Religious freedom group says 200 troops sent complaints of superiors using extremist Christian rhetoric to justify war..
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/03/us-israel-iran-war-christian-rhetoric
Showing posts with label Christian extremism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian extremism. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Sunday, January 11, 2026
Sex, Purity Culture, and Christian Nationalism with Erica Smith (Andrew Seidel; One Nation, Indivisible podcast Episode #046)
Purity Culture has devastated Americans for decades but Erica Smith has been helping people shed the shame and disinformation around sex and purity. Andrew and Erica delve into the harm of purity culture—it’s racism, bigotry, obsession with virginity—but also talk about how people can recover and find their true self and live healthy, happy, sexual lives. Purity Culture is a Christian Nationalist ploy to breed more straight, white American Christians.
- Pre-order Erica Smith’s book The Purity Culture Recovery Guide: The Shame-Free Sex Education You Deserve today (and tell your library to get a copy too!)
- Erica Smith’s website is here.
- Her Instagram is here.
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
History Minute (041): The Pilgrims and Puritans did not come to America for religious freedom.
As explained by Constitutional scholar and author Andrew Seidel, the Puritans and Pilgrims did come to America to escape persecution, but not to establish religious freedom. Rather, they came to establish theocracies where their religious beliefs could be enforced by the government. They were intolerant of any religious views that didn't align with their own, to the point of persecuting and executing people with differing views. And they also gleefully committed atrocities against native peoples in the name of their religion.
When it came time to write the Constitution, these are the very examples that the Founding Fathers looked at and said this is no way to run a country, and that they deliberately avoided. That is why the Founding Fathers wrote the U.S. Constitution to keep religion separate from government.
And by the way, as far as persecution goes: Who was persecuting them in England? Other Christians.
Andrew also provides suggestions for how to discuss this topic with others over the holidays without causing tension.
Sunday, November 16, 2025
TikToker Exposes Churches That Won't Help a Hungry Baby (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podcast #609)
— A TikToker is exposing churches that refuse to help a hungry baby. (2:32)
— Axios tried to shame Christian U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico—and ended up exposing itself. (24:30)
— Texas sues school district for following the law and not posting the Ten Commandments. (54:17)
— Anti-abortion conservatives in Australia tried to turn a mother’s tragedy into a political game. (1:05:09)
— Texas’ third-largest school district just rejected Christian extremism on the board of trustees. (1:19:00)
— Pumpkin Palooza panic: How a cross-carved gourd sparked a mini culture war. (1:28:30)
Interview:
— Axios tried to shame Christian U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico—and ended up exposing itself. (24:30)
— Texas sues school district for following the law and not posting the Ten Commandments. (54:17)
— Anti-abortion conservatives in Australia tried to turn a mother’s tragedy into a political game. (1:05:09)
— Texas’ third-largest school district just rejected Christian extremism on the board of trustees. (1:19:00)
— Pumpkin Palooza panic: How a cross-carved gourd sparked a mini culture war. (1:28:30)
Interview:
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Musk calls Anti-Defamation League ‘hate group’ for documenting Christian extremism | Elon Musk | The Guardian
The ADL's page on Kirk's organization states: "TPUSA's leadership and activists have made multiple racist or bigoted comments and have been linked to a variety of extremists", citing numerous incidents such as a TPUSA chapter head posting a joke about the murder of three Black students at their university; another chapter president caught on video yelling "white power"; and the organization inviting a prominent white nationalist to speak at Iowa State University…
Sunday, August 10, 2025
"Love Is Love, Pt.3" (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast) It’s in the Code ep 157
Does Allie Beth Stuckey struggle with the temptation to exercise “toxic empathy?”
In this episode, considering her opposition to marriage equality, Dan suggests that she does. How does she respond to this temptation?
What does this response show us not only about her, but about high-control American Christianity? How does it illustrate the ways in which high-control religion invariably masks exercises of power and authority as “love”? Check out this week’s episode to find out.
Interview:
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Monday, July 14, 2025
Weekly Roundup: Texas Floods and the Vengeful Theology of Kristi Noem + Why the Concentration Camp Had to Be in Florida (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)
Brad and Dan begin with the devastating floods in Texas and Kristi Noem’s controversial disaster response before turning to a chilling development: a proposed concentration camp in Florida. From there, they examine the deeper forces driving these events—white Christian nationalism, the weakening of church-state separation, and newly proposed changes to the Johnson Amendment.
With insight and urgency, Brad and Dan break down the theological narratives, policy shifts, and cultural consequences shaping today’s America. They also highlight why local elections and grassroots activism remain critical in the face of mounting extremism.
Interview:
With insight and urgency, Brad and Dan break down the theological narratives, policy shifts, and cultural consequences shaping today’s America. They also highlight why local elections and grassroots activism remain critical in the face of mounting extremism.
Interview:
Sunday, June 29, 2025
The Apostle Assassin (Conspirituality podcast episode #263)
“Dad went to war last night” read Vance Boelter's text to his family in the early hours of June 14. This was sent after his shooting rampage aimed at Democratic lawmakers, which left two dead and two critically wounded.
Turns out Boelter is an ordained pastor in a church associated with the New Apostolic Reformation, which sees the world as a spiritual battlefield and whose leaders have preached that political enemies are possessed by demons.
This is not some small fringe movement. Key figures in the Trump administration are adherents. We revisit this apocalyptic evangelical Christian cult and consider its political violence and religious extremism.
Interview:
Turns out Boelter is an ordained pastor in a church associated with the New Apostolic Reformation, which sees the world as a spiritual battlefield and whose leaders have preached that political enemies are possessed by demons.
This is not some small fringe movement. Key figures in the Trump administration are adherents. We revisit this apocalyptic evangelical Christian cult and consider its political violence and religious extremism.
Interview:
Saturday, June 28, 2025
Christian nationalists decided empathy is a sin. Now it’s gone mainstream. | Vox
In practice, what Rigney is typically decrying is any empathy for a liberal perspective or for someone who's part of a marginalized community...
https://www.vox.com/culture/413530/what-does-empathy-is-a-sin-mean-christian-extremism
Sunday, January 19, 2025
Church Publicly Shames Unwed Mother (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #566)
— Virginia church publicly shames unwed mother, then forbids her from having a baby shower. (0:30)
— Most national atheist groups release pro-LGBTQ statement. (14:47)
— Proposed North Dakota law would force students to say the Pledge of Allegiance. (23:07)
— Atheists sue West Virginia water agency over $5 million grant to Catholic school. (34:15)
— With awful logic, Christian professor says atheism leads to more sexual assault and self-harm. (39:08)
— South Dakota Republican proposes illegal Ten Commandments-in-schools bill. (56:45)
Interview:
— Most national atheist groups release pro-LGBTQ statement. (14:47)
— Proposed North Dakota law would force students to say the Pledge of Allegiance. (23:07)
— Atheists sue West Virginia water agency over $5 million grant to Catholic school. (34:15)
— With awful logic, Christian professor says atheism leads to more sexual assault and self-harm. (39:08)
— South Dakota Republican proposes illegal Ten Commandments-in-schools bill. (56:45)
Interview:
Sunday, November 10, 2024
It’s in the Code Ep 120: “They Can’t Get Enough” (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)
High-control Christian communities in America are critical of “secular” society for being sex-obsessed and for creating a culture of lust. And yet, these communities are actually obsessed with issues related to sex, sexuality, and gender. From before people within those communities enter adolescence, all the way through their adult lives, they will be inundated with teachings about these issues.
Stated simply, conservative Christians in American simply can’t get enough of talking and thinking about sex. But why? Dan explores this issue in this first episode of a multi-episode series—listen in and check it out!
Interview:
Saturday, July 20, 2024
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Another provocative flag flown at Samuel Alito residence, report says | US politics | The Guardian
Last summer, the "Appeal to Heaven" flag, which originates from the Revolutionary war and has in recent years become a symbol of far-right Christian extremism, was flown outside Alito's summer home in Long Beach Island, New Jersey, the New York Times reported on Wednesday...
Sunday, October 29, 2023
WaPo Columnist Dana Milbank on the Super-MAGA House (Al Franken podcast)
How A Far-Right Zealot Got to be 2nd in Line for POTUS...
Interview:
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Drag queen (and ordained minister) Bella DuBalle won't be silenced by new Tenn. (Terry Gross; Fresh Air podcast)
Tennessee native Bella DuBalle is an ordained minister and also the show director and host at Atomic Rose, the largest drag club in Memphis. She says the Tennessee law was written by legislators who don't understand what drag is.
"The idea that they think that every drag performer is doing something hypersexual or obscene obviously means they don't know very much about it," DuBalle says. "I cannot succinctly put into words what the entire art of drag is, and the fact that these legislators who know far less about the art than I do and have never been to a drag show are sitting out there making these laws — that's a little upsetting."
Interview:
"The idea that they think that every drag performer is doing something hypersexual or obscene obviously means they don't know very much about it," DuBalle says. "I cannot succinctly put into words what the entire art of drag is, and the fact that these legislators who know far less about the art than I do and have never been to a drag show are sitting out there making these laws — that's a little upsetting."
Interview:
Monday, October 31, 2022
When I started growing breasts as a teen boy, I got gender-affirming care without stigma (Think from NBC)
The double standard is glaring. And a recent viral interview between Jon Stewart and Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge about her state’s ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth points to a large part of the problem. Without being able to name a credible source, Rutledge claimed that 98% of youth with gender dysphoria would grow out of it. To which Stewart replied, “Wow, that’s an incredibly made-up figure.”...
Sunday, September 25, 2022
Is Yahweh a Terrorist? (with Dr. Joshua Bowen) (Seth Andrews; TheThinking Atheist podcast)
At the release of his new book on the Old Testament, Dr. Joshua Bowen joins us for a necessary conversation about the true nature of the biblical god.
Interview:
Sunday, July 17, 2022
Christian nationalism’s influence on American politics (The 1A)
Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano in Pennsylvania has not been shy about his faith in his campaign speeches. When he won his primary in May, the Associated Press described his victory party as an “evangelical worship service.” He referenced Bible scripture, and warned about the “darkness” of the Democrats. This rhetoric is just one example of a growing ideology among the GOP called Christian nationalism.
Sociologist Andrew Whitehead defines Christian nationalism as “a cultural framework that is all about trying to advocate for a fusion between Christianity — as they define it — and American civic life.”
Christian nationalists had a huge influence in electing Donald Trump as president in 2016, believing he was their only hope to keep America Christian, NPR reported. And symbols of Christian nationalism could be seen all over the attack on the Capitol.
Investigative journalist Katherine Stewart has called this ideology “one of Trump’s most powerful weapons.” She and other experts warn that Christian nationalism is only getting more mainstream and dangerous — as this midterm election has proven with candidates like Doug Mastriano.
So how much influence does Christian nationalism have on American politics? And how big a threat does it pose to democracy?
Interview:
Sociologist Andrew Whitehead defines Christian nationalism as “a cultural framework that is all about trying to advocate for a fusion between Christianity — as they define it — and American civic life.”
Christian nationalists had a huge influence in electing Donald Trump as president in 2016, believing he was their only hope to keep America Christian, NPR reported. And symbols of Christian nationalism could be seen all over the attack on the Capitol.
Investigative journalist Katherine Stewart has called this ideology “one of Trump’s most powerful weapons.” She and other experts warn that Christian nationalism is only getting more mainstream and dangerous — as this midterm election has proven with candidates like Doug Mastriano.
So how much influence does Christian nationalism have on American politics? And how big a threat does it pose to democracy?
Interview:
Sunday, February 27, 2022
Ukraine and International Law; Gov. Abbott’s Despicable Attack on Trans Kids (Opening Arguments podcast OA572)
What does the US’s disgusting history of war crimes teach us about international law? We look at the story of how the US screwed over Nicaragua and what the UN did about it. Also, we break down Gov. Abbott’s gross attack on trans people. It’s despicable, but what will the real life consequences be? Find out. Before that, some good news and very bad news in the efforts to hold Trump accountable for his uncountable crimes.
Interview:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Click Older Posts above to see more.