The Convocation Unscripted

The last two weeks have been head spinning: the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, the Republican National Convention, and Joe Biden passing the torch to Kamala Harris. We opened the conversation today by holding space for Sonya Massey, the African American woman who called the police for help but was senselessly and callously killed by a white officer in her own home in Springfield, Illinois. We also talked about the vibe at the Republican National Convention, and how its carnivalesque atmosphere (e.g., ex-professional wrestler Hulk Hogan introducing Donald Trump), with its mix of spectacle and transgression, undermined the norms and civic virtues that are important to a healthy democracy. Finally, we talked about the example of selflessness and patriotism Joe Biden exhibited in stepping down to allow Harris to rise.The Convocation Unscripted [S1E6]Follow:The Convocation- convocation.substack.comRobert P. Jones- www.whitetoolong.netDiana Butler Bass- dianabutlerbass.substack.comKristin Du Mez- kristindumez.substack.comJemar Tisby- JemarTisby.Substack.com

The State Superintendent of Oklahoma announced a plan to overhaul the social studies curriculum in the state. He named some members of the Executive Review Committee which included: David Barton, Dennis Prager, Kevin Roberts (president of the Heritage Foundation), and Steve Deace. These men are not committed to historical truth-telling as much as propagandists pushing the idea of a “Christian America.” We also discuss Project 2025. It’s finally hitting the mainstream, even though we and others have been warning about it for far longer. What is it, and why does it pose a threat long before and after the November 2024 election? Follow: The Convocation- convocation.substack.comRobert P. Jones- www.whitetoolong.netDiana Butler Bass- dianabutlerbass.substack.comKristin Du Mez- kristindumez.substack.comJemar Tisby- JemarTisby.Substack.comThe Convocation Unscripted [S1E5]

Late on the evening of June 27, 2024, we came together to discuss the first 2024 presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. In this episode, Jemar Tisby, Kristin Du Mez, and Robert P. Jones talk about this train wreck of a debate (Diana Butler Bass is on vacation). While Biden clearly lost the debate, the real loser was democracy and the America people as Trump filled the airwaves with unchecked lies and hateful rhetoric dehumanizing immigrants. We may have just witnessed the last presidential debate in modern American politics.The Convocation Unscripted [S1E4]

Many of us grew up singing the old time hymn "May the Circle Be Unbroken," a song about connection and continuity. But today many denominations seem to be preoccupied with shrinking the circle. In these increasingly narrow places, curiosity is extinguished, complexity is anathema, and dissent from orthodoxy is suppressed. This week at ‪@The_Convocation‬ Unscripted, Diana Butler Bass co-hosts a conversation with Jemar Tisby, Robert P. Jones, and Kristin Du Mez about the bewildering and painful experience so many have had when a congregation or denomination declares there is no longer any place for them because of their beliefs or identity—or even their questions. We talk about our own reasons for staying, the challenging but rewarding journey through the wilderness after leaving, and the possibilities of finding another spiritual home.The Convocation Unscripted [S1E3]

One hundred and thirty thousand dollars. Two days of deliberation. Thirty-four utterances of “Guilty!” Backed unanimously by twelve ordinary citizens sitting on the jury. May 30, 2024, will forever be a day that marked a new era in American history, when Donald J. Trump became the first former president to receive a felony conviction.But what does it all mean: *For our country as a whole?*For the political party who is poised to coronate Trump as their candidate just four days after his sentencing? *And for Trump’s white Christian supporters who in the not so distant past crowed about their integrity as “values voters”?Join us for a special edition of our new podcast “The Convocation Unscripted,” where Jemar Tisby, Kristin Du Mez, Robert P. Jones, and Diana Butler Bass talk about this historic moment and its implications for the presidential election and the future.The Convocation Unscripted [S1E2]

Scholars and writers Diana Butler Bass, Kristin Du Mez, Robert P. Jones, and Jemar Tisby talk about the launch of The Convocation, a weekly collaborative Substack newsletter and video podcast. Original Recording May 30,2024 - The Convocation Unscripted [S1E1] - Opening Show (youtube.com)