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ABOUT THE EPISODEListen in as David Schrock and Trent Hunter interview Ryan Helfenbein on his COA Longform Essay, "Retrieving The Christianity of America's Founding"Timestamps00:00 – Introducing Ryan Helfenbein04:33 – Ryan's Path From Seminary to Liberty University11:30 – Falwell's Shift: From Ministers to Moral Majority16:39 – Debating the Christian Nature of America's Founding19:03 – Reappraising Founders' Faith: Beyond the Deist Label23:19 – The First Amendment's True Intent: No Denominational Establishment28:01 – How Preachers Stirred Resistance to Tyranny32:05 – From Christian Roots to Secular Education37:40 – The Civil War and the Christian Nation Concept40:06 – Wayne Grudem's Framework for a Christian Nation46:15 – Historical Christian Character and Moral Laws48:34 – Tom Holland and Christian Origins of Modern Balues51:32 – Modern Religious Freedom, Immigration, and the Church's Civic Role01:01:12 – Rebuilding America and Defending Our Christian Inheritance01:03:30 – Trent's Advice for Pastors on Civic Engagement01:07:06 – Recommended Resources and OutroResources to Click“Retrieving The Christianity of America's Founding” – Ryan Helfenbein“Competing Visions of America at 250: Politics, Religion, and American Identity” – PRRI“Mapping Christian Nationalism Across the 50 States: Insights from PRRI's 2025 American Values Atlas” – PRRI“Speaker Johnson Leads Nation in Prayer of Rededication” – Mike Johnson“MS NOW's Katy Tur Forgets the Declaration of Independence's Most Famous Line in Botched Hit on Mike Johnson” – Isaac Schorr“‘Christian Nationalists' like Speaker Mike Johnson are a bigger threat than al-Qaeda” – James Carville“Political Strategist's Dire Warning About Mike Johnson” – Rachel Dobkin“Sorry, Politico: You Don't Get to Rewrite the Declaration of Independence” – Rachel Del Guidice“The Right Way to Cover the Intersection of Religion and Politics” – Heidi Przybyla“North Carolina pastor rejects ‘Christian nation' claims from GOP legislators” – Cardinal & Pine Staff“A Discourse Concerning Unlimited Submission and Non-Resistance to the Higher Powers” – Jonathan Mayhew“The Catechism of the Revolution” – David Kopel“Samuel Davies: Apostle of Dissent” – R. Isabela Morales“George Washington, letter to John Augustine Washington” – George Washington's Mt. Vernon“The Federalist Papers: No. 37” – James Madison“The Federalist Papers: No. 2” – John Jay“The Relative Influence of European Writers on Late Eighteenth-Century American Political Thought” – Donald S. Lutz“Religious Tests and Oaths in State Constitutions, 1776-1784” – Center for the Study of the American Constitution, University of Wisconsin“Constitution of Delaware; 1776”“Constitution of Maryland, 1776”“Fighting the Good Fight of Faith: 250 Years of Sacred Service of the United States Army Chaplain Corps” – Chaplain (Capt.) Joseph Feaster“Under providence and liberty: George Washington and the sacred birth of the Army Chaplain Corps” – Stella NauloChurch of the Holy Trinity v. United States“America's Christian Founding?” – Bradford Littlejohn“A Christian Manifesto” – Francis Schaeffer“Is America a Christian Nation?” – Apologetic Junkie“Seal of Approval” – Harvard Gazette“The Oldest Endowed Professorship” – Harvard Gazette“History of the United States” – Noah Webster“Of the Mode of Education Proper in a Republic” – Benjamin Rush“Horace Mann and the Irony of Secular Education” – Jeffrey PoletEverson v. Board of Education“Jefferson's Letter to the Danbury Baptists” – Thomas JeffersonTheme of the Month: God (B)less America: The United States at 250Give to Support the Work Books to ReadOn Rebellion – John Knox, ed. Roger A. MasonDid America Have a Christian Founding? – Mark David HallPolitics: According to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture – Wayne GrudemBLM: The Making of a New Marxist Revolution – Mike Gonzalez
ABOUT THE EPISODEAmericans have grown increasingly unfamiliar with their own founding documents, and as a result, our country has grown increasingly less Christian. What is the path forward?Resources to Click“Providence, Protestantism, and the Classroom: The Christianity of America's Founding and Only Future” – Ryan Helfenbein“Competing Visions of America at 250: Politics, Religion, and American Identity” – PRRI“Mapping Christian Nationalism Across the 50 States: Insights from PRRI's 2025 American Values Atlas” – PRRI“Speaker Johnson Leads Nation in Prayer of Rededication” – Mike Johnson“MS NOW's Katy Tur Forgets the Declaration of Independence's Most Famous Line in Botched Hit on Mike Johnson” – Isaac Schorr“‘Christian Nationalists' like Speaker Mike Johnson are a bigger threat than al-Qaeda” – James Carville“Political Strategist's Dire Warning About Mike Johnson” – Rachel Dobkin“Sorry, Politico: You Don't Get to Rewrite the Declaration of Independence” – Rachel Del Guidice“The Right Way to Cover the Intersection of Religion and Politics” – Heidi Przybyla“North Carolina pastor rejects ‘Christian nation' claims from GOP legislators” – Cardinal & Pine Staff“A Discourse Concerning Unlimited Submission and Non-Resistance to the Higher Powers” – Jonathan Mayhew“The Catechism of the Revolution” – David Kopel“Samuel Davies: Apostle of Dissent” – R. Isabela Morales“George Washington, letter to John Augustine Washington” – George Washington's Mt. Vernon“The Federalist Papers: No. 37” – James Madison“The Federalist Papers: No. 2” – John Jay“The Relative Influence of European Writers on Late Eighteenth-Century American Political Thought” – Donald S. Lutz“Religious Tests and Oaths in State Constitutions, 1776-1784” – Center for the Study of the American Constitution, University of Wisconsin“Constitution of Delaware; 1776”“Constitution of Maryland, 1776”“Fighting the Good Fight of Faith: 250 Years of Sacred Service of the United States Army Chaplain Corps” – Chaplain (Capt.) Joseph Feaster“Under providence and liberty: George Washington and the sacred birth of the Army Chaplain Corps” – Stella NauloChurch of the Holy Trinity v. United States“America's Christian Founding?” – Bradford Littlejohn“A Christian Manifesto” – Francis Schaeffer“Is America a Christian Nation?” – Apologetic Junkie“Seal of Approval” – Harvard Gazette“The Oldest Endowed Professorship” – Harvard Gazette“History of the United States” – Noah Webster“Of the Mode of Education Proper in a Republic” – Benjamin Rush“Horace Mann and the Irony of Secular Education” – Jeffrey PoletEverson v. Board of Education“Jefferson's Letter to the Danbury Baptists” – Thomas Jefferson“Federal Appeals Court Upholds Texas Ten Commandments Law” – NY Times“Bluebonnet Learning” – Texas Education Agency“State Board of Education Approves Bible-infused Curriculum” – Jaen Edison“Long march through the institutions” – Wikipedia“Sanford Alters Western Culture Course” – Lee A. Daniels“The Politics of Official Knowledge: Does a National Curriculum Make Sense?” – Michael W. Apple“New Poll: Nearly Half of Americans Don't Know What America's 250th is Celebrating” – Emily Ekins“PBS News Poll 2026” – PBS on Facebook“Suicide Prevention” – CDC“Loneliness in America 2025” – The Cigna Group“Teens Spend Average of 4.8 Hours on Social Media Per Day” – Jonathan Rothwell“Education Scorecard” – Stanford Educational Opportunity Project“Why U.S. Testscores are in a Generational Decline” – NY TimesTheme of the Month: God (B)less America: The United States at 250Give to Support the Work Books to ReadOn Rebellion – John Knox, ed. Roger A. MasonDid America Have a Christian Founding? – Mark David HallPolitics: According to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture – Wayne GrudemBLM: The Making of a New Marxist Revolution – Mike Gonzalez
Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comHow did “biblical manhood” become so tied to aggression, politics, and power? Kristin Kobes Du Mez, professor of history at Calvin University and author of Jesus and John Wayne, joins Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram to explain how white evangelical ideas about masculinity helped shape American Christianity and American politics. Du Mez traces the rise of rugged Christian manhood through culture, Cold War politics, the Religious Right, Ronald Reagan, fear of feminism and secularism, anti-Muslim rhetoric, and the culture war machinery that turns complicated issues into loyalty tests. She also connects masculine power to institutional self-protection, including the Southern Baptist Convention's response to women in leadership and sexual abuse reform. This conversation is not just about men. It is about how gender, theology, fear, capitalism, and political power worked together to shape modern white evangelicalism, and why America's 250th raises urgent questions about religious liberty and democracy.Guest BioKristin Kobes Du Mez, PhD, is a historian, New York Times bestselling author, and professor of history at Calvin University. Her work focuses on the intersection of gender, religion, politics, and American evangelicalism. She is the author of Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation, A New Gospel for Women, and the forthcoming Live Laugh Love: The Secret History of White Christian Women and the World They Made. She is also a Senior Democracy Fellow with PRRI. In this conversation, Du Mez helps explain how white evangelical ideas about masculinity, femininity, fear, family, politics, and power shaped the modern church and the country around it.Book MentionedJesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation by Kristin Kobes Du MezBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781631499050Live Laugh Love: The Secret History of White Christian Women and the World They Made by Kristin Kobes Du MezBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781324090977Relevant Links & ResourcesKristin Kobes Du Mez Official WebsiteURL: https://kristindumez.com/ Support Sarah Stankorb's work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026. Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: Josh@faithfulpolitics.comWill Wright, Political Host: Will@faithfulpolitics.comFollow Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast
Today we're talking about white supremacy and how attractive the movement is to members of high control religions. We also discuss what we can do to combat the white supremacist movement. Then we discuss the 2024 movie The Order, a true story about the violent white supremacist movement started by Robert Mathews in the mid 1980's. Following that, we cover some excellent news about NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani funding the NYC public school system with $67.5M for special education classes after the federal government cut funding. Enjoy! Show Notes: Domestic Threat: White Supremacy Extremism: https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/domestic-threat White Supremacist Ideas Have Historical Roots in U.S. Christianity: https://www.npr.org/2020/07/01/883115867/white-supremacist-ideas-have-historical-roots-in-u-s-christianity Children's Defense Fund Condemnation of White Supremacy: https://www.childrensdefense.org/blog/condemnation-of-white-supremacy/ White Supremacy Culture Characteristics: https://www.whitesupremacyculture.info/characteristics.html Building Resilient Organizations: https://forgeorganizing.org/article/building-resilient-organizations/ A Christian Nation? Understanding the Threat of Christian Nationalism to American Democracy and Culture: https://prri.org/research/a-christian-nation-understanding-the-threat-of-christian-nationalism-to-american-democracy-and-culture/ Mapping Christian Nationalism Across the 50 States: Insights from PRRI's 2025 American Values Atlas: https://prri.org/research/mapping-christian-nationalism-across-the-50-states-insights-from-prris-2025-american-values-atlas/ Thornwell's Inaugural Address of the COnfederate Presbyterian Church: https://allkirk.net/2019/04/01/thornwells-inaugural-address-of-the-confederate-presbyterian-church/ White nationalism remains major concern for voters of color: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/white-nationalism-remains-major-concern-for-voters-of-color-and-appears-to-be-connected-ideologically-to-the-growing-christian-nationalism-movement/ Great Replacement Theory: Here's what Jews need to know about white supremacy: https://www.ajc.org/news/great-replacement-theory-heres-what-jews-need-to-know-about-white-supremacy Holy Hate: The Far Right's Radicalization of Religion: https://www.splcenter.org/resources/reports/holy-hate-far-rights-radicalization-religion/ New Hate and Old: The Changing Face of American White Supremacy: https://www.adl.org/new-hate-and-old-the-changing-face-of-american-white-supremacy-executive-summary Syd Lieberman: The Day the Nazis Came: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/syd-liebermans-storytelling-po-166599/episodes/the-day-the-nazis-came-7270789 MOGP: The Order (2024): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26625693/?ref_=nm_knf_t_1 Where it's streaming: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-order-2024 WIRED The Real Story of The Order: https://www.wired.com/story/real-story-the-order-fbi-movie-bob-mathews/ The Order: Inside America's Racist Underground, by Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardt Happy News: Mamdani, NYC public schools invest $67.5M in special education amid federal budget cuts: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/new-york-city-special-education-expansion Other Appearances: Chris Shelton had us back on! Speaking of Cults: The Violent and Horrible Origin Story of Mormonism: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/the-women-who-wouldnt-let-climate-data-disappear He has had MANY different fascinating people on so go take a look! Here is the whole playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpGuS7GcsgA&list=PLGrPM1Pg2h72ADIuv8eYmzrJ-ppLOlw_g Show Links: Email: glassboxpodcast@gmail.