Impolite Conversation: Religion And Politics

On this our final episode, we talk to a few of the people that made this venture possible, and then we chat with each other  about what the experience has meant to us. And in One Last Thing (a segment whose name has never been so apt), we reach for bits of culture that help us come to terms with what we're losing. Some of the things we discussed in this episode: In our conversation with our repeat guests, we referenced Newdow v. US and Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health. In our conversation with our editors, we alluded to the great freeware Audacity and the Lincoln, Nebraska institution that is Stauffer's Café and Pie Shoppe. Dan's One Last Thing was Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. Tim's One Last Thing was the Ancillary Justice trilogy. 0:00-4:53: Introduction 4:57-31:35: Conversations with friends 31:40-43:25: Reflections 43:30-46:59: Dan's OLT 47:00-49:26: Tim's OLT 49:27-50:53: Credits 50:37-51:44: Extended Outtake (from episode 13) *** Thank you for listening these past six years! This show has

This month, we start the show with a special announcement. Then we talk with James Beverley, author of God's Man in the White House, about the world of religio-political prophecy. And in One Last Thing, Dan is taking advantage of his free trial of HBO Max and Tim is taking advantage of the public library.   Some of the things we talked about on this show: Dr. Beverley mentioned the Vineyard Movement and the Kansas City Prophets, as well as the prophecy ministries of a number of individuals, including Jeremiah Johnson, Lance Wallnau, and Kat Kerr. Many of these ministries align with the New Apostolic Reformation. Dr. Beverley also mentioned the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University. Here is the Catholic News Service article that quotes Dan alongside an advisor to the Pope. Dan's One Last Thing was the HBO Max series Harley Quinn. Tim's One Last Thing was the Hank Green novel An Absolutely Remarkable Thing.   0:00-2:43: Introduction and announcement 2:47-27:53: Berkeley interview 27:

This month, we talk to Laura Dudley Jenkins, author of Religious Freedom and Mass Conversion in India, about the Indian conspiracy theory known as the "love jihad." And in One Last Thing, Dan splits theological hairs in discussing an animated Star Wars series, while Tim is feeling (ahem) somewhat more expansive. Some of the things we discussed in this episode: Dan mentioned the Deepa Mehta film Fire and the resulting riots. Dr. Jenkins mentioned this story of a boy whose clock was mistaken for a bomb and the research that suggests it's easier to inoculate people against conspiracy theories than debunk them after the fact. She also talked about how farfetched theories provide good signals of group unity. And this story from last summer is a good example of QAnon craziness interfering with genuine efforts to stop sex trafficking. Tim mentioned the Satanic Panic, which in some ways is still going on. Dan's One Last Thing was Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Tim's One Last Thing was The Expanse. 0:00-1:12: Intr

This month we talk to Ross Benes, a native son of Brainerd, Nebraska who has written a book about his hometown and his journey away from it and its conservative values. And then Dan tells us all about his new book, The Oxford Handbook of the Bible and American Popular Culture. And in One Last Thing, Dan has been visiting Northern Ireland and Tim has been visiting eastern Tennessee. Some of the things we talked about on this show: Mr. Benes mentioned What's the Matter with Kansas? and Dinesh D'Souza's What's So Great About Christianity. That film trilogy Dan mentioned is The Qatsi Trilogy by Godfrey Reggio. Dan's One Last Thing was Derry Girls. Tim's One Last Thing was The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young. (But also: go watch In and Of Itself.) 0:00-2:04: Introduction 2:08-20:44: Benes interview 20:49-33:22: Clanton interview 33:26-35:52: Dan's OLT 35:52-38:55: Tim's OLT 38:55-39:55: Credits 39:58-40:12: Outtake

This month, we talk to a researcher at the Pew Research Center about her work on the harassment women face around the globe when their clothing is deemed either too secular or too religious. And then we have a chat about the Trump years just ended and our expectations for the newly-installed Biden Administration. And in One Last Thing, Dan is engaging his "lizard brain," while Tim is worrying about those who spread rumors of lizard people. Some of the things we talked about in this episode: We can't talk about Christian nationalism without mentioning the work of Katherine Stewart, Bradley Onishi, and Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry. In the early days of the Trump Administration, there was much talk of Trump playing the role of King Cyrus. Dan mentioned this book by Lynn Davidman, and Tim referenced this article about the backlash to one particular Biden executive order. Donald Trump has a lot of respect for the sacrament of communion. Dan's One Last Thing was the NBC sitcom Superstore. Tim's One Last

