Impolite Company

S3 Ep1: This Is My Story with Megan Westra Aug 18, 2020

This Is My Story is a special season of Impolite Company focused on telling the stories of women who have made voting an act of faith. In this first episode, we talk with Megan Westra, a Milwaukee-based pastor and author of the new book Born Again and Again: Jesus' Call to Radical Transformation.
You can find Megan online at meganwestra.com and buy her book by supporting independent bookstores.
Continue the conversation with us at facebook.com/thisismystoryproject
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: AMY SULLIVAN: I’m Amy Sullivan, and you’re listening to This Is My Story, a special season of Impolite Company. Each week, we’ve be joined by a woman who was once solidly rooted in the world of conservative white Christianity, but whose faith and politics have since shifted. She’ll tell us that story, about what convicted her to see loving her neighbor as a commandment to shape not only how she lives her life, but also how she votes. In this first episode, I’m talking with Megan Westra, a Milwaukee-based pastor and writer. Megan grew up in Appalachia, in the kind of evangelical community where sometimes kids rededicated themselves to Christ before they were even out of elementary school—because you can never be too sure. She’s the author of a new book called “Born Again and Again: Jesus’ Call to Radical Transformation.” It takes a hard look at the stories so many of us were taught about Christianity, unravels them, and then puts them back together with refreshingly practical suggestions for both churches and individuals who are looking to embody a different kind of Christianity. As Lisa Sharon Harper says in her foreword to the book, “Megan invites those disillusioned by a white Jesus to be born again, again.” And in Megan’s case, that may technically be born again, again, again. But I’ll let her tell it. This is her story. MEGAN WESTRA: I was born and raised right on the West Virginia/Virginia border, so in the Appalachian mountains. A little bit further north than the heart of the Bible Belt, but still definitely in that part of the country. The very first church experience I had was we went to a United Methodist congregation for the first ten years of my life that my great-grandparents had helped found. I was super-super-churched—going to the United Methodist church on Sundays, but then I went with a friend to an Awana program at their Baptist church. I was a kid of the South in the 90s! If there was a church thing, I was there. Church camp, church whatever. In my book, I talk about how I got saved for the first time when I was four years old, apparently. I don’t remember that, but that’s what my mom always told me. From the get-go—I do not have memories outside of a life that was steeped in some kind of faith. Now, granted, growing up it was this very traditionally evangelical—like, altar calls at the end of every service, “If you were driving home from church tonight and you got in a car accident, do you know where you would go?” Right, that kind of rhetoric. And very much defined by all of the markers that we’ve become familiar with since 2016, as far as, what are the things that evangelicals care about. Well, we want somebody who says that they oppose abortion. And I want to be real clear—they say that they oppose abortion. AS: And were those messages, in terms of what the political priorities were, cultural priorities—were those explicit? Or are those things that you just pick up from being part of the community? MW: That we should support pro-life candidates, and only pro-life Republican candidates, was pretty explicit from really early on in my life. I remember being in elementary school, and I was watching Nickelodeon with my cousins at my grandparents’ house, and there was a kids’ election poll. I don’t even remember who was running—it was one of the Clinton terms, though. You still called in on your landline phone because cellphones weren’t a thing yet. And you pressed “1” to vote for one person and “2” to vote for the other. My cousins both called in and voted for Bill Clinton. And I was like, “I’m sorry—what? What? That’s not allowed.” That was my framework, even as a young child. You’re not allowed to do that and love Jesus. AS: I love that you write about rededicating your life to Christ by the age of, what, 12? MW: Yeah! The ripe old age of 12! AS: You are not the first person I’ve talked to who felt like they must have erred at some point and had to rededicate themselves at age 8 or 10 or 12. What was your sense of what was required of you as a Christian? MW: I don’t even know if I had a really strong sense of what that would have looked like. If someone had sat 10-year-old me down and told me my life: Megan, you are in church three days a week and you help your parents with things and you go visit your grandparents. All the little things that kids do to try to be good little humans. If somebody had sat me down and said, what else would the Lord require of you? I don’t think I could have answered that question. It more came down to this constant image of God that I was being fed, by faith leaders from the pulpit on Sunday mornings, in Sunday school lessons. That God was angry and needed to be appeased. You had to accept Jesus into your heart. And God killed Jesus so that you could be—not even okay with God, but God wouldn’t burn you forever because God killed God’s son. That’s such a horrible story. That’s a terrible story! AS: Well, it’s definitely not an uplifting story, that’s for sure. You know, I really connected to the kind of Catch-22 that you write about, that if you’re a child who grows up in the church, there’s a pretty good chance that you’re already on the straight and narrow. And yet the church places such an emphasis on having a story of transformation. What do you do if there’s no turnaround that has to be effected? I’m wondering—so you’re a self-described super-church kid, you’ve been saved multiple times. What was your thinking as you approached the end of high school? MW: I’m feel like I’m kind of a stereotype because I came up through youth group in a period when the assumption was: “When you get to college, your faith is going to be challenged. You’re going to have to work really hard to not let the ‘liberal’ professors pull you away from God. So be prepared. Be prepared to have to stand for your faith. Going into the university, be prepared to be persecuted. Be ready.” So I went a small Christian college in part because that was, “Well, if you don’t want to be completely dragged away, you should go to a Christian college. It’ll still be hard! You’re still going to be pulled by the influences of the world and of academia! But at least you’ll have some strong Christian professors who will be helping you.” I went to a small Christian college there in my hometown, both because that seemed to make a lot of sense and my parents really encouraged that. I didn’t give a whole lot of thought to it beyond, I need to be prepared to defend my faith, even on this small Christian college campus. And just assumed that was what I would have to do, that I would get there and there would be some professors that would be really supportive and there would be professors who would try to “lure” me away. I remember in my freshman year, all of us from a fundamentalist background whispering about a professor who didn’t believe in inerrancy. There would be some professors who would try to lure me away. I remember in my freshman year, all of us whispering—those of us who were coming out of a more fundamentalist background: “Oh, watch out for this one professor. He doesn’t believe in inerrancy. You have to be careful in his class!” And I just laugh about that now, because I’m like, “Oh, man, I probably should have paid more attention in his class. I probably would have learned some really great things.” AS: But it turns out that your faith was challenged in college. Just not in the way you had anticipated...
Link to full transcript of This Is My Story, Episode 1

