Brian Recker, a former Marine, former evangelical pastor, current theologian, speaker and writer, has developed a healthy social media following and solid presence on Substack. His focus? Deconstructing his faith to find a more inclusive spirituality - which often runs afoul of today's right-wing aligned American evangelical movement.

He's just the kind of guest to discuss the 'Ted Cruz v. Tucker Carlson' dust-up over Cruz' limp grasp on scripture he believes commands him (and the U.S. apparently) to support Israel unequivocally.

Recker and I discuss this at length, along with the use of religion as a tool of manipulation by pols like Cruz, and also religion's manipulation of politicians like Cruz, too. I also asked, is Trump using religion to manipulate Republicans or is he the one being manipulated by religion?

PS - you an pre-order his book "Hell Bent: How The Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love" HERE.

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Trump-era D.E.I. rollbacks aside, 'Juneteenth' is today, but corporate backing has - as with the case with June Pride month - retreated a bit. Georgia Recorder's Amber Rolden spoke with an Atlanta couple who go all-out decorating their home for the holiday. For many, it just means more than July 4th does, and that's understandable.

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The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors, assuredly keeping intact Georgia's similar ban.

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The chilling treatment of Spanish-speaking journalist Mario Guevara by local law enforcement, essentially ginning up charges that led to his being detained for (and taken away by) I.C.E. is troubling - for all foreign correspondents, you'd think. Of course, now Gwinnett County authorities today chose to pile on with some equally questionable charges.

Suddenly we're on our way to becoming North Korea with foreign journalists.