Straight White American Jesus

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In this weekly roundup, Dan begins with the escalating tensions between the U.S., Iran, and Israel, examining recent airstrikes and the Trump administration’s controversial military decisions.

Dan breaks down the fractured response within the MAGA coalition, uncovering the religious and ideological fault lines behind the debate.

The episode then turns to the Supreme Court’s latest rulings, including:

Gender-affirming care for minors

Deportation policy limits

The reach of nationwide injunctions

Parental rights around LGBTQ+ inclusive education

Dan highlights the Christian nationalist undertones shaping public discourse and judicial outcomes. He ends with a rare note of optimism, pointing to a surprising cross-ideological ruling upholding the Affordable Care Act as a sign that compromise is still possible.

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Why do conservative American Christians and Christian nationalists use the rhetoric of being “attacked” and “persecuted”? Why do they perceive themselves to be “suffering” in the contemporary United States, when they experience pronounced social, cultural, and legal privilege? And how do these ideas link up with the broader valorization of “suffering” within some forms of Christian identity? Dan takes on these issues in this week’s episode.

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What does the Supreme Court’s latest ruling mean for trans rights in America?

In this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi is joined by Dr. Kelsy Burke, sociology professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, to unpack the Supreme Court’s decision in Skrmetti v. United States. The case—centered on gender-affirming care for minors—has far-reaching consequences for trans healthcare across the country, especially in states like Tennessee.

Brad and Dr. Burke explore how the case originated, the political and religious forces behind the legislation, and the deep influence of conservative Christian groups. They examine shifting public opinion on trans rights and the troubling silence from Democratic leaders in response to this wave of anti-trans policymaking. With clarity and urgency, this conversation brings historical context to one of the most pressing civil rights battles in America today.

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Is Trump Preparing for a Holy War?

Brad also investigates the growing signs that the ideology behind January 6th is becoming embedded in U.S. institutions—highlighted by the presence of the “Appeal to Heaven” flag at key government sites. He then turns to the media’s uneven response to recent political violence, comparing coverage of two alleged shooters and what it reveals about race, ideology, and public perception.

The episode wraps with updates on military and judicial developments tied to the Trump era—and what they signal about where we might be headed next.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

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Allie Beth Stuckey warns her readers to be on the lookout for people passing off lies as facts and appealing to emotion to mask bad arguments. But, as Dan discusses in this week’s episode, her anti-abortion positions are grounded in lies that pass as factual arguments, and are intended to bring others to her position by playing on their emotions. What are the lies she tells? How do we know they’re lies at all? And how does she want to move us through emotional appeals? Check out this week’s episode to find out.

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In this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi welcomes back Dr. Andrew Whitehead, sociology professor at Indiana University and co-author of Taking America Back for God. They unpack how Christian nationalism uses ideas about gender, family, and sexuality to shape political identity—especially among white working-class Americans.

Dr. Whitehead shares key insights from public opinion data that reveal a strong link between Christian nationalist beliefs and support for authoritarian leaders. The conversation explores the myth of the “nuclear family,” the politics of fear, and how nostalgia and hierarchy fuel the MAGA movement.

Andrew's Substack: https://andrewwhitehead.substack.com

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In this emergency episode of 'Straight White American, Jesus,' host Brad Onishi discusses the assassination of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband by a shooter impersonating a police officer. Brad provides details about the suspect, Vance Boelter, and his background, including his ties to Donald Trump, anti-abortion views, and Christian ministry. Scholar Matt Taylor explains Boelter's connections to the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), diving into the history and influence of Christ for the Nations Institute, a significant institution in the independent charismatic Christian world. Their comments contextualize the violent act within the broader landscape of political violence and radicalization in the U.S., highlighting the dire implications of such events.

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Charismatic Revival Fury: https://redcircle.com/shows/charismatic-revival-fury-the-new-apostolic-reformation

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Brad and Dan reflect on what feels like a historic and ominous week. They unpack the rapidly unfolding events in California and Washington, D.C., including:

The shocking treatment of Senator Padilla, who was thrown to the ground and handcuffed

Governor Newsom’s response to escalating federal pressure

The deployment of Marines and National Guard troops

Judge Breyer’s ruling against Donald Trump—and the immediate appeal

What a military parade through D.C. could mean for American democracy

Widespread protests and what they signal about the weeks ahead

This episode captures a pivotal moment in U.S. political life—one that may mark a turning point for the nation.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

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Allie Beth Stuckey offers reasons for opposition abortion access that are typical of the anti-abortion movement. In particular, she argues that abortion is the murder of an innocent human person. She also tries to show that anti-abortion advocates affirm a full “culture of life,” and are not only concerned with the unborn. But are her arguments convincing? What does it mean to be a “human person,” and why does this matter? Can a theologically conservative Christian like Stuckey even affirm that humans are ever truly “innocent” in the first place? Does she really show that conservative Christians care about human life in a holistic way that encompasses more than the unborn? Listen to this week’s episode as Dan answers these questions.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

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

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Why are young men increasingly drawn to fascist ideologies—and what can parents do about it?

Brad sits down with Craig A. Johnson, author of How to Talk to Your Son About Fascism. They explore why boys and young men are especially vulnerable to far-right radicalization, how fascism is becoming normalized in modern culture, and what parents can do to push back.

Craig breaks down the recruitment tactics used in online spaces, the role of toxic masculinity, and the emotional and social factors that make fascist narratives appealing. He shares practical advice for having empathetic, non-alarmist conversations with sons, as well as the importance of early intervention, positive role models, and media literacy.

This episode is essential listening for parents, educators, and anyone concerned about the rise of fascism—and how to fight it from the ground up.

How to Talk to Your Son about Fascism

Fifteen Minutes of Fascism

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

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