S3: Coming Soon: A Special Season of Impolite Company Aug 12, 2020

Coming Soon: This Is My Story, a special season of Impolite Company, focused on telling the stories of women who have made voting an act of faith.
TRAILER TRANSCRIPT:
I’m Amy Sullivan, and you’re listening to This Is My Story, a special season of Impolite Company. In the conservative Baptist church in the Midwest where I grew up, women weren’t allowed to have roles in Sunday worship, outside of the music ministry. They didn’t even pass out bulletins as ushers. Although, to be honest, I’m not sure what biblical authority would have been violated there. Instead, once a year, we’d hold Women’s Sunday, letting women pretend they were in charge for the day. There was obviously no question of having a woman preach. So instead of a sermon, every year one woman would share her testimony. Because apparently the men of the church decided that was safe. After all, it was just her own story. They didn’t understand the power of stories. You see, personal stories are how we relate to one another. More than that, research tells us that the most effective social change happens through storytelling, that people are most persuaded by their peers who have stood where they are. People need to feel understood, and they need to hear that change is possible. That’s why I’ve left two decades in journalism to launch This Is My Story, a new initiative to help women tell their stories of making voting an act of faith. In each of the twelve weeks between now and Election Day, this special podcast season of the same name will tell the story of a different woman’s shift in her faith and politics, about what convicted her to see loving her neighbor as a commandment to shape not only how she lives her life, but also how she votes. We’ll talk to women who were once firmly in the conservative Christian world. They include former street-corner evangelists, crisis pregnancy clinic workers, and a surprising number of former missionaries. You’ll hear how each of them ventured outside the bubbles in which they’d been raised, and what it was that caused them to embrace a kind of politics that’s more focused on loving our neighbors than protecting an in-group. We would love to have you join us for this special season. Subscribe to Impolite Company wherever you listen to podcasts. And follow us on ThisIsMyStoryProject.com for more conversation, free downloads, and live events. It’s long past time to use the power of our stories to bring about justice and change.

S3 Ep1: "I'm So Tired of Being Yelled At" Mar 04, 2020

Your eyes and ears do not deceive you! We are back with a special Campaign 2020 episode. This episode was recorded before the South Carolina primary and Super Tuesday (in other words, when many more candidates were still in the race), but we take a look at the Democratic presidential campaign in its entirety.
That means finding possible silver linings for future female candidates, looking at how this cohort of candidates talked about their faith, and whether the Democratic Party needs to put out a welcome mat for voters who may disagree with the party platform on some key issues. (Spoiler alert: the answer is YES.)

S2 Ep9: Religious Liberty in America: From Burning Convents to Baking Cakes May 10, 2019

This week Amy is joined by journalist and author Steven Waldman, whose new book SACRED LIBERTY: AMERICA'S LONG, BLOODY, AND ONGOING STRUGGLE OVER RELIGIOUS FREEDOM was published this week.

Their conversation covers the long and evolving history of religious liberty in America, the fact that anti-Catholicism has been the most common feature of religious liberty violations, and the role that evangelicals could--emphasis on could--play in easing current tensions over clashing rights.

Discussed This Week:

Sacred Liberty: America's Long, Bloody, and Ongoing Struggle for Religious Freedom (Steven Waldman, 2019)

S2 Ep8: Mayor Pete, Democrats, and the Religious Left Apr 09, 2019

We are back! (Sort of.) With everyone but your condo board president jumping into the Democratic presidential race, and an astonishing number of them comfortable talking about issues of faith and morality, we couldn't just sit by and watch.

This week Amy is joined by Guest Co-Host Extraordinaire Jack Jenkins, a national correspondent for Religion News Service. Jack has interviewed a number of the Democratic candidates about their faith and has some insights into why Democrats may be recognizing the value of religious progressives.

This episode is the first in a series: "Leveling the Praying Field: Democrats, Religion & 2020." If you have questions you'd like answered or related topics you want to see us tackle, reach out via Twitter at @ImpolitePod.

Discussed This Week:

• Evangelicals helped get Trump into the White House. Pete Buttigieg believes the religious left will get him out. (Sarah Pulliam Bailey, Washington Post)

• Julián Castro: Catholicism 'has never been far from my life'(Jack Jenkins, Religion News Service)

• Pete Buttigieg on faith, his marriage, and Mike Pence (Father Edward Beck, CNN)

• Pollster says progressive 2020 candidate with faith ties would be valuable asset (The Hill)

• Cory Booker: 'I'm calling for a revival of grace in this country' (Jack Jenkins, Religion News Service)

• Mayor Pete Buttigieg's countercultural approach to Christianity is what America needs now (Kirsten Powers, USA Today)

• Clip of Pete Buttigieg on Real Time with Bill Maher

• Booker and Warren fuse faith and politics in appeal to mainline preachers (Jack Jenkins, Religion News Service)

• The real meaning of Barack Obama's speech on religion and politics (Amy Sullivan, Slate)

S2 Ep7: "Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbor's Absentee Ballots" Dec 07, 2018

Nish is off this week, so Amy is joined by award-winning journalist Jack Jenkins of Religion News Service for a discussion about the civil religion rituals of American state funerals, allegations of election fraud in a North Carolina congressional race involving a Republican candidate who is also a Southern Baptist pastor, and the potential resurgence of the religious left as a political force.

And because it's December, the Impolite Company Holiday Playlist is back! To listen along with us, go to Spotify and look for "An Impolite Company Holiday"

An earlier version of this episode contained audio difficulties. This version should be problem-free!

S2 Ep6: "Two things can be true at the same time." Nov 16, 2018

This week, we dive right into the midterm elections. What does it mean to be in a country that makes great strides in one midterm election - placing a record number of women & religious minorities in office, electing the first openly gay man as a governor, and giving the voting rights back to 1.4 million people - yet, still elects individuals who openly propagate white supremacist ideals? We wrestle with the tension, as well as the data that shows us nothing is really changing, particularly with religious voters.

We spend the second half of the episode talking about the drama around the Conference of US Bishops this week. US Bishops want to make significant, overdue changes in how the Catholic church handles instances of abuse, but the Vatican pulled the e-brake. What's the deal?

If you want to support the show financially--for as little as $1 per month--please visit our Patreon Page to become a monthly patron. We're putting together plans for an audio documentary about campaigns and religion, and your help could free us up to concentrate on it and other show projects.

Discussed on the show this week:

Records broken during the 2018 midterms (BBC)

Record number of women elected to Congress (Vox)

Blue wave, or not? (WaPo)

Voting rights restored to individuals who served time for non-violent felonies in Florida (NPR)

Duncan Hunter wins with islamophobic campaign. (Vox)

Vatican stops US Bishops from voting on sexual abuse responses.(WaPo)

Rome orders US Bishops to wait on their plan to curb sex abuse. (NY Times)

Game of Thrones returns in April for it's final season (Variety)

S2 Ep5: "Call it what it is--it's the erasure of Jews." Nov 01, 2018

In this episode, we talk about the massacre of eleven Jews during Shabbat services at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.

We discuss the right-wing rhetoric--starting with the president--that currently encourages intolerance, racism, anti-Semitism. We talk about how to discuss anti-Semitism with children without also scaring them unnecessarily. And we talk about why the argument that "this was about anti-religiosity" isn't just foolish but also immoral in that it seeks to erase Jews from the narrative.

If you want to support the show financially--for as little as $1 per month--please visit our Patreon Page to become a monthly patron. We're putting together plans for an audio documentary about campaigns and religion, and your help could free us up to concentrate on it and other show projects.

Discussed This Week (including resources for discussing the Tree of Life massacre and anti-semitism generally with children):

How to Talk to Children About Anti-Semitism (PJ Library)
4 Steps for Talking to Kids About the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting (Sivan Zakai, Kveller)
Empowering Young People in the Aftermath of Hate (Anti-Defamation League)
What Jewish Schools are Telling Students About the Pittsburgh Shooting (Joe Pinsker, The Atlantic)
How Trump and Republicans wield the politics of victimhood (Paul Waldman, Washington Post)
The Bodyguard (Netflix)
Hocus Pocus (Nish's house)
Bang (Acorn TV)

S2 Ep4: "We've rallied when a policy did not strike us as fundamentally fair" Oct 24, 2018

This week, Nish talks with Rachel Esplin Odell and Jennifer Walker Thomas, two leaders of the organization Mormon Women for Ethical Government (MWEG). The group recently made news when it called upon the four Mormon Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to take seriously allegations against Brett Kavanaugh.

Rachel and Jennifer talk about how MWEG developed organically after 2016--and particularly out of concern over the Muslim ban and other executive actions that impact refugees and other immigrant communities.

In addition, Nish and Amy discuss a trio of stories related to religious freedom, including a case in which a Catholic pharmacist in Michigan refused to fill the prescription of a woman who was actively miscarrying.

And we bring you some new pop culture recommendations, as well as a reminder to eat all the donuts and drink all the cider while you still can.

Discussed This Week:

Trump administration set to expand religious exemptions to birth control coverage (Samantha Schmidt, Washington Post)

Michigan pharmacist refuses medicine to woman having miscarriage(Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press)

Deep in the desert, case pits immigration crackdown against religious freedom (Ryan Lucas, NPR)

Slow Burn Season 2: The Impeachment of Bill Clinton (Leon Neyfakh, Slate)

W. Kamau Bell: Private School Negro (Netflix)

S2 Ep3: "I am done modulating my emotions to protect you from my rage" Oct 11, 2018

In this episode, we are done. Done done done.

The Brett Kavanaugh confirmation process is over but we are just getting started. We talk about why calls for civility in the wake of injustice are often calls to silence underrepresented voices. We discuss the fact that so many white women were galvanized to support the Kavanaugh nomination, and why that points to the need for more women leaders in religious spaces.

And we feed our rage with some family-size bags of Peanut M&Ms.

If you want to support the show financially--for as little as $1 per month,please visit our Patreon Pageto become a monthly patron. We're putting together plans for an audio documentary about campaigns and religion, and your help could free us up to concentrate on it and other show projects.

Discussed This Week:

The Waves podcast, "The Rage at Brett Edition"

Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women's Anger (Rebecca Traister, Simon & Schuster)

Flight of the Conchords: Live in London

The Witch Elm, (Tana French, Viking Press)

S2 Ep2: "These freakin' guys" Sep 27, 2018

This week, Nish and Amy talk about the wrong way to do faith outreach, as well as an attempt by a group of LDS women to appeal to the four Mormon senators who sit on the Judiciary Committee.

We also introduce a new segment called "Race to the Bottom," in which we nominate some nonsense we've heard from conservative white evangelicals and ask listeners to vote on the very worst.

