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?
What if the religious extremism Americans should be most concerned about comes from Christianity? In this episode, Jaye explores the authoritarian, extremist elements of American evangelicalism and the overwhelming support of Donald Trump by white evangelical Christians. Jaye also discusses the Quiverfull movement, the increasing emphasis on authoritarianism and control within evangelical Christian colleges, dominionism, racial reconciliation, evangelical support for Donald Trump’s inhumane policies, and parallels between right-wing evangelicalism and ultra-conservative Islam.
With Donald Trump verbally capitulating to Vladimir Putin during the Helsinki summit July 16, the Russia investigation heating up, and Special Counsel Robert Mueller investigating the NRA for potential money laundering for the benefit of Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, Trump is clearly embroiled in a great deal of controversy. But in the face of it, Trump tells the American people to believe him over the facts that are publicly available. Evangelical leaders are also steering their flock toward belief in Trump – elevating their defenses of Trump over the Bible they state is inerrant. Will there come a time where Trump Christians will have a moment of clarity and decide that their deal with the devil is untenable?
With the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the US Supreme Court by Donald Trump, many pro-life Americans are rejoicing at the pick. Their hope is that Kavanaugh’s elevation to the Court will signal the end of Roe v. Wade, the US Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Jaye explores the question – what will happen if Roe is set aside by the US Supreme Court? Will this achieve the goal of ending abortion, or is that truly the goal? And – to Americans who are staunchly pro-life regarding abortion, is symbolism more important than the outcome of protecting life?
Also – Jaye shares her experiences attending the Families Belong Together Rally in Cincinnati, Ohio. This was one of many around the country protesting the Trump Administration’s immigration policies, including the policy of family separation at the US-Mexico Border. More here.
CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes discussion of physical and sexual violence, and descriptions of oppressive behavior.
In today’s episode, Jaye discusses recent news stories related to undocumented immigration and refugees from Latin America. Where are the 1500 missing migrant children that were being tracked by the federal government? How are children in the custody of US Customs being treated? And is there any moral or ethical issue with calling MS-13 gang members “animals?” Jaye delves into past events as she makes the case that when we dehumanize other people, it becomes all too easy to treat them inhumanely – or watch and do nothing.
In this episode, Jaye contemplates her academic background and personal experiences in American evangelicalism when examining the recent focus by the mainstream media on white evangelicals. Over 80 percent of white evangelical voters supported Donald Trump in 2016, and many American evangelical leaders continue to defend Trump’s rhetoric and actions, which sharply run against the very Bible evangelical doctrine states is the inerrant word of God. Are white evangelical believers being persecuted or led astray? And – is American evangelicalism redeemable?
**WARNING: Mature Subject Matter
Jaye concludes her two-part discussion of the abortion issue in Part II. She discusses the origins of the Religious Right after the Roe v. Wade US Supreme Court decision in 1973, and the role abortion as a political issue played in the formation of the Religious Right. Jaye also reacts to the tendency of the pro-life movement to co-opt equality movements for their own purposes. In addition, alternatives and solutions that would lower abortion rates are presented. Does the pro-life movement truly want to save the lives of the unborn?
