114. Who Would Jesus Bomb? Questioning War Through Song with Jordan Smart

About this Episode

Musician Jordan Smart shares his journey from growing up in a religious household in Ohio to becoming a touring musician. He discusses his early disillusionment with the church, his deep connection to music, and how punk rock influenced his worldview. The conversation centers around Jordan's song "Who Would Jesus Bomb?", which caught Craig's attention and led to this discussion. Jordan explains that while he isn't vocally anti-war, his frustrations with how religious traditions can be manipulated for propaganda inspired him to write the song.

Jordan reflects, "I was raised to believe Jesus loves everyone, but seeing how that message gets twisted to justify violence really pushed me to write this song." The episode delves into the troubling support for war among Christians, the manipulation by governments, and the importance of compassion and humanity. Jordan also highlights his project, Songs Not Bombs, which raises funds for Palestinian children.

Craig and Jordan discuss poignant lines from the song, such as, "Would Jesus bomb the atheist, the Muslim, or the Jew?" and "Would you still believe in Jesus if you found out he was brown?" These lines challenge listeners to reconsider their views on war, politics, and faith. This episode is a thought-provoking listen for anyone interested in these critical issues.

Connect with Jordan Smart:

• Jordan Smart Music on Instagram

• Songs Not Bombs on Bandcamp - All Proceeds Go to Palestine

• Songs Not Bombs on Instagram

Episode Timestamps:

Timestamps:

(00:45) Jordan's Background

• Jordan shares his upbringing in Ohio and his religious family background

• His journey with music, starting from a young age

• Background with Christianity and anarchy

(02:00) Music as a Form of Protest

• Discussion on Jordan's project "Songs Not Bombs"

• Efforts to raise funds for the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund (PCRF)

• The impact of music in processing and responding to world events

• Anti-War Sentiments

• Jordan's long-standing anti-war beliefs were influenced by punk rock

• Reflections on the current state of global conflicts

(7:27) The Power of Music

• Craig and Jordan discuss the emotional impact of music

• Music as a medium to express complex feelings and ideas

• The ability of music to resonate with diverse audiences

(9:40) Christianity and War

• The troubling support for the war among some Christians

• The disconnect between Jesus' teachings and modern Christian behavior

• Reflections on the pro-war stance of certain Christian groups

(11:59) Generational Perspectives

• The younger generation's growing disillusionment with the current system

• The potential for the younger generation to drive change

• The impact of social media and 24-hour news cycles on youth

• Political Disillusionment

• Failures of both major political parties in the U.S.

• The need for a new approach to governance and societal issues

• Personal experiences with political disillusionment

(16:45) Personal and Political Pushback to Jordan’s Song “Who Would Jesus Bomb?”

• Jordan shares experiences with pushback from friends and family

• The challenges of speaking out on controversial issues

• The importance of staying true to one's beliefs.

(20:51) Echo Chambers and Authenticity

• The importance of breaking out of echo chambers

• Staying authentic and true to one's message

• The impact of authenticity on audience engagement

(24:26) The Role of the Military

• Discussion on military recruitment and its implications

• The true threats to freedom and liberty

• Reflections on the U.S. military's global impact

(30:43) Compassion and Humanity

• Emphasizing the need for compassion towards all people

• The interconnected nature of various social justice issues

• The role of compassion in creating a better world.

34:59 Challenging Beliefs

• Jordan's song as a tool to challenge deeply held beliefs

• The importance of questioning and re-evaluating one's views

• The impact of music in provoking thought and discussion

(39:40) Personal Journeys

• Craig shares his journey from neoconservatism to Christian anarchism

• The influence of early church writings on his views

• The role of personal experiences in shaping beliefs

(43:17) The Influence of Social Media

• The role of social media in shaping public opinion

• The dangers of misinformation and propaganda

• The impact of social media on political and social views

(47:27) Interconnected Issues

• The interconnected nature of various social justice issues

• The importance of addressing these issues collectively

• The role of music and activism in highlighting these connections.

(52:19) Political Theater

• The manipulation of public opinion by the ultra-wealthy ruling class

• The need for unity among the oppressed.

• The impact of political theater on societal divisions

(57:52) Blonde Hair and Blue Eyes: Jesus and Race

• The significance of recognizing Jesus' true background

• The implications of Jesus' ethnicity for modern Christianity

• The importance of challenging racial stereotypes in religious contexts.

(1:00:13) Encouragement and Support

• Jordan shares the overwhelming support he has received for his music

• The importance of continuing to speak out on important issues

• Reflections on the impact of his song "Who Would Jesus Bomb?"

(1:03:21) Final Thoughts

• Craig encourages Jordan to keep leaning into his message

• The importance of making a difference through music and activism

• Reflections on the need for boldness and authenticity in advocacy.

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96. Christian-Palestinian: Unveiling the Obscured Narrative with Daniel Bannoura

About this Episode

Get ready for an insightful and heart-wrenching journey as we chat with Daniel Benora, a Christian Palestinian, who gives us an inside look into the longstanding conflict between Israel and Palestine. With a direct line to the ground reality, Daniel candidly shares the pain and terror experienced by his friends and family in Gaza due to Israeli attacks. Hear the unfiltered narrative of Palestinians, both Christian and Muslim, who have been overshadowed in the Western world, as we delve into the complexities of this ongoing strife.

Daniel courageously unravels the obscured narrative of Palestinians, both Christian and Muslim, demonstrating the importance of understanding the dynamics of this ongoing strife. How do we stay informed when the Western media narrative leans heavily in favor of one side? The conversation deepens as we probe into the biased portrayal of the Middle East in the media, exposing its racist undertones. Together with Daniel, we dissect the colonial mentality and its aftermath, scrutinizing how it frames the Middle East as backward and violent. We also delve into the implications of Zionism, the British Empire's role in Jewish migration to Palestine, opening up the discussion to the way it's used to justify violence against Palestinians. 

As we draw toward the end of our conversation, we venture into the stormy waters of violence, faith, and pacifism within the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Daniel reveals the inspiring ways Palestinian Christians channel faith into nonviolent resistance against injustice. We wrap up by challenging the misconceptions surrounding God and his people, urging Christians to seek truth, justice, and love over violence and ignorance. 

 Join us as we reveal how the media, the US government, and the Church perpetuate this idea, all the while emphasizing the importance of nuance in understanding this conflict. Here's a chance to challenge your perspectives and possibly transform your understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian plight.

Connect with Daniel:

• Across the Divide Podcast

• Google Docs Resource

• Listen to Daniel on Theology in the Raw

Episode Timestamps:

(00:02) The Israel-Palestine Occupation

Daniel shares the injustice and violence Palestinians have faced, highlighting the terror and pain caused by Israeli attacks on Christian and Muslim Palestinians.

(10:29) Understanding Gaza and Palestinian Identity

Daniel shares his family's 13-generation history in Bethlehem, discussing the plight of Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Palestine.

(14:26) Christian Palestinian Identity and Ignorance

Daniel Benora's Christian Palestinian experience, ignorance and apathy in the West, and the complicity of media and pastors in creating and perpetuating this ignorance are explored.

(18:39) Western Media's Middle East Bias

We examine Orientalism, Palestinian Christians, and the colonial mentality of the Western world to challenge racism in the Middle East.

(27:34) Influence on Israeli-Palestinian Occupation by Politics, Media, Religion

Zionism's history, anti-Semitism, British Empire, violence against Palestinians, media, US government, Church, and justice for Palestinians discussed.

(39:59) Violence and Pacifism in Israeli-Palestinian Occupation

We examine Hamas' motivations, self-defense ideology, Israel's surprise, and faith identity in a violent context.

(53:13) The Palestinian Christian Perspective

Palestinian Christians discuss nonviolent resistance, US imperialism, preferential option for the poor, and the way of the cross.

(58:41) Misrepresentation of God and His People

We question God's representation in war, reject the distinction between Jews and non-Jews, and explore faith, not lineage, for righteousness and God's love.

(01:03:08) Jesus and the Old Testament

Daniel discusses Christ-centered Bible reading, repentance for violence, and researching the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

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