The Kayse Melone Show

Brandt Burleson worked inside the machinery connecting evangelical churches, mega-pastors, and U.S. foreign policy to support the Israeli government. In this interview, we talk about how Christian theology is used as a geopolitical tool, how American churches were targeted, and how the experience ultimately led to Brandt’s own deconstruction and loss of faith.Want to watch the video on YouTube instead? Here’s the link.Brandt’s work.His YouTube channel.Chapters.00:00 Intro02:09 Working for Israel From the United States10:40 The Manipulation Behind Christian Zionism24:24 The Sinister Link Between Religion & Politics34:52 How Deconstructing Christian Zionism Can Lead to Atheism46:11 Navigating Critical Thought Amid Religious Extremism55:41 ConclusionStay connected.Join the Kayse & Friends Discord!Subscribe on YouTube, and follow Kayse on TikTok or Instagram.Catch the full episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

Are more people leaving religion in the United States? If so, what comes next? In this episode of The Kayse Melone Show, I sit down with Hemant Mehta (The Friendly Atheist) to discuss religious switching, the decline of organized Christianity, the rise of the religiously unaffiliated, and why conservative churches are aligning more aggressively with politics.Want to watch the video on YouTube instead? Here’s the link.Hemant’s work.Hemant is the founder and editor of FriendlyAtheist.com, a Youtube creator, and co-host of the Friendly Atheist Podcast.Chapters.00:00 Intro00:50 Initial Interest in Church-State Separation05:03 The Secular, Non-Religious Community17:03 People Leaving & Switching Religions22:04 The Intertwining of Politics & Religion30:40 The Diversity & Growth of the Atheist Community35:00 Optimism in the Face of Christian NationalismStay connected.Join the Kayse & Friends Discord!Subscribe on YouTube, and follow Kayse on TikTok or Instagram.Catch the full episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

Rebuilding a meaningful life after leaving a high-control religion has unique challenges, including how to handle “truth.” In this first ever guest interview on The Kayse Melone Show, I sit down with Britt Hartley from No Nonsense Spirituality to explore the cost/benefit of truth, the rise of nihilism in secular culture, and whether meaning, identity, and well-being can truly survive without religion. We cover what most Exchristians struggle with, what most Atheists struggle with, and everything in between.Want to watch the video on YouTube instead? Here’s the link.Britt’s work.Britt Hartley is a certified atheist spiritual director with a Master’s in Theology focusing on the future of American religion.Find Britt Hartley on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Purchase her book, No Nonsense Spirituality, here. Browse her resources here, including her new Nihilism Course. Chapters.00:00 Intro04:59 What Most Exchristians Struggle With09:44 Why Women/Queer People Have Different Spiritual Needs Than Men15:36 Identity Construction After Religion22:44 The Values of Truth vs. Well-Being31:24 What Most Atheists Struggle With44:56 The Challenges of Secular Humanism51:05 Consciousness As Fundamental01:00:00 How to Think Critically01:03:00 How to Live Meaningfully01:07:00 Deconstructing Jesus01:19:00 Reclaim Your Inner LifeStay connected.Join the Kayse & Friends Discord!Subscribe on YouTube, and follow Kayse on TikTok or Instagram.Catch the full episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

It’s the 1-year anniversary of my work as an “online atheist.” Let’s talk about it.Want to watch the video on YouTube instead? Here’s the link.Chapters.00:00 Intro02:42 The Atheist Identity04:52 Constantly Talking About What’s Wrong With Christianity08:19 The Value of “Being Right”12:03 The First Guest on the Show!Stay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Join the Kayse & Friends Discord!Subscribe on YouTube, and follow Kayse on TikTok or Instagram.Catch the full episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

Religion is always a tool of empire. In the West, we’re told to defend our “Judeo-Christian Values” at all costs. Let’s talk about how that has been an intentionally manipulated narrative.The article I reference is called “The ‘Christianization’ of Israel and Jews in 1950s America’ by Michelle Mart. Want to watch the video on YouTube instead? Here’s the link.Chapters.00:00 Intro01:38 How Christian Theology Is Harmful05:50 The Cold War & The Judeo-Christian Narrative08:25 The Problems With “Judeo-Christian” Values11:16 The Establishment of Israel13:12 Where Our Sense of Morality Comes From17:00 ConclusionStay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Join the Kayse & Friends Discord!Subscribe on YouTube, and follow Kayse on TikTok or Instagram.Catch the full episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

I recently was featured on a show where I, an atheist, got a Christian to agree with me. Let’s talk about it.Want to watch the video on YouTube instead? Here’s the link.The Dr. Daf Show in question.Get your own Spiritual Atheist Playbook here.Chapters.00:00 Intro00:47 My Invitation to the Dr. Daf Show05:37 Opening Statements: Christian vs. Atheist14:48 Personal “Supernatural” Experiences19:01 How the Christians & Atheists Behaved23:32 Personal Transformations27:48 The Final Agreement31:29 Last ReflectionsStay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Join the Kayse & Friends Discord!Subscribe on YouTube, and follow Kayse on TikTok or Instagram.Catch the full episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

Research shows that people in the United States are walking away from religion - especially the one they were raised in - more than ever before. My question is: now what?In this episode of The Kayse Melone Show, we’ll take a look at why I think people are walking away from their childhood faith, what we can expect from the year 2026, and what we should do about all of this in general. Want to watch the video on YouTube instead? Here’s the link.Get your own Spiritual Atheist Playbook here. Chapters.00:00 Intro01:34 Data About Religion in the United States07:14 Hope for Younger Generations10:54 The Deconstruction Movement12:52 Exposing the Hypocrisy of Megachurches15:07 Doubling Down on Christian Nationalism15:58 More Discourse on Religion’s Place in Society18:06 The Rise of the “Spiritual Not Religious” CommunityStay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Join the Kayse & Friends Discord!Subscribe on YouTube, and follow Kayse on TikTok or Instagram.Catch the full episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

Let’s explore a question that has haunted humanity for millennia: the God question. What if the most profound answers to life’s biggest questions—purpose, morality, and even what comes after—aren’t found in ancient scriptures or divine revelations? What if the path to understanding suffering, or finding meaning, lies entirely within human experience and critical thought? In short, what if there is no god? And if there isn’t one, what does that, well, mean?Want to watch the video on YouTube instead? Here’s the link.Chapters.00:00 Intro00:40 Humans Asking Existential Questions01:18 Viktor Frankl’s Will to Meaning02:17 From Christian to Atheist02:47 What Is God?07:44 A Brief History of Ancient Atheism09:27 Atheism During the Enlightenment14:13 Whether or Not to Believe in God19:49 Morality Without God24:59 The Problem of Suffering26:30 Conclusion: Atheism & Free WillStay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Join the Kayse & Friends Discord!Subscribe on YouTube, and follow Kayse on TikTok or Instagram.Catch the full episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

Even after leaving Christianity, Christianity doesn’t automatically leave you. There are so many ways Christianity is the dominant cultural force in the United States and the western world, affecting even people who don’t adhere to it.So, In this segment of the Kayse Melone Show, we’ll explore how Christian dogma still infiltrates our daily lives — even for nonbelievers.Want to watch the video on YouTube instead? Here’s the link.Chapters.00:00 Intro01:41 What Is Dogma?04:26 The Christian Dogma of Original Sin09:17 The Christian Dogma of The Trinity15:01 The Christian Dogma of The Incarnation19:31 The Christian Dogma of The Resurrection23:15 The Christian Dogma of The Immaculate Conception26:45 The Christian Dogma of The Final Judgment29:24 Life Without DogmaStay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Join the Kayse & Friends Discord!Subscribe on YouTube, and follow Kayse on TikTok or Instagram.Catch the full episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

