Baptist Joint Committee Podcast

What’s the antidote to Christian nationalism? To conclude our podcast series, we take a look at what it means to embrace civic pluralism with Eboo Patel, the founder and president of Interfaith Youth Core. He talks with BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler about the difference in religious and civic pluralism, the origins of the term “Judeo-Christian,” connections between anti-Muslim bigotry and anti-Catholic bigotry, and how we can create a “potluck nation,” where everyone brings their unique contributions to the table. The post Ep. 10: Embracing civic pluralism appeared first on BJC.

In light of our conversations about Christian nationalism, this podcast takes a broader view of work in the church-state realm. BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler is joined by Rabbi Ambassador David Saperstein, Melissa Rogers and BJC General Counsel Holly Hollman to look at the challenges to our constitutional commitment to religious liberty for all people. As they note, disagreement on the proper application of the First Amendment’s religion clauses is not necessarily evidence of Christian nationalism. Hear them discuss the complexity in this area of the law, the role of religion in public life, the dangers of government promotion of religion, how the Supreme Court tends to interpret the religion clauses, the protections provided by the separation of church and state, and more. The post Ep. 09: Religious freedom, church-state law and Christian nationalism appeared first on BJC.

As we continue to explore the overlap of Christian nationalism and white supremacy, this week’s episode looks at their connection and the impact on communities. Hear from the Rev. Dr. Aidsand Wright-Riggins about race, reconciliation, religious liberty, Christian supremacy and more The post Ep. 08: Christian nationalism and white nationalism appeared first on BJC.

What is the connection between the history of racism and Christian nationalism? On this podcast, Jemar Tisby shares a historical view of white Christian nationalism in America, including how conflations of politics, race and religion in our past continue to impact conversations today. The author of The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism, Tisby discusses how American Christianity and racism have overlapped for more than 400 years, including examples across several centuries of history. This is episode seven of our 10-week podcast series on Christian nationalism. Visit BJConline.org/ChristianNationalism for more on the series and the Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign. The post Ep. 07: Christian nationalism, race and white supremacy appeared first on BJC.

What happens when bills influenced by Christian nationalism appear in state legislatures? Minnesota State Sen. John Marty discusses his experience standing against legislation from the “Project Blitz” playbook in this episode of our podcast series. He talks about how his Christian faith influences his work defending the rights of all people, and he shares stories about the pushback and accusations he received as he worked to make sure his faith isn’t used to crush others. This is episode six in our 10-week series on Christian nationalism. The post Ep. 06: Standing against Project Blitz in a state legislature appeared first on BJC.

“Project Blitz,” a coordinated effort to draft and pass bills informed by Christian nationalism, is showing up in state legislatures across the country. What is this effort, and what are its goals? Frederick Clarkson, the writer who broke the story about Project Blitz, discusses its origins, motivations and definitions of success. This is episode five of our 10-week podcast series on Christian nationalism. Visit BJConline.org/ChristianNationalism for more on the series and the Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign. The post Ep. 05: Understanding Project Blitz appeared first on BJC.

What does the Bible have to teach us about Christian nationalism? Author and scholar Walter Brueggemann talks about the theological dangers of Christian nationalism in the fourth episode of our podcast series. Hear his thoughts on what the prophets have to teach us about our current times, the importance of the crucifixion and resurrection narrative in these conversations, and what the Bible says about oppression, hope, truth and power. The post Ep. 04: Theological view of Christian nationalism with Walter Brueggemann appeared first on BJC.

Learn about the political and religious history behind the idea that the United States was founded as a “Christian nation” in this episode of our podcast series on Christian nationalism. BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler talks with Dr. Steven Green, author of "Inventing a Christian America: The Myth of the Religious Founding," about the political history of this concept. On the second half of the episode, we hear from church historian Bill Leonard (starting at 21:38) on what religious leaders said and did during the founding of the United States. The post Ep. 03: Were we founded as a Christian nation? appeared first on BJC.

Dr. Andrew Whitehead talks about his work researching Christian nationalism in the second episode of our special podcast series. A professor of sociology at Clemson University, he explains what Christian nationalism is, how he and other researchers measure the ideology, and how it affects the way individuals see the world. Whitehead also shares how Christian nationalism differs from religious practice and the way it impacts all Americans. The post Ep. 02: Academic view of Christian nationalism appeared first on BJC.

In the first episode of our podcast series on Christian nationalism, hear what Christian leaders have to say about the ideology. BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler speaks with Bishop Elizabeth Eaton of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (starting at 5:19); Rev. Dr. Paul Baxley of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (10:12); Diane Randall from the Friends Committee on National Legislation (15:02); Sister Simone Campbell of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice (19:14); and Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Haggray of American Baptist Home Mission Societies (23:13). The post Ep. 01: Christian leaders on Christian nationalism appeared first on BJC.

Join us for a 10-week podcast series on the dangers of Christian nationalism. Amanda Tyler speaks with researchers, journalists, theologians, historians, and others, including Walter Brueggemann, Sister Simone Campbell, Eboo Patel, Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, author Steven Green, Bill Leonard, and many more. Episodes release each Wednesday, starting July 31, 2019. The post Podcast Series Preview: The Dangers of Christian Nationalism appeared first on BJC.

What does the Supreme Court's most recent church-state decision mean for all of us? BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler and General Counsel Holly Hollman examine the Court's splintered 7-2 decision in the Bladensburg cross case and discuss what it means for the future. The post Examining the cross case decision with Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman appeared first on BJC.

Get to know more about BJC’s new look and website resources. Oliver “Buzz” Thomas, former BJC general counsel, interviews Executive Director Amanda Tyler about how BJC is working to inform about religious liberty issues and equip people to make a difference. The post Podcast: BJC’s new look, with Buzz Thomas and Amanda Tyler appeared first on BJC.

Molly Marshall, the president of Central Baptist Theological Seminary, sits down with Amanda Tyler for a wide-ranging discussion on theological education, her journey in ministry, the importance of an international view of religion, and advice for women beginning their career in ministry. The post Molly Marshall on theological education, an international approach to faith, and ministry appeared first on BJC.

Rev. Dr. Aidsand Wright-Riggins sits down with BJC’s Amanda Tyler for a conversation about race, religious liberty, and reconciliation, including his experiences seeking racial justice. The post Race, religious liberty and reconciliation appeared first on BJC.

What gets left out of our conversations about religious liberty? Hear Dr. Corey Walker, Dr. Linda McKinnish Bridges, and Amanda Tyler discuss the need for an inclusive approach to religious liberty, and hear from 10 BJC Fellows. Recorded during the BJC Dinner on April 26, 2019. The post An inclusive approach to religious liberty: BJC Dinner appeared first on BJC.

Podcast interview with Christine Browder and Rev. Charles F. Johnson on the faith leader's role and boundaries in supporting public education. The post Why Do Pastors Care About Public Schools? appeared first on BJC.

BJC's Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman share their takeaways from the oral arguments in the Bladensburg cross case, including their analysis of what they heard in the courtroom and the scene outside the Court. The post Reflections on Supreme Court arguments in the Cross Case appeared first on BJC.

A conversation on the case of The American Legion v. American Humanist Association. The post Bladensburg Cross Case: A Discussion with Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman appeared first on BJC.

Preview of the 2019 Shurden Lectures with Molly Marshall and Aidsand Wright-Riggins. The post Previewing the 2019 Shurden Lectures appeared first on BJC.