Straight White American Jesus

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Does Allie Beth Stuckey struggle with the temptation to exercise “toxic empathy?” In this episode, considering her opposition to marriage equality, Dan suggests that she does. How does she respond to this temptation? What does this response show us not only about her, but about high-control American Christianity? How does it illustrate the ways in which high-control religion invariably masks exercises of power and authority as “love”? Check out this week’s episode to find out.

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Redistricting and Political Turmoil in TexasIn this special edition of Straight White American Jesus, host Brad Onishi interviews Forrest Wilder from Texas Monthly to discuss the ongoing political upheaval in Texas. The conversation focuses on the Democrats' strategic exodus to break quorum in response to the Texas GOP's redistricting efforts, driven by Trump's demand for a more favorable playing field for Republicans. The episode delves into the humanitarian crisis ignored by the legislature, the potential consequences on both state and national politics, and the broader implications for democracy.

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Brad sits down with David Corn, Washington Bureau Chief at Mother Jones, to unpack the IRS’s quiet but monumental decision to gut the Johnson Amendment—effectively giving churches and religious organizations the green light to endorse political candidates for the first time in nearly 70 years.

They explore how this shift could turn churches into political machines fueled by dark money, spark “pay to play” dynamics among pastors, and deepen polarization within congregations. From mega-churches pushing campaign ads to local races influenced by pulpit power, the episode dives into the far-reaching consequences for democracy, transparency, and the already fragile wall between church and state.

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Brad and Dan tackle two urgent developments shaping the intersection of politics and religion in America. They begin with the escalating humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, examining how allegations of genocide—now echoed by Israeli human rights groups—are forcing fractures within the GOP, with figures like Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene offering unexpected critiques.

Brad and Dan explore how Israel’s religious nationalism and the U.S. tendency to cast Islam and Palestine as threats complicate public discourse. Then, they turn to a chilling new Trump-era memo permitting federal employees to evangelize in the workplace, unpacking its implications for religious privilege, secular rights, and the Christian nationalist agenda behind Project 2025. Along the way, they call out congressional hypocrisy, share reasons for hope in the form of abortion shield laws, and spotlight rising global recognition of Palestine and U.S.-based resistance efforts.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

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Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 800-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/

In her homophobic attacks on “toxic empathy” as it relates to marriage equality and queer sexuality, Allie Beth Stuckey spends more time addressing the Bible than she has in the previous chapters of her book. But what, exactly, does she think the Bible is, and how does she believe we should read it? She gives us an important insight into this when she claims that everything in the Bible is what Jesus taught. But what can that possibly mean? And how does it relate to her promotion of a homophobic reading of the Bible? And what problems and ethical issues arise if we understand the Bible in these terms? And finally, does the Bible really advance the homophobic teachings Stuckey says it does? Check our this week’s episode as Dan dives into these issues.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

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Brad Onishi sits down with Dr. Anand Pandian, author of Something Between Us, to explore the everyday “walls” that divide Americans—from SUVs and suburbs to video doorbells and noise-canceling headphones. Drawing on James Baldwin’s influence, Pandian reveals how our built environments and habits foster suspicion, loneliness, and disconnection. They exacertabe the ruthlessness of our political age.

Onishi and Pandian discuss how activism, like the “Aunt Flow” movement, and simple neighborly acts can help rebuild empathy and community. This episode is a powerful reminder that polarization isn’t just political—it’s personal, physical, and fixable.

Anand Pandian's book: https://anand.studio

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In the first ever live-audience recording of a SWAJ episode, Brad Onishi and and Dan Miller discuss the unholy alliance between the White House and PragerU to generate AI slop that rewrites the words of Founding Fathers to fit ultra-conservative narratives. They highlight the deeper implications of this partnership, including the potential impact on education, the distortion of historical truth, and the broader socio-political atmosphere. The episode also touches on questions from the audience related to Christian nationalism, Reconstructionism, and current political controversies.

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 800-episode archive, Discord access, and more: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/

Linktree:⁠ https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC⁠

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Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 800-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/

n this episode of Straight White American Jesus, hosts Brad Onishi and Dan Miller dive deep into the ongoing fight over birthright citizenship and the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape American identity. They explore:

The latest court battles over the 14th Amendment and birthright citizenship, including recent nationwide injunctions and their significance.

The Trump administration’s use of propaganda, including the Department of Homeland Security’s posting of the iconic “Progress” painting by John Gast, and how it ties into white Christian nationalism.

The historical roots of Manifest Destiny, settler colonialism, and the exclusion of Indigenous and other marginalized groups from the American narrative.

The religious and philosophical ideas that have shaped American policies, including the role of Christian nationalism and the reinterpretation of “Native American” identity by white Christian nationalists.

The intersection of current events, including the Epstein case, immigration policy, and the destruction of emergency food supplies, with broader themes of justice, exclusion, and national identity.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163

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In the third chapter of her book attacking “toxic empathy,” Allie Beth Stuckey mounts her argument against gay rights and, in particular, marriage equality. Throughout her chapter, she asserts that marriage equality marks a departure from “biblical” or “traditional” marriage, from a model of marriage that has decisively shaped the Christian West from the time of Jesus and before, and that it should therefore be resisted at all costs. As Dan argues in this episode, the problem with this view is that it simply isn’t true. There has never been a clear, unequivocal “biblical” view on marriage, and understandings of marriage within the Christian tradition have evolved and changed from the time of Christ right up to the present day. Listen in to hear more about this, and why this matters for confronting the anti-LGBTQ+ agenda of Stuckey and those on the religious and cultural right.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163

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Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 800-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/

Brad examines the growing influence of Christian Reconstructionism within the United States, focusing on the opening of a new Christ Church outpost in Washington DC. He delves into the history of Christian Reconstructionism, its key figures like Doug Wilson and R.J. Rushdoony, and the ideology's impact on American politics and society.

Brad discusses the attendance of high-profile figures like Pete Hegseth at the new church and the broader implications for Christian nationalism. This episode provides a comprehensive overview of the movement from its fringe status to becoming a significant force within American Christianity and political life.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163

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