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions BlueSky: @glassboxpodcast.bsky.social Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/ Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html One time Paypal donation: bryceblankenagel@gmail.com Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat happens when Christianity becomes a tool for defending racial hierarchy? Robert P. Jones, founder and president of PRRI and author of White Too Long, The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy, and the forthcoming Backslide, joins Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram to examine how white Christianity shaped slavery, segregation, public memory, and American democracy. Jones traces the story through his own Southern Baptist family history, the denominational splits over slavery, the religious defense of the Confederacy, lynching, the Lost Cause, segregation academies, and the long refusal of many white Christians to fully repent of white supremacy. The conversation also looks at why terms like “white Christian” and “white evangelical” are uncomfortable but necessary, and how racial identity still shapes religious and political behavior. This episode asks a hard question: if Christians once used the Bible to justify slavery and Jim Crow, what are Christians being asked to confront now?Guest BioRobert P. Jones, PhD, is the president and founder of Public Religion Research Institute, known as PRRI, and a New York Times bestselling author. His work examines the intersection of religion, race, politics, democracy, and American identity. He is the author of The End of White Christian America, White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity, The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy and the Path to a Shared American Future, and the forthcoming Backslide: Reclaiming a Faith and a Nation After the Christian Turn Against Democracy. His research and writing connect directly to this episode's focus on white Christianity, slavery, segregation, Christian nationalism, public memory, and the future of democracy.Book MentionedBackslide: Reclaiming a Faith and a Nation After the Christian Turn Against Democracy by Robert P. JonesBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/56272/9781250431134The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy by Robert P. JonesBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781668009529Relevant Links & ResourcesPRRI - Robert P. JonesURL: https://prri.org/staff/robert-p-jones-ph-d/ Support Sarah Stankorb's work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026. Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: Josh@faithfulpolitics.comWill Wright, Political Host: Will@faithfulpolitics.comFollow Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast
God already gave you the land. The catch? You still have to walk on it. Joshua 1 on comfort, courage, and the cost of staying put. Click here to read the sermon A New Dawn, A New Day Joshua 1:1–9 Heavenly Father, Jesus, we come before you this Sunday morning, and we lift up your holy name. Jesus, we invite your presence, your Holy Spirit power, into this moment and into this place and into our lives and our hearts and our minds. Jesus, we pray prayers of gratitude for our children who came back from camp this week. We pray prayers of protection and grace over our youth who are headed off this week. We pray a prayer of clarity for Yates Baptist Church. Jesus, we ask in your holy name that you would give us clarity over confusion, that you would cast vision for the future of your church, and that that vision would lead us where division stirs. And finally, Jesus, we declare boldly this morning that whatever you may have in store for the future of Yates Baptist Church, we know that the very best days of the kingdom of Jesus Christ are still to come. The best is yet to come. And so, Jesus, we come before you this morning, and we give you the honor and the glory and the praise that is rightly due to your name. Jesus, we pray. Amen. Well, it is such a treat to be with you today, Yates Baptist Church. I want you to know the last time I was in this building was a few years ago, when I had the opportunity, as the head of the communications team for the Tri-West Baptist Network, to come in here. You hosted our annual meeting, and I got to give a report. So it is a very different experience being here preaching rather than giving a business meeting report. This is far more enjoyable, and I'm so glad to be with you today. Knowing that I'm going to be with you for the next three weeks helps me, because it allows me to preach a sermon series rather than try to squeeze everything together into one message. So we're going to get you to that meeting and that lunch earlier than you had hoped. That's the plan. So we're starting a series today called Onward. Onward. This series is going to be all about — and you can go ahead and throw that up on the screen, there we go — moving toward the uncharted. Moving toward the uncharted. We're going to be looking at the book of Joshua, and Joshua felt like an important book for where you are right now in the life of Yates Baptist Church. So before we jump into the first chapter of Joshua today, I wanted to start by looking back at the end of the Mosaic books. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy — those are the five books we call the Law, or the Pentateuch. These are the first five books of the Bible, and they are written by Moses. When we get to the end of Deuteronomy, Moses, after forty years leading the people through the wilderness, has died — before he was ever able to cross the Jordan River into the promised land. There's something powerful about that, because Moses was a good and faithful leader for the people of Israel, but Moses was not able to experience where the people of Israel were headed. Moses died before the people had stepped into all that God had for them. One of the things that is true in the life of every church is that there are changes, there are shifts that happen in churches. Any church older than seven years has probably had more than one pastor — it's just the nature of how that works. A church has a vision that is bigger than any one person. The church has a vision that is bigger than any one generation, because the church of Jesus Christ is multigenerational. It continues, and you and I are standing on the shoulders of the giants who have come before us, generations and generations and generations, and we get the opportunity to be the people the next generation stands on the shoulders of, to go even further. I'm so grateful for that. I'm so grateful that the kingdom of God never stops with a person or with a generation. For the people of Israel, they had been in the wilderness for forty years, and Moses had been leading them faithfully. When Moses dies, there is a moment of utter chaos and confusion for the people of Israel. Suddenly they find themselves in a spot where they don't know what to do, they don't know what's next, they don't know who to listen to, they don't know who to follow. And that's where we find ourselves at the beginning of Joshua chapter one. Today we're going to read Joshua chapter one, verses one through nine. If you have your Bibles with you, I want to encourage you to pull them out. If someone wants to give one to Keith, I know he didn't have his up here, but I want to make sure everyone has their Bible. I do want to say what a treat it is to be here with Keith. When I first moved to Durham, I moved here to pastor Durham Memorial Baptist Church on the east side of town, and for the three years I was there, I had the wonderful privilege of spending every Sunday with Keith's lovely wife, Kathy. That was an incredible joy to me, and I love, Keith, that you're still here — it's so, so meaningful to me. So let's go ahead and open up your Bibles. Joshua chapter one, verses one through nine — I'm going to be reading out of the Holman Christian Standard Bible, but whatever translation you're reading out of is just fine. After the death of Moses the Lord's servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, who had served Moses: "Moses My servant is dead. Now you and all the people prepare to cross over the Jordan to the land I am giving the Israelites. I have given you every place where the sole of your foot treads, just as I promised Moses. Your territory will be from the wilderness and Lebanon to the great Euphrates River — all the land of the Hittites — and west to the Mediterranean Sea. No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will not leave you or forsake you. "Be strong and courageous, for you will distribute the land I swore to their fathers to give them as an inheritance. Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. Haven't I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Josh 1:1–9, HCSB) That's nine verses to start off the book of Joshua, and three times in nine verses we get the instruction from the Lord to be strong and courageous. [Addressing the person running the slides.] We're not ready for that yet, but you can come on back — thank you. Be strong and courageous. Hey, I do want to take a second — can we give it up for the AV volunteers in the back, for how they've had to handle everything today? Thank you so much. Yeah, we're not ready for that slide yet, but I appreciate it. So, Joshua chapter one, we get this important message: be strong, be courageous. Be strong, be courageous. Be strong, be courageous. And I'm wondering why it is that God would have to tell Joshua, this leader who's about to take over for Moses — why he would have to be told to be strong and courageous, be strong and courageous, be strong and courageous. And I want to just say, I think it is because to lead is hard. To lead into uncharted territory is impossible without God. And I wonder today — I wonder today, as you are preparing for an important meeting today and an important business meeting next week, as you prepare for today — are we a people who are afraid? Are we fearful? Are we full of doubt about what could be, about what might happen? Or are we a people who are strong and courageous? Are we a people who are ready to say there is more to do, there is more to come? The battle is not over yet, and it is time to be strong and courageous, because as long as the Lord has given breath in your lungs, you and I have work to do. The story's not over, and it's going to require that we are strong and courageous. Now, that is what I have always taken out of Joshua 1:1–9. If you've ever been involved in a church youth group, or you've ever been to a Bible study, or — strangely enough — if you've ever been a member of a sports team, Joshua 1:1–9 is not an unfamiliar passage of Scripture. And one of the things that can happen as we spend time with Scripture we're familiar with is that our familiarity can sometimes lead us to miss something that's right there on the page. Maybe this has been your experience — you've read over a passage of Scripture time and time again in your life, and something happens, whether you were at the right moment or it spoke into the right instance in your life, but something happens. You go back to that Scripture you maybe even know by heart, and suddenly something jumps out at you that never has before. And so, in this sermon that I have titled "A New Dawn, A New Day," I want to talk about what we see by looking at a principle and a promise. What we see by looking at a principle and a promise. Now see, there is a promise from God in Joshua chapter 1. In fact, there are a few promises. God is reasserting the promises he made to Moses, and he is letting Joshua know: the promises I made to Moses, those promises are true for you too, Joshua. These promises are not just for Moses. These promises are for you. But they're not just a promise — there's also a principle at play, and a principle is a foundational truth. A principle is a foundational truth. Maybe to put it a different way: a principle is a promise that is dependent on the user. A principle is a promise that is dependent on the user, meaning a principle is a truth that requires your obedience. And because of that, a principle can be a blessing or a curse. If you receive the promise, and the promise leads you to step out in obedience, then that promise has been a blessing. But if you receive the promise and do nothing with it, then the principle there is — man, that's kind of become a curse to you. So here's what I want to do this morning. I need three volunteers, and I'm going to go ahead and say this now, please take it in the loving way it's meant: I need three spry volunteers. I need three spry people. Come on up — who's ready? I need three people. If you make me start pointing at people, it's not going to go well. So, my friend right here in gray and black, I'm going to have you come on up. My friend over here in the blue shirt with the white stripe, come on up — I've got to have you come on up. And then, hey, my friend Matt Griffin is here — I'm going to have Matt come up. Come on, y'all. Oh, sir, I apologize, I'm sorry — all right, I'm going to have you stay there. I need one more volunteer who's ready to raise a hand. There we go, thank you, my friend, you can come on. Actually, you guys come on up on stage. Hey, I'm Rob. What's your name? Jeff — so good to have you come on up. And you are? Watson. Love that. And Matt, it's so good to see you — as I knock over this microphone stand. I'm going to have all three of you guys come over here. So — Matt, Jeff, Watson — Matt, Jeff, and Watson. Now, I want to take you back to the Scripture — in reading this passage recently, this is what jumped off the page to me. This is verse three: "I have given you every place where the sole of your foot treads, just as I promised Moses" (Josh 1:3, HCSB). I have given you every place where the sole of your foot treads, just as I promised Moses. So, Watson, you get to go first. I've given you — I've given you every place where the sole of your foot treads. What's your first response? I've given you every place where the sole of your foot treads. Okay, wonderful — are you staying right there? Okay, well, let's see it, come on. You've been given — Jeff, what about you? I've given you every place where the sole of your foot treads. You're going to get moving. Matt, I've given you every place where the sole of your foot treads. Where are you going? Come on. Now, thank you, thank you. By the way, give these guys a round of applause. [Congregation applauds.] Thank you so much. Okay, let's be honest here for a minute — can we be honest? How many of us have received this promise from the Lord, and we are the blessed, frozen, chosen? I've given you every place where the sole of your foot treads. "God, thank you for this, that's so awesome. I'm so grateful, God, thank you that you've given me every —" but, man, I'm comfortable right here. Oh, man, I'm comfortable. I mean, there's air — come on, y'all, there's air conditioning. There's air conditioning, and it is too hot. Oh, man, and you know, I've got this thing in my back. Oh, all right. I've given you every place where the sole of your foot treads, and we are good right here. So let me tell you the principle. Let me tell you the principle here: "I've given you every place where the sole of your foot treads, just as I promised Moses" (Josh 1:3, HCSB). It's a promise, but it's not just a promise — it's a principle. Because if we are the frozen chosen, that's it. This is what we get. God's made a promise. God said, come on, I've given it to you, let's go. Thanks, God, doing great right here. And we get to the end of our lives, and despite the faithful promise of our God, we look around at what we've done for the kingdom, and we go, yep, I had it — God gave me all of this right here. It was a promise, but the promise turned into a curse, because we didn't do anything with it. Watson, I loved your reaction: "I've given you every place where the sole of your foot treads" — well, let's dance in time then, come on, let's go. "I've given you every place where the sole of your foot treads" — well, then there is no way you are stopping me from taking ground. "I've given you every place where the sole of your foot treads" — so get moving. Because I don't want us to come to the end of our lives and go, I could have gone so much further, I could have gone so much further, but the more comfortable I got, the easier it was to go, man, I'm going to take those steps tomorrow. I'm going to take that ground tomorrow. I'm going to have that conversation tomorrow. I'm going to invite that friend to church tomorrow. And tomorrow turns into tomorrow turns into tomorrow. I know I'm not the only procrastinator in the room, right? Come on, someone else there with me — you know what it's like to see your days turn into tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow. And you get to the end of a week, or a month, or a year, or a life, and this is all we've got. And the truth is: if God has promised Joshua to give him every place where the sole of his foot treads, just as he promised Moses (cf. Josh 1:3, HCSB), and Joshua were to stay still on the east side of the river, it's not just Joshua missing the opportunity. It's Joshua looking back at Moses's faithfulness and saying it didn't matter — because for all the steps you took, I'm not taking any. And that's the reality of the church. And by the way, this isn't unique to us. This has been the reality of every single generation of the church. Every single generation in the history of the church is constantly fighting against our human nature for safety and security and comfort. But God hasn't called you to that. He hasn't called us to that. God has called us out into the great wide open. God has called you to go further and do more and reach more people. Generation after generation of faithful believers who have gone before us have taken steps so that we could be right here in church. I say to you today, let's not come all this way just to stop. Let's not have come all this way just to make it this far. God has more for us. God has more for you. God has a bright future ahead — but the bright future ahead will not be easy, and it will not be safe, and it will not be comfortable. It will involve taking steps. And here's the truth — I did not do this for the sake of today's message. I went with a men's group Friday and Saturday up to Galax, Virginia, for a little two-day camping trip with some guys I know from another church. And yesterday morning, we decided, hey, let's go for a hike. I don't know if you can tell by looking at me, but I don't go on a lot of hikes. It's five and a half miles, and there's a significant amount of elevation change, but we're not running, right? It's not a race. So I'm like, yeah, we'll just take the whole morning and we'll do it. But every step was harder, and then it got to the point where all the muscles in the backs of my legs started clenching up. And the muscles are like, no, we're done. And you're like, well, we're not back to the car yet — so you're kind of grabbing your legs along the way, you're like, come on, we've got to go. And I wonder today how many of us, in our faith, need to just grab our legs — even though it's hard, even though it's not comfortable, even though it's pushing us further than we thought we could go — and just say, nope, God has given me every step, so I'm not stopping. Because here's the principle for Joshua: Joshua will only inherit what he inhabits. Joshua will only inherit what he inhabits. Let me put it to you another way — Joshua will only receive what he steps into. Right now, Durham, North Carolina, and the greater Triangle remains one of the fastest-growing areas in the country — second in the Southeast in growth behind the suburbs of Atlanta.1 But what makes this place unique, among all the other places you could be living, is a set of universities — regardless of which color blue you may wear — a collection of research and tech companies based here that is pulling in people from all around the world. Right now, there are more people coming from places in the world where Christianity is illegal, and those young adults are coming here to attend school or to work jobs. You are right now living in one of the few places on earth where, without leaving your zip code, you can impact the whole world. There's a student right now at Duke University who doesn't know Jesus, comes from a family that doesn't know Jesus, and comes from a country where people don't talk about Jesus — and God brought them to your doorstep. He brought them to you. Right now, there are teenagers in the vicinity of this church who are part of not just the least Christian, but the least faith-based generation in American history. In the history of the United States, "no religious affiliation" — the "nones," as we call them — has never been the predominant group within a generation, until my kids' generation. The largest and most rapidly growing religious affiliation in the United States among my children's generation is "none."2 And they're right here. They're right here. They live next door and across the street, and some of them are children in the developmental center. And they're part of families that don't know Jesus, that haven't heard the engaging and compelling story of what Christ has come to do for you and for me. You are right now in one of the most unique positions that any group of Christians has ever been in, in human history. The question is: are we going to stand right here and be comfortable, and watch the opportunity pass by? Are we going to find ourselves at the end of our lives with the Savior saying, "I brought them to you," and we say, "Yeah, but we were really comfortable"? God has given you a promise. I have already given it to you. I've already given you the land. I've already given you every step that you will take. Over the next two weeks, we're going to be hearing more about Joshua leading the people of Israel across the Jordan River and into the promised land. But for right now, at the end of Joshua chapter one, the people have not yet made that step. They have not yet stepped across the river. They have not yet crossed their lines of comfort and safety in order to follow God's vision and mission for their lives. What better place to end today's message than to leave us with this question? Just like Joshua and the people of Israel, we are standing on the shore of a river. We are standing on the border of where we have been and where we are going. Church — has God brought you this far just to come this far? Or is there a step to take? Is there a step to take that is worthy of the sacrifice of the generations behind us? Is there a step for us to take that says, it's not going to end here, but we are moving forward — even when it's not comfortable, even when there's no safety and security in it? Are we willing to be the kind of people who have enough faith to say, just like Joshua, we will only inherit what we inhabit? We will only receive what we live into. Church, how is God calling you to be obedient today? And are we taking those steps of obedience? Are we taking those steps like our lives depend on it? Are we taking those steps like our legacies depend on it? Are we taking those steps like the kingdom of heaven is in the balance? Because everything that we're about to read in the rest of the book of Joshua is incredible — beautiful stories of God's faithfulness. But here's what was true for Joshua, and here's what's true for you today: if Joshua didn't cross the river, he never would have seen any of it. We woke up this morning with breath in our lungs, which means God has purpose and mission for us. And I don't want you to miss it. I don't want you to miss it, because the best is yet to come. Let me pray for us. Heavenly Father, Jesus, we are so grateful for the power of your gospel. We are compelled by your Holy Spirit to take faithful steps of obedience, even when it's hard, even when it makes us uncomfortable, God. We are willing to take steps of obedience. So, God, when everything in us wants to pursue comfort, safety, security, God, will you give us the boldness to believe that the best is yet to come? Would we not make choices from a scarcity mindset, God? Would you give us an abundance mindset? Would we be a people who believe that you have placed us here and now to make a difference in the whole world? God, what could be more deserving of the name Yates than that we would go — that we would cross borders and lines of comfort and safety and security, that we might see those who are far from Christ become sons and daughters of the King? Jesus, we pray this in your name. Amen. Endnotes 1 The greater Research Triangle region (Raleigh–Durham–Chapel Hill) is widely recognized as one of the nation's fastest-growing metropolitan economies. The UNC Kenan Institute's "American Growth Project" ranks the Triangle's economy third-fastest-growing among the fifty largest U.S. metros and fourth-fastest among 150 extended metropolitan areas, while also noting that the Triangle is North Carolina's second-largest regional economy by GDP, behind Charlotte. Census-based analyses of metro population growth similarly place Raleigh–Cary in the national top tier — roughly tenth-fastest in recent rankings — and highlight that many of the country's fastest-growing metros are in the Southeast. These data support the general description of the Triangle as a leading growth center in the Southeast, though the sermon's specific claim that it is "second in the Southeast behind the suburbs of Atlanta" generalizes across the precision of the available rankings. 2 Recent survey data show that today's youngest adult cohort is the most religiously unaffiliated in recorded U.S. polling. The 2024 PRRI Census of American Religion reports that about 38–39 percent of Americans ages 18–29 identify as religiously unaffiliated ("nones"), a substantially higher share than among older generations. PRRI's breakdowns by age and gender likewise show that young adults — especially young women — have become significantly more likely to claim no religious affiliation over the past decade, rising from 32 percent in 2013 to 38 percent in 2024. The Pew Research Center's Religious Landscape Study finds that roughly 44 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds now identify as religiously unaffiliated, making the "nones" the single largest religious category in that age group and larger than any individual Christian tradition — a pattern not seen in older cohorts in prior survey waves. Works Cited Baptist News Global. "PRRI: Growth of the Religiously Unaffiliated Is Slowing." May 15, 2025. Accessed July 12, 2026. https://baptistnews.com/article/prri-growth-of-the-religiously-unaffiliated-is-slowing/. The Holy Bible, Holman Christian Standard Bible. 2004. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers. "Markets with the Most Population Growth in 2025." RealPage Analytics, April 1, 2026. Accessed July 12, 2026. https://www.realpage.com/analytics/population-growth-markets-2025/. Pew Research Center. "Religious 'Nones' in America: Who They Are and What They Believe." January 23, 2024. Accessed July 12, 2026. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2024/01/24/religious-nones-in-america-who-they-are-and-what-they-believe/. Public Religion Research Institute. "2024 PRRI Census of American Religion." PRRI, April 14, 2026. Accessed July 12, 2026. https://www.prri.org/spotlight/2024-prri-census-of-american-religion/. Public Religion Research Institute. "Gen Z, Gender, and Religion." PRRI, March 4, 2025. Accessed July 12, 2026. https://www.prri.org/spotlight/gen-z-gender-and-religion/. "Southeast Metros Lead US Population Growth as National Gains Slow." Becker's Hospital Review, March 26, 2026. Accessed July 12, 2026. https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/strategy/southeast-metros-lead-us-population-growth-as-national-gains-slow/. UNC Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise. "From Tobacco to High Tech: Manufacturing in the Piedmont Triad and the Research Triangle." March 18, 2025. Accessed July 12, 2026. https://kenaninstitute.unc.edu/commentary/from-tobacco-to-high-tech-manufacturing-in-the-piedmont-triad-and-the-research-triangle/. © 2026 Rob Stone. All rights reserved.
