Memphis, Tennessee is often considered the focal point for Christian Nationalism and conservative evangelicalism. My guest, Mark Hackett, grew up in this environment and refers to it as "white American evangelicalism." In our conversation, we discuss the characteristics of this type of Christianity and how it is unique to the South.

According to Mark, the moralism, patriarchy, and strict authoritarian structures found in white American evangelicalism are not aligned with the Gospel and true Christianity. Mark shares candidly about how him and his family painfully left their church due to corruption and toxic political discourse.

Mark shares how authentic Christianity is less about the afterlife and more about following the pattern that Jesus presents for how we live our lives and interact with others.

Sign up for Mark's newsletter: https://www.markhackett.com/newsletter

Check out Mark's website: https://www.markhackett.com/about-me

Mark's Article about his story: https://www.markhackett.com/writings/escaping-white-american-evangelicalism

References:

• Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Du Mez
• The Flag and the Cross by Philip Gorski

Things we discuss:

• Church culture in the South compared to California
• Tolkien
• What is Christian Nationalism?
• Individualism in the church
• The effects of Trumpism in Southern churches
• Church abuse and corruption
• Searching for a new church
• What is true Christianity? What is the Gospel?
• Why Mark shares his story via blogging and podcasting

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Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iusedtothinkpodcast

Pat talks about why he started the podcast, the importance of storytelling, deconstructing Christian fundamentalist faith, and what people should know about Gen-Z.

Learn more about the Weave project: https://weavers.org/

Join the Weaving Us community: https://weaving.us/

We discuss:

• Growing up fundamentalist Christian
• Faithful storytelling
• Being quick to learn and not to judge
• What others should know about Gen-Z
• Gen-Z's cultural and economic context

Contact Pat: PATRICKTLEE7@GMAIL.COM

New Substack for the podcast! https://iusedtothink.substack.com/p/what-i-used-to-think-recovering-from?r=ljh57

Follow on Instagram: @iusedtothinkpodcast

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iusedtothinkpodcast

After diligently raising her children in the church and conservative Christianity, Regan was shocked when her son Jonas confessed to not believing in the existence of God. Regan discusses how she saw proper Christian parenting as a step-by-step process that guaranteed the perseverance of her children's faith. The shift in her son's faith made it difficult for Regan to watch other Christian parents send their kids off on missions trips or marry their kids to other young Christians.

We discuss Regan's journey leaving an abusive church, trusting a new community, and the developmental appropriateness of questioning belief during adolescence. She highlights the importance of retaining a loving and supportive relationship with her children, irrespective of their religious beliefs. Regan shares honestly about how her own faith has been challenged and refined as she navigates these realities.

Topics we discuss:

- Parenting

- Conservative Christianity

- Homeschooling

- Atheism

- Views on hell

- Eastern Orthodoxy

- Spiritual and church abuse

- Child development

- Leaving room for mystery in faith

- Importance of safe community

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Contact Pat: PATRICKTLEE7@GMAIL.COM

New Substack for the podcast! https://iusedtothink.substack.com/p/what-i-used-to-think-recovering-from?r=ljh57

Follow on Instagram: @iusedtothinkpodcast

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iusedtothinkpodcast