And Amy talks with writer Danielle Mayfield about the spiritual and moral themes of "The Good Place," which returns this week for its third season on NBC. They also talk about Mister Rogers and the righteous anger that drove this famously calm and gentle man.

NOTE: In her recommendation for the week, Amy encouraged everyone to read a James Baldwin novel but never actually said the name of it--doh! It is "If Beale Street Could Talk," also coming out in November as a film.

Please visit our Patreon Page and consider becoming a monthly patron of the show, for as little as $1 per month. We're halfway to our goal, which will allow us to actually release the podcast on a regular schedule you can count on!

Discussed This Week:

• Republicans in Texas Apologize for Hindu-Themed Campaign Ad (Kimberly Yam, Huffington Post)

• Official Statement from Mormon Women for Ethical Government with regard to the Brett Kavanaugh Confirmation Proceedings

• 'Not relevant:' Franklin Graham weighs in on Kavanaugh sexual assault allegations (Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer)

• Eric Metaxas' selfie with Donald Trump on Twitter

• Rob Schenck on Twitter, actually showing how to speak truth to power

• Nish, telling off Erick Erickson on Twitter

• Is Neighborly Love Enough in The Good Place? (D.L. Mayfield, Christ and Pop Culture)

• Mr. Rogers Had a Dangerous Side (D.L. Mayfield, Christianity Today)

• Educated: A Memoir(Tara Westover, Random House)

• If Beale Street Could Talk(James Baldwin, Vintage)

S2 Ep1: "It's a really horrible time to be a Catholic" Sep 21, 2018

And we are back! Welcome to the Season Two premiere of Impolite Company, in which we discuss new revelations of abuse and coverup in the Catholic Church, the increasingly contested nomination of Brett Kavanaugh, and Democratic faith-outreach efforts.

We'll be returning to that last topic throughout the fall as we talk with Democratic candidates and former Obama aides about why there's been such traditional resistance in the party to faith outreach and how some newer candidates are trying it for themselves.

As always, if you want to become a monthly patron of the podcast, you can do so via our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/impolitecompanypodcast

S1 Ep31: The It's-Almost-Time-for-Season-Two! Update Sep 13, 2018

We're just days away from launching the second season of Impolite Company, listeners! In the meantime, we wanted to share this conversation Amy had with Calvin College historian and gender studies professor Kristin Du Mez.

Du Mez is writing a book about white evangelicals, toxic masculinity, and militarism. She and Amy talked about the way in which those factors actually make Donald Trump not just an acceptable figure for many white evangelicals but perhaps an ideal figure.

Enjoy the conversation and join us soon for the new season!

S1 Ep30: The Mid-Summer Break Update Aug 03, 2018

In this mini episode, Amy checks in to tell listeners that Impolite Company will be back for Season Two after Labor Day, and bemoans the many religion & politics stories that have gone uncommented on over the summer.

Mentioned this week:

• Nish's idyllic summer with her REI-catalogue family

• The Pope's Groundbreaking Rejection of the Death Penalty (Emma Green, The Atlantic)

• Raise Your Voice: Why We Stay Silent and How to Speak Up (Kathy Khang, IVP Books)

• Nish on the podcast Her With Amena Brown

• The I am NOT your Superwoman episode of Truth's Table podcast

• AMY GRANT LEADING AN "EL SHADDAI" SING-A-LONG AT WILD GOOSE. WHAT WHAT WHAT.

S1 Ep29: "They're using religion as a sword to harm other people" Jun 29, 2018

Note: This episode was recorded before Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement, and before an armed man slaughtered five journalists at the Annapolis Capitol Gazette.

We're one week away from taking a break for much of the summer--but we're starting up an Impolite Company newsletter to fill the void, and we'll drop in occasionally with a few mini episodes.

In the meantime, this week's show features Amy in conversation with two women who are leading figures in the area of religion and politics.

First up is Rachel Laser, a legal expert who heads up Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. She walks us through the Masterpiece Cake decision and talks about how religious liberty is currently being interpreted in our culture and our courts.

Then Amy talks with Julie Rodgers, a popular writer and speaker who made national news a few years ago when she was hired--and then quickly fired--by Wheaton as the school's first and only chaplain to LGBT students.

Keep sending us your good news and recommendations for the summer! Your voice memos and emails can reach us at impolitewomen@gmail.com

S1 Ep28: "This is one of those moments" Jun 16, 2018

Buckle up, listeners. We recorded this week's episode just an hour or so after Jeff Sessions cited Romans 13 to justify the Trump Administration's policy of ripping families apart at the border, so we were in full NOT TODAY SATAN mode. You have been warned, and you're welcome.

We also discuss the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting, at which the denomination tiptoe into discussions of church abuse and gender, but then leapt about 72 steps backward by hosting Mike Pence for a campaign-style stump speech.

And we consider what it means for a U.S. Catholic bishop to even propose the idea of withholding the Eucharist as a way of sanctioning Republican Catholics who have been complicit with the Trump approach to immigration.

(Technical note: Amy's audio sounds like she was recording either underwater or in an echo chamber this week. It won't happen again.)

Please visit our Patreon Page and consider becoming a monthly patron of the show, for as little as $1 per month. In return, you'll receive our eternal gratitude, some fun extras, and make possible a higher-quality show.

S1 Ep27: "Next question!" May 31, 2018

This week we're taking a break from our regular discussions of everything awful and devoting an entire episode to fielding listener questions! From how Nish and Amy met to favorite tv shows to parenting tips, we've got answers.

Please visit our Patreon Page and consider becoming a monthly patron of the show, for as little as $1 per month.

S1 Ep26: "Try Googling 'John Hagee and End Times'" May 20, 2018

This week, we talk about Vice President Mike Pence's commencement address at Hillsdale College, in which he declared that religiosity is on the rise in America (it's not).

