The Dismantling Doctrine Podcast

Is it possible to have a respectful dialogue between an atheist and an evangelical Christian?   Matthew Taylor, this week's guest and co-host of the Still Unbelievable podcast, thinks that it is possible--provided, of course, that you separate the beliefs from the believer.   In addition to exploring that concept, Matthew and I trade backstories in our old evangelical days, comparing notes and dissecting Christianity as objectively as we can. We also talk about the importance of community after leaving religion behind.   Help Support the Ongoing Work of MindShift Podcast on Patreon!   Contact Details Follow Matthew on Twitter @vteclimey Reason Press Website  Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018   Like the MindShift Podcast Facebook Page

In this special bonus episode, I have a conversation with Peter Montgomery, Senior Fellow at Right Wing Watch.   Peter has diligently been researching and writing on the Christian Right, dominion theology, evangelical politics, and more for the last 2 decades. As such, he is the perfect person to speak with now, just weeks before the election.   We are seeing more than ever the levels of rabid support for Donald Trump among evangelicals--and as Peter states, on the hyper-charismatic side of the equation, "it's on steroids now."   They've gone into overdrive, and are making some absolutely unbelievable claims about what they believe God will do--both with Trump and the unprecedented appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.   Help Support MindShift Podcast on Patreon!   Contact Details Follow Peter on Twitter @petemont Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018   Like the MindShift Podcast Facebook Page

This special bonus edition features sociologist Andrew Whitehead, co-author along with Sam Perry of the informative book Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States.   As you'll recall, Sam was my guest a few months ago as we discussed the findings of their research of Americans as it relates to Christian nationalism in their book. I reached out to Andrew to have a discussion about not just the upcoming election and the chaos surrounding it, but also the recent news of the possibility of Trump installing an unprecedented third Supreme Court justice before the election.   To what extent is Christian nationalism informing both the folks who intend not only to vote for Trump in November (possibly for the second time), but also their support of Amy Coney Barrett and their hopes for overturning Roe v Wade?   Turns out...it's a huge driver. Listen in for more information!   Help Support the Show on Patreon!   Contact Information Follow Andrew on Twitter @ndrewwhitehead   Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018   Like the MindShift Podcast Facebook Page

In this episode with Steven Tiger, author of Doctrine Impossible, I'm hearkening back to my old days as an evangelical pastor and Bible college teacher and revisiting the subject of Christian theology. Today, however, neither of us are seeking to defend what in many cases is quite a monstrous set of beliefs--and view of God that is revealed in the pages of the Bible. What are the implications of so much of classic Christian doctrine?  Tune in to our chat to find out! Support MindShift Podcast on Patreon! Contact Information Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveTiger999 Steven's Website https://www.rationality-and-faith.com/ Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

This week's guest features Paul Kivel, author of Living in the Shadow of the Cross: Understanding and Resisting the Power and Privilege of Christian Hegemony. Since the fateful decision by Emperor Constantine in the 4th Century CE to make Christianity the official state religion of Rome, Christianity has enjoyed unprecedented power, cultural and religious dominance--the very definition of "hegemony." And this is true not just in the West, where it's been most powerful, but indeed worldwide, as Christianity provided the ideology and force to go along with much of the efforts to colonize the world in the 18th-19th centuries. It's still seen today worldwide--politically, socially, culturally, religiously, and in many other ways. Paul and I will give you the tools not only to understand what Christian hegemony is, and the dangers it poses--we'll also discuss how you and I can successfully resist it. Support Independent Media like MindShift Podcast on Patreon! Contact Information Paul Kivel's Challenging Christian Hegemony Website Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

In this bonus episode, ex-Scientologist and host of the Sensibly Speaking Podcast--Chris Shelton--drops in for a deep dive into the cult psychology of QAnon.   What is QAnon, and who exactly is "Q," its enigmatic leader? Chris and I not only answer those questions, but further, we unpack the appeal of this growing internet cult movement from a cult psychology point of view.   If you have friends, family members, or coworkers who are into QAnon--then this episode will help you not only make sense of the movement, but it will give you the critical tools by which to engage this dangerous cult.   Support MindShift Podcast on Patreon!   Contact Information Follow Chris on Twitter @sheltondesigner Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018   Link to The MindShift Podcast Facebook Page

Due to the rapidly-unfolding series of scandals surrounding Jerry Falwell Jr--and his wife Becki--I turned to one of the most qualified people out there who could knowledgeably discuss this story: Kristin Kobes Du Mez, recent guest and author of the recent book Jesus and John Wayne.   Kristin and I try to make sense of the narratives swirling around the many scandals that have not only dogged Falwell Jr for years now, we want to know: why has it take this long for him to be removed as the president of Liberty University? And how does it fit into the larger picture of evangelical toxic masculinity and biblical patriarchy, of which Falwell Jr may have indeed served as a poster boy for years now.   Help Support Independent Media Like MindShift Podcast on Patreon!   Contact Information   Follow Kristin on Twitter @kkdumez Follow me @MindShift2018

This week's episode features a conversation with Dr Michael McVicar, assistant professor of religion at Florida State University and author of the 2015 book, Christian Reconstruction: RJ Rushdoony and American Religious Conservatism. Dr McVicar's book is incredibly helpful in developing the historical and cultural context that both explains who Rushdoony was, but also why his legacy is so significant in so many ways. Not only was he "the father of Christian Reconstructionism," Rushdoony also had a massive impact on Christian education and homeschooling, the early formation of the Christian Right and evangelical involvement in politics, and also on some of the more far-right, fringe Christian political movements today. Understanding Rushdoony and his life's work is key to being able to grasp what is going on in the intersection of evangelicalism and politics today. Help Support Independent Media Like MindShift Podcast on Patreon! Contact Information Email Dr McVicar: mmcvicar@fsu.edu Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

My study and research of Christian nationalism has led me both to David Barton, who runs the organization WallBuilders out of Aledo, Texas, and to another figure--Dr Warren Throckmorton of Grove College, a professor of psychology. What do these two people have in common? Barton is a revisionist "historian" who has made a career out of promoting the myth that America not only was founded as a Christian nation, it should return to that status today. Dr Throckmorton has spent many years researching and writing on Barton's often spurious historical claims and dubious historical methods. He co-wrote a book together with Michael Coulter called Getting Jefferson Right that took Barton to task for the many glaring mistakes and fraudulent claims in his book The Jefferson Lies. Find out more in this episode! Help Support Independent Media like MindShift Podcast on Patreon! Contact Information Dr Throckmorton's Blog On Twitter @wthrockmorton Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

This special bonus episode features journalist Sarah Posner, as we discuss her latest book Unholy: Why White Evangelicals Worship at the Altar of Donald Trump. So why exactly do they worship at the Trump altar? Turns out that the answer to that question is more complex than it may seem...because as Sarah lays out in the book, it's not just white evangelicals--it's also the alt-right that forms Trump's loyal base. Join us for this discussion of Unholy as we unpack the layers! Help Support Independent Media Like MindShift Podcast on Patreon! Contact Information Follow Sarah Posner on Twitter @SarahPosner Follow Me on Twitter @MindShift2018