Jesus & John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith & Fractured a Nation - Kristin Du Mez

[@davidmcgee7517]

I am a Christian, born in Kentucky and lived in St Louis for 18 years. I moved to Tennessee 3 years ago and have not really found a church that is not radical in the beliefs that Du Mez talks about. I grew up evangelical, but it has changed. I think that Du Mez’ thesis makes sense. At least I can use it to explain what I see at my church. I’ve been asking where Love has gone? There is just bitterness and fear.

[@juliachildress2943]

You might try a mainline church such as Methodist or Presbyterian. I switched from my Southern Baptist church affiliation decades ago and found a spiritual home in a wonderful Methodist church. Plenty of focus on Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Kingdom of God along with plenty of emphasis on loving and serving our neighbor and caring for God's good creation.

[@gary100dm]

Why not Humanism?

[@sunnyhill5119]

Im originally from Tennessee. I live in Nevada presently. I have had a hard time finding a church family. The last 3 churches that I considered my church, failed me....they were more concerned with money than soul-saving. So now I wait patiently for the Lord to send me to the church where he wants me. In the meantime I listen to sermons on tv and the internet...on youtube. On KZbin I can download sermons from decades ago from reknowned pastors. G.E. Patterson. Billy Graham. And so many more. Stay prayed up and may the Lord continue to bless you. And please pray for the church...too many have become corrupted and are headed by false prophets who are in it for the money and their own glorification. Its truly sickening nowadays that so many churches are following the world and not the other way around. 🙏

[@bkstandard882]

And racism. Don't forget that

[@HopeWins777]

Where has love gone? I have been wondering the same. I have been out of organized church because of Life difficulties and just walking solo with personal relationships. I think I'm glad I missed the change that has overwhelmed at the church! I can see now how the church ends up being judged as lukewarm and repugnant. As a new Christian in the 80s I used to wonder how that could ever happen if you were going to church every week. But now I see the rationale for the warnings because the world has definitely infiltrated the church. But that in itself has its own spiritual wisdom because it causes us to scatter individually and seek like-minded truth. I have no desire to go back into the body that Embraces fear over faith to the point that they refuse to wear masks and practice hygiene trying to refute fear instead of embracing and celebrating the science that God has left for us to discover. Ignoring the healthy reverential fear of infecting loved ones and fellow man with some terrible unseen enemy. Right now today 300 people a day are dying of covid versus the 100 of flu. Refusing to be afraid is killing a whole lot of people.

[@DigitalEelRich]

Excellent. Answered a lot of questions I've had. Will pick up the book. Noticed it's on Audible as well.

[@trilithon108]

Like your fast, fluid way of talking. Makes for easy listening and comprehending.

[@ellisonpearson3387]

I really appreciate how she credits her students for passing on knowledge and shaping her research.

[@stregalilith]

Fifty years ago at the Oscars when Marlon Brando won the Oscar for The Godfather, he sent Sasheen Littlefeather, a young Native American woman to respectfully decline the honor on his behalf because of the racist way Native Americans were portrayed onscreen. John Wayne--the real John Wayne, the actor--had to be restrained by SIX security guys to keep him from dragging her offstage. Yesterday the Academy apologized to her for all the hazing and abuse she has received over the past fifty years. That was John Wayne.

[@johntobey1558]

Demonic forces often resist the truth.

[@lharris4118]

John Wayne was self admitted white supremacist and so are most of the so called white evangelicals

[@johntobey1558]

What about Myles Stamdish amd Cotton Mather in Massachusetts Bay Colony, what type of masculinity did they model?

[@sianpearson9927]

She is spot on.

[@markhaney2884]

Another good book , "Myth of a Christian Nation" by Greg Boyd

[@HopeWins777]

wooow. im NOT NUTSO. and I've been wasting my breath for the last five years maybe but at least I better understand the reception or should I say rejection of my heartfelt call for friends and neighbors to return to their first love and the 2 greatest commands straight from Jesus.. I think I'm on the wave 10 years late ...like usual LOL. Thank you for this post!

[@healinghumanity1782]

Why did millions of Evangelical Christians in 2016 allow a wolf to become the shepherd of the flock & surrender the fate of the American people to the mercy of the malicious?

[@lharris4118]

He is exactly the type of leader they have been calling for. Go read the book Jesus and John Wayne

[@delmarsimpson25]

Goes further than John wayne .Jesus didn't have blue eyes brown hair..medieval Jesus had black hair and a darker complexion

[@lharris4118]

@@delmarsimpson25That's not their Jesus and not the one they were selling to the American People

[@davidknox5929]

Masterful analysis.

[@frankcostello2973]

I am a Christian but understand there is a reason for the separation of Church and state, otherwise, there will be corruption

[@BronzeSista]

Some churches are holding hands with politicians instead of holding hands with the Lord. These churches are weak.

[@lharris4118]

​@@BronzeSista Exactly 💯

[@gary100dm]

The Crusades and Constantine? Excellent question.

[@fredsimmons2793]

Susan Faladi wrote a book along these lines of militaristic masculinity/ religion,and how wars and hard times afford this spirit to manifest it worst impulses!The cowboy concept was conceptualized and established by the Catholic Jesuits to form this conditioning tool to carry out their aims!The issues of homosexuality and abortion was called" below the belt issues" by evangelicals as Kristin said was used to bring religion into politics to gain power by any means possible, with the ultimate aim of establishing a thousand year christain rule on this earth, and in the process purge sinners from off the earth!

[@angrybadger100]

Wonderful lecture!

[@WWZenaDo]

Replace that blasted lamp! It has a short circuit in it.

[@rosellipara6119]

She is awesome! Thanks so much!

[@dermottmcsorley8641]

Making a deal with the devil has generally held to be a bad idea.

[@John-mu2js]

Apparently not to Christians

[@johntobey1558]

Praise God for the NAE!

[@filrabat1965]

Imagine that a time traveler from forty years future came to you. She then tells you that a certain nation, feeling threatened on both foreign and domestic fronts, will resort to hypermilitarizing their populace. They will propagandize their culture, including the smallest of children, that strength and self-defense ability are the main measure of a nation's greatness. Because of threats at home and abroad to their way of life, they also say hyper-masculinity plus hyper-"strong woman" social values were the only way to secure their culture and freedom. They do this by forcing schools abandon traditional PE and have hand-to-hand combat training it its place. They also propagandize through the media that even the greatest intellect is useless if they can't defend themselves. To this end, they also believe that the most fiercely cutthroat competition was the best way to raise the quality of their nation's people. They even amend their constitution's right to vote so that the right is based on being able to benchpress maxout a certain % of body weight (as appropriate for males and females), be able to run 1000 meters within a certain amount of time, and be able to hit the bullseye with a rifle a certain % of the time from 100 meters away. Which nation do you think is most likely to adopt such practices over the next forty years? Then she asks to guess which nation will do so?

[@gary100dm]

I don't think Jesus the Nazarene would identify with any of this. What happened?

[@pwhales264]

How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith & Fractured a Nation ? Have You ever heard about the so called 'christians called the Ku Klux Klan. White Christians are some of the most hateful and racist people on the face of earth.

[@grahamrikihana4656]

Seems that the Evangelicals are no better than than the Teleban.

[@lharris4118]

Basically

[@chrisrubiano3948]

As a non-evangelical, Floridian who is witnessing what is happening in Florida with Ron Desantis and the changes that are being made in the department of education and some higher education institutions, I am understanding the historical views of white Christians. In Florida from the banning of books in classroom to the rejection of the AP course of African American studies, it is without a doubt that Desantis is trying to bring these white Christian ideas to the secular, public schools. It is very concerning that this is happening in schools and colleges across FL. Thank you for the research and the explanation of these historical events.

[@johntobey1558]

Perhaps Evangelicals favorite heroes should be Abolitionists like Jonathan Blanchsrd who founded Wheaton College ( Wheaton. , Illinois)

[@louisesumrell6331]

I grew up what I call, "casually atheist", meaning that my dad taught us, by example, not instruction, that religion, of any kind, was nonsense and not worth notice. We should play along for work and family, but "Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see, at best." After drinking alcoholically for 45 years,(for a different and very specific reason), I got sober with AA and Zen Buddhism. I still think that Abrahamic religions are the root of most evil in the world. Did you know that Abraham was an Akkadian, and "the god of Abraham" was the god of war from the Akkadian pantheon of gods?

[@johntobey1558]

Evangelicals voted for Jimmy Carter in the 1970's. Did theor language, " justify" theor choices at the ballot box then?

[@wisedupearly3998]

One point is that during the Cold War the Evangelicals did not trust God to defeat communism. They would have to man up to get the job done.

[@WWZenaDo]

Excellent point. That highlights the hypocrisy incorporated directly into the American fundamentalist evangelical conservative versions of Christianity.

[@jamesklein1278]

Why do we listen to this feminist talk about masculinity? Wild a heart was a great book that opened the eyes of men that were betten down in this world filled with crazy feminist. The criticism of Billy Graham and the absence of scripture buts this book on the don't buy list.

[@daviddevoy2197]

John Wayne is a fictional character created by Marrion Morrison.

[@johntobey1558]

I think this women should host a debate with: John Piper or Doug Wilson who are prominent complimentarians who might view the Bible dirrerently then this Christian 3rd wave feminist.

[@gary100dm]

Who's money promoted Billy Graham?