We also discuss the decision to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem AND to invite John "the Apocalypse is coming and it will be in Israel" Hagee to represent the United States by offering a benediction at the opening ceremony for the new embassy.

And Amy phones Emma Green, the Jerusalem-based religion writer for the Atlantic, to learn more about how the move is being received by those in the region.

(Note: Due to some technical difficulties, some of Amy's audio got garbled, which explains one or two odd transitions you might notice. Thanks for bearing with us!)

Please visit our Patreon Page and consider becoming a monthly patron of the show, for as little as $1 per month. We're halfway to our goal, which will allow us to actually release the podcast on a regular schedule you can count on!

S1 Ep25: "We are swimming in a sea of red flags" May 11, 2018

This week, Nish and Amy talk about Trump's belated announcement of a White House faith office, as well as the backlash among Southern Baptist women to comments from Paige Patterson regarding marriage and domestic abuse.

We also interview journalist Ruth Graham about her recent Politico Magazine story, which laid out in fascinating detail the extent to which Christian media have become an extension of the White House communications effort.

And Amy takes over Three Minutes of Nish this week to rant about the National Rifle Association's prayer breakfast.

Please visit our Patreon Page and consider becoming a monthly patron of the show, for as little as $1 per month. We're halfway to our goal, which will allow us to actually release the podcast on a regular schedule you can count on!

Discussed This Week:

'Jesus loves me and my guns': Faith and firearms touted at the NRA's prayer breakfast (Bobby Ross, Jr., Washington Post)

Amid Stormy Daniels news, Trump announces faith-based effort on National Day of Prayer (Sarah Pulliam Bailey and Michelle Boorstein, Washington Post)

'We are shocked': Thousands of Southern Baptist women denounce leader's objectifying comments, advice to abused women (Sarah Pulliam Bailey, Washington Post)

Letter from Southern Baptist women to the SWBTS Board of Trustees

A letter to my brothers (Beth Moore)

Church of the Donald (Ruth Graham, Politico Magazine)

S1 Ep24: "Well, that escalated quickly" May 04, 2018

We begin this week by discussing the Case of Paul Ryan and the Disappearing Chaplain. But in the time between recording this episode and releasing it, the chaplain in question rescinded his resignation and Paul Ryan gave in, restoring the chaplain to his position.

You come at a Jesuit, ya best not miss, Mr. Speaker.

We also talked about the record number of Hindu candidates running for office as Democrats this year.

And Amy spoke with Elijah Zehyoue, associate pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, DC, about the loss of a theological giant, Dr. James Cone.

Please visit our Patreon Page and consider becoming a monthly patron of the show, for as little as $1 per month. We're halfway to our goal, which will allow us to actually release the podcast on a regular schedule you can count on!

Discussed This Week:

House Chaplain Was Asked to Resign. He Still Doesn't Know Why (Elizabeth Dias, New York Times)

Paul Ryan dismissed the House chaplain. Wait, why does Congress even have a chaplain? (Sarah Pulliam Bailey, Washington Post)

Is the GOP at risk of losing Catholics? (Ronald Brownstein, CNN)

Trump May Be a 'Big Fan of Hindu,' But Hindus are Running--and Winning--As Democrats (Murali Balaji, Religion Dispatches)

At Hindu-American rally, Trump pitches India and U.S. as 'best friends' (Max Bearak, Washington Post)

James Cone, a Father of Black Liberation Theology, Dies at 79 (Jacey Fortin)

Why REI Stopped Selling Products That Support a Gun Manufacturer (Patrick Redford, Deadspin)

Vista Outdoor to Stop Manufacturing Guns (Jacqueline Thomsen, The Hill)

S1 Ep23: "Welcome to our world, Tim Keller" Apr 23, 2018

In this episode, we discuss the unfamiliar sight of a world leader admitting a mistake, apologizing, and asking forgiveness--as Pope Francis has after initially backing a Chilean bishop accused of protecting sexually-abusive priests.

We also talk about the debate over Mike Pompeo's nomination for Secretary of State, which is strongly opposed not only by Democratic senators but also leading Muslim and Jewish groups. Pompeo's supporters claim that any criticism of his anti-Muslim, anti-LGBTQ remarks is actually criticism of his faith. That's a move we've seen time and again from religious conservatives in politics.

And finally, we discuss the recent gathering of leading evangelicals at Wheaton College, which apparently included New York City pastor Tim Keller bemoaning the "polarization" in evangelicalism. That polarization has been around for at least a century, but better late than never, eh, pastor?

Please visit our Patreon Page and consider becoming a monthly patron of the show, for as little as $1 per month. We're halfway to our goal, which will allow us to actually release the podcast on a regular schedule you can count on!

Discussed This Week:

Pope Apologizes for 'Serious Mistakes' in Handling of Chile's Sex Abuse Scandal (Scott Neuman and Sylvia Poggioli, NPR)

Pompeo's Kansas church asks God to 'give him strength' in Senate confirmation process (Bobby Ross Jr., Religion News Service)

Muslims find Jews standing behind opposition to Pompeo (Yonat Shimron, Religion News Service)

Evangelical leaders discuss future of their movement in Trump era (Emily McFarlen Miller, Religion News Service)

Are these evangelicals ready to topple the idol of politics? (Michael Gerson, Washington Post)

Janelle Monae, PYNK

Burn It All Down podcast

The Americans final season

S1 Ep22: "There's a lot of collateral damage." Apr 14, 2018

Nish and Amy are back together again!

This week we talk about the abrupt resignation/retirement of Willow Creek's founding pastor Bill Hybels after one of the women who have accused him of sexual misconduct and harassment wrote publicly about her story. When it comes to championing women in ministry, Hybels has been one of the good guys in evangelicalism. But good guys are not immune to abusing their power.

We also take up an alarming BuzzFeed News analysis of Muslim-bashing by American politicians that documents instances in 49 states, primarily by GOP officeholders.

And we ended by talking about Amy's recent piece in the New York Times about Trump and evangelicals, in which she argued that 80 percent of white evangelicals would vote against Jesus Christ himself if he ran as a Democrat.

Please visit our Patreon Page and consider becoming a monthly patron of the show, for as little as $1 per month. We're planning a Google Hangout with patrons in the month of April--there's still time to sign up as a patron and join us!

Discussed This Week:

Why It's a Big Deal That Evangelical Pastor Bill Hybels Just Stepped Down Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations (Ruth Graham, Slate)

Vonda Dyer's Statement Re: Chicago Tribune and Bill Hybels (VondaDyer.com)
Flawed Process, Wounded Women (statement from former Willow Creek board member Nancy Ortberg)

Shining the Light on the Truth (statement from former Willow Creek Elder Betty Schmidt) Why We Can't Move On (statement from former Willow Creek pastor Nancy Beach)

State and Local Republican Officials Have Been Bashing Muslims. We Counted. (Hannah Allam and Talal Ansari, BuzzFeed News)

Trump's Christian Soldiers (Amy Sullivan, New York Times)

Depolarize podcast (Dan Koch)

S1 Ep21: Mormons & The Mailbag Apr 07, 2018

This week, Nish is back! But it's Amy's turn to take the week off.

It was a big week for the LDS Church - sustaining a new prophet, appointments of new apostles, and some big structural shifts in how they do ministry. To break down the changes, as well as how the Mormon church handles racism and the #MeToo movement, Nish interviews Janan Graham-Russell, a writer, religion scholar, PhD candidate at Harvard, and practicing Mormon to break down the latest.

For the second half of the show, Nish answers listener questions! Everything from the Americans with Disabilities Act to practical tips when moving your family to a different state - it all makes an appearance.

We'll be back to regularly-scheduled programming next week with breaking down the news, Amy's latest piece for the NY Times Sunday Review, and what will likely be a colossal scream-fest during Three Minutes of Nish.

Please visit our Patreon Page and consider becoming a monthly patron of the show, for as little as $1 per month. We're planning a Google Hangout with patrons in the month of April--there's still time to sign up as a patron and join us!

S1 Ep20: #InTheSpiritOfHolyWeek Apr 01, 2018

This week Amy is joined by guest co-host Jack Jenkins, superstar religion journalist and national reporter for Religion News Service.

We discuss Jack's reporting on the involvement of religious groups in anti-gun-violence demonstrations, often at the urging of young members in their congregations. Many of them are fed up with the oft-heard dodge that politics shouldn't be brought into religion. Especially since they've watched generations of conservative Christians do exactly that.

We also have fun with some recent examples of journalists and other public figures answering religious conservatives with some biblical knowledge of their own.

And we consider the impact young evangelicals are having on Christian college campuses, where out LGBTQ students are a presence.

Please visit our Patreon Page and consider becoming a monthly patron of the show, for as little as $1 per month. We're planning a Google Hangout with patrons in the month of April--there's still time to sign up as a patron and join us!

S1 Ep19: "Christians are called to lay down our lives, not to take down other lives." Mar 23, 2018

Nish is away this week, so Amy is joined by guest co-host Rachel Johnson, executive minister of communications at Riverside Church in New York City.

We had a wonderful conversation teasing out some tensions in American religion: religious institutions try to deal with sexual abuse allegations internally to protect their brand--but they're losing congregants precisely because they're not transparent.

Religious conservatives love to hold up "Christian America" as morally superior to the godless cousins over in Europe--and yet you're much more likely to find towns and cities limiting commerce on the Sabbath in Europe than in the U.S. (aside from Chik-fil-A…)

And white evangelicals are convinced that they are the most persecuted of religious groups despite--or perhaps because of--the fact that they have almost never been in any real physical risk in this country.

Please visit our Patreon Page and consider becoming a monthly patron of the show, for as little as $1 per month. We're planning a Google Hangout with patrons in the month of April--there's still time to sign up as a patron and join us!

Discussed This Week:

"Andy Savage resigns from Highpoint Church following investigation" (Ron Maxey, USA Today Network)

"Update from Andy Savage" (Highpoint Church in Memphis)

"Australian court hears public testimony in Cardinal Pell abuse case" (Adam Baidawi, New York Times)

"We Need an Independent Investigation of Sovereign Grace Ministries" (Christianity Today)

"Streets deserted, airport closes for Bali's Day of Silence" (Associated Press)

Victoria (Masterpiece Theater on PBS)

Won't You Be My Neighbor? (Trailer, Focus Features)

TAG (Trailer, Warner Bros. Pictures)

Be Still and Go podcast (Riverside Church)

S1 Ep18: "Why do critics of the Social Gospel think Christianity is a zero-sum game?" Mar 16, 2018

This week we tackle the Atlantic cover story about Trump and evangelicals: "The Last Temptation" by former George W. Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson. His lament for the evangelicalism he knew as a child and a student at Wheaton is heartfelt, but struck us as omitting some key details and focusing on some mythical bygone era in which evangelicals embraced racial justice and unity.

We also observed the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis' papacy by talking with religious studies superstar Anthea Butler, professor at the University of Pennsylvania and featured expert on the current CNN docu-series "Pope."

And the explicit rating for this episode is due entirely to Nish's rant about Tony Perkins and his argument for why Christians should be "proud" to support Trump even if he has had affairs with porn stars. Sorry not sorry.

Some parts of this episode, especially near the end, had to be cut due to audio and production difficulties. If you'd like to help us improve the sound quality of Impolite Company, there's a way to do that! Please visit our Patreon Page and consider becoming a monthly patron of the show, for as little as $1 per month.

S1 Ep17: "Christians! Do not hold those Purim parties!" Mar 08, 2018

This week we tackled a delicate issue for many American Christians--churches that hold their own observances of Jewish holidays. Amy talked to Mark Oppenheimer, religion journalist and host of the Unorthodox podcast, to get a Jewish perspective on this cultural appropriation.

We also discussed the rest social media frenzy around photos that seemed to show a Protestant church ceremony to bless parishioners' guns. The "church" in question was actually the World Peace and Unification Sanctuary, an offshoot of the cult-like Unification Church (sometimes to referred to as "the Moonies").

And finally, Nish used her Three Minutes to tell everyone to chill out about the possibility of Oprah or any other incredibly popular celebrity running for president in 2020.

We have a Patreon Page now! If you like what you hear and want to help us continue our work, please consider sponsoring us for as little as $1/month.

S1 Ep16: "This is a group of Catholics who are willing to stand in the gap." Mar 02, 2018

This week we took on a trio of stories from the Catholic world: the overwhelming united support for Dreamers among U.S. Catholics, including the group of sisters, priests, and laypeople who were arrested at the U.S. Capitol this week; Springfield Bishop Thomas Paprocki putting Sen. Dick Durbin on notice that he will be denied communion over his support for abortion rights; and Pope Francis' fiery assertion that it would be better for a bad Christian to be an atheist instead.

We also lamented a recent report showing anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. at the highest levels in 40 years.

And Nish let Amy take over the "Three Minutes of Nish" to rant about the Southern Baptist Convention's attempt to bully the D.C. Baptist Convention into booting a local church that called a lesbian couple to be co-pastors. Not cool.

**We have a Patreon Page now! If you like what you hear and want to help us continue our work, please consider sponsoring us for as little as $1/month.**

S1 Ep15: "What good is access if you're not using it to preach truth to power?" Feb 23, 2018

In which we call B.S. on the court evangelicals who want us to believe that they're counseling Trump about his misogyny and racism and cruelty behind closed doors--but won't say anything against him publicly.

We also discuss the legacy of Billy Graham, who passed away this week at the age of 99, and question whether his son Franklin will end up being responsible for pushing more Americans away from Christianity than his father brought to it.

Nish finally gets her chance to talk about Mitt Romney and his now-announced candidacy for the Utah Senate seat being vacated by Orrin Hatch.

And guns. In wake of the Parkland gun massacre, NRA's Wayne LaPierre declares that the right to bear arms "is granted by God to all Americans as our American birthright." Get behind us, Satan.

S1 Ep14: "The Bible is not clear. Your interpretation of the Bible is clear." Feb 16, 2018

This week, we discuss Rob Porter, former White House Staff Secretary who resigned after images of alleged domestic abuse surfaced in the media. Porter and his ex-wives are all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and we discuss the ramifications of all-male religious leadership when dealing with abuse.

We also tackle the rise of the progressive Christian left and the plans for a "revival" event in Lynchburg, VA - the home of Jerry Falwell Jr. and Liberty University - with leaders such as Rev. William Barber III, Lisa Sharon Harper, Shane Claiborne, and more.

Nish rants about the Trump Budget, we give you a couple of book and podcast recommendations, and we get giddy about the new Black Panther film.

Correction

In the episode, it's stated that there is no public university in the District of Columbia. UDC is a public university in the District.

S1 Ep13: "Donald Trump is the conduit to God's will on earth?!" Jan 31, 2018

In this episode, we talk about the belief by many conservative charismatics in America that God helped put Donald Trump in the White House, the subject of a Politico Magazine story this week by Amy.

We also discuss new developments in Catholic activism, such as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops submitting an amicus brief in supporting public sector unions in the Supreme Court case Janus v. AFSCME. This comes after decades of the U.S. church downplaying its support for labor unions and other more progressive causes in favor of activism on culturally-conservative issues.

And in the wake of reports that Hillary Clinton intervened to keep a senior aide in charge of faith issues on her 2008 campaign after he was accused of sexually harassing a subordinate, we talk about the sorry state of faith outreach in the Democratic Party.

S1 Ep12: "I want to be defined by what I'm for and not by what I'm against." Jan 25, 2018

This week, we introduce a new segment at the top of the hour: "Three Minutes of Twitter." Since Nish deactivated her Twitter account and now has one less place to put her rage, Amy decided it would be fun to give her three full minutes to rant, uninterrupted, about anything she wants. This week, she rants about the allegation that someone in the Trump campaign paid an adult film star hush money a month before the election. We're sorry and you're welcome.

We also tackle John Piper's suggestion that women shouldn't teach at Christian seminaries, as well as a piece written by Rod Dreher in which he blatantly dehumanizes the poor.

We recorded this episode on the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. So, for our deep dive, we take a look at the state of American abortion politics--the labels that define each side, statistics that suggest punitive abortion restrictions don't work, and how each side is becoming more entrenched in ideological purity.

S1 Ep11: When cursing is a problem, but racism is just fine. Jan 19, 2018

This week, we give an update on two stories from last week: the selection of a new prophet for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (otherwise known as the Mormon church), and the story about a popular evangelical megachurch pastor who sexually abused a teenager when he was her youth pastor.

We also take a look at the broad support - politically and religiously - for two crucial policies at the crux of the budget battle: DACA recipients (or Dreamers), and the Children's Health Insurance Program.

And for our deep dive, we discuss Trump's "shithole" comments and the response to his remarks from prominent evangelical individuals and institutions alike.

Nish recently quit Twitter and has now focused her rage solely for the podcast. We’re sorry and you’re welcome.