This week is a different kind of Purple Political Breakdown: a solo, chat-driven deep dive on one question. Do you support packing the Supreme Court? Before you answer, Radell Lewis walks the entire board, because the honest version of this debate starts earlier than most coverage admits. You do not need new seats to pack a court if you control who fills the seats you already have. In 2016, Justice Scalia dies and Mitch McConnell blocks Merrick Garland for nearly a year on a "let the voters decide" standard he branded the "Biden rule." In 2020, weeks before the election, he reverses himself and confirms Amy Coney Barrett after tens of millions of Americans have already voted. The frame other coverage skips: the Garland blockade and the Barrett rush were already a form of packing the existing nine through procedure. From there, the history that undercuts the idea that nine is sacred. The number is not in the Constitution. Article III leaves it to Congress, which has changed it seven times, from six justices in 1789, to Lincoln adding a tenth seat in 1863, to the nine we have settled on since 1869. Then the cautionary tale: FDR's 1937 plan to add up to six justices died 70 to 20 in his own Democratic Senate, even as the Court quietly started upholding the New Deal anyway. Then the mechanics. Expansion is an ordinary statute, but it runs straight into the filibuster, which means ending the filibuster first. The Judiciary Act would take the Court from nine to thirteen, one justice per appeals circuit, though the strongest advocates argue less from circuit math and more from a bench they call rigged. We break down Brian Tyler Cohen's pitch to Gavin Newsom, and why messaging that makes people lose faith in the institution itself can backfire. Here is why Radell would start somewhere else: term limits and an enforceable ethics code. Eighteen-year staggered terms with a senior status off-ramp that may be achievable by statute, supported across the aisle by Federalist Society co-founder Steven Calabresi and liberal scholar Akhil Amar, echoed in John Roberts's own early writing, with 49 of 50 states already limiting their high-court judges and bipartisan polling supermajorities (PRRI: 85 percent of Democrats, 76 percent of independents, 67 percent of Republicans; Marquette: 73 percent of Republicans). On ethics, we cover Senator Whitehouse's SCERT Act, the Court's toothless 2023 self-written code, and the Fix the Court finding that Justice Clarence Thomas reported gifts valued near 4.2 million dollars over two decades, far more than the rest of the bench combined. Radell is careful throughout to separate what is documented from what cannot be proven. The bottom line: if the goal is a Court the public trusts again rather than one your side controls for a single cycle, term limits and ethics come first. Court packing can follow, but only with airtight, bipartisan messaging and the number locked into the Constitution so the country does not spend the next decade adding and subtracting justices. Steel-manned, receipts on the table, live chat the whole way, and an honest landing spot at the end. Standard Resource Links & Recommendations The following organizations and platforms represent valuable resources for balanced political discourse and democratic participation: PODCAST NETWORK Check Out the Podcast Website: https://www.purplepoliticalbreakdown.com ALIVE Podcast Network: Check out the ALIVE Network where you can catch a lot of great podcasts like my own, led by amazing Black voices. Link: https://alivepodcastnetwork.com/ CONVERSATION PLATFORMS HeadOn: A platform for contentious yet productive conversations. It's a place for hosted and unguided conversations where you can grow a following and enhance your conversations with AI features. Link: https://app.headon.ai/ Living Room Conversations: Building bridges through meaningful dialogue across political divides. Link: https://livingroomconversations.org/ UNITY MOVEMENTS Us United: A movement for unity that challenges Americans to step out of their bubbles and connect across differences. Take the Unity Pledge, join monthly "30 For US" conversation calls, wear purple (the color of unity), and participate in National Unity Day every second Saturday in December. Their programs include the Sheriff Unity Network and Unity Seats at sports events, proving that shared values are stronger than our differences. Link: https://www.us-united.org/ BALANCED NEWS & INFORMATION OtherWeb: An AI-based platform that filters news without paywalls, clickbait, or junk, helping you access diverse, unbiased content. Link: https://otherweb.com/ VOTING REFORM & DEMOCRACY Equal Vote Coalition & STAR Voting: Advocating for voting methods that ensure every vote counts equally, eliminating wasted votes and strategic voting. Link: https://www.equal.vote/star Future is Now Coalition (FiNC): A grassroots movement working to restore democracy through transparency, accountability, and innovative technology while empowering citizens and transforming American political discourse. Link: https://futureis.org/ POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT Independent Center: Resources for independent political thinking and civic engagement. Link: https://www.independentcenter.org/ GET DAILY NEWS Text 844-406-INFO (844-406-4636) with code "purple" to receive quick, unbiased, factual news delivered to your phone every morning via Informed (https://informed.now) Check Out the Unfuck America Tour & National Ground Game: https://www.nationalgroundgame.com/ Check Out the CIVICS App to Know More About Your Politicians: https://www.civicpolitics.com Subscribe to the Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/purplepoliticalbreakdown/p/welcome-to-the-purple-political-breakdown?r=3z2cmw&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true ALL LINKS https://linktr.ee/purplepoliticalbreakdown The Purple Political Breakdown is committed to fostering productive political dialogue that transcends partisan divides. We believe in the power of conversation, balanced information, and democratic participation to build a stronger society. Our mission: "Political solutions without political bias." Subscribe, rate, and share if you believe in purple politics, where we find common ground in the middle! Also if you want to be apart of the community and the conversation make sure to Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/ptPAsZtHC9
Recent polls indicate that feelings of patriotism are at an all-time low in the United States. This is especially the case for younger Americans, who are less likely than their older counterparts to describe themselves as patriotic, and less inclined to participate in displays of patriotism. On one hand this is nothing new: According to a Pew Research Center study, the generational divide has played a role in whether a person identifies as patriotic since at least 2003. And, as Sara Pequeño pointed out in an article for USA Today, boomers who call themselves patriots today were once "protesting the Vietnam War by marching in the streets and burning American flags." This also comes at a time when religious affiliation is on the wane. And the discussion around patriotism in the United States is tangled up in ideas about faith, God, and divine will. For instance, one PRRI poll found that 44% of people surveyed think God has granted the United States a special role in human history. But is this what patriotism means? How should people of faith think about their obligations to their country? On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to religion scholar and public intellectual Dr. Lewis Brogdon, who was recently appointed executive director of JustFaith Ministries. Brogdon has also served in leadership and teaching roles in various academic institutions, and is a regular contributor to a number of publications and the author of several books, most recently The Gospel Beyond the Grave: Toward a Black Theology of Hope (Wipf and Stock Publishers). You can learn more about this topic, and read some of Brogdon's work, in these links. "True patriotism is about building bridges, not walls," by Mark Shea "Teach kids the complicated truth about American heroes," by Kathleen Bonnette "Any religion allied with nationalism is dangerous," by Stephen Schneck "Christians Can Be Bad Neighbors? Reflections on Luke 10:25-37 and My Visit to the United Nations," by Lewis Brogdon "Can justice movements lose their soul?" by Lewis Brogdon "Why most bow," by Lewis Brogdon
In this episode of Axis Live, Brad Onishi and Matt Taylor are joined by PRRI CEO Melissa Deckman to unpack Vice President JD Vance's new book Communion and the theological vision animating it. The conversation focuses on Vance's turn toward a form of Christianity oriented less around the person and teachings of Christ than toward a broader project of Christendom and civilizational restoration. Rather than centering the lived realities of individuals or communities, Vance's framework is read as prioritizing the preservation and defense of “Western civilization,” raising questions about how political theology can displace core Christian ethical commitments in favor of cultural and national projects. The episode then turns to the underexplored Christian dimensions of the terror plot targeting the White House UFC event, situating it within broader patterns of religiously inflected political violence. The discussion concludes with Melissa Deckman presenting new PRRI data on American religion, emphasizing that claims of a widespread religious revival in the United States are not supported by current evidence. Instead, the data points to continued complexity, fragmentation, and stability in national religious trends rather than a clear resurgence. https://axismundinetwork.substack.com/ Listen to the Axis Daily Brief: Axis Daily Brief on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axis-daily-brief/id1896931494https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axis-daily-brief/id1896931494 Axis Daily Brief on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033zp4MbwXJvxp6MoDkmtj?si=a758e87169e74ede Axis Daily Brief RSS Feed: https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/1145852/s/400220.rss Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. Support independent religion and politics journalism:https://axismundinetwork.substack.com/ Donate today: https://www.axismundi.us/fundraise?hsCtaAttrib=215444059319 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Is it the worship? Politics? Programs? That's what we tend to blame. But new data from Pew and PRRI - covering 80,000+ respondents - points to a very different primary reason people leave. Today, we'll unpack what the data actually says, why common assumptions fall short, and what churches can do in response. ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 3:39 - The #1 Reason People Leave - They Stopped Believing 10:05 - The Quiet Exit - Drift, Not Drama 16:07 - Childhood Experience Is the Strongest Predictor of Whether Someone Stays 29:50 - Scandals and Institutional Distrust 36:49 - Big Takeaways IMPORTANT LINKS - The Gen Z Church Communication Playbook: https://youtu.be/zQnhOKlV91Q - People Complained Our Church Was Too Loud. So We Did This: https://youtu.be/4ij1tR-EMHE THE 167 NEWSLETTER
This episode of Dangerous Dogma features a conversation between Word&Way Editor Brian Kaylor, Lutheran minister and journalist Angela Denker, and Disciples pastor and author Beau Underwood. The conversation includes discussion about President Donald Trump's attacks on Pope Leo XIV, Leo's witness against the Iran war, Trump's AI image of himself as Jesus, and the electoral defeat of Viktor Orbán in Hungary. You can watch a video version of the conversation here. Here are a few pieces related to the episode: - Pope Leo's Palm Sunday remarks against war. - Brian wrote at A Public Witness about Pete Hegseth's violent prayer at the March Pentagon worship service. - Trump attacked the pope and posted an AI image of himself as Jesus. - PRRI study shows Republican attitudes on Christian Nationalism. Also, check out the most recent books by the three panelists: Brian Kaylor, The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power Angela Denker, Disciples of White Jesus: The Radicalization of American Boyhood Beau Underwood (with Brian Kaylor), Baptizing America How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism
Mark Hall returns to the podcast to discuss the reemergence of Christian nationalism as a topic of interest to the Washington media.Mark and I review some of his work on White House-appointed advisory boards related to religious liberty and how that ties in to (or doesn't) the conversation on Christian nationalism. We then pivot to breaking down a recent survey by PRRI that seems to have contributed to renewed concerns about Christian nationalism' prevalence in conservative politics. We find that much of the pearl clutching seems to stem from a misreading of the data, or rather, reading the data through preestablished lenses, despite there being no meaningful change in terms of actual numbers of Christian nationalists in America.In the course of the discussion, we also uncover a key data point in the survey that undermines a significant driver of the alarmism that often accompanies reporting on Christian nationalism.Subscribe to Tim Talks Politics on Substack for the full show notes (30% off for podcast listeners)!
Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat do the numbers actually tell us about Christian nationalism in the United States?In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram sit down with Melissa Deckman, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), to walk through the latest national data on Christian nationalism and what researchers are seeing across the country.Deckman explains how PRRI measures Christian nationalism, why the concept is often misunderstood in public debate, and what the data reveals about who tends to hold these views. The conversation explores how religion, identity, and politics intersect in American life, along with the demographic and cultural patterns researchers are tracking.They also discuss how survey questions are designed, why some people react strongly to the label “Christian nationalism,” and how researchers try to measure belief systems without reducing complex identities to a single label.For anyone trying to understand the role of religion in American politics today, this conversation offers a clear look at what the research actually shows. Recommended Links and ResourcesPRRI – Public Religion Research Institute: https://www.prri.orgMapping Christian Nationalism Across the 50 States: Insights from PRRI's 2025 American Values Atlas: https://prri.org/research/mapping-christian-nationalism-across-the-50-states-insights-from-prris-2025-american-values-atlas/Guest BioMelissa Deckman is the CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), one of the nation's leading research organizations studying the intersection of religion, culture, and politics. She previously served as the Louis L. Goldstein Professor of Public Affairs at Washington College and is a political scientist whose work focuses on religion, gender, and civic engagement in American political life.Support the show
Today's Headlines: Tonight is Donald Trump's State Of The Union. Dozens of Democrats are skipping, and there will be three official rebuttals: Gov. Abigail Spanberger (main), Sen. Alex Padilla (Spanish-language), and Rep. Summer Lee (progressive). In Mexico, the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel was killed in a military operation aided by the US. The cartel is responding by torching buses and businesses and clashing with security forces.. Some U.S. flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara were suspended, and the State Department activated a 24/7 hotline for stranded Americans. Judge Aileen Cannon blocked release of part of Special Counsel Jack Smith's report on Trump's handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, citing “manifest injustice” to Trump. In other news, Trump envoy Paolo Zampolli is pushing for Russia's return to global competitions despite Ukraine war–related bans. A Russian team will compete at next month's Paralympics, prompting backlash and a Ukrainian boycott of the opening ceremony. In the UK, former ambassador Peter Mandelson was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in office over alleged information-sharing with Jeffrey Epstein. A Politico-reported analysis found 18,000+ bots amplified Nicki Minaj's recent pro–White House posts, especially when labeled toxic. Finally, a PRRI survey found about one-third of Americans are sympathetic to Christian nationalism, while 54% call Trump a “dangerous dictator” and 42% see him as a “strong leader.” and Providence, Rhode Island just set a single-storm snowfall record at 33 inches, beating 1978. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: Axios: Democratic response to Trump's SOTU becomes a crowded affair CNN: US citizens in parts of Mexico urged to still shelter in place as nation on edge following drug lord's killing MS Now: Judge Cannon blocks release of Jack Smith's classified documents report NYT: Trump Official Backs Russia's Return to Global Sports BBC: Lord Mandelson arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office Politico” Nicki Minaj's social media propped up by thousands of bots, analysis finds USA Today: Is or should America be a Christian nation? One-third say 'yes' NYT: Monday's Snowfall Shatters a Record in Rhode Island Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For years, we were told that white evangelicals and conservative Christians were "holding their nose" to vote for Donald Trump. We were told they wanted the judges, but hated the rhetoric. We were told they were good people trapped in a bad binary choice. The new 2026 PRRI survey on christian nationalism just destroyed that myth. In this episode, we look at the shocking data that shows a majority of Christian Nationalists now support deporting families to foreign prisons without due process—a policy so cruel it violates both the US Constitution and the Gospel of Jesus. We discuss why this isn't just "politics" anymore; it's a rival religion where strength has replaced love, and cruelty is the highest virtue.
