Sanctuary, Immigration, and the Borders Between Church and State

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 weekly roundup, I dive into the disturbing trend of dehumanizing rhetoric by political and religious leaders. From J.D. Vance's false accusations about Haitian migrants to Mark Robinson’s shocking past statements identifying as a Nazi, we’re witnessing the mainstreaming of harmful ideologies. I unpack how these comments aren’t just isolated incidents—they’re part of a broader movement where Christian nationalists are pushing white nationalist propaganda. I also share details on an exciting upcoming live event at USC, where experts will discuss the vital topic of church and state separation. This episode draws attention to the chilling parallels between today's political discourse and tactics used by fascist regimes, underscoring why it’s critical to remain vigilant and mobilize our communities. 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

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/ This week we continue working our down the eight-part list one church suggests people will encounter when they visit. The focus is the third item on the list, “loud singing.” What does this item tell us about the church? What does it tell us about how they understand worship? And why does it follow the first two items on the list (“smiling wives” and “obedient children”)? What does that mean? Dan explores these issues in this weeks episode. Church bulletin photo 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

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/ Episode 1 of Sanctuary: On the Border Between Church and State: a limited podcast series about the politics of immigration, faith as radical hospitality, and the borders between church and state. Subscribe here! 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

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/ Today I speak with two historians, Sergio González and Lloyd Barba, who just finished a fantastic series called Sanctuary: On the Border Between Church and State. I had the opportunity to act as the executive producer for the series and will be out soon for Axis Mundi Media, in conjunction with the Institute for Religion, Media, and Civic Engagement.  The story they tell is of a radical civil rights movement that confronted restrictive governmental policies on immigration from the 1980s all the way to the current moment. It's one that will change how you think about immigration, about faith, and the ways that some Americans, at least, have committed to welcoming the stranger and practicing a radical hospitality. Sanctuary: On the Border Between Church and State- Subscribe here! 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

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 weekly roundup, we discuss Donald Trump's repetition of a conspiracy theory about immigrants eating pets during a recent presidential debate. We analyze Kamala Harris's impressive and composed performance, the strategic implications of the debate, and the damaging effects of Trump's rhetoric. The episode also covers Taylor Swift's political endorsement of Kamala Harris, a viral debate moment involving Charlie Kirk, and the historical context of xenophobic conspiracy theories. We reflect on the significance of these events and their broader impact on American society and politics. 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

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, Dan continues decoding a card from a church bulletin that outlines the features of a particular church. This week’s focus is the second item listed on the card, “obedient children.” This description will strike many as weird or “cringy,” but why? What is it doing on this list, and what does it tell us about this church’s views on gender, the family, and its vision of proper social order? And how does it relate to the focus of the previous episode, “Smiling Wives”? Check out this week’s episode to find out. Church bulletin photo HERE. 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

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

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 weekly roundup, we discuss the recent inflammatory interview between Tucker Carlson and Daryl Cooper, where Cooper provides a sympathetic take on Hitler and Nazi Germany. The conversation touches on the sweeping implications of Russian influence in right-wing American media, as evidenced by the funding behind prominent figures like Tim Poole. We also address the unsettling stance of JD Vance on childcare and family roles, and his troubling comments regarding post-menopausal women. Additionally, the episode covers updates on Trump's legal battles and the shifting political landscape in the run-up to the 2024 U.S. election. 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

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/ A church suggested, in their church bulletin, that people would encounter “smiling wives” at their church. What could that possibly mean? Why advertise that in your church bulletin? And if it seems distinctly cringy, why is that? Check this week’s episode to find out! Church Bulletin photo: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1viqyjQLFI24pE6MQAsLkb7DhgObmRkQm/view?ts=66d750f0 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

In this episode, Brad Onishi interviews Dr. Joshua Cowen, a professor of education policy at Michigan State University, on the controversial issue of school vouchers in the US. They discuss the historical context of the voucher movement, tracing it back to economist Milton Friedman and its intersection with the Brown v. Board decision. The dialogue highlights the ideological motivations behind vouchers, linking them to conservative Christian nationalism and libertarian views on government regulation. Dr. Cowen offers a critical analysis of recent voucher programs in Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Washington, D.C., presenting evidence of their negative effects on academic outcomes. The conversation also delves into the cultural and political forces driving the voucher agenda, especially during the Trump administration, emphasizing the shift from evidence-based arguments to ideological ones. 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/ 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. 00:00 Introduction to Christian Nationalism and Education 00:41 Interview with Dr. Joshua Cowen 02:42 The Origins of the Voucher Movement 04:32 Libertarianism and Religious Right in Education 12:17 Voucher Programs and Their Impact 16:04 The Shift from Evidence to Ideology 25:10 The Rise of Culture Wars in Education 41:25 Hope and Future Directions in Education Policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices