Straight White American Jesus

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This week’s episode considers the idea of “reverent worship,” the last of an eight-item list of defining features contained in a church bulletin. What does the appeal to “reverent worship” tell us about conceptions of divine love? How does this emphasis relate to the other items on the list? And how can this appeal to “reverence” mask abusive, high-control religion? Listen to this week’s episode to find out!

Check out the church bulletin photo HERE.

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Brad converses with Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow about her viral advocacy moments, the impact of Project 2025, and the upcoming 2024 elections. They discuss McMorrow's strong stance against Republican extremism, her journey into politics, and the importance of grassroots organizing. The episode highlights pivotal events like her protest against divisive culture wars and her powerful, viral speech responding to inflammatory accusations. Additionally, it covers the role of active participation in democracy, the implications of the 2022 Michigan gubernatorial race, and insights from Kamala Harris' leadership approach. McMorrow also talks about her book, 'Hate Won't Win,' which aims to empower individuals in their communities.

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In this episode of the weekly roundup, Brad and Dan analyze Donald Trump's unconventional town hall in Pennsylvania and his ties to the New Apostolic Reformation. They explore the emotional and nostalgic appeal of Christian Trumpism, including Trump's influence on reproductive rights issues within the GOP. The discussion includes Kamala Harris's media strategy, the public's reaction to Trump's behavior, and the complexities of emotional manipulation in political and religious contexts. Key topics also cover the Million Woman March, Trump's self-proclamation as the 'father of IVF,' and recent judicial decisions on voting regulations.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

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In this episode of Spirit & Power: “‘Take Back that Which Was Stolen from Us:’ The Charismatic Rituals of the Religious Right,” host Dr. Leah Payne and Karrie Gaspard-Hogewood, a sociology doctoral fellow at Tulane University and researcher for Spirit & Power, take listeners on an audio tour of Flashpoint Live New Orleans, a conservative talk show produced by charismatic televangelist Kenneth Copeland’s Victory Channel. Along the way, Karrie, whose research focuses on independent, neo-charismatic religion and political mobilization, and Leah analyze the characters and charismatic practices shaping conservative rallies leading up to the 2024 election.

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Books:

The Violent Take It by Force: the Christian Movement that is Threatening our Democracy by Matthew D Taylor

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

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Continuing our look at the card a church produced to outline its defining features, we are told we will experience “biblical preaching.” This is a topic we’ve decoded a lot in the past, but what is doing here, for this particular church? How does it relate to the other defining features this church tells us we’ll encounter? How is being “biblical” a code for social control and the exercise of human authority? Take a dive with Dan in this week’s episode to find out!

See the church bulletin photo HERE.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

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This episode of Straight White American Jesus features a conversation with Matt Taylor about the influence of Lance Wallnau, the propagator of the Seven Mountains mandate, and his connection to the Trump campaign. The discussion centers around Taylor's engagement with Wallnau amidst allegations of him being a 'Lance Stalker'. Wallnau's manipulation of rhetoric and his role in evangelical political circles are scrutinized. The episode then shifts focus to J.D. Vance's appearance at Wallnau's Courage Tour, sponsored by Turning Point USA, as a campaign strategy. The political and theological dynamics at play are analyzed, particularly Vance's disconnect with the charismatic audience, influenced by his Catholic background. We conclude with an exploration of the evolving landscape of Christian political engagement in the U.S.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

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In this episode, we take a closer look at the conspiracy theories circulating around hurricanes Helene and Milton, particularly the claims that the government is controlling the weather for political purposes. We discuss how this kind of misinformation distorts public perception and disrupts emergency responses. From there, we shift to Donald Trump’s ongoing campaign of fear, examining his controversial interactions with Vladimir Putin and his targeted efforts to appeal to disaffected young male voters. We also explore the broader challenge of addressing real crises in a world filled with disinformation, and offer insights on gender dynamics in voting, drawing from Barack Obama’s perspectives.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

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In this episode of Spirit & Power: ‘”The Promise of America:” Black Pentecostal and Charismatic Visibility in the 2024 Election.’ Dr. Leah Payne speaks with Dr. Dara Coleby Delgado, Bishop James Mills Thoburn Chair of Religious Studies, an Assistant Professor of History and Religious Studies, and an affiliate faculty in Black Studies and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Allegheny College and a 2024-2025 PRRI Public Religion Fellow, about the rising political visibility of Black Pentecostals and Charismatics this election cycle. 

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Books:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

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In this episode, Dan continues decoding a card from a church bulletin that outlines the features of a particular church. This week focuses on the promise of encountering “good manners.” Why is this on the list? How do “manners” relate to Christian nationalism and the conservative Christianity at its heart? What is going below the surface of the desire for “good manners”? Listen in as Dan hits these issues in this week’s episode.

See the church bulletin photo HERE.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

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

Check out BetterHelp and use my code SWA for a great deal: www.betterhelp.com

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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 700-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/

Opus by Gareth Gore https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Opus/Gareth-Gore/9781668016145

I sit down with journalist Gareth Gore to dive deep into the shadowy world of Opus Dei, a secretive Catholic organization with a long history of manipulation and control. We talk about his eye-opening book, Opus, which traces the organization’s origins in Franco’s Spain and shows how it’s slowly, but surely, woven its way into the heart of U.S. politics—especially in Washington, D.C.

Opus Dei is often associated with conservative Catholicism, but Gareth explains that their methods go beyond just religious conservatism. We're talking authoritarian strategies aimed at gaining power by targeting influential people to push their agenda of re-Christianizing society. It’s a heavy topic, but incredibly relevant when you consider their rise during the 1980s under Pope John Paul II and the fact that they're still impacting American politics today, with major players like Leonard Leo and Kevin Roberts on board.

We also explore how Opus Dei isn’t just resisting democratic norms—they're actively trying to reshape society and the Church to fit their vision of control. This conversation is a real eye-opener, revealing the organization's lasting and dangerous influence on both religion and politics.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

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

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