This week, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush speaks with writer Jeff Sharlet about the alarming acceleration of what he describes as a fascist movement in the United States. Jeff distinguishes between a fascist regime and a movement, discussing the signs of fascism and the concerning rise of Christian Nationalism and authoritarian actions - like a chilling propaganda video from the White House celebrating the deportation of immigrants. Jeff connects what he describes as the cruelty and joy of this movement with a militant Christian Nationalism that is anti-institutional but leans into a cultural Christianity paradigm under which to organize and consolidate power.
They also touch on the roles of influential figures like Elon Musk and the impact of far-right ideologies. Jeff soberly emphasizes the importance of telling truthful stories and acknowledging the human cost of these policies, while advocating for solidarity and resilience to navigate these challenging times. While acknowledging that not all of us will get through this, he places the responsibility on each of us to try.
To get The State of Belief delivered to you every week, please be sure to subscribe at https://www.stateofbelief.com/subscribe, and share The State of Belief with someone who needs to hear this conversation!
You can also hear this week’s episode below:
Ray Kirstein is the Producer of The State of Belief podcast.
Money, Lies, and God: Katherine Stewart Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy
On this week’s The State of Belief, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush examines the Trump administration’s attacks on religious freedom and discusses Money, Lies, and God with author Katherine Stewart. They explore the power of money in politics, the weaponization of disinformation, and the urgent need for organizing to protect democracy. Listen now and subscribe for weekly insights.