Excerpts from my interview with Scott Coley, lecturer in philosophy at Mount St. Mary's University. His new book Ministers of Propaganda: Truth, Power, and the Ideology of the Religious Right is out this week. In this bonus episode of the podcast series Telling Jefferson Lies, Scott discusses Christo-authoritarianism and the role of justice in overcoming self-interest.

Music credits:
Seiche by Dustin Blatnik
Debris by Roman Candle
Night Walk by Warren Throckmorton

Often debates focus on Christian nationalism and the problems which come from blurring the line between church and state. In this episode, I end the Telling Jefferson Lies series with some thoughts and testimony from experts about what is good about separation.

Helping me close out the series are:

Randall Balmer, John Phillips Chair in Religion, Dartmouth College
Caleb Campbell, Pastor, Desert Springs Bible Church, Phoenix, AZ
Michael Coulter, Professor, Political Science and Humanities, Grove City College
Greg Forster, theologian, Trinity International University
Charles Haynes, senior fellow for religious liberty at the Freedom Forum
Paul Kemeny, Dean of Arts and Letters, Grove City College
Joel McDurmon, Attorney, theologian
Glenn Sunshine, Colson Fellows

The closing song is Gemini by Robo Surgeon Fish. You can add it to your Spotify playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/track/6vqnUYyOrqLAWudh6Z5B5x?si=d76ccbb6edb94cfc

Theme Song: The World Awaits Us All, Roman Candle

Background Music: Jonathan Swaim, Robo Surgeon Fish, Warren Throckmorton

Telling Jefferson Lies was written, produced, and hosted by Warren Throckmorton

To see what's next, follow my blog/substack at warrenthrockmorton.substack.com

For more information about the book Getting Jefferson Right, go to gettingjeffersonright.com.

In 2005, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor asked an important question for those who would erode separation of church and state: "Why would we trade a system that has served us so well for one that has served others so poorly? "

I spend much of this episode affirming that we should not trade. Much of this series has been raising alarm about Christian nationalism and supporting separation of church and state. This episode assembles an all-star cast of experts in favor of a strong separation position. Joining me are:

Randall Balmer: John Phillips Chair in Religion at Dartmouth College
Rob Boston: Editor, Church & State magazine
Charles Haynes: Senior fellow at the Freedom Forum
Troy Jackson: Historian, civil rights activist, founder of Undivided
George Marsden: Professor of history, emeritus, Notre Dame University
Mark Noll: Professor of history, emeritus, Notre Dame University
Jemar Tisby: Historian, author, civil right activist

Show Notes:

The closing song is Twisting History by Jonus Fair and the theme song is The World Awaits Us All by Roman Candle. Background music is provided by Jonathan Swaim and yours truly.

Thanks to Grove City College Social Work professor Jennifer Hollenberger for the opening affirmation!

Thanks to Rob Boston for the tip on the O'Connor Question.

For more information about the book Getting Jefferson Right, go to gettingjeffersonright.com.