From Evangelical Christian to Atheist - is life really better now? So many Christians talk about how their “relationship with Jesus” amounts to their experience of a personal transformation that has essentially improved their overall quality of life. I respect that. This, however, is my story of how atheism has improved my own existence.Want to watch the video on YouTube instead? Here’s the link.Chapters.00:00 Intro02:03 My Previous Life as an Evangelical Christian04:16 Some Definitions: Deconversion & Deconstruction06:06 Why I Talk About Going From Christian to Atheist10:09 No. 1 - Critical Thinking16:15 No. 2 - Compassion23:25 No. 3 - More Meaningful Life Purpose26:49 No. 4 - The Atheist Community31:42 No. 5 - No More Anxiety About the Afterlife35:54 No. 6 - Goodbye, Internalized Patriarchy!41:47 My Final Message HereStay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Join the Kayse & Friends Discord!Subscribe on YouTube, and follow Kayse on TikTok or Instagram.Catch the full episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

I am all for calling out the harm of Christian Nationalism, but I do want to pick my battles more. Let’s talk about some upcoming changes to The Kayse Melone Show.Want to watch the video on YouTube instead? Here’s the link.Chapters.00:00 Intro02:11 About “Debating” a Christian Nationalist08:01 Will I Debate a Christian Nationalist Again?11:38 Why I’m Doing What I’m Doing17:55 Changes to The Kayse Melone ShowStay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Join the Kayse & Friends Discord!Subscribe on YouTube, and follow Kayse on TikTok or Instagram.Catch the full episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

This shouldn’t surprise you, but political indoctrination and religious indoctrination go hand-in-hand. The psychological mechanisms infused in both kinds of indoctrination are the same. Keeping people controlled, complacent, and compliant appears to take many forms throughout the ages, but there are underlying concepts that ring true in these efforts no matter what. And that’s what we’ll be talking about in this segment of The Kayse Melone Show.Want to watch the video on YouTube instead? Here’s the link.Chapters.00:00 Intro01:56 The Basics of My Religious Indoctrination05:12 The Formation of The Religious Right08:18 Civil Religion in the United States12:28 How Indoctrination Works18:03 Rebuilding After DeconstructionStay informed. Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Join the Kayse & Friends Discord!Tune in to the live broadcast every Sunday at 3pm CT on YouTube or Twitch.Follow Kayse on TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, and X.Catch the full episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

Let’s talk about how Christian Zionism is funded to the scale of billions of dollars on behalf of everyday people in the United States. Every Sunday, millions of families in this country make their way to their local church - and the majority of those churches stand behind the settler occupation of the state of Israel. No matter the cost.The money behind the powerful and harmful ideology of Christian Zionism is one of the most corrupt and immoral facets of today’s world. As the third part of my series on Christian Zionism, this segment might be the most important.Want to watch the video on YouTube instead? Here’s the link.Chapters.00:00 Intro00:45 The Basics of Christian Zionism07:12 Billionaires Who Back Christian Zionism11:38 The Organizational “Middlemen”16:19 Televangelists Who Fuel the Christian Zionist Movement20:36 How Christian Zionism Is Political32:24 Conclusion: The Violence of ChristianStay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Join the Kayse & Friends Discord!Tune in to the live broadcast every Sunday - Wednesday at 7am CT on YouTube or Twitch.Follow Kayse on TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, and X.Catch the full episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast.Donation Links for Gaza.* HEAL Palestine: a nonpolitical, nonreligious nonprofit that supports Palestinian children and families* Taawon (Welfare Association): Gaza Emergency Relief Fund* Palestine Children’s Relief Fund: provides urgent medical aid, food, and life-saving treatment to those in desperate need, including orphans and amputees Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