S1 Ep10: "There are consequences to your actions." Jan 11, 2018

Happy New Year! We're back with our first episode in 2018. This week, we discuss the 100 largest churches in America, and how none of them are LGBT-affirming. We also talk about the death of the Mormon prophet, and Nish interviews Anthony Sweat, a professor at Brigham Young University, about the process of selecting the new president in the LDS church.

For our deep dive, we examine a case of sexual assault in the evangelical church, the response of the alleged perpetrator's current congregation, and reaping the consequences of purity culture.

Nish also admits to being a Justin Timberlake fan and Amy tries not to talk in a British accent after watching too many episodes of The Crown.

S1 Ep9: "The Nones Are Alright" Dec 22, 2017

In our final episode for 2017, we take a look at the dynamics, challenges, and benefits of interfaith families, particularly in Jewish communities. Amy shares her own experience as a Christian woman married to a culturally Jewish man, and raising their kids to be religiously Christian but culturally Jewish.

We also discuss an article in BuzzFeed that highlights the desire to merge Jewish religious traditions with "wellness," a trendy movement happening amongst millennial and Gen-X practitioners. And Nish has a related interview with author, journalist and UC Berkeley professor Kaya Oakes, about the trends, spiritual lives, and politics of the fastest-growing religious demographic: "The Nones," or those who say that have no religious affiliation.

Make sure you catch Amy's article this week in the NY Times: "America's New Religion: Fox Evangelicalism"

S1 Ep8: "I have never been so happy to be so wrong." Dec 14, 2017

Doug Jones beats Roy Moore in the race for Alabama's Senate seat!

We dissect the exit polling - How did Evangelicals vote? What does this say about the status of the abortion debate? Will America finally learn to listen to the wisdom and leadership of black women? What now?

We discuss all of it!

S1 Ep7: "Religious freedom for thee? Or religious freedom just for me?" Dec 08, 2017

This week, we take a look at the ramifications of Trump's decision to scale back two national monuments in Utah, particularly for Native American tribes and their spiritual lives.

We also discuss the resurrection of Martin Luther King's "Poor People's Campaign," now being led by Rev. Dr. William Barber and Rev. Liz Theoharis, and how this new campaign could ignite the religious left.

For our deep dive, we discuss the hotly-contested Supreme Court case, Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. What is this case, what are the implications, and what does this mean for religious liberty cases moving forward? To give us more insight, Amy talks to Melissa Rogers, a church/state lawyer, a fellow at the Brookings Institute, and former Executive Director of the Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships under President Barack Obama.

We also made a Spotify Christmas playlist for you!

S1 Ep6: "The President of the United States is promoting a big conspiracy theory." Nov 29, 2017

It's the start of the holiday season, which can only mean one thing: The War on Christmas! This week, we take a deep dive into what is basically a giant conspiracy theory perpetuated by FOX News. We also give updates on Liberty University and the Roy Moore allegations - including the continuing support of some evangelicals. Amy goes on a rant about the Johnson Amendment and we both get unreasonably giddy over the royal engagement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

S1 Ep5: "I'm sorry, America." Nov 16, 2017

In this episode, we discuss Notre Dame's birth control reversal and the epic disaster of Roy Moore, Alabama's Republican nominee for the US Senate. We also talk about white conservative evangelical Christians again, because they can't stop being terrible.

Nish also talks to pastor, author, and activist Jonathan Martin, about what the hell is going on at Liberty University.

S1 Ep4: "This is a sickness." Nov 09, 2017

This week, after the mass shooting in Sutherland Springs, TX in which 26 people were killed, we devote the entire hour to dissecting the link between white conservative evangelicalism and support of gun proliferation and culture. Amy discusses her experience reporting on Bible college students who cite theological reasons for supporting gun rights.

And we break down the impact of a fear-driven conservative media, a well-funded gun lobby that influences politicians, the theological connections, and the cost to both society and the soul of the church.

S1 Ep3: “Go Go Gadget Treason Detector” Nov 01, 2017

We break down the implications of the first indictments in Robert Mueller’s investigation, including the response from some of Trump’s evangelical advisers. To mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, we also dive into the state of the divorce between Protestants and Catholics and how that dynamic is affecting US politics. Other topics include: Halloween culture, an update on Church Clarity, and how Ryan Reynolds is easy on the eyes.

S1 Ep2: "I'm so happy the bar is THAT low." Oct 26, 2017

This week, we discuss: 1. Donald Trump attacking yet another Gold Star family. 2. Disgraced former megachurch pastor Mark Driscoll getting a big blogging platform. 3. Sean Hannity's visit to Robert Jeffress' church, First Baptist Dallas. 4. A new website that's putting the pressure on churches to come clean about their LGBT stances. 5. Everyone's favorite topic, abortion! We also talk about 80's evangelical movie culture and the fact that Amy has never seen The Goonies. Also, please pardon the sound in this episode, we had some technical issues.

S1 Ep1: Charismatics and Bond Villains Oct 18, 2017

In the inaugural episode, we tackle the impact of the Harvey Weinstein allegations within evangelical Christianity, Willow Creek's big decision to hire a female as its new Lead Pastor, as well as the annual Values Voter Summit. We also take a peek at Callista Gingrich's nomination to be ambassador to the Vatican, as well as the BuzzFeed piece on Bethel Church's School for Supernatural Ministry in Redding, California. Nish manages not to cuss in the first episode, which is also supernatural.

Trailer Oct 18, 2017

Why did white evangelicals voted for Donald Trump in greater numbers than they have for any other presidential candidate in history? Why do some of us believe healthcare is a human right while others think that if you get sick, it’s your own fault? We're going to answer this stuff with a lot of context, nuance, and high level of attitude. Subscribe!

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected