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Word&Way

@wordandway.bsky.social
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Creating better Christian conversations since 1896. We produce an award-winning magazine, podcast, website, & more. Editor-in-Chief: @briankaylor.bsky.social Website: wordandway.org Substack: publicwitness.wordandway.org

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Burke Gerstenschlager @bleaktheology.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Let's not forget that Paul Pressler was one of the architects of the fundamentalist takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention. wordandway.org/2024/06/17/p...
wordandway.org
Paul Pressler, SBC Legend Accused of Abuse, Is Dead at 94 - Word&Way
Pressler was one of the architects of the ‘Conservative Resurgence’ that took over the Southern Baptist Convention in the 1980s and 1990s. He was later accused of sexual abuse.
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Our fresh religion news roundup features insights from @bmietana.bsky.social, @sarahposner.bsky.social, @nuriamk.bsky.social, @grajeda.bsky.social, @jamestalarico.bsky.social, and more!
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Weekly Roundup: Sept. 25
Here’s the weekly roundup from A Public Witness. In addition to an announcement about upcoming events and a review of a new book that are free for anyone to read, paid subscribers to A Public Witness ...
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Our fresh religion news roundup features insights from @bmietana.bsky.social, @sarahposner.bsky.social, @nuriamk.bsky.social, @grajeda.bsky.social, @jamestalarico.bsky.social, and more!
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Weekly Roundup: Sept. 25
Here’s the weekly roundup from A Public Witness. In addition to an announcement about upcoming events and a review of a new book that are free for anyone to read, paid subscribers to A Public Witness ...
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Today’s issue of A Public Witness looks at how some Republican politicians are attacking the faith of mainline Christians and how United Methodists are pushing back against the bigotry.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
An Act Against One Church Is An Act Against All
“I believe in an America … where religious liberty is so indivisible that an act against one church is treated as an act against all.”
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Today’s issue of A Public Witness looks at how some Republican politicians are attacking the faith of mainline Christians and how United Methodists are pushing back against the bigotry.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
An Act Against One Church Is An Act Against All
“I believe in an America … where religious liberty is so indivisible that an act against one church is treated as an act against all.”
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
“We will make sure these guns can never hurt somebody again or in the future,” Word&Way’s own Beau Underwood told @mirrorindy.org. He referenced Isaiah 2:4: “And by doing that, we are living out the biblical vision of weapons being turned into plowshares.”
wordandway.org
An Indianapolis Church Turned an AR-15 Into a Garden Tool - Word&Way
A national, faith-based movement called “Guns to Gardens” has the goal of getting guns off the streets and giving people a safe way to dispose of them.
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
“We will make sure these guns can never hurt somebody again or in the future,” Word&Way’s own Beau Underwood told @mirrorindy.org. He referenced Isaiah 2:4: “And by doing that, we are living out the biblical vision of weapons being turned into plowshares.”
wordandway.org
An Indianapolis Church Turned an AR-15 Into a Garden Tool - Word&Way
A national, faith-based movement called “Guns to Gardens” has the goal of getting guns off the streets and giving people a safe way to dispose of them.
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
A few decades ago, Doug Wilson’s views would have been dismissed as fringe. Now, he is planting churches in Washington, D.C., preaching in the Pentagon, and exercising moral influence over Trump administration officials.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Book Recommendation: American Caesar
Bradley Onishi’s new book details the rise of a new class of ruling elites who seek to use religion and technology to replace democracy with authoritarian rule.
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
@bradleyonishi.bsky.social’s new book from @stmartinspress.bsky.social details the rise of a class of ruling elites who seek to use religion and technology to replace democracy with authoritarian rule.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Book Recommendation: American Caesar
Bradley Onishi’s new book details the rise of a new class of ruling elites who seek to use religion and technology to replace democracy with authoritarian rule.
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
@bradleyonishi.bsky.social’s new book from @stmartinspress.bsky.social details the rise of a class of ruling elites who seek to use religion and technology to replace democracy with authoritarian rule.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Book Recommendation: American Caesar
Bradley Onishi’s new book details the rise of a new class of ruling elites who seek to use religion and technology to replace democracy with authoritarian rule.
263
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Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Federal appeals court wants to force use of gerrymandered map in Missouri even though ballots have already been printed & mailed with different map: missouriindependent.com/2026/09/21/a... As I explained at @ms.now recently, this whole mess is because of Mo GOP officials: www.ms.now/opinion/miss...
ms.now
Opinion | Missouri Republicans have unleashed pure chaos on us voters ahead of the midterm elections
Brian T. Kaylor: As the midterms approach,  the Missouri district I'll vote in has changed back and forth
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
In a city that has lived through some of the devastating impacts of Christian Nationalism, it’s appropriate that in early October two events in Minneapolis will feature experts on understanding and combating this ideology.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Unpacking Christian Nationalism in the Twin Cities
Angela Denker will moderate a book talk with Kristin Du Mez and one with Brian Kaylor.
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Minneapolis-based journalist and Lutheran minister @angeladenker.bsky.social will moderate two upcoming book talk events, the first with @kkdumez.bsky.social on Oct. 6 and the second with @briankaylor.bsky.social on Oct. 12. Both events are free — sign up today!
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Unpacking Christian Nationalism in the Twin Cities
Angela Denker will moderate a book talk with Kristin Du Mez and one with Brian Kaylor.
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Minneapolis-based journalist and Lutheran minister @angeladenker.bsky.social will moderate two upcoming book talk events, the first with @kkdumez.bsky.social on Oct. 6 and the second with @briankaylor.bsky.social on Oct. 12. Both events are free — sign up today!
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Unpacking Christian Nationalism in the Twin Cities
Angela Denker will moderate a book talk with Kristin Du Mez and one with Brian Kaylor.
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Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Hegseth continues to misuse Isaiah 6:8, conscripting the verse for military recruitment. Says he's going on a "Send Me Tour" (by which he really means send you to fight his stupid war). But the verse doesn't mean what he thinks it does: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/hegseth-co...
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Our fresh religion news roundup features stories about the latest Pentagon worship service, rightwing "Christfluencers" in Germany, a Trump administration idea for paying stay-at-home parents, and more.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Weekly Roundup: Sept. 18
Here’s the weekly roundup from A Public Witness. This week we published a look at Pete Hegseth’s 9/11 observance theology, an interview with Kristin Kobes Du Mez about her new book, and a report on th...
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Our fresh religion news roundup features stories about the latest Pentagon worship service, rightwing "Christfluencers" in Germany, a Trump administration idea for paying stay-at-home parents, and more.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Weekly Roundup: Sept. 18
Here’s the weekly roundup from A Public Witness. This week we published a look at Pete Hegseth’s 9/11 observance theology, an interview with Kristin Kobes Du Mez about her new book, and a report on th...
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Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Trump nominates Cissie Graham Lynch (daughter of Franklin Graham) as U.S. ambassador at large for international religious freedom. Hopefully, Senate won't confirm her. But this again confirms Trump doesn't understand or respect true religious freedom. wordandway.org/2026/09/17/c...
wordandway.org
Cissie Graham Lynch, Granddaughter of Billy Graham, Tapped for Religious Freedom Ambassador - Word&Way
If approved by the Senate, Lynch would hold an office that has been unoccupied since the beginning of the second Trump administration.
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Kenneth Ethan Frantz @kennethefrantz.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Great reporting from @wordandway.bsky.social! The fact that Pete Hegseth wants to give the children of military personnel a “classical” Christian education hints at Doug Wilson’s influence. Small detail in the report that stood out to me.
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Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
This incident by Philly police follows the recent revelations of DHS spying in churches active in anti-ICE advocacy. The lack of respect for houses of worship is a serious problem. publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/in-worship...
publicwitness.wordandway.org
In Worship and in Court, Churches Respond to DHS Spying in Their Buildings
At the start of worship on Sunday morning (Aug. 16), Rev. Cody Sanders gave an announcement that’s not what he typically offers: the congregation had been one of several churches “targeted by undercov...
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Christian Nightmares @christiannightmare.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Hegseth Praises Bari Weiss’s ‘60 Minutes’ at Pentagon Worship Service publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/hegseth-pr...
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Hegseth Praises Bari Weiss’s ‘60 Minutes’ at Pentagon Worship Service
Southern Baptist pastor Wesley Welch of King’s Church DC delivered a sermon on the prayers of Moses.
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The monthly worship services at the Pentagon, which Pete Hegseth launched in May 2025, are the most consistent example of his effort to push Christian Nationalism inside the U.S. military. All of the services have featured rightwing, patriarchal preachers.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Hegseth Praises Bari Weiss’s ‘60 Minutes’ at Pentagon Worship Service
Southern Baptist pastor Wesley Welch of King’s Church DC delivered a sermon on the prayers of Moses.
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The monthly worship services at the Pentagon, which Pete Hegseth launched in May 2025, are the most consistent example of his effort to push Christian Nationalism inside the U.S. military. All of the services have featured rightwing, patriarchal preachers.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Hegseth Praises Bari Weiss’s ‘60 Minutes’ at Pentagon Worship Service
Southern Baptist pastor Wesley Welch of King’s Church DC delivered a sermon on the prayers of Moses.
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Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Hegseth invokes #ChristianNationalist myths about US history to justify his Christian Nationalist worship services. Using bad history to justify bad governance & bad theology. publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/hegseth-pr...
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Hegseth Praises Bari Weiss’s ‘60 Minutes’ at Pentagon Worship Service
Southern Baptist pastor Wesley Welch of King’s Church DC delivered a sermon on the prayers of Moses.