After five-plus years of talking about the intersection of religion and politics, this month we step back and actually try to define our terms, with the help of our old friend Courtney Bruntz. And in our year-ending One Last Thing, Dan reaches for a hopeful note and Tim gives up on humanity. Some of the things we talked about this month: Dan and Courtney discussed definitions of religion by Schliermacher, Durkheim, Freud, Ninian Smart, and Stephen Prothero. Dan mentioned this article by Kathryn Loughton. Courtney discussed this new book by Richard Jaffee. Tim's six-word definition of religion comes from this book by Harold Lasswell. Dan's year-ending One Last Thing was the podcast Office Ladies. Tim's year-ending One Last Thing was the film God's Not Dead.   Happy New Year! Thanks for listening in 2020.   0:00-1:33: Introduction 1:37-43:00: Conversation with Dr. Bruntz 43:04-47:16: Dan's OLT 47:17-49:57: Tim's OLT 49:58-51:03: Credits 51:07-51:19: Outtake

We're taking a month off to lick our psychic wounds, so this month friend of the show Bradley Onishi has graciously agreed to allow us to share Episode 0 of his Orange Wave project, which we discussed on our last episode. If you like what you hear, you can find all ten episodes at their web site, along with transcripts and suggested readings. Happy listening!

This month we talk to friend-of-the-show Bradley Onishi from the podcast Straight White American Jesus about his extraordinary podcast miniseries The Orange Wave. And in One Last Thing, Dan goes highbrow and Tim does...not. Some of the things we talked about in this episode: Brad mentioned several books: The End of Empathy by John Compton, The Shadow Network by Anne Nelson, Unholy by Sara Posner, and The Power Worshippers by Katherine Stewart. (And here's last month's show, featuring Ms. Stewart!) Brad also mentioned President Trump's declaration that "I don't think science knows" and Senator Mike Lee's recent tweets about democracy, which drew a lot of attention. Tim discussed the empirical literature on conspiracy theories, including the finding that there are about as many truther Democrats as birther Republicans. Dan's One Last Thing was the podcast Erroll Garner Uncovered. Tim's One Last Thing included this Channel 4 report, but was mostly about the trailer for Fatman. (Note: In the episode, Tim wr

In this episode, we talk to Katherine Stewart, author of The Power Worshippers, about her deep dive into the world of Christian nationalism. And in One Last Thing, we're both seeking solace and a sense of normalcy in the midst of these weird and turbulent times. NOTE: This interview was conducted before Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away.   Some of the things we talked about on this show: Ms. Stewart mentioned the work of Kristen Kobes Du Mez, author of, among other things, Jesus and John Wayne. She also referenced the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and Americans United for Life (AUL). Dan's One Last Thing was Street Food: Asia. Tim's One Last Thing was Where Am I Now?: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame.   0:00-1:32: Introduction 1:36-38:46: Stewart interview 38:50-41:25: Dan's OLT 41:26-43:31: Tim's OLT 43:32-44:39: Credits

America lost an icon on Friday, so we called our friend Ann Duncan to help us process the news. We talked about why Ruth Bader Ginsburg meant so much to so many, about what her legacy might be, and about what's likely to happen now that she's gone.

