Apostolic Reformation with Dr. Matthew Taylor debuts on the SWAJ feed THIS week. Become a premium member to get full access! https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad speaks with Mary Jo McConahay, who tells the story of how the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have become one of the most formidable and reactionary forces in America — by campaigning to alter democratic institutions under the guise of religious liberty, and allying with major right-wing contributors such as the Kochs. But as McConahay details, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. In an investigation reminiscent of Jane Mayer’s Dark Money, she uncovers an ominous and long-term political strategy of attacking secular, liberal democracy by waging war on democratic norms and institutions. Playing God was chosen by the New Yorker as one of the books helping to make sense of the current political moment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NAR WATCH: a monthly episode on the New Apostolic Reformation with Dr. Matthew Taylor debuts on the SWAJ feed next week. Become a premium member to get full access! https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad and Dan begin by discussing the fact that the trial surrounding Trump's payment to Stormy Daniels has buoyed his support among religious conservatives. They break down this confusing phenomenon through the story of Samson and Delilah, and great scholarship on the connections among hyper-masculinism, nationalism, and sex. Drawing on work by Sara Moslener and Leslie Dorrough Smith, the hosts point out how straight White men often receive approval for aggressive sexual behavior because it proves they are up for the job of protecting the nation from outside invaders and internal threats. In the second segment the hosts turn to what Brad calls opportunistic fights against anti-Semitism on the part of the American Right. While acknowledging repeatedly that anti-Semitism is an ascendant and insidious force in the USA, he argues that the right-wing politicians suddenly interested in defending American Jews are doing so not because of genuine interest in their safety or flourishing, but in order to mobilize against enemies and others they feel will win them political favor. In the final segment, the hosts discuss Trump's appeals to billionaires - and whether it's healthy for the presidency to be sold to the highest bidder. Subscribe to Miss Information: https://redcircle.com/shows/21b4b512-ceef-4289-b9fc-76f302f5bd22 Subscribe to Pure White: https://redcircle.com/shows/7ecd7912-5927-4aa2-a2af-6a50982114d2 Buy Compromising Positions by Leslie Dorrough Smith: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/compromising-positions-9780190924072 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ “We’re all sinners.” People who’ve spent any time in Christian contexts will have heard this phrase. But what does mean, exactly? And how is it used? Why does it sometimes feel like an affirmation of radical acceptance, while others it feels judgmental and profoundly negative? Dan explores this topics in this week’s episodes, and uncovers some surprising complexity to the phrase in the process. Check it out! Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SWAJ Premium IS ON SALE! $50 for the whole year! Subscribe to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Growing up in a deeply evangelical family in the Midwest in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Sarah McCammon was strictly taught to fear God, obey him, and not question the faith. Persistently worried that her gay grandfather would go to hell unless she could reach him, or that her Muslim friend would need to be converted, and that she, too, would go to hell if she did not believe fervently enough, McCammon was a rule-follower and—most of the time—a true believer. But through it all, she was increasingly plagued by fears and deep questions as the belief system she'd been carefully taught clashed with her expanding understanding of the outside world. After spending her early adult life striving to make sense of an unraveling worldview, by her 30s, she found herself face-to-face with it once again as she covered the Trump campaign for NPR, where she witnessed first-hand the power and influence that evangelical Christian beliefs held on the political right. Sarah also came to discover that she was not alone: she is among a rising generation of the children of evangelicalism who are growing up and fleeing the fold, who are thinking for themselves and deconstructing what feel like the “alternative facts” of their childhood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SWAJ Premium IS ON SALE! $50 for the whole year! Subscribe to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Our monthly bonus episode begins with a visit from Dr. Leah Payne, author of God Gave you Rock and Roll: A History of Contemporary Christian Music. Brad and Dan ask her about the cultural significance of God rock and the ways that it reflects White evangelicalism's ideal family, gender roles, and sexual ethic. They all also tell hilarious stories of their own youthful experiences with Christian music - including the time Dan broke a dude's nose in a mosh pit and then prayed it out with him as a good brother in Christ. In the second hour, they turn to the Trump immunity trial and the ways it is threatening to tank the Jack Smith case and erode our democracy from within. Dan then does a deep dive into a report about trans care coming out of the UK - something that will make its way across the pond soon to the ears of every Uncle Ron in the country. The episode finishes with responses to a few very thoughtful AMAs. Buy Leah's