US president calls on Iranian people to 'take over your government', as explosions heard across central Tehran…
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Weekly Roundup: State of the Union Fallout: ICE Expansion, Christian Nationalism & Retribution Politics (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)
In this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi and Dan Miller break down the spectacle and subtext of the recent State of the Union. While the speech itself felt predictable—long on grievance, short on substance—the real story lies in what surrounded it: questions about presidential mental acuity, the resurfacing of Epstein-related controversies, renewed attacks on Hillary Clinton, and escalating federal retaliation against so-called "blue states" like Minnesota.
Brad and Dan explore how retribution politics, culture war theater, and the weaponization of "fraud" narratives are shaping the administration's strategy—often at the expense of basic governance and public trust.
With ICE planning a $38 billion expansion of detention infrastructure, Brad and Dan confront what they argue is the normalization of a nationwide network of camps—and the Christian leaders defending it. Analyzing figures like William Wolfe and Kevin Roberts, they expose the theological sleight of hand at work: "order" elevated above human dignity, "our people" defined in narrowing ethnic and national terms, and violence reframed as righteousness.
This isn't abstract theology—it's a moral justification for mass detention and exclusion. The episode names it plainly and challenges listeners to reckon with what kind of Christianity, and what kind of country, is being built in its name.
Interview:
Islamic State emerges from rubble of north-east Syria to exploit discontent with al-Sharaa
'Rebranded' terror group seeks to recruit those alienated by Damascus government's western pivot…
"It's Not About Sacrifice" (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast) It's in the Code ep 181
Josh Hawley argues that men are called to be fathers, and that fatherhood is defined by sacrificing oneself.
But is it?
Should it be?
Why does high-control religion demand "sacrifice," and how does Hawley's account of masculinity reinforce these demands?
How does he use this demand for sacrifice to demonize those who don't share his social vision?
And how do appeals to sacrifice mask the interests that lie behind his vision of masculinity?
So many questions—take a listen to this week's episode to hear the answers.
Interview:
Christian Nationalism Has Taken Over the GOP (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #624)
— Christian Nationalism has captured the Republican Party. (2:28)
— A Tennessee bill would force Bible lessons and prayer in public schools. (16:23)
— Ten Commandments posters must go up in schools before Louisiana families can sue, says federal court. (30:18)
— “Pro-life” Tennessee GOP pushes amendment to murder women who have abortions. (39:54)
— Kansas House passes bill making clergy mandated reporters… but Confession loophole remains. (56:50)
Interview:
— A Tennessee bill would force Bible lessons and prayer in public schools. (16:23)
— Ten Commandments posters must go up in schools before Louisiana families can sue, says federal court. (30:18)
— “Pro-life” Tennessee GOP pushes amendment to murder women who have abortions. (39:54)
— Kansas House passes bill making clergy mandated reporters… but Confession loophole remains. (56:50)
Interview:
A Teacher's Dilemma (Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, Freethought Radio podcast)
After reporting state/church news, we talk with Texas schoolteacher Gigi Cervantes who tells us why she quit her job rather than force the Ten Commandments on students.
Interview:
A world on edge as Trump bombs Iran and triggers war in the Middle East. There was no need for this
" We cannot know where this foolish, reckless attack will end – but new hatreds will be seeded, terrorist vendettas sown and, ultimately, little will be achieved…"
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/feb/28/donald-trump-bombs-iran-war-middle-east
LIVE DEBATE [The Christmas Story is a Lie] 12-17-2025
In this episode, discussions with callers cover these topics and more:
The bible can't figure out when Jesus was born, where he lived, confused Greek and Hebrew texts, and lies about his genealogy.
Interview:
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