This month we talk to Marc-André Argentino about where QAnon came from, where it might be going, and how it's starting to look more like a religion than a simple belief or set of beliefs. And in One Last Thing, Dan is relaxing with a cartoon, and Tim is grumbling about a cartoonish theological argument. Some of the things we discussed in this episode: Mr. Argentino made reference to theodicy, Dominionism, and "red pilling." He also mentioned Pizzagate, the Wayfair conspiracy theory, the "Satanic panic," Plandemic, and the recent "Save the Children" rallies. And he talked about the Omega Kingdom Church, though he didn't mention it by name. Finally, he discussed the work of Joseph Uscinski and the idea of hyperreality invented by the philosopher Jean Baudrillard. Here is an article Argentino published about QAnon as a "hyperreal religion." Dan brought up the fact that QAnon is global now, and referenced a recent Atlantic article by Adrienne LaFrance. Tim discussed his own Twitter run-in with the tribe of

This month we continue our annual tradition of trying to ask questions about the Supreme Court term gone by that are intelligent enough to be worthy of the answers we get from friend-of-the-show Ann Duncan. And in One Last Thing, Dan is watching the story progress in a show that he loves and Tim is watching a movie in which no one makes any progress at all. Some of the things we talked about in this episode: The cases from this term were Bostock v. Clayton County, June Medical Services v. Russo, Espinoza v. Montana, Little Sisters of the Poor v. Pennsylvania, and Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru. The past cases which came up in our conversation were Whole Women's Health v. Hellerstedt, Trinity Lutheran Church v. Comer, and Burwell v. Hobby Lobby. Ann mentioned Blaine amendments. Dan's OLT was season two of Hanna. Tim's OLT was the movie Palm Springs. 0:00-0:56: Introduction 1:00-42:45: Duncan interview 42:50-46:00: Dan's OLT 46:01-48:39: Tim's OLT 48:40-49:49: Credits

This month we talk to sociologists Joel Thiessen and Sarah Wilkins-Laflamme about their new book None of the Above: Nonreligious Identity in the US and Canada. And in One Last Thing, Dan has been contemplating the apocalypse while Tim just wants to annoy the villagers. Some of the things we talked about in this episode: Dr. Wilkins-Laflamme mentioned the work of Phil Zuckerman, The Disappearing God Gap?, and this open access article written by our guests. Dan's OLT was Justice League Dark: Apokolips War. Tim's OLT was Untitled Goose Game. 0:00-1:12: Introduction 1:16-60:15: Thiessen and Wilkins-Laflamme interview 60:19-65:13: Dan's OLT 65:14-67:15: Tim's OLT 67:15-68:22: Credits 68:25-68:50: Outtake

On our first supplemental episode in almost three years, we talk about the president's decision to assault peaceful protesters in order to walk to a church and hold up a Bible. Here are the books and articles we referenced along the way: How Democracies Die, by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt "The Christians Who Loved Trump's Stunt," by McKay Coppins "Trump's Brandishing of the Bible Plays Into a Cultural Legacy of Racism and Colonialism," by Katie Edwards and Helen Paynter "Trump's Church Photo Has No American Precedent. Does It Have One in Fascism?" by Talya Zax "Christian Nationalism Talks Religion, But Walks Fascism," by Samuel L. Perry and Andrew L. Whitehead Here are the reactions to Trump's stunt by Franklin Graham, Ben Sasse, and Pat Robertson. The New York Times reported on Trump's approval slipping among evangelicals. And here's an early oral history of the incident. *** Finally, this happened after we recorded, but it seems only fitting to include these images of the portion Pennsylvania

On this episode of Impolite Conversation, we invited Andrew Whitehead, co-author of Taking America Back for God, back on the show to explain to us how Christian nationalism complicates life in a pandemic. Then we chatted about the new FX documentary AKA Jane Roe. And in One Last Thing, Dan is glad he gave a show another chance, and Tim has branched out into a new form of comfort viewing. Some of the things we talked about on this show: Dan mentioned Bruce Lincoln's book Holy Terrors. Andrew talked about this sign from an anti-closure rally. He also mentioned two books, Thy Kingdom Come by Randall Balmer and The Power Worshippers by Katherine Stewart. Here is the story of Nino Vitale, who refuses to wear a mask because he believes his face is made in the image of God. And here is some polling information regarding evangelicals, and regarding COVID. Finally, here is some background about Operation Rescue. Dan's OLT was season 2 of Titans. Tim's OLT was Gourmet Makes from Bon Appetit. He recommends star

