Category: History

In the 50th episode of Potstirrer Podcast, Jaye reacts to the Mueller report – or really, the Barr Letter summarizing the report filed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Are the conclusions Attorney General William Barr came to regarding the report and Donald Trump accurate? What do we know about Barr, and should he be trusted?

Jaye makes the argument that any finding from the Mueller report likely won’t matter in terms of repercussions for Donald Trump, but nevertheless, it is vital that the report be released to the public in full. Iran-Contra, the decline of the US as the leader of the free world, and the importance of truth in the latest from Potstirrer Podcast!

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The relationship between the American church and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people has all too often been rocky, and conflict is inflamed by opposition by churches and Christian political institutions to equal rights for LGBTQ Americans. Opposition to equal rights for LGBTQ Americans is based on the belief among many Christian traditions, denominations, and sects that homosexuality and transgender identity are morally wrong, based on how they interpret a handful of Bible verses.

In Part I of a two-part series, Jaye focuses on the non-affirming position of many Christian institution as it relates to sexual orientation. She examines the “clobber” verses, making the argument that the non-affirming position is not conclusively supported by the Bible. What damage is being done to LGBTQ people, both inside and outside the church because of the non-affirming doctrine of many American churches? And – can you be Christian and affirming?

CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes discussion of homophobia, anti-LGBTQ bigotry, sexual assault and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

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When most Americans think of late civil rights icon Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we often picture a unifying Christian minister who used non-violence to advance his dream of racial equality in the United States. But in death, has Dr. King been whitewashed?

In the final installment of this two-part series, Jaye provides an overview of Dr. King’s transformation – from “outside agitator” to “colorblind civil rights icon.” She examines the making of a hero in the American consciousness, and how willful distortion of Dr. King’s legacy served a political and social purpose. Is our society that different today than the society of the 1960s? And how has the “rehabilitated” King given the United States an easy out from its original sin of racism?

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When most Americans think of late civil rights icon Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we often picture a unifying Christian minister who used non-violence to advance his dream of racial equality in the United States. King would have been 90 years old this year, had he not been assassinated. We observe his birthday every January, and often hear his name invoked, as well as that of other civil rights leaders, in February during Black History Month.

But in death, has Dr. King been whitewashed?

In the first installment of a two-part series, Jaye discusses some widely-held beliefs regarding Dr. King and the world in which he lived. She provides context for Dr. King’s life, and sets the record straight on a respected, but misunderstood historical figure.

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In response to Vice-President Mike Pence stating Christian education should be off-limits to criticism, hashtag #ExposeChristianSchools, started by scholar and exvangelical Chris Stroop (@c_stroop), went viral, particularly on Twitter.

Jaye discusses the need for extremist ideology and abusive behavior in evangelical Christian schools to be exposed, and the importance of providing space for those who have lived through the Christian school experience to share their experiences. She also shares a couple of personal stories from briefly attending a Christian elementary school.

Why are right-wing politicians, conservative media, and evangelical Christian leaders hostile to people coming forward with the truth about evangelical Christian education?

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Welcome to 2019! It’s a new year, and Jaye ushers it in with her thoughts on the government shutdown and the Wall, advice for the Democratic Party regarding the 2020 presidential election, and a read on Vice President Mike Pence.

What makes Mike Pence worse than Donald Trump, and why would a Pence presidency be worse for the United States than Trump remaining in office?

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In November of 2018, 26 year old American explorer and missionary John Allen Chau was killed by the Sentinelese people, an isolated tribal group living on North Sentinel Islands off the coast of India. Chau went the island illegally in order to share with them about Christianity. The incident is controversial, sparking outrage, consternation, and even admiration.

Were Chau’s actions worth the cost of his life? And could his actions cost the Sentinelese people their lives as well? Jaye discusses the parties involved in the incident, Christian missionary work, and why history matters when unpacking the discomfort some have with the idea of missions.

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