Weekly Roundup: US-Iran Tensions and SCOTUS Rulings on Trans Rights
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In this weekly roundup, Dan begins with the escalating tensions between the U.S., Iran, and Israel, examining recent airstrikes and the Trump administration’s controversial military decisions.
Dan breaks down the fractured response within the MAGA coalition, uncovering the religious and ideological fault lines behind the debate.
The episode then turns to the Supreme Court’s latest rulings, including:
Gender-affirming care for minors
Deportation policy limits
The reach of nationwide injunctions
Parental rights around LGBTQ+ inclusive education
Dan highlights the Christian nationalist undertones shaping public discourse and judicial outcomes. He ends with a rare note of optimism, pointing to a surprising cross-ideological ruling upholding the Affordable Care Act as a sign that compromise is still possible.
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57:04
SWAJ Rewind: It's in the Code ep 54: "Suffering and Persecution"
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Why do conservative American Christians and Christian nationalists use the rhetoric of being “attacked” and “persecuted”? Why do they perceive themselves to be “suffering” in the contemporary United States, when they experience pronounced social, cultural, and legal privilege? And how do these ideas link up with the broader valorization of “suffering” within some forms of Christian identity? Dan takes on these issues in this week’s episode.
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24:13
SCOTUS, Trans Healthcare, and Christian Nationalism
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What does the Supreme Court’s latest ruling mean for trans rights in America?
In this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi is joined by Dr. Kelsy Burke, sociology professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, to unpack the Supreme Court’s decision in EDI v. United States. The case—centered on gender-affirming care for minors—has far-reaching consequences for trans healthcare across the country, especially in states like Tennessee.
Brad and Dr. Burke explore how the case originated, the political and religious forces behind the legislation, and the deep influence of conservative Christian groups. They examine shifting public opinion on trans rights and the troubling silence from Democratic leaders in response to this wave of anti-trans policymaking. With clarity and urgency, this conversation brings historical context to one of the most pressing civil rights battles in America today.
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36:55
Weekly Roundup: Iran, the End Times, and Christian Nihilism + Appeal to Heaven Flag at the SBA
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Is Trump Preparing for a Holy War?
In this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi examines Donald Trump’s mixed messaging on U.S. involvement in Israel’s conflict with Iran—through the lens of evangelical influence. He unpacks how Christian nationalist leaders frame the conflict as a cosmic battle between good and evil, and how that spiritualized rhetoric could shape Trump’s future actions.
Brad also investigates the growing signs that the ideology behind January 6th is becoming embedded in U.S. institutions—highlighted by the presence of the “Appeal to Heaven” flag at key government sites. He then turns to the media’s uneven response to recent political violence, comparing coverage of two alleged shooters and what it reveals about race, ideology, and public perception.
The episode wraps with updates on military and judicial developments tied to the Trump era—and what they signal about where we might be headed next.
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52:16
It's in the Code ep 151: “Abortion Is Healthcare, Pt. 3”
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Allie Beth Stuckey warns her readers to be on the lookout for people passing off lies as facts and appealing to emotion to mask bad arguments. But, as Dan discusses in this week’s episode, her anti-abortion positions are grounded in lies that pass as factual arguments, and are intended to bring others to her position by playing on their emotions. What are the lies she tells? How do we know they’re lies at all? And how does she want to move us through emotional appeals? Check out this week’s episode to find out.
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An in-depth examination of the culture and politics of Christian Nationalism and Evangelicalism by two ex-evangelical ministers-turned-religion professors. If you have ever wondered what social and historical forces led white evangelicals to usher Donald Trump into the White House this is the show for you. As former insiders and critical scholars of religion, Dan Miller and Bradley Onishi have a unique perspective on the Religious Right. Guests have included Chrissy Stroop, R. Marie Griffith, Janelle Wong, Randall Balmer, Katherine Stewart, and many others.
USA