In this episode I speak with religious scholar and intersectional demonologist S. Jonathon O’Donnell. We discuss their new book Passing Orders: Demonology and Sovereignty in American Spiritual Warfare, which is an examination of how American Evangelical beliefs about spiritual warfare intersect with transphobia, racism, and homophobia. Buy the book here.
Continue reading “Sacred Tension: Intersectional Demonology with S. Jonathon O’Donnell”Tag: Racism
Sacred Tension: Black Nonbelievers with Mandisa Thomas
In this episode of Sacred Tension, I speak with Mandisa Thomas, founder and president of Black Nonbelievers. We discuss the experience of being a black atheist, the black church in America, racism in the atheist community, and much more.
Find Black Nonbelievers here
Continue reading “Sacred Tension: Black Nonbelievers with Mandisa Thomas”Sacred Tension: What Took You So Long? Feat. Ally Henny
In this episode of Sacred Tension Ally Henny joins us to give an intro on how to be good allies to the black community. She defines basic terms and gives white people some hard, probing questions. If you are new to conversations about race, this episode is for you.
Continue reading “Sacred Tension: What Took You So Long? Feat. Ally Henny”Learning to be Antiracist
When I was writing exclusively about LGBT issues within the church, many people new to the topic would ask me what they could do to help LGBT people. The first response of many straight people new to understanding LGBT experience was feelings of helplessness, and a desperation to do something.
My answer was always the same. There are 4 preliminary steps, I told them, to standing in solidarity with LGBT people: 1. learn, read, and listen as much as you can. 2. Get to know LGBT people personally 3. Be in the process of learning and engaging for the long haul — don’t opt out once you feel like you’ve learned “enough.” 4. Let it fuck up your life –let it disrupt your privilege, worldview, and theology.
Continue reading “Learning to be Antiracist”Sacred Tension: Protests, Racism, and Violence
This episode of Sacred Tension is from my patrons-only podcast House of Heretics. My cohost Timothy and I discuss the recent protests, misguided liberal narratives about “violence,” how we as white people can elevate black voices, the Satanic Temple’s response to the protests, and much more.
Continue reading “Sacred Tension: Protests, Racism, and Violence”My Complicated Feelings About Sam Harris
Last week in my Sunday Curiosities series, I posted a fiery video in which Steve Shives explains why he thinks Sam Harris is a douchebag. Of all the interesting things I posted in that article, I was dismayed to see my item on Harris get the most attention. People on social media were aggrieved that I would post such an “unfair” portrayal of Harris.
Continue reading “My Complicated Feelings About Sam Harris”Leaving Evangelicalism, Calling out Sam Harris, and Hail, Satan?
This week’s curiosities: Steve Shives calls out Sam Harris, Melissa Wilson writes powerfully about leaving the Evangelical World, and Hail, Satan? documents the rise of The Satanic Temple.
Continue reading “Leaving Evangelicalism, Calling out Sam Harris, and Hail, Satan?”White Supremacy and the Chirstchurch Shooting
In this episode of Sacred Tension I talk to multi-faith activist Tahil Sharma about white supremacy, the Christchurch shooting in New Zealand, and overcoming oppression.
Continue reading “White Supremacy and the Chirstchurch Shooting”Dismantling Supremacy Culture
In this episode of Sacred Tension I talk to Robyn Henderson-Espinoza, PhD about the process of dismantling toxic power within our culture. We talk about my gradual journey of understanding what, exactly, racism and sexism are, and the process of overcoming them. Robyn ultimately advocates for radical courage and imagination, and I found this conversation deeply moving.
Continue reading “Dismantling Supremacy Culture”