Fascinating interview/podcast with ex-Fundie zealot Brad Onishi. (Terry Gross, NPR)


Christian nationalism, including an extreme version advocated by the group the New Apostolic Reformation, the NAR, has become influential in American government and parts of the judicial system. The NAR advocates for Christian dominion over government, religion, family, business, education, arts and entertainment, and the media. According to the NAR, some of its opponents are afflicted by demons, which must be cast out through exorcism. The NAR has aligned itself with Donald Trump and efforts to overturn the election. Mike Johnson, the speaker of the House, has said he’s been profoundly influenced by Dan Cummins, a Christian nationalist activist. A flag associated with the NAR hangs outside Johnson’s office.

An Alabama Supreme Court decision just made it illegal to destroy frozen, fertilized embryos that are used in infertility treatments because those embryos are people. The chief justice of the court wrote a concurring opinion that says even before birth, all human beings have the image of God and their lives cannot be destroyed without effacing his glory. My guest, Brad Onishi, not only studies Christian nationalism. He used to be part of that movement. He left after studying theology at Oxford University. He’s the author of the book “Preparing For War: The Extremist History Of White Christian Nationalism - And What Comes Next.” He also co-hosts the podcast “Straight White American Jesus,” which reports on and analyzes the impact of Christian nationalism on American democracy. He teaches at the University of California, San Francisco.

  • @RestrictedAccount
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    64 months ago

    Tracing the rise of Christian Nationalism from the beginning

    Jesus and John Wayne

    How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation

    Kristin Kobes Du Mez

    • @Zombiepirate
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      4 months ago

      Great book, I highly recommend it.

      This interview is fantastic, too.