When we first heard about the Straight White American Jesus podcast, we assumed by its name that it was a comedy show. Then we tuned in. Not funny.
Bradley Onishi and his co-host Daniel Miller, both religion scholars, explore the intersection of religion and politics. If you’re reading this, or our friend Nina Burleigh’s substack — American Political Freakshow — you already know that that can be a really scary place.
Brad, a one-time evangelical preacher, is also the author of the essential-read “Preparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism—and What Comes Next.”
We met Brad in April at the Summit for Religious Freedom, hosted by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, where he interviewed David and Christina about ground-level politics in Pennsylvania (yeah, we talked about you, Doug Mastriano!). You can hear that conversation here.
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Today, we’re delighted to share our conversation with him. Here, Brad explains the genesis of the White Christian Nationalism movement in America, how it evolved over the past 50 years, its embodiment in today’s GOP, and what in God’s name are they thinking!? They’re arming for a holy war against Democracy. How do we battle against that? Is it even possible?
We get deep into the weeds and we promise: you will learn a lot. (The Follow-Up, below, will help.)
Hey, can’t say we didn’t warn you!
THE FOLLOW-UP
“Preparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism-and What Comes Next,” by Bradley Onishi
What is The Second Great Awakening?
“Turning Point USA’s Pastors Summit featured Christian Nationalist Ideology and Right-wing Hatred,” by Sophie Lawton, Media Matters
What is The Overton Window?
“Taking America Back for God,” by Andrew L. Whitehead and Samuel L. Perry
Robert Schuller and the Crystal Cathedral
Who is Paul Weyrich?
What Are Jericho Marches?
Who is Sean Feucht?
What is ALEC (The American Legislative Exchange Council)?
WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO
The Bulwark is a media organization we were curious about. It positions itself as center-right, and are hardcore Never-Trumpers. (It was started by the neocon Bill Kristol, for whom zero love is lost, but we often enjoy listening to host Charlie Sykes.) The Bulwark is essentially for an audience identifying as “rational Republicans” and others wistful for what is justifiably assumed to be an extinct species of political animal. They recently launched a multi-part series called The Corruption of Lindsay Graham created by William Saletan. Episode One is a truly compelling listen; we look forward to seeing where it goes.
WHAT WE’RE READING
You knew a substack called Secular Politics would attract our interest. Dr. Juhem Navarro-Rivera is a political scientist, writer, public speaker, and research consultant. He’s the Political Research director and Managing Partner at Socioanalitica Research, and a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Humanist Studies. His newsletter covers, well, secular politics, from various angles. We’ve only just begun to dig in but what we’re finding contains smart, insightful and useful information. Check it out.