Dr. Melissa Deckman, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and political scientist specializing in gender, religion, and public opinion, joins host Leah Payne, author of God Gave Rock and Roll to You: A History of Contemporary Christian Music (Oxford University Press, 2024) and host of Spirit & Power: Charismatics & Politics in American Life. In this Sunday interview, Leah Payne talks with Dr. Melissa Deckman about PRRI's February 2026 release of findings from the 2025 American Values Atlas—a massive nationwide survey (22,000+ adults across all 50 states) that maps the reach of Christian nationalism and its intersections with race, religious practice, party, geography, age, education, media trust, and attitudes toward political violence. Deckman explains what PRRI means by “Christian nationalism,” why PRRI measures it with a five-item scale (instead of asking people whether they identify with the label), and what the data can—and cannot—tell us about religion and politics in the U.S. today. Mapping Christian Nationalism Across the 50 States (Insights from PRRI's 2025 American Values Atlas) Charismatic Revival Fury: The New Apostolic Reformation (Matthew D. Taylor / Axis Mundi Media) Right Wing Watch on Sean Feucht and federal partnerships tied to America's 250th anniversary programming Dara Delgado, “Black Pentecostal and charismatic Christians are boosting their visibility in politics — a shift from the past” Melissa Deckman, The Politics of Gen Z: How the Youngest Voters Will Shape Our Democracy,(Columbia University Press) Melissa Deckman, School Board Battles: The Christian Right in Local Politics, (Georgetown University Press) Ansley Quiros, Ph.D., PRRI Spotlight: Why Black Americans Identify as Christian Nationalists: Religiosity, Theology, and History Matter Michael R. Fischer Jr., PRRI Spotlight, Understanding Differences Between Black and White Christian Nationalism Adherents and Sympathizers Links and resources mentionedFind Dr. Melissa Deckman at PRRI, LinkedIn, Substack and BlueSkyFind Dr. Leah Payne at drleahpayne.com, subscribe on Substack, follow her on most social media platforms at @drleahpayne, and listen along at Spirit & Power: Charismatics & Politics in American Life, and Rock that Doesn't Roll: the Story of Christian Rock Subscribe for $3.65: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Subscribe to our free newsletter: https://swaj.substack.com/ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/ Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Is an American flag in a church sanctuary an example of Christian nationalism? What about faith-based advocacy? Helping voters get to the polls? Saying the Constitution is "divinely inspired"? In this conversation from 2024, Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman answer some common questions they hear about Christian nationalism, and they talk about the questions we all should be asking ourselves when evaluating the political ideology. This program originally aired March 21, 2024 SHOW NOTES: Segment 1 (starting at 01:25): What does it mean to determine the level of Christian nationalism? This podcast episode won the "Best in Class" award from the Religion Communicators Council in 2025. It was first released as episode 21 of season 5 on March 21, 2024. Learn more about the Christians Against Christian Nationalism movement and how you can get involved at ChristiansAgainstChristianNationalism.org. Segment 2 (starting at 09:09): Answering some political questions about Christian nationalism Amanda mentioned this op-ed by David French in The New York Times: What is Christian Nationalism, Exactly? Visit this link to access the report on Christian nationalism and the January 6 insurrection from BJC and the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Amanda mentioned this article by Steven Monacelli for the Daily Dot: A new social network built on a vision of Christian supremacy in America gains traction with GOP politicians Hear Amanda and Holly's reaction to President Trump's 2020 appearance at St. John's Church with a Bible in episode 15 of our first season: Protests, the president and the photo op with a Bible Segment 3 (starting at 29:56): Answering some church-related questions about Christian nationalism Read about the 2024 survey results from PRRI on the support for Christian nationalism at this link that Amanda mentioned during the podcast. UPDATE for the re-release of this episdoe: PRRI's most recent report on the topic was released in February 2025, which is available at this link. To learn more about Patriot Churches, read this 2020 article in The Washington Post by Sarah Pulliam Bailey: Seeking power in Jesus' name: Trump sparks a rise of Patriot Churches Segment 4 (starting at 39:40): History and civics questions about Christian nationalism Amanda and Holly spoke about some lawmakers sharing the idea that the Constitution is "divinely inspired" in episode 10 of season 4: A report, a prayer vigil, and a somber anniversary: Two years after January 6. It was also re-released as a "best of" episode in January 2026. Respecting Religion is made possible by BJC's generous donors. You can support these conversations with a gift to BJC.
Host Mike Fichter reviews 2025 polling from PRRI and The 19th/SurveyMonkey showing a sharp drop in Democrat voters who say abortion is a top issue, and explores factors behind the shift from the immediate post‑Roe backlash. The episode discusses how abortion drug availability, shifting motivations, and changing voter priorities could affect upcoming 2026 state referendums, and argues that caring for pregnant mothers and babies is key to winning the persuadable middle. Listen for a preview of the next episode's deep dive into expected 2026 ballot measures and what they may signal for the future of abortion policy and pro‑life advocacy. Partner with this #prolife #podcast by making a gift. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/be-the-one License code: HBLBQ1EMX8ZXGSP4
What PRRI's Latest Data Reveals About Our Deepening Divide In the shadow of rising polarization, this episode dives deep into the latest findings from PRRI's American Values Survey, Trump's Unprecedented Actions Deepen Asymmetric Divides. Corey is joined by Dr. Melissa Deckman to break down the data—and what it tells us about party loyalty, trust in institutions, Christian nationalism, and shifting norms around religion and identity. They also unpack how Gen Z is engaging with this cultural landscape, particularly the gender divide between young men and women, and what the term “party agnostic” really means for the next generation of voters.
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Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE at:The Todd Herman Show - Podcast - Apple PodcastsThe Todd Herman Show | Podcast on SpotifyWATCH and SUBSCRIBE at: Todd Herman - The Todd Herman Show - YouTubeThis is a program planned by AI. I'm torn, because there are so many ways we could use AI to do better work… I don't know if I want to do this, but here we go. The Todd Herman Show, produced by Grok:GROK - Podcast Episode Outline: "Faith in the Fight: How Democrats and Republicans Weaponize Christianity for Power"Episode Title: Faith in the Fight: How Democrats and Republicans Weaponize Christianity for PowerAir Date: Monday, November 17, 2025 (Recorded live from the studio on November 15)Host: [Your Host's Name], award-winning journalist and political commentatorProducer Notes: This episode unpacks the cynical ways both major U.S. parties invoke Christian faith to rally voters and justify policies in 2025's polarized landscape. With Trump's second term sparking debates over "Christian nationalism" via Project 2025 and Democrats countering with progressive "faith outreach" amid immigration raids and shutdown fallout, we'll highlight how scripture is twisted for electoral gain. Drawing on fresh polls, articles, and video clips, the show reveals the moral asymmetries and hypocrisies. Runtime: 50 minutes. Tone: Provocative yet balanced, blending outrage with nuance and guest debates. Music: Somber choral opener evoking hymns, shifting to urgent percussion for policy clashes.Episode Structure & Script Teaser1. Cold Open (0:00–3:00)Audio Hook: Montage of Trump's Bible-waving rally clips, Pelosi quoting St. Francis during the shutdown, and evangelical pastors endorsing deportations as "God's will."2. Segment 1: The Polls – What Christians Really Think (and Vote) (3:00–12:00)Focus: Dive into data showing stark divides: White evangelicals' lockstep GOP loyalty vs. Black Protestants' Democratic tilt, with independents disillusioned by both sides' faith pandering. Host reads synopses aloud, weaving in analysis on how parties exploit these splits.Key Talking Points:White Christians (41% of voters) gave Trump 72% support in 2024, per PRRI, seeing him as "God-ordained" (60% of white evangelicals agree). Republicans leverage this for anti-abortion and immigration policies framed as "biblical mandates."Black Protestants (83% for Harris) and Hispanic Catholics (50% Dem lean) prioritize social justice, which Democrats tie to "welcoming the stranger" (Matthew 25).Overall, 25% of voters believe God picked Trump; Christian nationalism correlates perfectly with Trump votes in red states. But 62% oppose declaring the U.S. a "Christian nation," signaling backlash to GOP theocracy pushes.Poll/SourceSynopsisLinkPRRI 2024 Post-Election American Values SurveyWhite Christians (41% of voters) backed Trump 72%, with 60% of white evangelicals believing God "ordained" his win; Black Protestants favored Harris 83%. Highlights GOP's "divine mandate" narrative vs. Dems' justice focus, but only 25% overall see God's hand in elections.PRRI.orgPew Research Center 2025 Survey on Religion & Politics59% of Protestants lean GOP, 50% of Catholics Republican (up from even split); 67% of Republicans want Bible influencing laws vs. 32% of Dems. Reveals parties' faith appeals: GOP pushes "Christian morals in policy," Dems emphasize church-state separation.PewResearch.orgPRRI 2025 State-Level Christian Nationalism SurveySupport for Christian nationalism (highest in MS/OK at 51%) perfectly correlates with Trump votes; 62% nationally oppose U.S. as "Christian nation." Exposes GOP's state-level theocracy push (e.g., embryo rulings) vs. Dems' opposition as "extremism."PRRI.org3. Segment 2: The Articles – Scripture as Strategy (12:00–28:00)Focus: Explore how Republicans fuse faith with nationalism (Project 2025) while Democrats rebrand as "compassionate Christians" on immigration and equity. Host discusses synopses, contrasting GOP's "moral restoration" with Dems' "perversion of Christianity" critiques.Key Talking Points:GOP: Project 2025 as "Christian nationalist fever dream," redefining freedom "by God, not man" to justify anti-LGBTQ+ and abortion bans.Dems: Shift to faith outreach (e.g., Pelosi's St. Francis invocation) to counter "Christian fascism," but accused of ignoring biblical basics like life sanctity.Both: Historical "poisonous bargain" since Reagan, turning faith into votes while eroding morals. X post [post:61] nails it: Pastors must call out Dem platform's "detestable" policies.Guest Spot: Historian [Guest Name] (e.g., Kristin Du Mez) debates a GOP strategist on whether Dems' "Christian socialism" or GOP's "theocracy" is the bigger threat.Producer Tip: Read X post [post:54] excerpt: "Dems enshrine sin in platform; GOP does not."
This episode is going to get weird. This season, we are considering the Alaska State Motto – “North to the Future” as a model for a positive imagining of Anchorage's future. On this episode, AnchorED City Podcast host Joel Kiekintveld interviews himself about the future of religion in Anchorage. We want to hear your positive vision of the future! Record a voice memo on your phone of your positive vision for Anchorage's future and send the audio file to anchorageutc@gmail.com. Please put in the subject line of your email “North to the Future – My Vision.” https://www.facebook.com/akReclaim @akReclaim #anchoredcity https://anchorageutc.org https://www.facebook.com/AnchorageUTC @AnchorageUTC Resources Used To Make This Episode: https://www.christiannewswire.com/over-45000-individuals-in-the-most-unchurched-region-in-america-to-hear-about-jesus-at-the-pdx-crusade/ https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/02/26/decline-of-christianity-in-the-us-has-slowed-may-have-leveled-off/ https://www.pewresearch.org/religious-landscape-study/metro-area/portland-vancouver-or-wa/ https://www.pewresearch.org/religious-landscape-study/region/united-states/ https://www.pewresearch.org/religious-landscape-study/state/alaska/ https://www.oca.org/parishes/oca-ak-eklsnc https://www.stseraphim.org/radonitsa-the-orthodox-rejoicing-day-for-the-dead/ https://www.adn.com/alaska-life/2023/10/29/anchorages-oldest-building-a-russian-orthodox-church-gets-new-life-in-restoration-project/ Smith, Gregory A. “Religious ‘nones' in America: Who They Are and What They Believe.” Pew Research Center, January 24, 2024. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2024/01/24/religious-nones-in-america-who-they-are-and-what-they-believe/. See: Smith, Gregory A. “Has the Rise of Religious ‘nones' Come to an End in the U.S.?” Pew Research Center, January 24, 2024. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/01/24/has-the-rise-of-religious-nones-come-to-an-end-in-the-us/. “Religious Change in America.” PRRI, May 15, 2025. https://www.prri.org/research/religious-change-in-america/#:~:text=Slightly%20more%20than%20three%20in,sexual%20abuse%20scandals%20(31%25). Jones, Jeffrey M. “U.S. Church Membership Falls below Majority for First Time.” Gallup.com, March 26, 2025. https://news.gallup.com/poll/341963/church-membership-falls-below-majority-first-time.aspx. Earls, Aaron. “Small Churches Continue Growing-but in Number, Not Size.” Lifeway Research, August 21, 2024. https://research.lifeway.com/2021/10/20/small-churches-continue-growing-but-in-number-not-size/. Burge, Ryan. “Is Anyone Going to Church More Now than They Used To?” Graphs about Religion, November 2, 2023. https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/is-anyone-going-to-church-more-now. Kiekintveld, J.S., 2019. Join Me in the Commons: Towards a Contextual Urban Ministry Education Model for Anchorage, Alaska (Doctoral dissertation, University of Pretoria (South Africa)) - https://repository.up.ac.za/items/1627110e-393d-4b3b-abc2-5389ddd94f91
A huge number of white conservative Christians in America aren't misled -- they're committed. Committed to a dangerous, unbiblical view of authority. Today, I break down a deeply revealing 2024 survey from PRRI that shows how authoritarian beliefs -- not just abortion or party loyalty -- are driving Christian support for Donald Trump.
Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat do Americans really believe about LGBTQ rights, same-sex marriage, and religious liberty? In this episode of the Faithful Politics Podcast, we're joined by Melissa Deckman, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), one of the nation's most trusted voices on the intersection of faith, culture, and politics. Deckman unpacks PRRI's groundbreaking American Values Atlas, a massive data project that tracks shifts in public opinion across all 50 states, and shares insights from new research on the growing number of exvangelicals leaving the church.Together, we explore why support for non-discrimination protections remains strong—even among many faith communities—how attitudes toward same-sex marriage have evolved since the Obergefell decision, and why religious refusals continue to spark debate in the courts and in everyday life. Deckman also explains how generational divides, mistrust of institutions, and regional differences complicate the story of religion and democracy in America.If you want to understand how religion is shaping political debates on LGBTQ rights, abortion, immigration, and the future of American democracy, this conversation provides clarity, context, and the data to back it up.American Values Atlas: https://ava.prri.orgExvangelicals: Who They Are, Why They Left, and What They Believe: https://prri.org/spotlight/exvangelicals-who-they-are-why-they-left-and-what-they-believe/Guest BioMelissa Deckman, Ph.D. is the CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), a nonpartisan research organization at the forefront of studying the intersection of religion, culture, and American politics. A political scientist and widely published scholar, Deckman has written extensively on gender, religion, and public opinion. Under her leadership, PRRI has produced landmark studies like the American Values Atlas and recent reports on the rise of exvangelicals. Her expertise makes her one of the leading voices on how faith communities influence—and are influenced by—the shifting tides of American democracy Support the show
Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhy do claims of “persecution” surge whenever Christians lose cultural power? PRRI's 2024–25 state-by-state analysis shows three in ten Americans qualify as Christian nationalism Adherents or Sympathizers—a durable share shaping law, policy, and public life. Sociologist Andrew L. Whitehead—author of American Idolatry and coauthor of Taking America Back for God—joins Will and Josh to unpack why power, fear, and violence function like modern “idols,” and how that maps onto fights over schools, parental rights, religious liberty, and the 2024–26 political landscape. Moving from gut-level intuition (Haidt's “elephant”) to reasoned analysis (the “rider”), we explore how Christian nationalism frames “liberty” as domination, why persecution narratives persist, and what the latest PRRI data reveals across all 50 states. Keywords: Christian nationalism, religious liberty, school choice, persecution narratives, 2024 election, SCOTUS, political theology. If you're wrestling with faith, power, and democracy—and what a faithful public witness might look like—this conversation brings clarity without the culture-war fog. Andrew L. Whitehead is a professor of sociology at Indiana University Indianapolis and executive director of the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA). He is the author of American Idolatry: How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church and coauthor (with Samuel L. Perry) of Taking America Back for God. His research and commentary appear in outlets like The New York Times, NPR, and Time.
Donald Trump's most resonant political slogan has always been the one he borrowed from Ronald Reagan: “Make America Great Again.” Trump rarely has been pushed to define when exactly he believes America experienced the greatness he promises to recapture. But many of his followers believe that America's golden age — particularly for its working class — was the 1950s. A 2024 PRRI survey found that some 70 percent of Republicans think that America's culture and way of life has changed for the worse since the 1950s. But what is it that Republicans miss about the 1950s? Alan Ehrenhalt, who has been a longtime writer and editor at Governing magazine, in 1995 explored this question in his classic study, The Lost City: Discovering the Forgotten Virtues of Community in the Chicago of the 1950s. Ehrenhalt investigated three communities in Chicago in that era: St. Nicholas of Tolentine, a working-class Catholic parish on the city's Southwest Side; Bronzeville, the heart of Black Chicago in that era of segregation; and Elmhurst, a split-level suburban community eighteen miles west of downtown, which experienced explosive growth in the 1950s. Ehrenhalt found that Chicago's citizens in the 1950s were subjected to what most Americans now would regard as excessively powerful and intrusive authority — including the authority of the political machine during the regime of Mayor Richard Daley, religion, employers, tradition, and the community itself — but that authority enforced an order that made possible a deep sense of community that has largely vanished from American urban life, for which many Americans remain deeply nostalgic.In this podcast discussion, Alan Ehrenhalt discusses that loss of community and the way it has played into American politics, particularly during the Trump era; the individualism of the baby boom and the way that many young people of that era chafed against the restraints of the 1950s; and the cultural matrix that produced the first American pope, Leo XIV, who (as Robert Prevost) grew up in a community similar to St. Nicholas of Tolentine during the 1950s. He analyzes what both the contemporary political left and right miss about that time, but acknowledges the difficulty of recovering communitarian values in the present era.
Last week, the Catholic Church absolutely shook the world by electing Robert Prevost - an Augustinian from Chicago - Pope Leo XIV, making him the first ever American pope. Immediately, MAGA lost their collective minds, calling Leo XIV a woke Marxist and an anti-Trump liberal. Leo XIV's election was, without question, a statement by the Church directed squarely at MAGA and Donald Trump, but so many questions remain about what happens next. Kelly and John share their thoughts about the selection of Prevost, what it means that he chose the name Leo XIV, and why this way well serve as a check against Trump's fascism and persecution of immigrant communities. They also take a look at some of the findings from the Public Religion Research Institute's findings from their survey of Americans following Trump's first 100 days. John's thoughts on Leo XIV or available on our blog. The PRRI surveys we discuss on the episode can be found here and here
Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 800-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad and Dan discuss Donald Trump's recent interviews, highlighting concerns about his mental acuity and decisions on immigration policies. They analyze new data from PRRI, revealing that a significant portion of Americans view Trump as a dangerous dictator while also detailing public sentiment on Trump's first hundred days in office. The guys also explore a Supreme Court case from Oklahoma regarding the funding of a Catholic charter school and its implications for the separation of church and state. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Check out BetterHelp and use my code SWA for a great deal: www.betterhelp.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After the news broke that Amazon might publicly clarify the costs that President Trump's tariffs are imposing on its products, Trump instructed his White House press secretary to publicly threaten the company. Trump also called Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to express his displeasure, and one adviser told CNN that “he was pissed.” Amazon immediately shelved the plan, and Trump openly gloated about Bezos bending the knee, an unnerving signal of more autocratic bullying ahead. Meanwhile, a new PRRI poll sheds fascinating light on public opinion about Trump's authoritarianism, with a majority now seeing him as a “dangerous dictator.” We talked to Melissa Deckman, the CEO of PRRI, who explains what the new data really tells us about the public's revulsion at Trump's abuses of power—and why episodes like this one are only exacerbating it. Listen to this episode here. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After the news broke that Amazon might publicly clarify the costs that President Trump's tariffs are imposing on its products, Trump instructed his White House press secretary to publicly threaten the company. Trump also called Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to express his displeasure, and one adviser told CNN that “he was pissed.” Amazon immediately shelved the plan, and Trump openly gloated about Bezos bending the knee, an unnerving signal of more autocratic bullying ahead. Meanwhile, a new PRRI poll sheds fascinating light on public opinion about Trump's authoritarianism, with a majority now seeing him as a “dangerous dictator.” We talked to Melissa Deckman, the CEO of PRRI, who explains what the new data really tells us about the public's revulsion at Trump's abuses of power—and why episodes like this one are only exacerbating it. Listen to this episode here. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After the news broke that Amazon might publicly clarify the costs that President Trump's tariffs are imposing on its products, Trump instructed his White House press secretary to publicly threaten the company. Trump also called Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to express his displeasure, and one adviser told CNN that “he was pissed.” Amazon immediately shelved the plan, and Trump openly gloated about Bezos bending the knee, an unnerving signal of more autocratic bullying ahead. Meanwhile, a new PRRI poll sheds fascinating light on public opinion about Trump's authoritarianism, with a majority now seeing him as a “dangerous dictator.” We talked to Melissa Deckman, the CEO of PRRI, who explains what the new data really tells us about the public's revulsion at Trump's abuses of power—and why episodes like this one are only exacerbating it. Listen to this episode here. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Has the US become a bad place to be a Christian? In a recent NY Times feature, writer Aaron Renn, who has been called the "Malcolm Gladwell of Conservative Christianity," claims that America has shifted into a "negative world" where Christianity is a social liability. In this episode, Mark and Kelly wrestle with this idea that Christianity is losing its cultural dominance in the US. We cover a range of topics such as the prevalence of Christianity (a recent PRRI study asserts that 2/3 of Americans identify as Christian), Christian nationalism, persecution, tolerance, inclusion, privilege and power, the response of Progressive Christians, and what it even means to be a Christian in the first place. For the original article, see https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/us/aaron-renn-christianity-conservative-negative-world.html For the PRRI research, see: https://www.prri.org/research/census-2023-american-religionFind your guides at Quoir Academy! If you've ever deconstructed your faith you know it's not easy. But just imagine if you could have people to guide you through your process? People like, Jim Palmer, Kristin Du Mez, Jennifer Knapp, Brad Jersak, Brian Zahnd, Paul Young, and more? Well, if you head over to Quoir Academy and register for SQUARE 2 using the Promo Code [RAD] you'll get 10% off the regular registration cost of this awesome course and community just for being a fan of our show. Follow this registration link: https://www.bk2sq1.com/square-2-next-steps-into-reconstruction?coupon=RAD