I will never shut up about how terrible Christian Zionism is. This is Part 2 of my 3-part series exploring the roots and results of this concept. From British imperial interests to televangelist media empires, in this segment, I trace how Christian Zionism jumped from the pages of the Bible to the halls of Congress.Christian Zionism is fueling United States foreign policy, shaping public opinion, and justifying genocide in real time. This segment is a no-holds-barred look at how Christian mythology became a geopolitical weapon, and why it’s still one of the most dangerous belief systems in America today.Want to watch the video on YouTube instead? Here’s the link.Chapters.00:00 Intro02:09 A Brief Summary of Christian Zionism, Part 109:36 The Balfour Declaration of 191714:10 Christian Zionism in American Evangelical Christianity28:09 Conclusion: The Dangers of Christian ZionismStay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Join the Kayse & Friends Discord!Tune in to the live broadcast every Sunday - Wednesday at 7am CT on YouTube or Twitch.Follow Kayse on TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, and X.Catch the full episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast.Donation Links for Gaza.* HEAL Palestine: a nonpolitical, nonreligious nonprofit that supports Palestinian children and families* Taawon (Welfare Association): Gaza Emergency Relief Fund* Palestine Children’s Relief Fund: provides urgent medical aid, food, and life-saving treatment to those in desperate need, including orphans and amputees Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

Christian Zionism is the most harmful belief in the United States. After growing up indoctrinated in the Evangelical Christian church, I can promise you that the depths of this insidious ideology go much deeper than you think.As someone who was raised to call myself a Zionist as a child, I’m pulling back the curtain on this theological and political movement to trace its roots all the way from the Protestant Reformation in Europe to the modern-day genocide still happening in Palestine. If you were taught to “stand with Israel,” this is the history lesson you were never meant to hear.Want to watch the video on YouTube instead? Here’s the link.Chapters.00:00 Intro: Christian Zionism Explained02:10 Some Basics Before Exploring Christian Zionism04:56 Origins of Christianity in Relation to Judaism10:13 A More Complex Definition of Christian Zionism16:56 Origins of Christians Zionism29:55 Dispensationalism & John Nelson DarbyStay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Join the Kayse & Friends Discord!Tune in to the live broadcast every Sunday - Wednesday at 7am CT on YouTube or Twitch.Follow Kayse on TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, and X.Catch the full episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

Christianity has primed millions of Americans to not just accept the rise of fascism in this country, but to openly embrace it - whether they realize it or not.The Christian Nationalist movement grows in power every single day. What might have started out as a more fringe belief system is now a full-blown attempt at an authoritarian theocracy. But this isn’t about religion or faith at all. It’s about power in the hands of a few people at the top. Who honestly might not even believe in the Christian mythology - but, they do know how to wield this religious institution in their favor.Let’s talk about the Christian Nationalism to Fascism pipeline.Want to watch the video on YouTube instead? Here’s the link.Chapters.00:00 Intro: The Christian Nationalism to Fascism Pipeline02:03 What Is Christian Nationalism?09:45 Why Christian Nationalism Is So Successful13:32 The Roots of the Christian Nationalist Movement in the United States18:59 What It Means to Be a “Moral Christian American”29:11 The Authoritarian Personality33:59 The Real Dangers of Christian NationalismStay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Join the Kayse & Friends Discord!Tune in to the live broadcast every Sunday - Wednesday at 7am CT on YouTube or Twitch.Follow Kayse on TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, and X.Catch the full episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

We’ve been sold a lie: that “Western Civilization” is the pinnacle of human progress, reason, and morality. But that’s propaganda talking.I spent the first 21 years of my life fully indoctrinated in Christian Conservatism, which I now realize is the cultural foundation for the empire that is the United States. Deconstructing Christianity and colonization is a never-ending journey, but we all have to start somewhere because we all have a part to play in building a better, more equitable future.And that’s gonna have to start with debunking the idea that we were ever the supreme civilization in the first place.Want to watch the video on YouTube instead? Here’s the link.Chapters.00:00 Intro00:48 What We’re Told About Western Civilization03:19 Global History Western Society Doesn’t Want You to Know10:53 Christianity & Western Society Are NOT the Sole Contributors to Science26:08 How Christianity Is the Tool of EmpireStay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Join the Kayse & Friends Discord!Tune in to the live broadcast every Sunday - Wednesday at 7am CT on YouTube or Twitch.Follow Kayse on TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, and X.Catch the full episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

