Robert P. Jones, founder of the Public Religion Research Institute and author on the intersection of race and religion, joins Ian Millhiser from Vox, a Supreme Court expert. They dive into Trump's new Commission on Religious Liberty, debating the erosion of church-state separation. The conversation explores how this administration's actions might shift the balance of religious freedom and politics in the U.S. They also discuss the implications of religious liberty on education and the challenges faced in navigating anti-discrimination laws amidst claims of bias.
19:47
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Symbolic Religious Liberty Effort
Trump's Commission on Religious Liberty is largely symbolic in its second term efforts.
It focuses on conservative Christian religious rights rather than broader church-state separation issues.
insights INSIGHT
Constitution's Religion Clauses
The Constitution has two key clauses about religion: Free Exercise and Establishment.
People can practice faith freely, but the government cannot promote or establish any religion.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Southern Baptists' Historical Shift
Southern Baptists were originally strict separationists due to colonial persecution.
Their shift coincided with gaining majority status and entanglement with segregationist policies.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity
Robert P. Jones
In this book, Robert P. Jones delivers a groundbreaking analysis of the symbiotic relationship between Christianity and white supremacy in America. Drawing on history, public opinion surveys, and personal experience, Jones argues that white Christians have not just been complacent or complicit but have actively constructed and sustained a project of protecting white supremacy and opposing black equality. The book exposes how deeply racist attitudes have become embedded in white Christian identity and calls for an honest reckoning with the past and work toward repair in the present. Jones emphasizes that this is not just a matter of moral obligation but also essential for the integrity of white Christianity and the future of the American experiment.
Harry Potter
J.K. Rowling
The Harry Potter series, written by J.K. Rowling, follows the journey of Harry Potter, an orphan boy who discovers he is a wizard. The series spans seven novels, each corresponding to one year of Harry's life at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry, along with his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, navigates the magical world, confronts various challenges, and ultimately faces off against the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who murdered Harry's parents and seeks to dominate the wizarding world. The series explores themes of friendship, love, and the struggle between good and evil.
Narnia
based on The lion, the witch and the wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis
The series includes seven novels that span the entire history of Narnia, from its creation in 'The Magician’s Nephew' to its eventual destruction in 'The Last Battle'. The stories follow various children who are transported to Narnia, where they often assist the lion Aslan in battles against evil forces. The series is known for its allegorical themes, particularly Christian allegory, and its richly imagined world of magic, mythical beasts, and talking animals.
Donald Trump's new Commission on Religious Liberty met last week for the first time.
When Trump signed the executive order in May establishing the group, he marked the occasion by saying, "We're bringing religion back to our country, and it's a big deal."
But isn't the separation of church and state guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution? Can the president just "forget about it" even once?
1A 
