Straight White American Jesus

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Brad interviews activist and parent Natalie Hastings, LifeWise Academy, a religious release program in public schools that takes children out of their school day for Bible study. Hastings provides insights into the program's growth, its impact on students, and its connections to larger political movements such as Project 2025. The discussion highlights concerns about the program's effects on school resources, inclusion, mental health, and the push for policies mandating such programs in different states.

Natalie Hastings is a public school parent who began tracking the efforts of national extremism on public schools when her own district elected four new board members who promised to “fight CRT,” canceled an opt-in Racial Diversity Awareness Day, and passed a “Culture of Kindness” resolution to restrict teaching and discussions on race, gender identity, and inclusion. She educates and activates local communities to protect the rights of every student through Honesty for Ohio Education, an alliance of 70+ nonprofit organizations and its Honesty Teams Network, a partner in HEAL Together Race Forward’s #PublicSchoolStrong initiative. Hastings also manages research for Ohioans Against Extremism, (OHAgainstExtremism.org) a new website launching in August 2024.

Other links:

Policy across the US: www.schoolministries.org

Parents Against LifeWise

respectpublicschools.com

00:00 Introduction to LifeWise and Personal Journey

01:07 Overview of LifeWise Program

02:44 Interview with Natalie Hastings

03:38 How LifeWise Operates

05:38 Challenges and Controversies

07:45 Expansion and Legislative Push

30:51 Connections to Project 2025

39:26 Community Response and Resistance

47:41 Conclusion and Subscriber Segment

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In this episode, we react to President Joe Biden's surprising decision not to seek reelection, focusing on Kamala Harris's rapid emergence as the new Democratic frontrunner after raising $60 million in one day. We examine the implications of a Harris candidacy and explore JD Vance's connections with reactionary Catholic intellectuals and Silicon Valley monarchists. Additionally, the show reviews Patrick Deneen's vision of 'common good conservatism' and Curtis Yarvin's radical political ideas, while touching on the influence of conspiracism in American religion and politics. The discussion highlights how certain religious traditions can prime individuals, especially American evangelicals and Christian nationalists, to believe in conspiracy theories.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

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

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In this episode of the Weekly Roundup, we explore JD Vance's controversial political stance, religious conversion, and influential connections. We discuss Vance's advice for Trump to fire federal workers and install loyalists, his relationships with power players like Peter Thiel and Leonard Leo, and his alignment with the Napa Institute's conservative Catholic ideology. The episode also touches on Eileen Cannon's controversial judicial decision, Trump's political maneuverings, and the significance of Project 2025.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

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

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Why do people who are oppressed within high-control religious contexts so often support their own oppression? This is a question that baffles critics of high-control religion, particularly as it relates to such issues as gender relations and sexuality. Dan tackles this question, suggesting that this is a phenomenon that is not limited to religious contexts, but which is especially pronounced within them. He argues that in order for people to recognize their subordination as oppression, they have to encounter alternatives to the institutions, practices, and structures with which they are familiar.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

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

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In this special episode, Brad introduces an audio essay by Matt Taylor titled 'The Colonized God.' Taylor, known for his work on the New Apostolic Reformation, explores the complex relationship between Christians who are not Christian nationalists and Christian supremacists, who use Christianity to gain power and marginalize others. The essay delves into how different interpretations of Jesus' teachings can divide communities and the impact of Christian supremacy on contemporary American politics, especially in light of events like the January 6th Capitol riot. Taylor also reflects on his personal journey as a Christian amidst these tumultuous times and calls for a return to the core values of humility and compassion epitomized by Jesus.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

02:00 The Colonized God: An Audio Essay by Matt Taylor

02:06 Christian Symbols and January 6th

05:23 Christian Supremacy and Its Roots

09:59 Theological Reflections on 1 John

13:28 Gnosticism and Early Christian Conflicts

23:47 Modern Implications and Personal Reflections

35:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Brad delivers a mini episode analyzing how Christian nationalists are likely to interpret the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. He emphasizes his condemnation of political violence and its anti-democratic nature. Brad references Lauren Kirby's book 'Saving History,' explaining that white Christian nationalists see themselves either as founders or victims. Trump's assassination attempt reinforces their view of him as a victim under attack, legitimizing their call for retribution. He also cites Gorski and Perry's 'The Flag and the Cross,' discussing the idea that white Christian nationalists feel entitled to use violence to impose their vision of America. Brad warns of potential dangerous outcomes and highlights the media's response to normalize Trumpian rhetoric post-attack.

00:00 Introduction and Condemnation of Violence

01:24 Christian Nationalists' Perspective on Trump's Assassination Attempt

01:39 The Founder or Victim Narrative

02:52 Trump as a Victim and Founder

04:10 White Christian Nationalists' Claim to Authority

06:20 Implications of the Assassination Attempt

07:32 Broader Reactions and Media Response

10:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this third episode of NARWATCH, Brad sits down with Matt Taylor to discuss the increasingly concerning influence of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) as the 2024 election approaches. They delve into the dangerous concept of tribunals being used as para-government forces by NAR leaders and its troubling traction among militias. The conversation also explores how NAR has become a significant accelerationist force on the American right, paralleling radical far-right militias, and examines the potential electoral outcomes and their implications for the U.S. government structure and societal stability. The episode concludes with a preview of Matt Taylor’s upcoming essay, 'The Colonized God,' addressing the distortions of Christian nationalism.

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

Brad and Dan dive deep into the controversial Project 2025, which involves figures like Donald Trump distancing himself from its details despite many from his camp being involved in its formation. The conversation moves to the recent National Conservatism conference (NatCon), addressing key speeches by Al Mohler and Senator Josh Hawley, both promoting Christian nationalism. They critique the theological and historical inaccuracies in Hawley's references to St. Augustine and the Puritans. The episode rounds out with a detailed analysis of a stunning political result in France, where the left-wing coalition successfully opposed the far-right, offering a hopeful parallel for similar movements in the U.S. going forward.

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

What is the idea that the Bible is “inerrant,” that it is without error of any kind, is not a central Christian affirmation? What if it’s actually bad theology, contradicting other core commitments that orthodox Christians hold? What if inerrancy turns the Bible into a tool for high-control American Christianity, detracting from what Christians actually say is the cornerstone of their faith? In this episode, Dan looks at an “immanent critique” of the doctrine of inerrancy, showing why it’s a bad doctrine from within the theological framework of the very Christians who affirm it.

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

Brad discusses the alarming rise of white Christian replacement fears and Christian nationalism in Texas. The episode highlights a meme retweeted by the True Texas project, which endorses great replacement theory and Christian nationalism. The podcast features an in-depth conversation with Robert Downen from the Texas Tribune about the True Texas Project's controversial conference, Texas' new school curriculums integrating biblical stories, and the legal battle over Annunciation House, a Catholic charity aiding refugees. They delve into the far-right movements aiming to resist demographic changes perceived as threats to white Christian dominance.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

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

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