On this month's episode, we talk to Jemar Tisby, author of The Color of Compromise, about the shameful history of the American church's complicity with racism and racial oppression. And in One Last Thing, Dan and Tim switch personalities: Dan has been listening to a podcast, while Tim has been listening to an audiobook. Some of the things we discussed in this episode: Mr. Tisby mentioned the books The Civil War as a Theological Crisis, by Mark Noll and White Fragility, by Robin DiAngelo. Mr. Tisby also talked about GT Gillespie, Myrlie Evers and the Supreme Court decision Shelby County v. Holder. He also encouraged listeners to watch all of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, which too often gets reduced to the single sentence about "the content of their character." Tim brought up Lee Atwater's infamous comments about race and winning elections, and he and Mr. Tisby talked about Republicans' strange insistence on turning ballot access into a partisan issue. Dan mentioned Orval Faubus, Vincent H

This month on Impolite Conversation, Tim talks to Robb Ryerse of Brand New Congress and Vote Common Good about his work with those organizations, as well as his own run for Congress in 2018, which he chronicled in his memoir Running For Our Lives: A Story of Faith, Politics, and the Common Good. And in One Last Thing, Dan has been watching gritty adaptations of lighthearted comics and Tim just wants to hold at bay the anxieties of our current moment. Some of the things we talked about in this episode: Pastor Ryerse was inspired to run for Congress by this episode of the Robcast from evangelical author Rob Bell. He also mentioned Brian McClaren's idea about a constitutional reading of Scripture and the Netflix documentary Knock Down the House. Tim and Pastor Ryerse talked about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's speech about her faith during an Oversight Committee hearing in February. Dan's One Last Thing was about the Netflix series Titans. Tim's One Last Thing was about Arvo Part's "Spiegel im Spiegel." 0:00-

This month on Impolite Conversation, we join forces with the guys at Straight White American Jesus (you should really go subscribe) to form a nerd podcasting supergroup! Then...the four of us just sit around and talk about evangelicals in America and Brazil. And in One Last Thing, Dan and Tim have both been watching Amazon Prime, but for very different reasons. Some of the things we talked about on this show: Tim went back to his high school days reminiscing about The Arsenio Hall Show, but what Dan wanted was Super Friends. Mitt Romney's historic vote in the impeachment trial might have something to do with Donald Trump's relative unpopularity in Utah. In any case, Utahns seem to be okay with it. No one (in America, anyway) knows more about Bolsonaro and Brazilian evangelicals than Amy Erica Smith. Tim mentioned this climate change commercial from 2007. Dan mentioned the Left Behind series and the bluegrass song "Jesus Hits Like the Atom Bomb." Tim also referenced Jonathan Chait's article about how Re

For February, we talk to Michael Coogan about his book God's Favorites: Judaism, Christianity, and the Myth of Divine Chosenness. Then Dan and Tim about the new rules announced by the Trump Administration last month regarding religious liberty. And in One Last Thing, Dan has been staying in to watch TV, and Tim has been going out to the movies. Some of the things we talked about in this episode: Dan mentioned the book I Still Believe and the classic article "Canaanites, Cowboys, and Indians." Dr. Coogan alluded to those evangelicals who believe Trump's election was the result of divine intervention. Here is the show we did in March 2019 on the movie The Trump Prophecy. You can read about the event at which Trump announced his new religious liberty rules (and see video of some of it) here. This is the famous (or infamous, depending on you point of view) Christianity Today editorial that Tim referenced. Dan's OLT was The Mandalorian. Tim's OLT was Knives Out. He also mentioned this conversation about the

This month, we get our good friend Courtney back in front of the microphone to discuss the "cultural genocide" occurring in Xinjiang province in northwest China. And in our year-reviewing One Last Thing, we're both thinking about Netflix original series as ways to encapsulate 2019. There isn't a lot of stray talk in this episode, but you can learn more about the oppression of the Uighurs here, here, here, and here. And here is the UN definition of genocide. Dan's OLT was about season 3 of Netflix's Stranger Things. Tim's OLT was about Netflix's Russian Doll. 0:00-1:00: Introduction 1:05-38:44: Uighur conversation 38:48-40:41: Dan's OLT 40:42-43:41: Tim's OLT 43:42-44:48: Credits 44:53-44:57: Outtake