Faithful Politics Heavenly Homeland, Episode 3: The Bible as a Booster Seat
In the third episode of Heavenly Homeland, a five-part audio documentary from Faithful Politics, we explore the profound and often contentious relationship between Christian nationalism and American history. Host Will Wright takes us on a thought-provoking journey through instances where Biblical scripture has been wielded as a tool for both oppression and liberation, reflecting deeply on the ethical and spiritual dilemmas faced by those at the intersection of faith and governance.
We start the episode with a particularly harrowing story of George Stinney, the youngest person sentenced to death in the U.S. who was too small to fit in the electric chair and was propped up by the use of a Bible where he was electrocuted. Professor Corinna Lain, a constitutional law scholar, provides insight into Stinney's case, shedding light on broader issues of racial injustice and the death penalty.
The episode also features Mark Charles, a Native American activist, who discusses the Doctrine of Discovery's devastating impact on indigenous peoples, framing it within the broader context of America's historical amnesia regarding its founding and the ongoing struggles for racial and social justice.
We hear again from Robby Jones, president of PRRI, who revisits the roots of white supremacy in American Christianity, connecting the historical dots between religious splits over slavery and modern racial divisions. This historical perspective is enriched by Professor Anthea Butler's exploration of polygenesis and the misuse of biblical interpretations to support racist ideologies.
The episode ends with a brief look at Christian Nationalism influences at the Capitol on January 6th, 2021 and we hear from Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn to get his thoughts on what it all means.
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