23. John Fugelsang (Aspiring Christian) – Separation of Church & Hate

Alexis Rice welcomes comedian, author, and radio host John Fugelsang (@johnfugelsang) — whose blend of humor, history, and theology cuts through America’s culture-war fog. His NYT bestseller Separation of Church and Hate challenges both the weaponization of Christianity and the silence that enables it.

With his trademark wit, John dismantles the TV-made binary, tracing how power keeps hijacking Jesus’ message—from the Crusades to cable news—and why faithful Christ-followers still choose empathy over empire.

💡 Key Takeaways
• Why corporate media platforms outrage, not nuance
• Proof-texts un-weaponized — Luke 22 & Matthew 25 in context
• Love as resistance: turning the other cheek ≠ turning off your brain
• Beyond binaries: global, diverse, love-driven Christianity

👤 About Our Guest
John Fugelsang is a comedian, actor, and commentator; host of Tell Me Everything on SiriusXM Progress (Ch. 127); and author of Separation of Church and Hate. He’s appeared on The Daily Show, CNN, MSNBC, HBO & Fox News—bringing scripture and satire into public life.

📚 Resources & Mentions
📖 Separation of Church and Hate — Simon & Schuster: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Separation-of-Church-and-Hate/John-Fugelsang/9781668066898
🎙 Tell Me Everything with John Fugelsang — SiriusXM Progress 127
🎧 The John Fugelsang Podcast — Apple / Spotify
🕊 @itskristinahart — creator of “love your neighbor Christian, not a storm the Capitol Christian” shirt: https://www.bonfire.com/store/kristina-hart
📘 Bishop John Shelby Spong — Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/rescuing-the-bible-from-fundamentalism-john-shelby-spongjohn-shelby-spong
🎧 The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast with Father John Dear: https://www.ncronline.org/news/nonviolent-jesus-podcast-john-dear
🪶 We’re Still Here — weekly Indigenous voices segment featuring Simon Moya-Smith (@simonsaidtakeapic) & Julie Francella (@juliefranciella): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/were-still-here-with-simon-and-julie/id1464094232?i=1000723204916
🎧 Christian examples like John talking about their faith in public and how it determines their values @jamestalarico, @pete.buttigieg. Be like John, James & Peter.

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