book: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/god-gave-rock-and-roll-to-you-9780197555248?cc=us&lang=en& Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SWAJ Premium IS ON SALE! $50 for the whole year! Subscribe to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad and Dan begin by discussing the responses to campus protests across the nation, and then zoom into the actions and words of Sean Feucht and Eric Metaxas - two Christian nationalist influencers who led pro-Israel rallies in NYC and LA this week. Brad explains how and why Christian nationalists like them fetishize Israel for what it does for them, not for actual care or solidarity with Jewish People. In the second segment, Dan breaks down Trump's Time interview - a detailed foreshadowing of what will come in his potential next term: using the National Guard on American citizens, taking any civil rights from immigrants, letting states ban abortion, putting all employees on Schedule F, oh, and not accepting election results if he loses. In the final segment the hosts discuss the United Methodist Church's new policies on marriage, which are a step forward for gay couples within the nationa's second largest Protestant denomination. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ “In essentials, Unity; in non-essentials, charity.” This is a Christian “slogan” or theological aphorism that dates back almost 2000 years. But we still here it within diverse Christian contexts today. What is the impulse behind it? What does it tell us about Christian identity and “unity”? What are the different uses to which Christians put this aphorism today? How can it signal an inclusive, inviting, and open Christian community? How can it also serve the purposes and aims of high-control Christian communities? Give this week’s episode a listen to find out! Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SWAJ Premium IS ON SALE! $50 for the whole year! Subscribe to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Arthur Finkelstein is not a household name. Yet, he may be one of the most consequential political figures of the last century - he volunteered with Goldwater, grew up with Ayn Rand, helped Nixon and Reagan into the White House, and then orchestrated the ascendance of Netanyahu, the comeback of Orban, and the vilification of George Soros. He also had a hand in getting Trump over the finish line, albeit indirectly. Brad does a deep dive into the puppet master who may be the decoder ring for understanding the political nihilism of the GOP and the rise of authoritarianism across the globe. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SWAJ Premium IS ON SALE! $50 for the whole year! Subscribe to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ This week was the end of the first act. The point in the story when all the players, themes, issues, histories, and institutions that will determine the rest of the season come into focus. It's not the end. It's not even close. But it's the time when we see who and what will guide the journey. Brad and Dan begin by discussing the weight of the Trump hush money trial on Trump's ability to campaign - and project an image of bravado and control. They then go into the abortion case at SCOTUS, focusing on the grotesque nature of the discussion on women's health and bodies, and how this will weigh on voters in November. Brad hones in on the Ukraine/Israel/Taiwan aid package, commenting on how Biden touted it as a bipartisan win, but observing that the student uprisings at Columbia, Yale, USC, and all over the country portend a hard road ahead for Democrats with Gen Z. He finished by analyzing what the TikTok ban means and why it might be a Trojan Horse in the aid package. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SWAJ Premium IS ON SALE! Subscribe to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In Dan's second conversation with Michelle Dowd, author of Forager: Fieldnotes for Surviving a Family Cult, they discuss the ways patriarchy and authoritarianism often mix in high-demand religions, how trauma from these experiences lives in the body, and the lifelong practices of healing from the mistrust of self that they teach. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Buy Forager: https://valsec.barnesandnoble.com/w/forager-michelle-dowd/1141906988?ean=9781643751856 Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SWAJ Premium IS ON SALE! $50 for the whole year! Subscribe to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Sometimes we have to pivot from analysis to organizing. From study to action. In order to do that, Brad speaks with the Rev. Paul Raushenbush, President of Interfaith Alliance. They discuss ways to organize and mobilize for the 2024 elections in order to build a coalition of non-religious and religious Americans who share a commitment to democracy, inclusiveness, and equality. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SWAJ Premium IS ON SALE! $50 for the whole year! Subscribe to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad and Dan open with a discussion of the J6 cases at SCOTUS - and the fact that Clarence Thomas has not recused himself, despite his wife being involved in J6. The hosts then move to the details of the Stormy Daniels Hush Money case - going through the actual crimes being charged and explaining why they are indeed related to the election. In the final segment Dan analyzes an article in the Atlantic on what Americans lost when they stopped participating in organized religion. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/04/america-religion-decline-non-affiliated/677951/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SWAJ Premium IS ON SALE! Subscribe to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad is joined by his brother, Dr. Brian Onishi, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Penn State Altoona, to breakdown the politics, horror, spectacle, and meanings of "Civil War" - the new film out now. Weird Wonder by Dr. Brian Onishi: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-48027-0 Eugene Thacker (magic circle): https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/zer0-books/our-books/in-the-dust-of-this-planet Hollywood Reporter (about 50/50 split between conservative and liberal viewership): https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/civil-war-red-states-and-blue-states-1235875216/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SWAJ Premium IS ON SALE! Subscribe to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In this episode, Dan interviews Michelle Down, author of Forager: Fieldnotes for Surviving a Family Cult, about her experiences and insights growing up in an extreme high-control religious community founded by her grandfather. Michelle helps us understand some of the dynamics of high-control religion, considers the role that coded language plays in such religion, and highlights the extreme focus on unity within such communities. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Taylor joins Brad to discuss a new breed of chauvinistic, theologically bull-headed Christian nationalists who might be better called “Christian supremacists.” These hard-liners believe that Christianity deserves a privileged space in American society — that Christians, being better than other human beings, should be entitled to a superior form of citizenship. They claim that Christians are even destined by God to rule over society. What is hazy nostalgia to the “God Bless America” crowd is an organized theological and political program for the Christian supremacists. BONUS CONTENT: AOC outlines why she fears Mike Johnson's plans in 2024 . . . SWAJ Premium IS ON SALE! Subscribe to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Subscribe to Charismatic Revival Fury https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/charismatic-revival-fury-the-new-apostolic-reformation/id1738709631 Buy Charismatic Revival Fury for ad-free listening: https://mysoundwise.com/soundcasts/1708963220821s Matt Taylor's article: https://religionunplugged.com/news/2024/4/8/the-peril-radicalizing-some-evangelicals-goes-beyond-christian-nationalism Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SWAJ Premium IS ON SALE! Subscribe to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ We kick things off with a humorous reflection on Dan's eclipse-chasing escapade in Vermont, drawing parallels to the comical misanthropy of Larry David. We then segue into a critical discussion on Donald Trump's latest strategic remarks on abortion and the perplexing enforcement of a Civil War-era law in Arizona, contemplating the broader ramifications these developments hold for political dynamics and individual rights. We then spotlight a movement to convert Gen Z in through anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and a focus on spiritual warfare. Called, "California Will Be Saved," it represents the powerful undercurrents of Christian nationalism sweeping through movements in California, and the assertive presence of spiritual warfare in Southern California's public spaces. The conversation spotlights the diverse leaders who are redefining conservative Christianity and the challenges they present, from their confrontational worship rallies to the influential Seven Mountains Mandate. We hover on the complexity of this movement's multiethnic and multiracial fabric, and its unsettling reach into the lives of Gen Z and the LGBTQ community. To cap off thE episode, we analyze the amicus brief on presidential immunity written by American historians and submitted in Trump immunity case at SCOTUS. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In this episode, Dan continues talking with Beatrice Marovich, author of Sister Death: Political Theologies for Living and Dying. In this episode, she talks with us about the concrete social and political effects of a Christian and cultural fixation on death, particularly as it relates to reproductive rights. She also talks with us about ways of thinking beyond death that move away from the traditional Christian notion of an “afterlife.” Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Kaylee Peterson is running for congress in Idaho. She's a thirty-something working-class mom who saw her hometown taken over by extreme right-wing politicians through coordinate funding and marketing campaigns. She explains why big money interests and Christian nationalists are teaming up in her state and creating one of the most radical political climates in the country - ravaging public schools and decimating the health care system, not to mention cultivating a sense of intimidation all over Idaho. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Surprise! Brad sat down with Rev. Angela Denker to discuss Fargo Season 5, a series rife with Christian nationalism and related themes: violence, patriarchy, and right-wing authoritarianism. It's also a series full of love, forgiveness, and the hope of going home. Angela Denker is a Lutheran pastor and veteran journalist. She has written for many publications, including Sports Illustrated, The Washington Post, and FORTUNE magazine. Denker has appeared on CNN, BBC and SkyNews to share her research on politics and Christian Nationalism in the U.S. Her book, "Red State Christians: A Journey Into Christian Nationalism and the Wreckage It Leaves Behind," was the 2019 Silver Foreword Indies award-winner for political and social sciences. Buy Red State Christians: https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506482507/Red-State-Christians Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices