Texas is religiously indoctrinating kids in school

 https://www.youtube.com/shorts/zmTOB4S9D2g

Telling Jefferson Lies: Conspiracy of Silence (Warren Throckmorton)

After David Barton's book The Jefferson Lies was pulled from publication in August, 2012, some Christian organizations wrote critical articles and publicly distanced themselves from Barton and Wallbuilders. Other groups some were caught off guard. The leaders of these groups knew they had false and misleading material being offered to their constituents, but they didn’t make any moves to remove it.

This episode examines how two of those organizations, Family Research Council and Focus on the Family, handled the situation. I wish I could say this episode has a happy ending. Ultimately, what began as a conspiracy of silence ended even quieter than it started.

From the episode: 

"What is so important about those stories that the leadership of a Christian organization would decide that deception and gaslighting are good strategies? Where in the manual for running a Christian organization does it say to hide the truth when someone points out that you are spreading misinformation?"

Guests today: 

• Fred W. Beuttler was Deputy Historian of the U. S. House of Representatives from 2005 to 2010. He currently teaches history and government at The University of Chicago’s Graham School for Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies. 
• Jay Case is professor of history at Malone College in Akron Ohio, 
• Jared Burkholder is professor of history at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana, 
• Gregg Frazer is Dean of Humanities at The Master’s University in Santa Clarita, CA and 
• Katherine Stewart is the author of The Power Worshippers and The Good News Club.

Interview: 

https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-y9aws-1d97b7c3

Telling Jefferson Lies: Whitewashing Jefferson, Part Two (Warren Throckmorton)

This is a continuation of last week's episode on whitewashing Jefferson. Today, we specifically take on Barton's contention that Jefferson was a civil rights hero for African Americans and was a strong anti-slavery advocate during his entire life.

In fact, after 1784, Jefferson's promising beginning as an opponent of slavery faded away. While he continued to advocate emancipation, he linked it with deportation. He always believed that Blacks and Whites could not live together in one nation. He dedicated himself to the business of slavery and as president, supported the expansion of the American slave trade into Louisiana.

Today's episode is hosted by Warren Throckmorton and Michael Coulter. We are pleased to have Monticello librarian Anna Berkes, historian Troy Jackson, attorney and theologian Joel McDurmon, and author and historian Jemar Tisby join us for this episode.

Next week's episode is titled Conspiracy of Silence and deals with fallout from The Jefferson Lies and the response of Family Research Council and Focus on the Family to their awareness that they were promoting false and misleading historical information via their organizations.
Interview: 

https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-krptp-1d7d1d34

A Right-Wing Think Tank Claimed to Be a Church. Now, Members of Congress Want to Investigate. — ProPublica

Forty lawmakers are calling on the IRS and the Treasury to investigate after ProPublica reported that the Family Research Council gained protections by claiming it is a church...

https://www.propublica.org/article/a-right-wing-think-tank-claimed-to-be-a-church-now-members-of-congress-want-to-investigate

Condemning Bigotry Isn't Christian Persecution (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #435)

— Happy James Webb Telescope Images week for all who celebrate! (0:30)

— How seriously should we take the allegations against right-wing radio host Jesse Lee Peterson? (10:28)

— A Christian writer thinks she's being persecuted for her faith. Nope. It's just her bigotry. (27:02)

— A former Texas football star says he was definitely coerced into praying with his coaches despite what the Supreme Court now says. (45:35)

— The Christian hate-group Family Research Council is now technically a "church," a move that allows it to avoid being transparent about its finances. (55:16)

— A female pastor's progressive views on LGBTQ people were censored from a book celebrating female pastors. (1:03:52)

— A new bill in Congress would crack down on scammy Christian "health share" ministries. (1:14:38)
Interview: 

https://audioboom.com/posts/8121144-ep-435-condemning-bigotry-isn-t-christian-persecution

Family Research Council Obtains Church Status From IRS — ProPublica

The FRC, a staunch opponent of abortion and LGBTQ rights, joins a growing list of activist groups seeking church status, which allows organizations to shield themselves from financial scrutiny...

https://www.propublica.org/article/family-research-council-irs-church-status