The Dishcast with Andrew Sullivan cover image

The Dishcast with Andrew Sullivan

Jon Rauch On Evangelical Christianism

Feb 14, 2025
Jon Rauch, a senior fellow at Brookings and contributing editor at The Atlantic, discusses his new book, which examines Christianity's influence on democracy. He reflects on his personal journey with faith and doubt, and critiques the politicization of evangelicalism. The conversation touches on the evolving relationship between Christianity and liberal democracy, exploring tolerance and coexistence amidst societal tensions. Rauch also addresses the rise of alternative belief systems like wokeness and their consequences for traditional religious values.
48:36

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The podcast emphasizes the need for authentic Christian practices to enhance democratic values and promote civic engagement through forgiveness and egalitarianism.
  • A critical examination of white evangelical movements reveals their politicization has led to a misalignment with democratic values, fostering a culture of fear rather than unity.

Deep dives

The Dynamics of Christianity and Democracy

The discussion emphasizes the intricate relationship between Christianity and liberal democracy, suggesting that genuine Christian principles can enhance democratic values. The core teachings of Christianity, such as forgiveness and egalitarianism, align with liberal democratic ideals, providing a moral framework that supports civic engagement and respect for all individuals. The podcast argues that a decline in Christianity's influence may have contributed to the challenges facing modern democracy, particularly with regard to respect for differing viewpoints. An appeal is made for the revival of authentic Christian practices that foster community and promote core democratic virtues rather than political partisanship.

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