Faithful Politics

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In this interview, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram speak with Mike Ter Maat, the Libertarian Party's 2024 vice-presidential nominee running alongside Chase Oliver. Ter Maat discusses his transition from the Republican Party to the Libertarian Party, citing his disillusionment with both major parties' departures from their core principles. He emphasizes the Libertarian philosophy of minimal government intervention, personal liberty, and fiscal conservatism, arguing that the Libertarian Party aligns more closely with American values than either the Republican or Democratic parties.
Ter Maat critiques U.S. foreign policy, particularly the ethical and practical failures of military interventions and foreign aid. He argues that these efforts have not made America safer or advanced its strategic interests. He also discusses the nation's unsustainable fiscal policies, warning of potential financial collapse if current trends continue.
When asked about balancing national security with fiscal responsibility, Ter Maat is firm in his stance that the U.S. should not give away any money to other countries, arguing that it does not buy influence or benefit American interests. He also challenges the notion of what constitutes an ally, particularly in the context of U.S.-Israel relations.
Learn more about their campaign: https://votechaseoliver.com/
Guest Bio:
Mike campaigned in 2021-22 as the Libertarian Party candidate in the January special Congressional election in Florida’s District 20. He served as a police officer in Broward County from 2010 through 2021 as a registered libertarian.

Mike’s prior career in finance and economics included work with banks as a commercial loan officer, the White House Office of Management and Budget as a financial economist, and as a consulting economist to three other federal and international agencies in the field of economic development.

From 1992 through 2002, Mike was an advocate in Washington for free markets in the financial services industry. In 2002, he started a professional education business for bank executives which he successfully ran until 2009, including conferences, webcasting, and strategic consulting.

Mike has traveled through thirty-five countries, taught economics at three universities and substituted at dozens of Broward public schools. He has one wife, two kids and two stepdaughters, two dogs and one truck, a BS in Aeronautical Engineering and an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and MS and PhD degrees in Economics from The George Washington University.

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We start this conversation with returning guest Katherine Stewart, acclaimed author and journalist, who takes us behind the scenes of the Democratic National Convention, where she moderated a groundbreaking interfaith panel that explored the shifting landscape of faith in American politics. The panel featured prominent Congressman Jared Huffman and Congressman Jamie Raskin, two members of the Congressional Freethought Caucus and Professor Khyati Joshi, a scholar and thought leader on the intersecting issues of race, religion and immigration in the United States.
The conversation then turned towards the growing movement of evangelicals who are breaking away from traditional conservative alignments and finding common ground with the Democratic Party’s focus on the common good and social justice. We then shift to explore the diversity within evangelicalism in America and the influence of the religious right on politics and society.
Recent reporting: Anti-Trump evangelical Christians make the case for Harris
Finally, Katherine gives us a bit of a teaser about her new and upcoming book, "Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy" coming out early 2025. In the book, Katherine sheds light on the powerful forces driving the Christian nationalist movement, funded by billionaires with an agenda that extends far beyond religious conviction.
In her deeply reported book, Katherine Stewart explores the alarming rise of anti-democratic sentiment in America by immersing readers in the world of conspiracy theorists, extremist churches, and reactionary political movements. She profiles a diverse array of actors—from reactionary Catholic activists to atheist billionaires, and from pseudo-Platonist intellectuals to militia members—who, despite their conflicting agendas, are united in their efforts to undermine democracy. Through her meticulous reporting and analysis, Stewart sheds light on the authoritarian backlash in the U.S., revealing the moral decline of conservatism and offering insights into how democracy can be safeguarded in the future.
Her previous book, "The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism" was turned into a Rob Reiner Documentary 'God & Country.' We were fortunate to have spoken with the director Dan Portland about the film, you can watch the interview here: https://youtu.be/qNLH7pzNNW4?si=nOKdnd88gQRKjrHV
Links to both of Katherine's books are below:

