Deep Dive with Shawn C. Fettig

Greatest Hit: Philip Gorski - Christians and White Supremacists (A Marriage Made in Hell)

Feb 24, 2023

47:39

Today's episode is the second of a three-part series that seeks to understand what underpins the Trumpism movement in the United States – who these voters are and what motivates them, and then how that fits into a broader global shift we’re seeing - away from liberal democracy. Last week I spoke to Dr. Arlie Hochschild about her book Strangers in Their Own Land to understand the paradox of conservative folks and their support for policies that do tangible harm to them.

Today I’m talking to Dr. Philip Gorski, professor and sociologist at Yale University, and the co-author of the book The Flag and the Cross. Together, we discuss another seeming paradox – why self-identified Christians align so closely with Trump who, for all intents and purposes, is not a true Christian. He certainly hasn’t lived his life in accordance to scripture. I want to know how Christians square this alliance and this allegiance, how we got here, and if there is any chance that this relationship could be short-circuited – and, if so, how.

Mentioned:
Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right - Arlie Hochschild
The Religion of American Greatness: What's Wrong with Christian Nationalism - Paul D. Miller
Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation - Kristin Kobes Du Mez

Recommended:
The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy - Philip S. Gorski and Samuel L. Perry