What a great conversation, thank you! I think religion causes such fear, and ironically judgement. So many reasons, but a big one is that we’d rather blame others for our shortcomings (prejudice, superiority complexes, laziness, etc.) than facing reality in the mirror, & religion, (Jesus forgives ALL) keeps us so free from owning our crap. I thought Jesus preached the Golden Rule? Anyway, I agree that the Democratic party needs to be completely wiped from what it is now, & rebuilt, starting with NO CORPORATE $$. I’m bummed they booted David Hogg, but if things get much worse, we’ll need a mutiny!
Great conversation Jonathan. So glad I found your reporting recently. I had a different take on your article this morning regarding the mainstream ideology Vance espoused. I felt another avenue to pursue is the very idea of faith in improbable or simply bullshit claims (water to wine, loaves,fishes, virgin birth, walking on water, etc.) are a sort of architectural basis for conspiracy theories and anti-science ideology. I think it’s a bit of an intellectual failing to not question the whole edifice of religion and how “mainstream “ religion gives space to this entire universe of insanity that we call the modern Republican Party.
Tom, thank you. As an atheist (and materialist) I’m very sympathetic to your argument. I should probably make the case more often… and kinda do, with snark, over at my other substack, TheFuckingNews.substack.com!
I’m there, every fucking day brother. I was especially happy when you pointed out that neither ice Barbie nor her interlocutor could correctly define habeus corpus Your reporting is so invaluable that I may subscribe twice. But haven’t yet. Cause im a cheapskate. Not because you aren’t totally worth an entire day of my work every year. Instead of half a day. Oh shit now I’m exposed as a total ass. Regarding the case against faith, it may be a bit of an uphill climb. For 50 years I’ve heard every candidate for every office invoke the almighty creator of the universe, virgin fucker, watcher over sparrows but fuck the Africans, ask his holy reverence to bless this country of genocide and industrial slavery. I guess they think we don’t read the fucking news?
There's certainly a history of performative religiosity. For the first time, though, there's now a Congressional Freethought Caucus, and Rep. Jared Huffman actually protested the National Prayer Breakfast, which has seen diminishing Democratic involvement thanks to reporting by a certain me that I could name. Thanks so much for the kind words. And remember, financial support isn't about whether anyone's cheap or not. When Newsfuckers are moved to pull the trigger, then they will. That's on ME, not anyone else, to make sure that what I'm doing isn't just valued, but inspires folks to help carry TFN forward. No one should feel bad about not upgrading to paid, but everyone should feel good who does! And thanks for the kind words! Taking the time to share them ALSO counts as supporting TFN.
Thank you for both of your Substack articles and the interview—your insights into Christian Nationalism are deeply informative and compelling.
I find myself reflecting on what drives someone from passionate missionary work to violent action. From what you've shared about Vance Boelter, it's possible he exhibits traits of covert narcissism—marked by deep insecurity, hypersensitivity to criticism, and a need for external validation—which may have made him vulnerable to extremist ideologies. The version of Christianity he followed, focused on spiritual warfare, seems to have reinforced a black-and-white worldview rooted in a struggle between good and evil.
The MAGA movement appears to legitimize and amplify such thinking, bringing extreme beliefs into the mainstream. Violent rhetoric—such as that from Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, and Senator Mike Lee this past weekend—acts as an accelerant for individuals already on the edge.
As a teacher, I see firsthand how our culture's emphasis on individualism can prevent us from adequately addressing childhood trauma. As these children grow into adults, many struggle with mental health, and when their coping mechanisms collapse, society often experiences the fallout.
Hi Benjamin, I haven't gone back to watch it, but I think neither of us said he WASN'T a white supremacist. (I try not to speak in absolutes, generally.) My point, anyway, was more that I don't think we have enough evidence to conclude that. You may have seen reporting or information that I'm not familiar with, of course.
Just a sincere wish from a fellow atheist. But if it was too vague, or if you're just not in the mood for a moment of self-reflection, or whatever the case: it was definitely jarring to infer from your initial rebuke that Jeff Sharlet is not doing/saying enough.
Boelter even fails at becoming a martyr. Totally tracks.
Big Jeff Sharlet fan here, Jonathan... thanks for this.
Me, too!
What a great conversation, thank you! I think religion causes such fear, and ironically judgement. So many reasons, but a big one is that we’d rather blame others for our shortcomings (prejudice, superiority complexes, laziness, etc.) than facing reality in the mirror, & religion, (Jesus forgives ALL) keeps us so free from owning our crap. I thought Jesus preached the Golden Rule? Anyway, I agree that the Democratic party needs to be completely wiped from what it is now, & rebuilt, starting with NO CORPORATE $$. I’m bummed they booted David Hogg, but if things get much worse, we’ll need a mutiny!
