Thursday, June 19, 2025 - Brian Recker on Cruz, Carlson & 'Hell Bent' American Evangelicals episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 20, 2025 · 44 MIN

Thursday, June 19, 2025 - Brian Recker on Cruz, Carlson & 'Hell Bent' American Evangelicals

from The Ron Show · host Ron Roberts

⁠Brian Recker⁠, a former Marine, former evangelical pastor, current theologian, speaker and writer, has developed a ⁠healthy social media following⁠ and solid presence ⁠on Substack⁠. His focus? Deconstructing his faith to find a more inclusive spirituality - which often runs afoul of today's right-wing aligned American evangelical movement. He's just the kind of guest to discuss the ⁠'Ted Cruz v. Tucker Carlson' ⁠dust-up over Cruz' limp grasp on scripture he believes commands him (and the U.S. apparently) to support Israel unequivocally. Recker and I discuss this at length, along with the use of religion as a tool of manipulation by pols like Cruz, and also religion's manipulation of politicians like Cruz, too. I also asked, is Trump using religion to manipulate Republicans or is he the one being manipulated by religion? ------ Trump-era D.E.I. rollbacks aside, 'Juneteenth' is today, but corporate backing has - as with the case with June Pride month - retreated a bit. Georgia Recorder's ⁠Amber Rolden spoke with an Atlanta couple ⁠who go all-out decorating their home for the holiday. For many, it just means more than July 4th does, and that's understandable. ------ ⁠The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care⁠ for minors, assuredly keeping intact Georgia's similar ban. ------ The chilling treatment of Spanish-speaking journalist Mario Guevara by local law enforcement, essentially ginning up charges that led to his being ⁠detained for (and taken away by) I.C.E.⁠ is troubling - f⁠or all foreign correspondents⁠, you'd think. Of course, now ⁠Gwinnett County authorities today chose to pile on with some equally questionable charges⁠. Suddenly we're on our way to becoming North Korea with foreign journalists.

⁠Brian Recker⁠, a former Marine, former evangelical pastor, current theologian, speaker and writer, has developed a ⁠healthy social media following⁠ and solid presence ⁠on Substack⁠. His focus? Deconstructing his faith to find a more inclusive spirituality - which often runs afoul of today's right-wing aligned American evangelical movement. He's just the kind of guest to discuss the ⁠'Ted Cruz v. Tucker Carlson' ⁠dust-up over Cruz' limp grasp on scripture he believes commands him (and the U.S. apparently) to support Israel unequivocally. Recker and I discuss this at length, along with the use of religion as a tool of manipulation by pols like Cruz, and also religion's manipulation of politicians like Cruz, too. I also asked, is Trump using religion to manipulate Republicans or is he the one being manipulated by religion? ------ Trump-era D.E.I. rollbacks aside, 'Juneteenth' is today, but corporate backing has - as with the case with June Pride month - retreated a bit. Georgia Recorder's ⁠Amber Rolden spoke with an Atlanta couple ⁠who go all-out decorating their home for the holiday. For many, it just means more than July 4th does, and that's understandable. ------ ⁠The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care⁠ for minors, assuredly keeping intact Georgia's similar ban. ------ The chilling treatment of Spanish-speaking journalist Mario Guevara by local law enforcement, essentially ginning up charges that led to his being ⁠detained for (and taken away by) I.C.E.⁠ is troubling - f⁠or all foreign correspondents⁠, you'd think. Of course, now ⁠Gwinnett County authorities today chose to pile on with some equally questionable charges⁠. Suddenly we're on our way to becoming North Korea with foreign journalists.

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Thursday, June 19, 2025 - Brian Recker on Cruz, Carlson & 'Hell Bent' American Evangelicals

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This episode was published on June 20, 2025.

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⁠Brian Recker⁠, a former Marine, former evangelical pastor, current theologian, speaker and writer, has developed a ⁠healthy social media following⁠ and solid presence ⁠on Substack⁠. His focus? Deconstructing his faith to find a more inclusive...

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