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The 17 government worship services have featured nine sermons by Southern Baptists, three by pastors in the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (including Doug Wilson), Franklin Graham + one of his sons, a businessman/evangelist, and a former priest who is now a married Fox News commentator.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Hegseth Praises Bari Weiss’s ‘60 Minutes’ at Pentagon Worship Service
Southern Baptist pastor Wesley Welch of King’s Church DC delivered a sermon on the prayers of Moses.
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The 17 government worship services have featured nine sermons by Southern Baptists, three by pastors in the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (including Doug Wilson), Franklin Graham + one of his sons, a businessman/evangelist, and a former priest who is now a married Fox News commentator.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Hegseth Praises Bari Weiss’s ‘60 Minutes’ at Pentagon Worship Service
Southern Baptist pastor Wesley Welch of King’s Church DC delivered a sermon on the prayers of Moses.
012
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
One day after the U.S. House of Representatives approved a measure that would require President Donald Trump to end the war with Iran and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie moved to impeach Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon held its “SECWAR Monthly Christian Prayer & Worship Service.”
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Hegseth Praises Bari Weiss’s ‘60 Minutes’ at Pentagon Worship Service
Southern Baptist pastor Wesley Welch of King’s Church DC delivered a sermon on the prayers of Moses.
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
One day after the U.S. House of Representatives approved a measure that would require President Donald Trump to end the war with Iran and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie moved to impeach Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon held its “SECWAR Monthly Christian Prayer & Worship Service.”
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Hegseth Praises Bari Weiss’s ‘60 Minutes’ at Pentagon Worship Service
Southern Baptist pastor Wesley Welch of King’s Church DC delivered a sermon on the prayers of Moses.
015
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Our latest Voices piece ponders the possibility of becoming the kind of person whose prayers God hears. "The frightening possibility raised throughout Scripture is that a person can become deeply religious while remaining spiritually distant — not despite their religious activity, but through it."
wordandway.org
Those Far From God, and Those Who Are Heard - Word&Way
There is a way to interpret Scripture that leaves a person almost permanently reassured — difficult passages become instruments for identifying enemies rather than mirrors for examining the soul. But ...
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Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Missouri GOP still trying to get unconstitutional gerrymandered map approved for November: missouriindependent.com/2026/09/16/m... For background, here's my @ms.now piece on the mess: www.ms.now/opinion/miss...
missouriindependent.com
Missouri Republicans ask federal court to revive gerrymandered map, block referendum • Missouri Independent
Secretary of State Denny Hoskins wants the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to remove a redistricting referendum from the Missouri ballot.
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Much has been written about the influence conservative White Christian men have had on American culture. However, the women who operate within this sphere have also had a sizable impact of their own.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Performative Submission and the Gospel of Free Market Capitalism
An interview with Kristin Kobes Du Mez on White Christian womanhood.
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Our latest Voices piece ponders the possibility of becoming the kind of person whose prayers God hears. "The frightening possibility raised throughout Scripture is that a person can become deeply religious while remaining spiritually distant — not despite their religious activity, but through it."
wordandway.org
Those Far From God, and Those Who Are Heard - Word&Way
There is a way to interpret Scripture that leaves a person almost permanently reassured — difficult passages become instruments for identifying enemies rather than mirrors for examining the soul. But ...
121
Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Much has been written about the influence conservative White Christian men have had on American culture. However, the women who operate within this sphere have also had a sizable impact of their own.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Performative Submission and the Gospel of Free Market Capitalism
An interview with Kristin Kobes Du Mez on White Christian womanhood.
042
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Kenneth Ethan Frantz @kennethefrantz.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I would like to thank @wordandway.bsky.social for publishing my latest interview with @kkdumez.bsky.social.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Performative Submission and the Gospel of Free Market Capitalism
An interview with Kristin Kobes Du Mez on White Christian womanhood.
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Today’s issue of A Public Witness features an interview with @kkdumez.bsky.social by @kennethefrantz.bsky.social about her new book “Live Laugh Love: The Secret History of White Christian Women and the World They Made.”
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Performative Submission and the Gospel of Free Market Capitalism
An interview with Kristin Kobes Du Mez on White Christian womanhood.
0106
Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Today’s issue of A Public Witness features an interview with @kkdumez.bsky.social by @kennethefrantz.bsky.social about her new book “Live Laugh Love: The Secret History of White Christian Women and the World They Made.”
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Performative Submission and the Gospel of Free Market Capitalism
An interview with Kristin Kobes Du Mez on White Christian womanhood.
0106
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Pete Hegseth used the official observance ceremony at the Pentagon on Friday to justify the ongoing war against Iran. And he repeatedly used biblical passages — from Isaiah to Psalms to Matthew — out of context as he recast the United States as a divine force sending terrorists to hell.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Hegseth Uses 9/11 Pentagon Ceremony to Push Religious War
The head of the U.S. military — who has Crusader imagery tattooed on his body and the cover of his Bible — spent the anniversary promising divine violence.
