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**Straight White American Jesus**

An in-depth examination of the culture and politics of Christian Nationalism and Evangelicalism by two ex-evangelical ministers-turned-religion professors. If you have ever wondered what social and historical forces led white evangelicals to usher Donald Trump into the White House this is the show for you. As former insiders and critical scholars of religion, Dan Miller and Bradley Onishi have a unique perspective on the Religious Right. Guests have included Chrissy Stroop, R. Marie Griffith, Janelle Wong, Randall Balmer, Katherine Stewart, and many others.

Latest Episodes:

It's in the Code Ep 119: “Reverent Worship” Oct 23, 2024

Show notes

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This week’s episode considers the idea of “reverent worship,” the last of an eight-item list of defining features contained in a church bulletin. What does the appeal to “reverent worship” tell us about conceptions of divine love? How does this emphasis relate to the other items on the list? And how can this appeal to “reverence” mask abusive, high-control religion? Listen to this week’s episode to find out!

Check out the church bulletin photo HERE.

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Winning Is a Long Game w/ Michigan Sen. Mallory McMorrow Oct 21, 2024

Show notes

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays (including the rest of this interview), bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 700-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/

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Brad converses with Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow about her viral advocacy moments, the impact of Project 2025, and the upcoming 2024 elections. They discuss McMorrow's strong stance against Republican extremism, her journey into politics, and the importance of grassroots organizing. The episode highlights pivotal events like her protest against divisive culture wars and her powerful, viral speech responding to inflammatory accusations. Additionally, it covers the role of active participation in democracy, the implications of the 2022 Michigan gubernatorial race, and insights from Kamala Harris' leadership approach. McMorrow also talks about her book, 'Hate Won't Win,' which aims to empower individuals in their communities.

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Weekly Roundup: Trump's Bizarre Town Hall Mental Breakdown Oct 18, 2024

Show notes

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In this episode of the weekly roundup, Brad and Dan analyze Donald Trump's unconventional town hall in Pennsylvania and his ties to the New Apostolic Reformation. They explore the emotional and nostalgic appeal of Christian Trumpism, including Trump's influence on reproductive rights issues within the GOP. The discussion includes Kamala Harris's media strategy, the public's reaction to Trump's behavior, and the complexities of emotional manipulation in political and religious contexts. Key topics also cover the Million Woman March, Trump's self-proclamation as the 'father of IVF,' and recent judicial decisions on voting regulations.

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Spirit & Power Episode 4: "Take Back that Which Was Stolen from Us:" The Charismatic Rituals of the Religious Right Oct 17, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Spirit & Power: “‘Take Back that Which Was Stolen from Us:’ The Charismatic Rituals of the Religious Right,” host Dr. Leah Payne and Karrie Gaspard-Hogewood, a sociology doctoral fellow at Tulane University and researcher for Spirit & Power, take listeners on an audio tour of Flashpoint Live New Orleans, a conservative talk show produced by charismatic televangelist Kenneth Copeland’s Victory Channel. Along the way, Karrie, whose research focuses on independent, neo-charismatic religion and political mobilization, and Leah analyze the characters and charismatic practices shaping conservative rallies leading up to the 2024 election.

Resources & Links:

The Courage Tour, the Reawaken America Tour, and the FlashPoint Live Rescue America Tour
Karrie Gaspard-Hogewood’s analysis in The Guardian, the Washington Post, and Religion News Service.
“‘The Trump Shall Sound: Politics, Pentecostals, and the Shofar at the Capitol Riots,” by Leah Payne
“President Trump’s Hidden Religious Base: Pentecostal-charismatic Celebrities,” by Erica Ramirez & Leah Payne
“The Future of “Born-Again Evangelicalism” Is Charismatic and Pentecostal,” Fanhao Nie, Ph.D., Flavio Rogerio Hickel Jr., Leah Payne, Tarah Williams, Ph.D.
“Is Modern Prophecy Leading Its Followers To a Religious State?” by Paul A. Djupe

Books:

God Gave Rock and Roll to You: a History of Contemporary Christian Music by Leah Payne

The Violent Take It by Force: the Christian Movement that is Threatening our Democracy by Matthew D Taylor

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It's in the Code Ep 118: “Biblical Preaching” Oct 16, 2024

Show notes

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Continuing our look at the card a church produced to outline its defining features, we are told we will experience “biblical preaching.” This is a topic we’ve decoded a lot in the past, but what is doing here, for this particular church? How does it relate to the other defining features this church tells us we’ll encounter? How is being “biblical” a code for social control and the exercise of human authority? Take a dive with Dan in this week’s episode to find out!