Thank you, Sue.
Great conversation Jonathan. So glad I found your reporting recently. I had a different take on your article this morning regarding the mainstream ideology Vance espoused. I felt another avenue to pursue is the very idea of faith in improbable or simply bullshit claims (water to wine, loaves,fishes, virgin birth, walking on water, etc.) are a sort of architectural basis for conspiracy theories and anti-science ideology. I think it’s a bit of an intellectual failing to not question the whole edifice of religion and how “mainstream “ religion gives space to this entire universe of insanity that we call the modern Republican Party.
Tom, thank you. As an atheist (and materialist) I’m very sympathetic to your argument. I should probably make the case more often… and kinda do, with snark, over at my other substack, TheFuckingNews.substack.com!
I’m there, every fucking day brother. I was especially happy when you pointed out that neither ice Barbie nor her interlocutor could correctly define habeus corpus Your reporting is so invaluable that I may subscribe twice. But haven’t yet. Cause im a cheapskate. Not because you aren’t totally worth an entire day of my work every year. Instead of half a day. Oh shit now I’m exposed as a total ass. Regarding the case against faith, it may be a bit of an uphill climb. For 50 years I’ve heard every candidate for every office invoke the almighty creator of the universe, virgin fucker, watcher over sparrows but fuck the Africans, ask his holy reverence to bless this country of genocide and industrial slavery. I guess they think we don’t read the fucking news?
There's certainly a history of performative religiosity. For the first time, though, there's now a Congressional Freethought Caucus, and Rep. Jared Huffman actually protested the National Prayer Breakfast, which has seen diminishing Democratic involvement thanks to reporting by a certain me that I could name. Thanks so much for the kind words. And remember, financial support isn't about whether anyone's cheap or not. When Newsfuckers are moved to pull the trigger, then they will. That's on ME, not anyone else, to make sure that what I'm doing isn't just valued, but inspires folks to help carry TFN forward. No one should feel bad about not upgrading to paid, but everyone should feel good who does! And thanks for the kind words! Taking the time to share them ALSO counts as supporting TFN.
Thank you for both of your Substack articles and the interview—your insights into Christian Nationalism are deeply informative and compelling.
I find myself reflecting on what drives someone from passionate missionary work to violent action. From what you've shared about Vance Boelter, it's possible he exhibits traits of covert narcissism—marked by deep insecurity, hypersensitivity to criticism, and a need for external validation—which may have made him vulnerable to extremist ideologies. The version of Christianity he followed, focused on spiritual warfare, seems to have reinforced a black-and-white worldview rooted in a struggle between good and evil.
The MAGA movement appears to legitimize and amplify such thinking, bringing extreme beliefs into the mainstream. Violent rhetoric—such as that from Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, and Senator Mike Lee this past weekend—acts as an accelerant for individuals already on the edge.
As a teacher, I see firsthand how our culture's emphasis on individualism can prevent us from adequately addressing childhood trauma. As these children grow into adults, many struggle with mental health, and when their coping mechanisms collapse, society often experiences the fallout.
Please, newsfuckers, become paid subscribers so Jonathan can buy decent headphones and microphone.
Oh no was it bad? Substack makes us use the phone for live videos. Maybe I should’ve not used headphones at all…? Next time! Sorry!
It wasn't horrible or unlistenable, but clearly cheap and tinny sounding. I'm just looking out for ya man.
He doesn't have to be a card carrying klansman to be a white supremacist. Grow up you fucking children.
Hi Benjamin, I haven't gone back to watch it, but I think neither of us said he WASN'T a white supremacist. (I try not to speak in absolutes, generally.) My point, anyway, was more that I don't think we have enough evidence to conclude that. You may have seen reporting or information that I'm not familiar with, of course.
GROW. UP. YOU LIMP WRISTED IDIOT. THEY ARE SHOOTING DEMOCRATS. GROW. UP.
Good luck with your framing issues.
Is there some point you wanted to make?
Just a sincere wish from a fellow atheist. But if it was too vague, or if you're just not in the mood for a moment of self-reflection, or whatever the case: it was definitely jarring to infer from your initial rebuke that Jeff Sharlet is not doing/saying enough.
So the answer is no, you don't have a point. Good talk.
F A S C I N A T I N G