148: Marianne Williamson and Asshole Jesus

Is Marianne Williamson’s promotion of A Course in Miracles any more relevant to her political persona than Biden’s Catholicism? If it demonstrably informs her every instinct and communication (as we expect it would given she sermonizes out of it every day), then yes, it is. If it leads her to suggest that meditation can help contain nuclear waste, divert hurricanes, heal the “scam” of clinical depression, or “boost the immune system” against COVID19, then yes, it is.  Is it sexist to highlight Williamson’s reported history of interpersonal abusiveness, when male politicians get away with far worse? There is definitely a double standard to resist. But when a candidate builds a political persona on being a love-and-light wayshower, it’s important to evaluate what that actually looks like ground-level. It’s also important to consider whether immature behavior might be a plausible outcome of following the Jesus of A Course in Miracles, who is a huge asshole.  Finally: if Williamson is the only candidate out there talking about reparations and M4A, is it reactionary to dismiss her on religious or behavioral grounds? Not if you’re actually interested in a functional progressive politics, free from magical thinking and charismatic bafflement.  Show Notes Williamson’s COVID meditation, Facebook Live Read: Pope Francis’ May prayer to Mary for the end of the pandemic | America Magazine Marianne Williamson’s ‘abusive’ treatment of 2020 campaign staff, revealed - POLITICO  Marianne Williamson is a controversial AIDS-crisis figure for gay men. MARIANNE'S FAITHFUL | Vanity Fair | June 1991 Project Angel Food Rocked by Feuds The Divine Miss W — People The Power, the Glory, the Glitz - Los Angeles Times  Marianne Williamson Bows Out as Pastor - Beliefnet  Marianne Williamson's Democratic debate performance raised eyebrows. But she's no friend of the left. Marianne Williamson responds to Politico article alleging abuse toward staff - BBC News  Here Are The Presidential Candidates Women Have Been Donating To  Marianne Williamson on Her Insurgent Campaign Against Joe Biden ❧ Current Affairs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices