We’ve probably all heard the phrase “playing god,” and many of us might even have been accused of playing god. But what does it mean when someone says that? Is it different in a “secular” context than in a religious context? And why do people use this language when we’re discussing complex, contested issues? And most importantly, what does this language do? How does it work? Dan looks at these issues in this episode.
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It' In the Code Ep. 71: "Playing God"

An in-depth examination of the culture and politics of Christian Nationalism and Evangelicalism by two ex-evangelical ministers-turned-religion professors. If you have ever wondered what social and historical forces led white evangelicals to usher Donald Trump into the White House this is the show for you. As former insiders and critical scholars of religion, Dan Miller and Bradley Onishi have a unique perspective on the Religious Right. Guests have included Chrissy Stroop, R. Marie Griffith, Janelle Wong, Randall Balmer, Katherine Stewart, and many others.

News

Politics

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
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SPECIAL EPISODE: Justice Alito Let's His Appeal to Heaven Flag Fly

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“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.
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It's In the Code Ep. 100: “If My People Who Are Called By My Name…”

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.
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They're Creating A Theocracy in Oklahoma Right Now

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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.
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Weekly Roundup: Toxic Masculinity Outside a Courtroom and at a Commencement Speech

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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/
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It' In the Code Ep. 71: "Playing God"

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