[@BronzeSista]

Donations

[@gary100dm]

Billy Graham filled football stadiums, and of course a collection plate was passed around. My brother went to one of Graham's crusades, and that's how he was "saved". Then my brother became more arrogant and a bully. Since then, I never became friends with my brother. My experience is that evangelical Christianity is very divisive. - Gary

[@willielee5253]

@Genesis 12:3 = Matthew 25:31-46 Israel's Descendants Jesus's Brethren goats sheep

[@truthaboveall7988]

Everyone needs to read this book she should’ve been working w Democrats in the 2022 election

[@robinpettit7827]

Abortion isn't even called out specifically in the Bible. It is definitely not called out as a sin.

[@07799898999]

True - no mention of killing people at all in the scriptures 😂

[@robinpettit7827]

@@07799898999 The Bible considers life to begin at the first breath as well , so in many ways abortion isn't killing of people.

[@07799898999]

@@robinpettit7827 Luke 1:41-43 🤣

[@robinpettit7827]

@@07799898999 Something tells me Christ in the womb is a bit different.

[@kaspaug-0]

God does specifically mention his work in every womb. Psalm 139:13-16 "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Infantcide is killing off more than a million new people per year, and it's scary to think that we as a "land of the free" are now deciding whether a persons life is "worth living". The main argument for abortion is rape, but only 1% of abortions are reported to be because of it. The rest of the argument (Tell me if I'm wrong) is that it's a matter of bodily freedom, but whose bodily freedom are we discussing, because I'm sure the a average person would rather be alive then have never existed. This is a fight about choice, so how about we let a child decide whether they want to live or not? At what point does one persons harm outweigh another's life? Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of special cases where a child threatens the life of the mother, but that's what tragedy is, at that point it's a choice of life vs life, not choice versus life. God also specifically mentions the injury of unborn children, and their consequences: Exodus 21:22-25 If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise. I'm sorry, I know this is an old comment, but I feel like supporting abortion is not only completely detested in the Bible, but also the complete opposite of what both political parties stand for. Why are we worried about offending people that are different from us, yet don't have a care in the world for the opinions and rights of those who cant speak for themselves? How can the same party pushing for an equally represented society be fine with ending so many lives, especially when considering most of these abortions take place in the demographics that they do.

[@johntobey1558]

3rd waive feminists, indeed.

[@MuchAdoAboutDiddley]

This would have been more acceptable if it had been anchored to the bible text, and indeed Church history, instead of a rather knee-jerk feminism that denounced all male leadership and gender roles as destructive.

[@marcorolo4726]

Truly the Christians who commited to Trump are fake heathens who Jesus will shun and turn his back on. They have sold their wretched souls for a small price in this life. The afterlife will be their doom 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@hardwoodthought1213]

The entire point of the book is how Evangelicals have turned their back from Jesus of the Bible and have instead settled for a different type of leader, one who themselves embody nothing like the teaching of Christ but instead will implement policies closer to those of scripture than, for example, a communist or left winger. Mixed in with how rugged masculinity has come to define the modern hero’s of Evangelicals. So what does scripture analysis have to do with this book?

[@sharontabor7718]

You miss the context of the book and it's subject. It isn't tracing biblical teachings or church history. It's tracing how Christian Evangelicals have fractured America.

[@dorisaffissio1649]

You should read the book, and then maybe a little more of the bible , and realize those books were written more than 2000 years ago.

[@ktex4873]

Too much University brainwashing and CNN

[@marvwatkins7029]

This women may be a Millennial, but for her to say that you "may have heard" of John Wayne and Billy Graham, especially in a Christian- related channel, is positively insulting. She's not being funny. She's sort of a Captain Obvious when discussing the '60's

[@davidallamericananarchist9220]

It's important for context, because not every Christian is a "white evangelical" (I've met lots Catholics who aren't too familiar with Billy Graham's teachings even if they've "heard of him") and a lot of younger people might not be familiar with Billy Graham as well, and the how his handprints are all over the American "conservative" movement and what the consequences have been.

[@sharontabor7718]

Believe it or not, the majority of America's population has never heard of either man. Don't assume that they do.

[@davidallamericananarchist9220]

@@sharontabor7718 it doesn't matter if if "the majority" has or had not heard of him, because enough of the "dominant culture" in this country have adopted his rhetoric wether they "know of him" or not.

[@nellyarraiz9255]

It may surprise you but there maybe, probably, people who are not are white evangelicals or christians listening to what she has to say. It may surprise you that doing that, she is doing what she has to do to ensure comprehension from other people around the world, and to present her work correctly

[@andyarellanoChannel]

@@sharontabor7718 you are very mistaken, it wasn't until recently that we have had mass, illegal immigration and now many don't even know the constitution.

[@scarlettyoung9430]

Please do read Wikipedia about Jesus and educate yourself!!