• The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism

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In this deeply moving and insightful episode of Faithful Politics, your political host Will Wright dives into an essential conversation with writer and editor Cait West. The episode centers around Cait's journey of breaking away from the Christian Patriarchy Movement, which she details in her powerful new book, "Rift." She explains the metaphorical significance of the title, reflecting on her personal experiences and the geological imagery it conjures.
Cait provides an in-depth look at the Christian Patriarchy Movement, describing it as a strict ideology where men are seen as divinely appointed leaders, and women are groomed to be subservient. She shares her personal story of being a "stay-at-home daughter," expected to remain at home until marriage, with no access to college, dating, or jobs.
The conversation touches on the broader implications of patriarchy, exploring how it impacts gender roles, personal autonomy, and religious beliefs. Kate also discusses the difficult process of leaving this movement, the emotional and practical challenges involved, and the impact on her relationship with her family.
Will and Cait discuss the intersection of politics and religion, the rise of Christian nationalism, and the implications for women's rights and bodily autonomy. Cait's insights into the authoritarian nature of the movement and its reactionary stance against feminism provide a compelling backdrop to her personal narrative.
Cait's memoir not only tells her story but also serves as a voice for others who have experienced similar trauma. She emphasizes the importance of validation, support, and the ongoing journey of healing. The episode concludes with a message of hope and resilience for those who may be experiencing similar struggles.
Buy her book, Rift: A Memoir of Breaking Away from Christian Patriarchy" https://a.co/d/8TJMMyi
About the guest
Cait West is a writer and editor based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her work has been published in The Revealer, Religion Dispatches, Fourth Genre, and Hawai`i Pacific Review, among others. As an advocate and a survivor of the Christian patriarchy movement, she serves on the editorial board for Tears of Eden, a nonprofit providing resources for survivors of spiritual abuse, and cohosts the podcast Survivors Discuss.

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From Kristin Kobes Du Mez, the creator/author of Jesus and John Wayne, comes a powerful new documentary highlighting how a culture of submission and sexual abuse in the evangelical church ties directly to the Christian nationalist quest to use the outcome of the 2024 election to deprive all American women of basic democratic rights. FOR OUR DAUGHTERS speaks to all women of faith, encouraging them to use their voices and their votes to ensure that their daughters will have the rights to health and happiness guaranteed to all Americans.
Learn more about the film: https://www.forourdaughtersfilm.com/
Watch the film on YouTube: https://youtu.be/IkES4X_qb6c?si=8ct7CUL6-x5NkQqJ
Guest Bio:
Kristin Kobes Du Mez is a New York Times bestselling author and Professor of History and Gender Studies at Calvin University. She holds a PhD from the University of Notre Dame and her research focuses on the intersection of gender, religion, and politics. She has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, NBC News, Religion News Service, and Christianity Today, and has been interviewed on NPR, CBS, and the BBC, among other outlets. Her most recent book is Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation.

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In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram host Brian Dembowczyk, author of Family Discipleship That Works, for an insightful discussion on practical faith-based parenting. Dembowczyk shares his approach to integrating discipleship into daily family life, emphasizing that faith formation can go beyond structured Bible study. Through what he calls "improvised discipleship," he encourages parents to use everyday moments—like conversations at the dinner table or casual interactions—to teach values like kindness, humility, and love. This flexible approach helps children see faith as a lived experience, making it both meaningful and accessible.

The conversation also tackles navigating challenging social and political issues with kids, especially as they begin forming their own views. Brian, Will, and Josh discuss how to approach topics like politics, sexuality, and belief differences within families, all while staying rooted in Christian principles. Instead of focusing on rigid dogma, Dembowczyk’s method centers on fostering a compassionate, grace-filled atmosphere where children can ask questions and explore their faith openly. This episode is a must-listen for parents seeking a balanced, thoughtful approach to family discipleship in today’s complex world.
buy the book: https://a.co/d/iDn5din
Guest Bio:
Brian Dembowczyk has been part of a sports ministry, served on staff in the local church, and led a curriculum team that served millions of children, teens, and adults around the world. He now helps lead a Bible publishing team and writes, teaches, and speaks mostly about family discipleship and children’s ministry.
Follow what Brian is doing: https://briandembo.com/

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