We often hear that Western Civilization was built upon Christian morality, but is that actually a good thing? In fact, is that actually a real thing?I would argue that no, Christian morality is not as set-in-stone as the religious leaders in power would like their everyday congregation members to believe. To go further, I think the idea of Christian morality is used by the leaders in this country to falsely justify discrimination, violence, and now, involvement in yet another destabilizing war in the Middle East. Let’s talk about it.Want to watch the video on YouTube instead? Here’s the link.Chapters.00:00 Intro01:29 The Basics of the Myth Behind “Christian Morality”05:04 The Evolution & Mutability of Christian Morality10:26 Why I Don’t Focus on Islamic Religious Fundamentalism15:29 Christianity, Colonialism, Calvinism, Capitalism24:31 Roe v. Wade, Racial Segregation, and the Rise of the Religious Right32:26 The Role the Media Plays in Moral Outrage38:03 Where to Go From HereStay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Join the Kayse & Friends Discord!Tune in to the live broadcast every Sunday - Wednesday at 7am CT on YouTube or Twitch.Follow Kayse on TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, and X.Catch the full episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

I grew up indoctrinated in the Evangelical Christian church, but 12 years ago, I walked away. The journey since then has been both challenging and rewarding. In this episode of The Kayse Melone Show, I talk about the best and worst parts of that journey leaving the Christian faith.Want to watch the video on YouTube instead? Here’s the link.Chapters.00:21 Intro01:00 Growing Up in the Evangelical Christian Church04:37 Believing in the Second Coming of Jesus06:34 Realizing I Was Taught History Wrong11:33 Christian Zionism: The Worst Part of Evangelical Christianity17:51 Loss of the Christian Community20:12 Old Friends Deconstructing Christianity26:16 Freedom Outside of Evangelical ChristianityStay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Join the Kayse & Friends Discord!Tune in to the (mostly) daily live show at 7am CT on YouTube or Twitch.Follow Kayse on TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, and X.Catch the full episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

I grew up indoctrinated in an evangelical fundamentalist christian megachurch. So how did I escape?The more I learn about how the evangelical christian church in the United States operates, the more I commend myself and others for getting the hell out of there. But the reality is, it wasn’t easy. It took a lot of courage, curiosity, and most importantly, critical thinking. And not everyone has the mental bandwidth, or even the time, to seriously challenge the belief systems they’ve been taught since birth.It is possible, though, and that’s what I want to talk about in this episode of The Kayse Melone Show.Want to watch the video on YouTube instead? Here’s the link.Chapters.00:40 Intro02:42 Evangelical Christianity Shapes Your Entire Personal Identity05:15 Why I Talk About Both Politics & Religion09:51 Leaving Evangelical Christianity: Hard, But Worth It15:41 The Christian Church in the United States Is a Political Machine20:23 Why & How to Leave the Evangelical Christian ChurchStay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Tune in to the daily live show at 7am CST on YouTube or Twitch.Follow Kayse on TikTok, Instagram, and Bluesky.Catch the full episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

When I was in grade school, I was taught that liberals were my enemy, God will send these nonbelievers to hell, and how it was up to me to ensure that the Democratic party failed in everything it attempted.Because I wasn’t just raised in a church. I was indoctrinated into Christian Conservatism. And I was one of the fortunate ones who were able to eventually walk away from it.But this isn’t just about my story. We’re gonna talk about how these religious values uphold authoritarianism in plain sight. This is The Kayse Melone Show.Want to watch the video on YouTube instead? Here’s the link.Chapters.00:39 Intro02:38 Christian Conservatives Are Distracted By a Manufactured Culture War08:53 Being Raised as a Christian Conservative12:53 Understanding Religious Indoctrination17:46 A Note on White Evangelical Christianity20:44 The Prosperity Gospel & Christian Capitalism24:23 Critiquing Christianity, Not the Christian27:21 How Organized Religion Is a Tool of AuthoritarianismStay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Tune in to the daily live show at 7am CST on YouTube or Twitch.Follow Kayse on TikTok, Instagram, and Bluesky.Catch the full episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast.Other Links.* PEW Research Study Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