[@yoobaby8024]

lol if you're getting your facts from Wikipedia thats your first mistake

[@andyarellanoChannel]

🙂

[@BronzeSista]

@@yoobaby8024 🤣🤣🤣

[@terry4137]

Bye!

[@andyarellanoChannel]

oh come on, don't we all take two or three examples of our aunts and uncle and then we judge them as worthy or not? Isn't this the way of the world? kristin is truly unique, ignorant but unique.

[@kjvitor]

And she is matching this box: 17Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 19For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. 20And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. She is causing division in the church.

[@nicholetaimi5331]

Ha. No. She's exposing the division in the church. This always happens when sunlight reaches into corners.

[@andyarellanoChannel]

oh come on, don't we all take two or three examples of our aunts and uncle and then we judge them as worthy or not? Isn't this the way of the world? kristin is truly unique, ignorant but unique.

[@patientfirbolg3299]

What is she saying that is wrong?

[@kjvitor]

@@patientfirbolg3299 if you understand what the bible says you'll notice.

[@kjvitor]

@@nicholetaimi5331 I don't blame you for being ignorant about this matter.

[@stevebeasley8526]

Useless book full of deceit and lies

[@ktex4873]

How much did they pay this propagandist to write such misinformed hate? I'm sorry that's the only worrying job you could lend... Bitter?

[@andyarellanoChannel]

oh come on, don't we all take two or three examples of our aunts and uncle and then we judge them as worthy or not? Isn't this the way of the world? kristin is truly unique, ignorant but unique.

[@patientfirbolg3299]

where is the misinformation?

[@andyarellanoChannel]

@@patientfirbolg3299 well, how can you justify labelling 40 million people because this is what Kristin is doing. if it was a white person labeling 40 million minorities as evil, lazy, no good you would call them racists and say this person is a fool. Somehow you find it ok for kristin to read a book on Teddy Roosevelt and John Wayne and then call all white evangelical males racist, homophobes, xenophobes and misogynistic. Sounds exactly like the way fake news labelled Trump with zero proof. Not to mention no hope for redemption because he was too far gone for God to redeem. Talk about a double standard and the really sad part is here you are soaking it all in as truth. SMH

[@patientfirbolg3299]

@@andyarellanoChannel I'm a white male, and I was raised evangelical. I grew up in churches. I even wanted to be a preacher at one point. I went to Christian leadership conferences (The Summit Ministries), lead Sunday school, and youth group. Not because anyone forced me too, but because I wanted too. There was even a point in 2012 when Trump thought he might run, and I thought "that sounds great! an outsider would get things done". My entire family and many of my friends were evangelical to their bones. *Don't presume to know me.* I know Evangelicals are not a monolith, but if you cannot see the rot inside this ideology, you are willfully blinding yourself. "how can you justify labelling 40 million people because this is what Kristin is doing" She didn't 'label' anyone. She just read the written words of Evangelical faith leaders over the years and points out how little their political activism relates to the words of scripture, and then describes how their voices directed the activism of other evangelicals. Examples of the aforementioned rot ================================================================================= Google "Trump the chosen one" and you'll find a long list of pastors (and Trump himself) who say he was "sent by god", "the chosen one", etc, etc. *"Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you" - 1 Peter 5:5-6* Look at all of the "faith" leaders who supported Trump. Look at their ministries and their churches. You'll find private jets, mansions, yachts, multi-million dollar empires, and megachurches dedicated to "worshipping" a homeless carpenter who preached *"Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." - Matthew 19:24 NIV* Look at the way Trump spoke about refugees and immigrants, and the fear he tried to stoke up about people who were simply seeking refuge. *"The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God." - Leviticus 19:34 NIV.* I can go on and on and on. I don't see a religious movement anymore in evangelicals. I see a political movement far more concerned with worldly power than spreading the Gospel of Christ. They just look like total hypocrites with an empty faith and preaching fear.

[@andyarellanoChannel]

@@patientfirbolg3299 she absolutely labelled them just as you are right now. How you cannot see that is confusing. Trump simply said follow the law. The Bible says follow the civil authorities as well right? So that means do not encourage lawlessness, do not encourage illegal marijuana use, do not encourage illegal immigration, do not sow racial hate, do not encourage sexual perversion, do not forsake your God, do not harm the the innocent (unborn.) These are all the things supported by the liberal agenda e.g. Clinton/Obama. The choice between a man who had a sordid personal life and the "establishment'" that pushes the points I listed should be very simple. If you worry about the immigrant get out and help them. If you worry about racial justice then get out and tutor them. But please, do not label people and tell us the bad white man has caused us to stumble. It is clear what has caused this country and its people to stumble- a disdain for the Lord and his ways. I can tell you pointing at others and telling us about the rot in 40 million is not one of His ways.