The Dismantling Doctrine Podcast

#TexasTaliban: Inside the Texas Abortion Law (with Peter Montgomery)

This week's episode couldn't be more timely--discussing the draconian and hugely controversial Texas abortion law, Senate Bill 8 (SB8).
Now that it is finally being argued at the Supreme Court, we have to ask: will the Christian  dominionists who have played the long game in terms of appointing conservative and anti-abortion judges finally succeed in overturning Roe v Wade? This has been their strategy and they have been working at this for literally decades.
That Texas even attempted to pass this law in 2021 is merely testament to not only the 3 conservative judges appointed during the Trump era--with the assistance of the Christian Right--it is a landmark case that is highly unconstitutional and threatens the rights of not just women, but the LGBTQ community also.
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Bonus Episode: Divorcing Religion Workshop (with Janice Selbie)

This special bonus episode features a conversation with my very good friend, Religious Recovery Consultant Janice Selbie!
Starting the 7th of November, she is running another one of her amazing "Divorcing Religion" workshops. We've talked about this before but I wanted to touch base with Janice to give her a chance not only to promote the workshop, but to explain why such a thing is so needed for those of us who have left religion or high-control groups behind.
In addition to this chat, we also get into CORT 2022--the Conference on Religious Trauma she is putting together for next year. Stay tuned for more information about this excellent conference as well!
 
For more information about the Divorcing Religion, click https://www.divorcing-religion.com/
 
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Bonus Episode: Is Evangelicalism a Cult? Dr Robert Jay Lifton‘s 8 Markers of Cults

This bonus episode is something I've wanted to do for a long time--compare evangelicalism with cult psychology and tactics. I've done a lot of research and reading on this subject, and have reflected on both my own experiences as a former evangelical, as well as that of a great many others. 
In this episode, I draw primarily on the work of Dr Robert Jay Lifton's seminal 1961 work, Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism. I also make use of his 1991 article entitled "Cult Formation" to go through not only his 8 markers of cults, but to compare them both to evangelical churches as well as more well-established cults. 
As part of your recovery and rebuilding, post-cult or post-religion, it is my hope that this bonus episode will assist you in terms of education as well as unpacking the psychology behind it all.
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Inside the Dominionist Agenda of The Family (with Jonathan Larsen)

This week's guest is Jonathan Larsen, managing editor over at The Young Turks (TYT) Network. 
Ever since he and his colleagues obtained the formerly-secret invitation list to the yearly National Prayer Breakfast that The Family--otherwise known as "The Fellowship Foundation"--wanted desperately to keep a secret, Jonathan has been doing some great investigative reporting on this uber-secretive, dominionist Christian organization.
First reported on by Jeff Sharlet in his book, and later Netflix series "The Family," this clandestine evangelical organization has been actively working the corridors of power worldwide for decades, building relationships and seeking out "key men" to win to Christ--in the hopes that they will influence their nations and spheres of influence for the Kingdom of God. 
Find out more by listening in!
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Bonus Episode: How Religion Affects Our Mental Health (with Rachel Bernstein)

In this special bonus episode, which I've long been promising is indeed coming, I was able to interview therapist Rachel Bernstein of the IndoctriNation Podcast.
This is actually Part 2 of two episodes we did--for the first half of the chat, you'll have to head over to the IndoctriNation podcast to catch Part 1. There, we discussed my backstory in evangelicalism, my deconstruction, and the journey to rebuild since leaving Christianity behind.
In this episode, we focus specifically on the important question: how does religion affect people's mental health? What resources are available for those of us who have left it behind, and now need to reconstruct our lives from the ground up?
I hope you will find this conversation with Rachel both enlightening and educational.
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Evil Geniuses: Explaining America‘s Vast Wealth Inequality (with Kurt Andersen)

Kurt Andersen is a returning guest, this time to talk about his sequel to Fantasyland, which is his excellent and thought-provoking work, Evil Geniuses: The Unmaking of America--A Recent History.
How exactly does it function as a sequel to Fantasyland? In this followup book, Kurt reveals that the vast wealth and income inequality in America was not by accident, but by design--the work of the "evil geniuses" he identifies in the book. And not only did the evil geniuses succeed, the "fantasy-industrial complex" he identified in Fantasyland is hard at work, providing a distraction for all the poor workers who have been screwed out of what should have been rightfully theirs.
For more information on Kurt, his writings and podcasts, check out his website. 
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A Conversation with Seth Andrews, Host of The Thinking Atheist

For those two or three people who are unaware of who Seth Andrews is, all we have to say is "The Thinking Atheist" and you'll understand everything.
Seth and I had a fantastic conversation recently in which we discussed his backstory, his views on being a former "Fox News Christian," dominion theology and the recent Texas abortion law, and more. In this wide-ranging conversation, we covered a lot of ground and had an amazing time doing so. I am certain you'll enjoy spending an hour or so with Seth, the host of The Thinking Atheist.
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Bonus Episode: Ten Things Christians Wish Jesus Hadn‘t Taught (with Dr David Madison)

In this special bonus episode, I'm welcoming back returning guest Dr David Madison, who was on the podcast several years ago.
Our mutual friend Tim Sledge suggested I interview him about his new book, Ten Things Christians Wish Jesus Hadn't Taught. This very readable book--designed to be read through easily in one sitting--is aimed primarily at Christians who are open to questioning their faith, and potentially dialoguing with others about some of the questions, doubts, and cognitive dissonance they may have been harboring, but were afraid to admit.
Available now on Amazon--click the link here to purchase this excellent resource!
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Taking Dominion: Inside the Christian Homeschooling Bubble (with Ryan Stollar)

This episode features author and activist Ryan Stollar, who grew up in the Christian homeschooling bubble, but has since become a staunch advocate for those who unfortunately suffered a great many abuses within that system.
A former editor and author at the now-archived Homeschoolers Anonymous blog for several years, Ryan has since branched out and is currently doing a lot of writing--including working on two books at the moment. He is still very active within the former homeschooling community, and is very active on social media with support groups for survivors.
This episode reveals much about the backstory of how Christian homeschooling not only started, but what some of the major leaders within the movement are up to currently--including expanding their vision worldwide.
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Bonus Episode - The Mars Hill Legacy: Mark Driscoll's Toxic Cult of Personality (with Dr Warren Throckmorton)

This special bonus episode features returning guest, Dr Warren Throckmorton. Though he identifies as a Christian himself, Dr Throckmorton has long been an outspoken activist and blogger for what he clearly sees as abuses within evangelicalism.
In the current Christianity Today podcast series on the collapse of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, and Mark Driscoll's role in it, his name comes up--as he was one of the early voices to speak out against the problems inherent within Mars Hill.
Not only do we discuss the Mars Hill saga, and its ultimate implosion, we also delve into the concept that Driscoll, in many ways, fits a classic ego-driven cult leader--and his current church in Scottsdale, AZ, features even more disturbing elements of cult psychology and high-control groups.
For more information you can visit Warren's blog at this link. 
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