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Pete Hegseth used the official observance ceremony at the Pentagon on Friday to justify the ongoing war against Iran. And he repeatedly used biblical passages — from Isaiah to Psalms to Matthew — out of context as he recast the United States as a divine force sending terrorists to hell.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Hegseth Uses 9/11 Pentagon Ceremony to Push Religious War
The head of the U.S. military — who has Crusader imagery tattooed on his body and the cover of his Bible — spent the anniversary promising divine violence.
174
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
The language of the psalms is frequently metaphorical and often comes from someone who is being oppressed and crying out to God to save them from a powerful military. That is, they are not the head of the Pentagon praying for God to bless their military might as they kill less powerful people.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Hegseth Uses 9/11 Pentagon Ceremony to Push Religious War
The head of the U.S. military — who has Crusader imagery tattooed on his body and the cover of his Bible — spent the anniversary promising divine violence.
011
Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
The language of the psalms is frequently metaphorical and often comes from someone who is being oppressed and crying out to God to save them from a powerful military. That is, they are not the head of the Pentagon praying for God to bless their military might as they kill less powerful people.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Hegseth Uses 9/11 Pentagon Ceremony to Push Religious War
The head of the U.S. military — who has Crusader imagery tattooed on his body and the cover of his Bible — spent the anniversary promising divine violence.
011
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Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
My look at how Pete Hegseth misused multiple Bible passages during 9/11 observance service at Pentagon: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/hegseth-us...
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Hegseth Uses 9/11 Pentagon Ceremony to Push Religious War
The head of the U.S. military — who has Crusader imagery tattooed on his body and the cover of his Bible — spent the anniversary promising divine violence.
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Such misuses of the Bible might not be as funny as when Hegseth prayed the Pulp Fiction version of Ezekiel 25:17, but what he offered on Friday is even more heretical.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Hegseth Uses 9/11 Pentagon Ceremony to Push Religious War
The head of the U.S. military — who has Crusader imagery tattooed on his body and the cover of his Bible — spent the anniversary promising divine violence.
003
Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Such misuses of the Bible might not be as funny as when Hegseth prayed the Pulp Fiction version of Ezekiel 25:17, but what he offered on Friday is even more heretical.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
Hegseth Uses 9/11 Pentagon Ceremony to Push Religious War
The head of the U.S. military — who has Crusader imagery tattooed on his body and the cover of his Bible — spent the anniversary promising divine violence.
003
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Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
"We must not be confused by GOP lawmakers claiming the state's supreme court justices are violating the Constitution and disenfranchising voters. Such rhetoric is like an arsonist complaining about a fire they set." www.ms.now/opinion/miss...
ms.now
Opinion | Missouri Republicans have unleashed pure chaos on us voters ahead of the midterm elections
Brian T. Kaylor: As the midterms approach,  the Missouri district I'll vote in has changed back and forth
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Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
My latest @ms.now column on the gerrymandering mess in Missouri & who created the constitutional crisis: www.ms.now/opinion/miss...
ms.now
Opinion | Missouri Republicans have unleashed pure chaos on us voters ahead of the midterm elections
Brian T. Kaylor: As the midterms approach,  the Missouri district I'll vote in has changed back and forth
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Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
in 9/11 observance speech, Hegseth proclaims God is on US's side & quotes Psalm 144:1-2. He's repeatedly used that passage to justify Iran war. Like his 'Pulp Fiction' prayer, it's also war verse Hollywood likes as it's featured in 'Saving Private Ryan': publicwitness.wordandway.org/i/201301625/...
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Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
As he has been doing for months (publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/hegseth-co...), Hegseth misused Isaiah 6:8 at Pentagon's 9/11 ceremony. You can honor military members without taking Bible out of context. But #ChristianNationalists like Hegseth make an idol out of the nation with comments like this.
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Like any big party convention, this year’s two-day event includes religious appeals. And as usually occurs at such partisan shindigs, it’s not necessarily a good thing.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
God’s Only Party in Dallas?
In this issue of A Public Witness, I’ll take you through some of the highlights (or, uh, lowlights) of faith appeals at the Republican midterm convention.
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Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Midterm convention played the cultic "God made Trump" video: bsky.app/profile/atru... I wrote about this video when they used it during campaign rallies in 2024: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/prayers-of...
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Word&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Like any big party convention, this year’s two-day event includes religious appeals. And as usually occurs at such partisan shindigs, it’s not necessarily a good thing.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
God’s Only Party in Dallas?
In this issue of A Public Witness, I’ll take you through some of the highlights (or, uh, lowlights) of faith appeals at the Republican midterm convention.
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