Dr. Gillian Frank explores the legal and religious challenges faced by Lisa Sobel and two other Jewish women in their lawsuit against Kentucky's abortion laws. The episode delves into the trigger law that immediately banned abortions in Kentucky, even in cases of rape or incest. Lisas pregnancy journey highlights the conflict between Kentucky's abortion policies and Jewish religious beliefs, particularly focusing on the impact on in vitro fertilization. Historical context is provided on the longstanding involvement of Jewish and mainline Protestant leaders in advocating for reproductive rights. The episode underscores the continuous efforts by people of faith in Kentucky to preserve reproductive freedom amidst rising Christian nationalism.

Find transcripts, discussion questions, and additional resources here: https://linktr.ee/irmceorg

Red State Religions is produced by the Institute for Religion, Media, and Civic Engagement with generous funding from the Henry Luce Foundation.

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“You’re just being selfish.” This accusation represents both the last-ditch effort and the overarching them of the partisans of high-control Christianity to discredit faith deconstructionists. How does this accusation work? What are its aims? What do the partisans of high-control religion hope to gain by accusing their opponents of selfishness? And how does this accusation reveal the deep-seated efforts at control and coercion that lie at the heart of high-control Christianity? Join Dan as he explores these issues in this week’s episode.

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Brad speaks with Oklahoma State Representative Mickey Dollens. They discuss the importance of staying engaged in civic life and fighting against Christian nationalism. Dollens shares his insights from his work with the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) and provides a practical framework called FORWARD to help individuals become effective citizen advocates. Dollens emphasizes the power of community action, the importance of telling personal stories, and the necessity of maintaining accountability in government.

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Brad and Dan discuss Donald Trump's recent interviews, highlighting concerns about his mental acuity and decisions on immigration policies.

They analyze new data from PRRI, revealing that a significant portion of Americans view Trump as a dangerous dictator while also detailing public sentiment on Trump's first hundred days in office.

The guys also explore a Supreme Court case from Oklahoma regarding the funding of a Catholic charter school and its implications for the separation of church and state.

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“It’s An Easy Fix”

“It’s an easy fix.” That’s what the proponents of high control religion often say in response to those who ask hard questions or level pointed critiques. But is it an “easy fix”? If not, what is the strategy behind suggesting that it is? How does the assertion that high-control religion can “easily” be modified actually work to maintain it? Why should we recognize that this response aims to coerce and maintain control over would-be faith deconstructors? Join Dan in this episode as he explores these questions and issues.

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Brad discusses recent news about the Trump White House considering a $5,000 baby bonus to increase the US birth rate and similar incentives to support traditional family structures.

Brad argues that these measures are deeply rooted in white nationalist ideas and reflect a broader agenda to shape the American family. He draws connections to Project 2025 and discusses how Hungary, with its pro-family policies under Viktor Orbán, serves as an inspiration for US conservative policies despite Hungary's economic and social issues.

These conservative agendas prioritize a specific vision of family and society, often at the expense of broader public welfare and economic stability.

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Brad and Dan talk about the controversial legacy of Pope Francis following his recent death, discussing his mixed reception among both conservatives and progressives. They highlight recent initiatives, including President Trump's anti-Christian bias task force led by figures such as Pam Bondi and Pete Hegseth.

The discussion touches on the differences between genuine religious freedom and Christian supremacy, as well as the potential uses of the task force for political propaganda.

Brad and Dan also cover recent legal losses for Trump, including issues with China trade tariffs, university disputes, and challenges in Ukraine. They conclude with updates on ongoing protests and legal actions, emphasizing growing pushback against the administration.

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Brad speaks with Dr. Ruth Braunstein about her new podcast on the evangelicals resisting extremism within their communities.

https://www.ruthbraunstein.com/podcast

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Advocates of high-control Christianity often admonish those undergoing faith deconstruction not to 

“throw out the baby with the bath water” as they level their critiques against high-control religion. The suggestion here is that, no matter what it’s faults might be, high-control Christianity offers something so important to its adherents that the cost of giving it up is simply too high consider. What is it that high-control Christianity is thought to offer its adherents? And how do partisans of high-control Christianity leverage this to coerce individuals into remaining within the high-control fold? Check out this week’s episode to find out!

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Brad discusses the current trends in Christian nationalism with Kiera Butler of Mother Jones. They talk about Andrew Isker and C.Jay Engel's plans to build a Christian nationalist society in Tennessee, funded by venture capitalists. Isker's antisemitic and anti-Civil Rights Act views are highlighted as they explore the similarities between these Christian enclaves and tech-driven network cities. The discussion includes the impact of recent tragic events at Florida State University and the socio-political implications of such movements.

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