In this discussion, Dr. Andrew Whitehead, a sociology professor at Indiana University and co-author of Taking America Back for God, dives deep into the connections between Christian nationalism and MAGA extremism. He shares revealing public opinion data that highlight how beliefs about gender, family, and sexuality influence political identities, especially among white working-class Americans. The conversation also uncovers the myths surrounding the nuclear family and explains how nostalgia and fear play pivotal roles in shaping contemporary political ideologies.
48:57
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Trump's Campaign Focus on Gender
Trump's 2024 campaign spent about $40 million on ads focusing on gender and sexuality, especially targeting transgender issues.
These ads effectively swayed undecided and independent voters, shaping political perception through social issues.
insights INSIGHT
Core of Christian Nationalism
Christian nationalism centers on traditional social hierarchies including rigid gender roles and heterosexual marriage.
It privileges a conservative Christianity in public life and underpins political identity in the MAGA movement.
insights INSIGHT
Nuclear Family as Political Tool
The nuclear family was bolstered as a divine institution in the 1970s to unite diverse religious groups politically.
This foundation marginalizes those outside traditional family norms as neither good Christians nor real Americans.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
In 'White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America', Anthea Butler explores the role of racism in shaping white evangelical politics from the nation's founding to the present. The book examines how white evangelicals have used scripture to justify slavery, segregation, and other forms of racial inequality, and how this history continues to influence American politics today.
American Caesar
Douglas MacArthur, 1880-1964
William Manchester
William Manchester's 'American Caesar' is a detailed biography of General Douglas MacArthur, chronicling his military career and his role in shaping American history during World War II and the Korean War. The book delves into MacArthur's complex personality, his leadership style, and his controversial decisions, offering a nuanced examination of one of the most influential military figures of the 20th century.
Taking America Back for God
Christian Nationalism in the United States
Andrew L. Whitehead
Samuel Perry
This book examines the phenomenon of Christian nationalism, the belief that the United States is and should be a Christian nation. It delves into how Christian nationalism shapes Americans' views on various contentious issues such as immigration, Islam, gun control, police shootings, atheists, gender roles, and presidential preferences. Drawing on national survey data and in-depth interviews, the authors document the impact of Christian nationalism on American society and politics, highlighting its role in preserving a particular social order and its implications for a pluralistic and democratic America.
American Idolatry
American Idolatry
Andrew Whitehead
Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 800-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/
In this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi welcomes back Dr. Andrew Whitehead, sociology professor at Indiana University and co-author of Taking America Back for God. They unpack how Christian nationalism uses ideas about gender, family, and sexuality to shape political identity—especially among white working-class Americans.
Dr. Whitehead shares key insights from public opinion data that reveal a strong link between Christian nationalist beliefs and support for authoritarian leaders. The conversation explores the myth of the “nuclear family,” the politics of fear, and how nostalgia and hierarchy fuel the MAGA movement.
Straight White American Jesus 
