Josiah Hesse

In this engaging discussion, author Josiah Hesse, raised in evangelical culture in Mason City, Iowa, critiques the modern evangelical movement, likening its leaders to the con man in The Music Man. He shares insights on how prosperity gospel manipulates fear and nostalgia to exploit communities. Hesse also reflects on his personal journey of faith, the intellectual awakening that helped him break free from rigid beliefs, and the need for a more compassionate progressive Christianity. He calls for open dialogue to counter the allure of fundamentalism.