The Sunday Interview: The Christian Turn Against Democracy w/ Robert P. Jones (PART 1)
Summary
Host Dan talks with Robert P. Jones about his new book, Backslide, which argues the U.S. is facing a 1933-like authoritarian moment. They discuss how white evangelicals are weaponizing theology to wage a "war on empathy," blunting moral instincts to justify mass deportation and dehumanization. Jones emphasizes that this is not a balanced debate but a strategic tool for political ends, urging listeners to embrace division rather than false equivalence. The episode concludes with a preview of a longer follow-up interview.
Topics discussed
Introduction and guest Robert P. Jones
The 1933 moment and the war on empathy
Theology unmoored from morality
Justifying actions that defy moral instincts
Dehumanization and the endgame of empathy
Lessons from the Civil Rights Movement
Lying to yourself and the collapse of truth
Sacrificing morality for obedience
Embracing division in a polarized nation
The asymmetry of political power
Deepfakes, disinformation, and January 6th
The pliability of religion and closing remarks
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