See the church bulletin photo HERE.

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NAR Watch Ep. 7: JD Vance Joins Lance Wallnau in Spiritual Warfare Oct 14, 2024

Show notes

This episode of Straight White American Jesus features a conversation with Matt Taylor about the influence of Lance Wallnau, the propagator of the Seven Mountains mandate, and his connection to the Trump campaign. The discussion centers around Taylor's engagement with Wallnau amidst allegations of him being a 'Lance Stalker'. Wallnau's manipulation of rhetoric and his role in evangelical political circles are scrutinized. The episode then shifts focus to J.D. Vance's appearance at Wallnau's Courage Tour, sponsored by Turning Point USA, as a campaign strategy. The political and theological dynamics at play are analyzed, particularly Vance's disconnect with the charismatic audience, influenced by his Catholic background. We conclude with an exploration of the evolving landscape of Christian political engagement in the U.S.

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Weekly Roundup: The Government Controls the Weather Oct 11, 2024

Show notes

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In this episode, we take a closer look at the conspiracy theories circulating around hurricanes Helene and Milton, particularly the claims that the government is controlling the weather for political purposes. We discuss how this kind of misinformation distorts public perception and disrupts emergency responses. From there, we shift to Donald Trump’s ongoing campaign of fear, examining his controversial interactions with Vladimir Putin and his targeted efforts to appeal to disaffected young male voters. We also explore the broader challenge of addressing real crises in a world filled with disinformation, and offer insights on gender dynamics in voting, drawing from Barack Obama’s perspectives.

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Spirit & Power Ep 3 - "The Promise of America:" Black Pentecostal and Charismatic Visibility in the 2024 Election Oct 10, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Spirit & Power: ‘”The Promise of America:” Black Pentecostal and Charismatic Visibility in the 2024 Election.’ Dr. Leah Payne speaks with Dr. Dara Coleby Delgado, Bishop James Mills Thoburn Chair of Religious Studies, an Assistant Professor of History and Religious Studies, and an affiliate faculty in Black Studies and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Allegheny College and a 2024-2025 PRRI Public Religion Fellow, about the rising political visibility of Black Pentecostals and Charismatics this election cycle.

Resources & Links:

“Black Pentecostal and charismatic Christians are boosting their visibility in politics − a shift from the past” by Dara Delgado
“Half of all Black churchgoers say services include speaking in tongues,” Pew Research Center
“The Future of “Born-Again Evangelicalism” Is Charismatic and Pentecostal,” Fanhao Nie, Ph.D., Flavio Rogerio Hickel Jr., Leah Payne, Tarah Williams, Ph.D. for the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI)

Books:

Black Fire: One Hundred Years of African American Pentecostalism by Estrelda Alexander

Azusa Reimagined: A Radical Vision of Religious and Democratic Belongingby Keri Day

William Seymour and the Origins of Global Pentecostalism by Gastón Espinosa
The Black Roots and White Racism of Early Pentecostalism in the USA by Iain MacRobert

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It's in the Code Ep 117: "Good Manners" Oct 09, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Dan continues decoding a card from a church bulletin that outlines the features of a particular church. This week focuses on the promise of encountering “good manners.” Why is this on the list? How do “manners” relate to Christian nationalism and the conservative Christianity at its heart? What is going below the surface of the desire for “good manners”? Listen in as Dan hits these issues in this week’s episode.

See the church bulletin photo HERE.

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How Opus Dei Infiltrated DC and the World Oct 07, 2024

Show notes

Opus by Gareth Gore https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Opus/Gareth-Gore/9781668016145

I sit down with journalist Gareth Gore to dive deep into the shadowy world of Opus Dei, a secretive Catholic organization with a long history of manipulation and control. We talk about his eye-opening book, Opus, which traces the organization’s origins in Franco’s Spain and shows how it’s slowly, but surely, woven its way into the heart of U.S. politics—especially in Washington, D.C.

Opus Dei is often associated with conservative Catholicism, but Gareth explains that their methods go beyond just religious conservatism. We're talking authoritarian strategies aimed at gaining power by targeting influential people to push their agenda of re-Christianizing society. It’s a heavy topic, but incredibly relevant when you consider their rise during the 1980s under Pope John Paul II and the fact that they're still impacting American politics today, with major players like Leonard Leo and Kevin Roberts on board.

We also explore how Opus Dei isn’t just resisting democratic norms—they're actively trying to reshape society and the Church to fit their vision of control. This conversation is a real eye-opener, revealing the organization's lasting and dangerous influence on both religion and politics.

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