Not only was I raised in an Evangelical Christian church, I was specifically involved in a megachurch. And that’s what I want to talk about in this episode of The Kayse Melone Show. Want to watch the video on YouTube instead? Here’s the link.Chapters.00:16 Intro03:11 Nondenominational Evangelical Fundamentalist Christian Church07:49 The Production of Praise & Worship14:16 The Corporatization of Christian Megachurches24:14 Youth Group At a Megachurch31:25 The Nature of Evangelism37:38 The Good Parts of My Evangelical Christian Upbringing45:31 My Message to Current Evangelical ChristiansStay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Tune in to the daily live show at 7am CST on YouTube or Twitch.Follow Kayse on TikTok, Instagram, and Bluesky.Catch the full episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

Growing up in the Evangelical Christian church meant every Easter was a time to celebrate Jesus Christ and his supposed resurrection. But where did Easter symbolism come from? How has Christianity borrowed from the ancient worship of female fertility goddesses? And what are the consequences therein?Want to watch the video on YouTube instead? Here’s the link.Chapters.00:29 Intro01:03 Growing Up in the Evangelical Christian Church04:09 Happy Easter From an Atheist!08:00 The Roots of the Easter Holiday & the Worship of Fertility Goddesses12:49 How Patriarchy Took Over Religion & Rebranded Spirituality24:52 The Consequences of Erasing Goddess WorshipStay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Tune in to the daily live show at 7am CST on YouTube or Twitch. Follow Kayse on TikTok, Instagram, and Bluesky.Catch the full episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast.Other links.* How Goddess Worship Was Suppressed To Give Rise to Patriarchy Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

I was raised to be a Christian Zionist, believing that the statehood of Israel was worth any cost. And for people who weren’t raised in the Evangelical Christian church, the depth of this belief system might be hard to understand.Have you ever heard of the rapture or the biblical Armageddon? Further, why are so many Christians obsessed with their theology’s Armageddon, to the point they’d do anything to bring it about? And what does all of this have to do with the Middle East?That’s what we’ll be covering in this episode of The Kayse Melone Show.Want to watch the YouTube video instead? Here’s the link.Chapters.00:37 Intro 04:25 The Book of Revelations & Christianity’s Obsessions With Armageddon12:48 Failed Predictions of the Rapture17:52 Why Evangelical Christianity Wants Armageddon & the Results Thereof23:30 How All of This Leads to Christian Zionism34:42 The Active Genocide of Palestinians41:18 How Christianity in the United States Is Used to Fuel a GenocideStay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Follow on TikTok, Instagram, and Bluesky.Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast.Other links.* PEW Research* Wikipedia Page of Apocalypse Predictions* Balfour Declaration* 33% of Population Given 55% of Land* 1948 in Palestine* Illegality of Israel’s West Bank Settlements* 90% of 2.3 Million Palestinians* Operation Protective Edge* The United States Military Assistance to Israel Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

I was raised deep in the belly of the Evangelical Fundamentalist Christian Church. Which, from top to bottom, also held to an unavoidably conservative political ideology. According to the level of indoctrination I received, statistically, I should’ve stayed in that cult-like environment forever. So... how did I get out?With Donald Trump in the Oval Office AGAIN, many left-leaning progressives throughout the country are wondering: how on earth did this happen?How are so many people fooled by the false claims of the Christian Nationalists in control of our government? How can we move toward a pluralist, humanist, secular society where everyone has a seat at the table? And more importantly, what can we do to encourage the everyday Christian Conservatives to be more skeptical about the claims of this current United States administration - and about the reality we actually live in?That’s what we’ll be talking about in this episode of The Kayse Melone Show.Edit: I have no idea why I said Obama represented Delaware. He was from Illinois. Want to watch the YouTube video instead? Here’s the link.Chapters.00:59 Intro02:27 Growing Up in the Christian Church15:45 Dealing With Everyday Christian Conservatives21:14 How Politics and Religion Were Inseparable in My Christian Upbringing29:28 When My Skepticism Brought Me Out of the Christian Cult35:35 Why Religion & Social Conservatism Go Hand-in-Hand38:49 Christianity & Capitalism44:16 My Radicalization As an Atheist LeftistStay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Follow on TikTok, Instagram, and Bluesky.Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

Can you really live the “good life” if you don’t believe in God? Can you be a good person if you’re an atheist? And what does it mean to believe in a better society when you also believe that morality is relative?Humankind is thousands of years old. In that time we’ve invented the wheel, steam engines, social media, the IRS, and of course, religion. But with statistics showing that so many people are walking away from the faith-based communities they were raised in, what’s next for the unbelievers? How can we participate in a society that doesn’t revolve around a belief in the supernatural?That’s what we’ll be covering in this episode of The Kayse Melone Show.Want to watch the YouTube video instead? Here’s the link.Chapters.01:07 Intro03:29 What is Christian Nationalism?07:16 The Modern Meaning Crisis15:11 Late-Stage Capitalism & Consumerism23:12 How Men vs. Women Approach the Meaning Crisis33:39 When Politics Becomes Religious in Nature45:31 The Role of Fear in Christian Nationalism51:21 Christian Nationalism Harms Christians, TooStay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Follow on TikTok, Instagram, and Bluesky.Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

There’s a lot going on in the world right now - it seems like every day there’s another headline. And on top of that, everyone has their own personal belief system that influences how they perceive everything that’s going on.So, why do I call myself a spiritual atheist? Why does that matter? And why am I having conversations about religion and politics?That’s what I’ll be talking about in this episode of The Kayse Melone Show.Want to watch the YouTube video instead? Here’s the link.Chapters.00:29 Intro03:44 My Background: Deconstructing From Evangelical Fundamentalist Christianity13:42 Finally Calling Myself an Atheist19:24 We Can Build a Better Society26:56 How Atheism Grounds Me in Reality31:07 Why I Still Call Myself Spiritual44:30 What’s Next for Spirituality and Religion?Stay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Follow on TikTok, Instagram, and Bluesky.Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

What happens when patriotism becomes religious in nature?Christian Nationalism is a movement promoting that the United States is a country founded by and for Christians. And in most cases, this means straight white Christians. No pluralism, no diversity.At the same time, though, the country is also in the middle of a modern Meaning Crisis, and we’re struggling. Existentialism and nihilism are on the rise, with mental health issues getting worse every day. As a response, it makes sense that many people have unwittingly turned to the political sphere for a sense of purpose. Now more than ever, political identity has become directly intertwined with personal and religious identity.And the worst part? The ultra-rich who are in power are using the religious devotion of the Christian communities to consolidate money, influence, and power - at the expense of everyone. Including those Christian communities who supported them in the first place.And that’s what we’ll talk more about in this episode of The Kayse Melone Show.Want to watch the YouTube video instead? Here’s the link.Chapters. 01:07 Intro 03:29 What is Christian Nationalism? 07:16 The Modern Meaning Crisis 15:11 Late-Stage Capitalism & Consumerism 23:12 How Men vs. Women Approach the Meaning Crisis 33:39 When Politics Becomes Religious in Nature 45:31 The Role of Fear in Christian Nationalism 51:21 Christian Nationalism Harms Christians, TooStay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Follow on TikTok, Instagram, and Bluesky.Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast.Other links.* Declining Christian Affiliation: here & here* Personal Development Industry* Worldwide Work Hours* Self-Identified Christian Nationalists* Americans who believe in a Christian nation Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

Have you ever felt like life was just a video game? What about religion - do you think that it’s just a game reinforcing eternal rewards and punishment to the winners and losers? That’s what we’ll be talking about in this episode of The Kayse Melone Show. We’ll look at how religion uses game mechanics to shape belief and behavior, how purity culture functions like a moral points system, and why Christian Nationalism has been able to take hold in the United States using these same tactics. And of course, we’ll talk about what happens when you stop playing the game altogether. Want to watch the YouTube video instead? Here’s the link.Get your copy of Playing With Reality by Kelly Clancy from an independent bookseller.Stay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Follow on TikTok, Instagram, and Bluesky.Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

Do you believe in God?This is perhaps the most important question a human can ask or answer. It goes hand in hand with other important questions like: If a God does exist, do they care about the daily lives of humans? What does the idea of God even mean? And what happens after we die?These are the major questions that ultimately led me on my deconstruction journey from being a full-fledged Evangelical Fundamentalist Christian all the way to what I would call a Spiritual Agnostic Atheist.And that’s what this episode of The Kayse Melone Show is going to explore.We’ll talk about why suffering exists, why the word “God” is too outdated, and what secular spirituality can mean for the future of humanity.Want to watch the YouTube video instead? Here’s the link.Want to watch the previous episode, “Why I Left Christianity: A Deconstruction Origin Story”? Here’s the link.Stay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Follow on TikTok, Instagram, and Bluesky.Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

I grew up fully indoctrinated in the Evangelical Christian church. And 12 years ago, I finally walked away from the faith.But why did I? What did that look like?That’s what this episode of The Kayse Melone Show will explore.We’ll talk about what the Prosperity Gospel is, we’ll talk about how personal identity is intertwined with religious identity, and we’ll talk about what comes after Deconstruction from a high-demand religion like Evangelical Fundamentalist Christianity.Want to watch the YouTube video instead? Here’s the link.Stay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Follow on TikTok, Instagram, and Bluesky.Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast. Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

An act of creativity is, by definition, an act of defiance against the current reality. Is it possible for a single song to spark a revolution? Can a novel written decades ago still inspire us to believe in a better future? And what happens when a Superbowl halftime show challenges the status quo?Artists have long used their work to inspire real societal change, often in the face of a political regime determined to suppress their creativity.Because an act of creativity is, by nature, a rebellion. And bringing something new into the world, something that defies the existing systems of power, oppression, or injustice - that is what this episode of The Kayse Melone Show is about.In this episode, we’ll talk about Kendrick Lamar’s recent Superbowl halftime show, as well as 5 other artists whose work challenged the establishment and inspired the rest of us to believe in something better than authoritarianism or injustice. This is the Art of Resistance.Want to watch the YouTube video instead? Here’s the link.Stay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Follow on TikTok, Instagram, and Bluesky.Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast.Other links.* Kendrick Lamar’s 2018 Pulitzer Prize in Music* Gil Scott-Heron’s “Revolution Will Not Be Televised”* Banksy’s Anonymity * Nina Simone’s “Mississippi Goddam”* Pietro di Donato’s Christ in Concrete (via an independent bookseller)* Nadya Tolokonnikova’s 2023 Ted Talk* Trans Population in the United States* Library of Congress about the Stonewall Uprising* Dan Savage’s Quote Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe

Christian Nationalism is not about faith; it’s about power. What do atonement rituals (which humans have performed in every culture we’ve designed), religious salvation (which the church has historically weaponized to consolidate control over its followers), and the culminating movement of Christian Nationalism in the United States all have in common?In short, the rise of Donald Trump. Welcome to the first episode of The Kayse Melone Show - and happy 33rd birthday to me! I’m so excited to share this with you, so please do let me know what you think. Want to watch the YouTube video instead? Here’s the link.Stay informed.Never miss The Kayse Melone Show.Follow on TikTok, Instagram, and Bluesky.Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast.Other links.* NPR* PBS Get full access to Sense of Thought at kaysemelone.substack.com/subscribe