Weekly Roundup: Is COVID-19 a Punishment from God?
Brad and Dan begin by discussing a the demand for in-person church meetings in Kansas, Liberty University’s attack on the press, and Bill O’Reilly’s comment that most of those who have died from COVID-19 were “on their last legs anyway.” They then examine Franklin Graham’s and Pope Francis’ theologies on why this pandemic is plaguing the globe (14:00).— Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/straightwhiteamericanjesu/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/straightwhiteamericanjesu/support
Freedom from Religion Enables Freedom of Religion
During the COVID-19 pandemic many are discussing the liberty to hold religious gatherings despite the public health risks. In an interview from 2019, Dan speaks with Andrew Seidel, constitutional lawyer at the freedom from religion foundation, about how freedom from religion guarantees freedom of religion.— Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/straightwhiteamericanjesu/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/straightwhiteamericanjesu/support
Weekly Roundup: Pastors Endanger Lives by Holding Services: Masculinity, Anti-Intellectualism, and Ecclesiology
Brad and Dan begin by adding some humor to the mix–they tell stories of how they didn’t fit in at Oxford and the hijinks that ensued (00:30). They then discuss the pastors who continue to hold services and how a mix of toxic masculinity, resistance to science, and disdain for the government are factors in this phenomenon They also explain why theologically evangelicals should be the group most willing and able to halt large in-person gatherings (12:40).They finish by discussing how conservative media has covered the pandemic (27:50), Trump blaming states for lack of healthcare equipment (28:40), and the stunning admission of ignorance on the part of GA governor Brian Kemp (39:50).— Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/straightwhiteamericanjesu/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/straightwhiteamericanjesu/support
The Entangled Histories of Christianity, Atheism, and Racism
Brad speaks to Dr. Nathan Alexander about his new book on the entangled histories of Christianity, atheism, and racism in the 19th and 20th centuries. They try to answer some compelling questions: Are non-religious people more or less susceptible than Christians to supporting racism and racist policies? What can history tell us about this subject? They explore Darwin, early irreligious reformers, and 20th/21st century problems.— Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/straightwhiteamericanjesu/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/straightwhiteamericanjesu/support
Weekly Roundup: Trump, Evangelicals, and Covid-19
Religion was in full view this week as it relates to COVID-19. Brad and Dan discuss evangelical leaders and politicians resisting shelter in place directives, the Trump Bible study leader blaming LGBT+ people for the pandemic, Hobby Lobby and visions from God, Liberty University going back to school, Pompeo railroading G7 talks by demanding it be called the Wuhan Virus, the faux-Trump Bump, strongman masculinity and disease, and reasons for hope (yes, there are reasons to hope).— Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/straightwhiteamericanjesu/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/straightwhiteamericanjesu/support
From Evangelical Leader to Feminist Superhero
Asha Dahya was a happy evangelical when she moved to LA from Australia. But the politics of the Religious Right led her out of the faith. Indian by ethnicity, British-born, Australian raised, and living in the USA since 2008, in a few short years she has become a reproductive rights activist, editor in chief of […]
SWAJ Daily: All the Made-Up Things
” . . only the invented part of life was satisfying.” -Gerald Murphy to F. Scott Fitzgerald.— Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/straightwhiteamericanjesu/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/straightwhiteamericanjesu/support
Weekly Roundup: Bernie Sanders and American Civil (Non) Religion
Brad and Dan discuss why in this sort of crisis everyone’s a socialist (2:55), the fallout from the Burr/Loeffler revelations (7:35), and then spend the bulk of the episode discussing why Bernie Sanders would be a revolutionary candidate in religious terms–the first None President in our country’s history. They trace histories of anti-Jewish and anti-secular bias in the USA and discuss the dimensions of a non-theist as president(14:15), and reasons for hope–neighbors, neighborhoods, and the rediscovery of in-person interactions! (55:00)— Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/straightwhiteamericanjesu/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/straightwhiteamericanjesu/support
SWAJ Daily: Burr Should Resign, Fact-Checking Cornyn, How to Avoid Turning Anxiety to Racism
Brad discusses the moral failing of Senator Richard Burr and calls on him to resign, fact checks Sen. Cornyn on China, viruses, and more, and challenges us not to allow our fear to transform into racism and xenophobia.— Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/straightwhiteamericanjesu/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/straightwhiteamericanjesu/support
A White Southern Pentecostal Bernie Voter
Aaron Simmons has been asked to leave numerous churches over the last decade. Not over theology or the Bible. But because he votes the wrong way and wants to have open discussions about abortion, race, justice, and other issues. A fourth-generation Pentecostal, he didn’t leave evangelicalism. It left him. But he persists–attending an evangelical church […]
SWAJ Daily: Trump’s COVID Dog-Whistle and Christian Nationalism, Elections in Ohio, and Space Force!
On today’s daily dispatch, Brad discusses why Trump labeling COVID-19 the “Chinese virus” is part of a long lineage of anti-Asian xenophobia and part of the Christian nationalism held by his supporters (4:00). He discusses a new piece on Christian nationalism and anti-immigrant ideology by Samuel Perry. Brad also touches on how Trump tried to buy the rights to a vaccine from a German company (11:45), the fight over the Democratic primary election in Ohio, where the governor canceled voting today (15:40), and the fact that we don’t have a pandemic response committee, but we do have SPACE FORCE! (18:17)— Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/straightwhiteamericanjesu/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/straightwhiteamericanjesu/support
Weekly Roundup: Conspiracy and Corona Virus, Title IX and Discrimination, and the Appeal of Biden
Brad and Dan discuss the conspiracy theories Evangelicals and the President are pushing about Corona Virus (0:30), Title IX exemptions for universities that discriminate against LGBT+ people (17:50), the surprising surge of Biden and his popularity with African American religious voters (27:05), who is the most “religious” candidate left (44:05), and a one-minute explainer on why COVID-19 is a serious threat to public health (as opposed to what Fox News is telling your mom or nana) (50:50).— Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/straightwhiteamericanjesu/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/straightwhiteamericanjesu/support