Why does Donald Trump look and sound like a Prosperity Gospel preacher? What are the actual ties of the president to this tradition of Christian healers and televangelists? In this episode of Spirit & Power, Dr. Leah Payne speaks with Dr. Gabriel Raeburn - Senior Research Fellow, Harvard Slavery Remembrance Program, Harvard and the Legacy of Slavery Initiative - about the health and wealth preachers who love Donald J. Trump, and their affinities with tech billionaires like Elon Musk & Peter Thiel. Fully embracing the glitz and glam of Trump's 21st Century second term, prosperity preachers are setting their own political agendas and living the high life with their favorite president, a long way from their impoverished, Depression-Era roots. Links and other info for Show Notes: Resources & Links: Visible Saints: the History of a Puritan Idea, Edmund Morgan Oral Roberts and the Rise of the Prosperity Gospel, Jonathan Root Pew Research Center's 2006 study: Spirit and Power – A 10-Country Survey of Pentecostals “The Future of “Born-Again Evangelicalism” Is Charismatic and Pentecostal,” PRRI by Fanhao Nie, Ph.D., Flavio Rogerio Hickel Jr., Leah Payne, Tarah Williams, Ph.D. God Gave Rock & Roll to You: a History of Contemporary Christian Music, Leah Payne Join Leah & many other scholars, activists, and artists considering music the rise of Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity at the 2025 Summer Institute for Global Charismatic & Pentecostal Studies at Candler School of Theology at Emory University, May 21-23 in Decatur, GA. Registration is free! Additional Resources: Visible Saints: the History of a Puritan Idea, Edmund Morgan Oral Roberts and the Rise of the Prosperity Gospel, Jonathan Root Pew Research Center's 2006 study: Spirit and Power – A 10-Country Survey of Pentecostals “The Future of “Born-Again Evangelicalism” Is Charismatic and Pentecostal,” PRRI by Fanhao Nie, Ph.D., Flavio Rogerio Hickel Jr., Leah Payne, Tarah Williams, Ph.D. God Gave Rock & Roll to You: a History of Contemporary Christian Music, Leah Payne Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
According to New York Times columnist, David Brooks, our society has given up on moral formation to focus instead on individual success and happiness. Can we recover a culture of shared virtue? Surprising new data shows that overall college enrollment is down, but Christian colleges and universities are growing. What's the explanation? Then Robert P. Jones, from PRRI, is back to unpack the numbers from the presidential election. Why did more Latinos support Trump, and are Democrats learning the wrong lessons from their loss? Also this week—animals hold grudges. List of Ways to Contribute: https://www.holypost.com/post/ways-to-contribute-to-la-fire-relief Holy Post Plus: Getting Schooled - Communion 201 https://www.patreon.com/posts/120202366/ 0:00 - Show Starts 3:17 - Theme Song 3:40 - Sponsor - Glorify - Sign up for the #1 Christian Daily Devotional App to help you stay focused on God. Go to https://glorify-app.com/en/HOLYPOST to download the app today! 4:43 - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/holypost 5:50 - The Inauguration 8:30 - Connecting to Relief Work 12:05 - Ants' Tiny Grudges 17:30 - Character Building Toolkit 24:28 - Morally Fragmented World 39:21 - Christian College Growth 44:52 - Sponsor - J29 Coalition - Guide your church into a Christ-centered approach to politics! Visit https://j29coalition.com to sign up today 45:58 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Go to https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST 47:15 - Interview 48:50 - Lack of Change 57:01 - Don't Overread 1:12:44 - Fatigue 1:17:38 - Pray for Wisdom 1:21:40 - End Credits Links Mentioned in News Segment: World Relief: https://worldrelief.org/advocate/ Christian Colleges Continue to See Enrollment Growth: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/01/christian-colleges-continue-enrollment-growth-record/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=topic/religion Biologists Antagonised Ants: https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/animals/biologists-antagonised-ants-and-found-out-they-can-hold-grudges/ Other resources: The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy: and the Path to a Shared American Future by Robert P. Jones: https://a.co/d/5ZoIHOp White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity by Robert P. Jones: https://a.co/d/0K5cI5W Robert P. Jones' Substack: www.whitetoolong.net Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
As the 2024 American presidential election approaches, it is common to hear scholars and journalists discuss the role of particular groups such as Latino men or suburban white women might play in a razor tight race. Less attention is paid to the nation's youngest voters: Gen Z. Born between 1997 and 2012, these voters have experienced a decade of upheaval including, the murder of George Floyd, changing political norms with the election of Donald Trump, an insurrection after the election of Joe Biden, and the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Gen Z voters have lived under the constant threats of mass shootings and climate change. In response, these voters are mobilizing -- and left-leaning Zoomers, particularly women and LGBTQ people, have the potential to move U.S. politics to the left. Dr. Melissa Deckman uses original data – including nearly one hundred interviews with Gen Z activists and several national surveys – to highlight the increasing role of Zoomers. She argues that women and LGBTQ Zoomers are participating in politics at higher levels than their straight male peers, creating a historic "reverse gender gap." Dr. Deckman explores Gen Z's activism using mixed methods data and compelling personal narratives of how Gen Z activists have mobilized to defend reproductive rights, prevent gun violence, stem climate change, and win political office. A deep dive into the politics of Gen Z, The Politics of Gen Z: How the Youngest Voters Will Shape Our Democracy (Columbia UP, 2024) sheds new light on how young voters view politics and why their commitment to progressive values may transform the country in the years ahead. Dr. Melissa Deckman is the CEO of PRRI, the Public Religion Research Institute. She is a political scientist who studies the impact of gender, religion, and age on public opinion and political behavior. She was previously the Louis L. Goldstein Professor of Public Affairs at Washington College. Her previous books include the Tea Party Women: Mama Grizzlies, Grassroots Leaders, and the Changing Face of the American Right (2016) which examines the role of women in conservative politics. Melissa mentions Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male is Struggling, Why it Matters, and What to Do about It (Brookings, 2024) and the New Books Network's Dan Hill interviewed with Richard Reeves about the book. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
As the 2024 American presidential election approaches, it is common to hear scholars and journalists discuss the role of particular groups such as Latino men or suburban white women might play in a razor tight race. Less attention is paid to the nation's youngest voters: Gen Z. Born between 1997 and 2012, these voters have experienced a decade of upheaval including, the murder of George Floyd, changing political norms with the election of Donald Trump, an insurrection after the election of Joe Biden, and the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Gen Z voters have lived under the constant threats of mass shootings and climate change. In response, these voters are mobilizing -- and left-leaning Zoomers, particularly women and LGBTQ people, have the potential to move U.S. politics to the left. Dr. Melissa Deckman uses original data – including nearly one hundred interviews with Gen Z activists and several national surveys – to highlight the increasing role of Zoomers. She argues that women and LGBTQ Zoomers are participating in politics at higher levels than their straight male peers, creating a historic "reverse gender gap." Dr. Deckman explores Gen Z's activism using mixed methods data and compelling personal narratives of how Gen Z activists have mobilized to defend reproductive rights, prevent gun violence, stem climate change, and win political office. A deep dive into the politics of Gen Z, The Politics of Gen Z: How the Youngest Voters Will Shape Our Democracy (Columbia UP, 2024) sheds new light on how young voters view politics and why their commitment to progressive values may transform the country in the years ahead. Dr. Melissa Deckman is the CEO of PRRI, the Public Religion Research Institute. She is a political scientist who studies the impact of gender, religion, and age on public opinion and political behavior. She was previously the Louis L. Goldstein Professor of Public Affairs at Washington College. Her previous books include the Tea Party Women: Mama Grizzlies, Grassroots Leaders, and the Changing Face of the American Right (2016) which examines the role of women in conservative politics. Melissa mentions Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male is Struggling, Why it Matters, and What to Do about It (Brookings, 2024) and the New Books Network's Dan Hill interviewed with Richard Reeves about the book. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science
Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 700-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Los Angeles Event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1027970416187?aff=oddtdtcreator San Diego Event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1030505227877?aff=oddtdtcreator In this episode of Spirit & Power: “The Twin Insurrections'” Dr. Leah Payne speaks with Dr. João Chaves, an Assistant Professor of the History of Religion in the Américas and Co-Director of the Baptist Scholars International Roundtable (BSIR) at Baylor University. His research focuses on the history of religion in the Américas, the influence of U.S. Protestantism in Latin America, and the development of Latin American/Latinx religious networks in the United States. Along with numerous books, Dr. Chaves has written about the history of Christianity in Latin America for news outlets such as the Washington Post and The Christian Century. Resources & Links: The shared religious roots of twin insurrections in the U.S. and Brazil by João B. Chaves and Raimundo Barreto Christian nationalism is thriving in Bolsonaro's Brazil by João B. Chaves and Raimundo Barreto Christian nationalism is growing among US Hispanics. Scholars explain why. by Aleja Hertzler-McCain Brazil's Changing Religious Landscape, The Pew Forum How Charismatic and Pentecostal Conservatives are Shaping the American Right Wing of Today, PRRI, by Leah Payne Books by João Chaves Migrational Religion: Context and Creativity in the Latinx Diaspora The Global Mission of the Jim Crow South: Southern Baptist Missionaries and the Shaping of Latin American Evangelicalism. Remembering Antônia Teixeira: A Story of Missions, Violence, and Institutional Hypocrisy with Dr. Mikeal Parsons Baptists and the Kingdom of God: Global Perspectives with Dr. T. Laine Scales For more analysis of transnational music and media networks: God Gave Rock and Roll to You: a History of Contemporary Christian Music by Leah Payne, or join her at Candler School of Theology's Summer Institute, May 21-23, which will explore the theme “Songs of the Spirit: Music and the Making of Global Pentecostalism.” Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Check out BetterHelp and use my code SWA for a great deal: www.betterhelp.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 600-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In “"For Such a Time as This," Latinx Charismatics & Pentecostals & the 2024 Election,” Dr. Leah Payne speaks with three scholars who study the intersection of religion, politics, and Latinx communities in the United States. Dr. Flavio Hickel Jr. is an assistant professor of American politics at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland. He was also a fellow with the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) for the last two years. Flavio's current research focuses on the Latinx community and Immigration policy, and he's co-authored hot off the presses analysis of recent polling data about charismatic Christianity at PRRI in The Washington Post, Religion News Service, Axios, and other news outlets. Dr. Erica Bryand Ramirez is a sociologist of religion and currently Director of Applied Research at Auburn Seminary in Manhattan. In addition to writing about Pentecostals and Politics for The Washington Post and Religion News Service, Erica's series on Texas Megachurches on The Anxious Bench is a fascinating analysis of charismatic communities and how they envision national politics. Dr. Lloyd Barba is an assistant professor of religion at Amherst college whose writings include Sowing the Sacred: Mexican Pentecostal Farm Workers in California and an edited volume on the politics of immigration and the Latino faith community entitled Latin American and US Latino Religions in North America which also features Dr. Erica Ramirez.Lloyd has also written about Pentecostals and politics for The Washington Post, Religion News Service, and other news outlets. He currently co-hosts another Axis Mundi podcast called Sanctuary: on the Border Between Church and State Resources & Links PRRI Data: Religious & Political Affiliations of Hispanic Americans Book by Dr. Johnathan Calvillo: The Saints of Santa Anna: Faith and Ethnicity in a Mexican Majority City Book by D. Daniel Ramirez: Migrating Faith: Pentecostalism in the United States and Mexico in the Twentieth Century Latino Protestants in America: Diverse and Growing, Gerardo Martí, Mark T. Mulder and Aida I. Ramos (Rowman & Littlefield) Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Check out BetterHelp and use my code SWA for a great deal: www.betterhelp.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 600-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In episode one of Spirit & Power, Dr. Leah Payne speaks with Sam Kestenbaum - an award-winning journalist covering religion in America who writes widely for national magazines and newspapers, including Harper Magazine's, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Rolling Stone. Leah and Sam discuss some of the influential conservative charismatic media makers who are energizing the religious right: pastor Greg Locke, rabbi Jonathan Cahn, entrepreneur Clay Clark, worship leader Sean Feucht, and head of Charisma News, Stephen Strang. Resources & Links: Pentecostals in America by Arlene Sanchez WalshPew Research Center's 2006 study: Spirit and Power – A 10-Country Survey of Pentecostals“The Future of “Born-Again Evangelicalism” Is Charismatic and Pentecostal,” PRRI by Fanhao Nie, Ph.D., Flavio Rogerio Hickel Jr., Leah Payne, Tarah Williams, Ph.D.Jerry Falwell's “I love America” rallyEvangelical Leader Lance Wallnau pitches Trump to followers as divinely chosen for presidencyPRRI Data on Gen ZPew Data on Pentecostals and charismatics v. evangelicals Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Check out BetterHelp and use my code SWA for a great deal: www.betterhelp.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris face off in their first debate ahead of the 2024 election. NBC News Chief Political Analyst Chuck Todd, Molly Ball, Ashley Etienne, and Mike Dubke discuss the key takeaways from the night. NBC News Washington Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor joins Meet the Press NOW from Ohio following Trump's reference to a false conspiracy theory regarding Haitian migrants. Melissa Deckman, CEO of PRRI, explains what impact Taylor Swift's endorsement of Harris may have on turning out young voters.
Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 600-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad dives into PRRI's 2023 Census of American Religion with Dr. Robert P. Jones, author of The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy. Together, they break down the ongoing decline of White Christian America, the growing number of younger people who are religiously unaffiliated, and the stark differences between the religious demographics of the Democratic and Republican parties. They dig into how these demographic shifts are shaping the culture and politics of the country, offering key insights into the religious and racial trends transforming the U.S. today. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/RC and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stand Up is a daily podcast. I book,host,edit, post and promote new episodes with brilliant guests every day. Please subscribe now for as little as 5$ and gain access to a community of over 700 awesome, curious, kind, funny, brilliant, generous souls Melissa Deckman (she/her) is the CEO of PRRI and a political scientist who studies the impact of gender, religion, and age on public opinion and political behavior. Deckman is the author of Tea Party Women (NYU Press: 2016), which examined the role of women in conservative politics. Her first book, School Board Battles: The Christian Right in Local Politics (Georgetown University Press: 2004) won the American Political Science Association's Hu Morken Award for best book on religion and politics. Columbia University Press will publish her latest book, The Politics of Gen Z: How the Youngest Voters Will Shape Our Democracy this September. The author of more than two dozen scholarly peer-reviewed articles, Deckman's commentary and research about politics has appeared in The New York Times, MSNBC, The Washington Post, CNN, The Hill, Vice News, The Wall Street Journal, 538 and Politico among other outlets. Prior to joining PRRI, Deckman served as the Louis L. Goldstein Professor of Public Affairs and Chair of the Political Science Department at Washington College, where she taught courses on American politics and research methods. Dedicated to promoting leadership opportunities for young women, she was the co-founder of Training Ms. President, a Maryland-based, non-partisan program that encouraged young women to consider running for political office. She is proud to have conducted research for IGNITE, a leading non-profit organization that builds political ambition in young women across the country. Deckman received her Ph.D. in Political Science from American University. A first-generation college student, she received her bachelor's degree in political science from St. Mary's College of Maryland, where she graduated class valedictorian. Join us Thursday's at 8EST for our Weekly Happy Hour Hangout! Pete on Threads Pete on Tik Tok Pete on YouTube Pete on Twitter Pete On Instagram Pete Personal FB page Stand Up with Pete FB page All things Jon Carroll Follow and Support Pete Coe Buy Ava's Art Hire DJ Monzyk to build your website or help you with Marketing
Stand Up is a daily podcast. I book,host,edit, post and promote new episodes with brilliant guests every day. Please subscribe now for as little as 5$ and gain access to a community of over 700 awesome, curious, kind, funny, brilliant, generous souls Robert P. Jones is the CEO and Founder of PRRI and a leading scholar and commentator on religion, culture, and politics. Robert P. Jones is the CEO and founder of Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and the author of White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity, which won a 2021 American Book Award. Jones writes regularly on politics, culture, and religion for The Atlantic online, NBC Think, and other outlets. He is frequently featured in major national media, such as CNN, MSNBC, NPR, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and others. He is also the author of The End of White Christian America, which won the 2019 Grawemeyer Award in Religion. Jones writes weekly at https://robertpjones.substack.com, a newsletter for those dedicated to the work of truth-telling, repair, and healing from the legacy of white supremacy in American Christianity. He holds a Ph.D. in religion from Emory University, an M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a B.S. in computing science and mathematics from Mississippi College. Jones was selected by Emory University's Graduate Division of Religion as Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in 2013, and by Mississippi College's Mathematics Department as Alumnus of the Year in 2016. Jones serves on the national program committee for the American Academy of Religion and is a past member of the editorial boards for the Journal of the American Academy of Religion, and Politics and Religion, a journal of the American Political Science Association. Join us Thursday's at 8EST for our Weekly Happy Hour Hangout! Pete on Threads Pete on Tik Tok Pete on YouTube Pete on Twitter Pete On Instagram Pete Personal FB page Stand Up with Pete FB page All things Jon Carroll Follow and Support Pete Coe Buy Ava's Art Hire DJ Monzyk to build your website or help you with Marketing
In this minisode, I talk about the 2023 Census of American Religion published by PRRI. This is an adaptation & expansion of my latest post at The Post-Evangelical Post. Exvangelical & Beyond comes out in under a month! Pre-order now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://www.postevangelicalpost.com/about
Gen Z is over it. The youngest generation of adults is inheriting a climate crisis, the ongoing fallout from a global pandemic, a polarized political landscape, and a tenuous economic reality. And many Gen Z members, a generation more likely to identify as progressive than conservative, are ready for something to give. Enter: Gen Z for Change — a youth-led non-profit that brands itself as, "the place where the creator economy and progressive politics intersect on social media." The group leverages a hundreds-deep network of social media creators to spread calls to action over TikTok. They've also pulled on the programming expertise within their team to develop a caché of semi-automatic tools that take the guesswork out of engaging with their political agenda. Their latest tool, "Ceasefire Now!!" takes these efforts one step further — resulting in, by Gen Z for Change's count, two million emails calling for a ceasefire in Gaza hitting the inboxes of elected representatives in Washington every day. Show notes: Gen Z for Change website Is Gen Z Switching Political Direction? Not So Fast. (PRRI, 2024) Gen Z for Change's Latest Action Sparked a Shift in How Yelp Handles Anti-Abortion Crisis Pregnancy Centers (Teen Vogue, 2022) Kellogg says it will permanently replace striking employees (NPR, 2021)
Donald Trump has enjoyed strong support from white Evangelical Christians since his first run for the presidency. But recently, he has made a specific brand of Christianity a centerpiece of his campaign. He repeatedly casts himself as a messiah figure, even comparing his legal troubles to the persecution of Christ. He regularly ends his rallies with prayer. And last week he started hocking a version of the Bible that also includes copies of the founding documents of the United States. “Trump is now wrapping his candidacy around this idea of White Christian Nationalism,” says Robert P. Jones, president and founder of the Public Religion Research Institute, or PRRI. He is also author of two books about the relationship between race and religion in the United States, “The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy,” as well as “White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity.” Jones joins Diane on this week's episode of On My Mind to talk about what's behind the attempts to build The Church of Trump, and why he sees it as a dangerous development for the country. To find out more about Robert P. Jones and read his latest, visit his blog, “White Too Long”: https://www.whitetoolong.net/.
The Threat of Christian Nationalism in All 50 States, Illustrated in Eight ChartsPRRI , By ROBERT P. JONES, on February 28, 2024https://www.whitetoolong.net/p/the-threat-of-christian-nationalism?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=oa4eg&triedRedirect=true The conversation delves into the findings of a PRRI survey on the prevalence of Christian nationalism in the United States. It reveals that approximately three in 10 Americans can be classified as Christian nationalism adherents or sympathizers, with notable influence within the MAGA movement and the Republican Party. Participants express concern over the implications of Christian nationalism, which perpetuates the idea of America as a promised land for European Christians, potentially undermining democracy and fostering political polarization.The dialogue explores the complex dynamics behind Christian nationalism, including its roots in Protestantism and its appeal to certain demographics. There's a recognition of the diverse perspectives within Christian communities and the role of emotion and fear in driving support for such ideologies. Concerns are raised about the potential erosion of democratic principles and the need to address the influence of Christian nationalism in shaping public policy.The participants also emphasize the importance of critical thinking, education, and vigilance in countering the spread of harmful ideologies. They condemn Christian nationalism as unpatriotic and treasonous, urging a commitment to upholding the principles of the Constitution and defending against threats to democracy. Overall, the conversation highlights the urgent need to address the rise of Christian nationalism and its potential impact on American society.The Non-Prophets, Episode 23.11.3 featuring Cynthia , Eli, Helen Greene and Jonathan Roudabush
Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus episodes, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad and Dan begin by discussing the State of the Union speech by Pres. Joe Biden and the GOP response by Sen. Katie Britt (AL). They analyze the theatrics of the civic ritual - and how the chamber has turned into something more like the comments section on a YouTube video than a stately affair where all three of our branches of government gather. Brad draws on the work of Sara Moslener and Megan Goodwin to explain how Britt's response was a manifestation of the innocent White women myth and a form of contraceptive nationalism. In the second segment, Dan breaks down new data from PRRI on Christian nationalism. The two hosts explain how and why White Christian nationalists differ from their Black and Hispanic counterparts. Subscribe to Pure White by Sara Moslener: www.axismundi.us Buy Abusing Religion by Megan Goodwin: https://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/abusing-religion/9781978807785/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://www.amazon.com/Preparing-War-Extremist-Christian-Nationalism/dp/1506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Summary In this episode, Tim delves into the PRRI data on Christian nationalism, highlighting the percentage of Americans who adhere to or reject Christian nationalist views. Tim explores the geographical breakdown of Christian nationalism support, its correlation with political affiliation, and the interpretation of Christian nationalism in the black community. Takeaways Christian nationalism is supported by approximately 30% of Americans, with 10% being adherents and 20% being sympathizers. Support for Christian nationalism is higher in Republican-leaning states and among white evangelical Protestants. Black Christian nationalists interpret the five statements used to measure Christian nationalist views differently, focusing on the fight for equity rather than taking over and using power to control others. Christian nationalism is correlated with support for Trump, far-right news sources, and apocalyptic views of political struggle. Engaging with adherents of Christian nationalism may be challenging, but there may be opportunities to persuade sympathizers. Read the PRRI Study on Christina Nationalism Check out our website for merch, educational materials, and how to join our community! If you'd like to support our work, you can DONATE here! Follow Us On Instagram @thenewevangelicals Subscribe On YouTube The New Evangelicals exists to support those who are tired of how evangelical church has been done before and want to see an authentic faith lived out with Jesus at the center. On this channel, you'll see videos from our founder Tim Whitaker and our incredible guests as they react and respond biblically to topics such as Christian Nationalism, church hurt, terrible Christian movies, bad conservative Christian takes, and MUCH more! We are committed to building a caring community that emulates the ways of Jesus by reclaiming the evangelical tradition and embracing values that build a better way forward. If you've been marginalized by your faith, you are welcome here. We've built an empathetic and inclusive space that encourages authentic conversations, connections and faith. Whether you consider yourself a Christian, an exvangelical, someone who's questioning your faith, or someone who's left the faith entirely, you are welcome here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Andrew Whitehead joins Tim to talk about the brand new PRRI data on Christian Nationalism and how it will impact this year's 2024 election. Read the report here Support Our Work Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dr. Robert P. Jones is founder and president of Public Religion Research Institute. He has a Ph.D in religion and a bachelors in computing science in mathmatics. His new book explores the long and sordid backstory of American racism, which was - and is - often cloaked in the banner of Christianity.Dr. Jones' book: https://amzn.to/3uWYw1CVIDEO of this conversation: https://youtu.be/VehbwjrXTuwThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/3270347/advertisement
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