The U.S. has waged war on Iran for more than a month now. On this week’s On the Media, what Defense Secretary Hegseth’s monthly Pentagon prayer meetings reveal about his war strategy. Plus, hear how trans rights are being curtailed across the country. 
[01:00] Host Brooke Gladstone sits down with <a href="https://substack.com/@briankaylor" rel="noopener noreferrer">Brian Kaylor</a>, president and editor-in-chief of Word&Way and author of <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-bible-according-to-christian-nationalists-exploiting-scripture-for-political-power-brian-kaylor/6181f5a7c1f36fc2?ean=9780827203501&next=t&next=t&affiliate=110819&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=dsa_nonbrand&utm_content=%7Badgroupname%7D&utm_term=aud-1721779758455:dsa-19959388920&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=12440232635&gbraid=0AAAAACfld43yMGLuQJJv2tdnpcstsUt8j&gclid=Cj0KCQjwp7jOBhDGARIsABe7C4epFDx-wg5pzDBO96Dpx17VWufwAZWJKktVx4aovQctvOgZqL5GedwaApKJEALw_wcB" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Bible According to Christian Nationalists</a>, to talk about Defense Secretary Hegseth’s monthly prayer meetings at the Pentagon. They discuss what the violent rhetoric reveals about Hegseth’s approach to war and why these meetings signal a troubling fusion of church and state. 
[18:46] Brooke talks with <a href="https://marlene-laruelle.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Marlene Laruelle</a>, professor at Luiss University in Rome and director of the Illiberalism Studies Program at George Washington University, about Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel’s series of lectures on religion, tech, politics, and society, which he took to the doorstep of the Vatican last month. They discuss his controversial beliefs about the antichrist, and what Thiel’s theology reveals about his desire to reorder politics.
[33:04] Brooke speaks with <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/esqueer.net" rel="noopener noreferrer">Alejandra Caraballo</a>, civil rights attorney and a clinical instructor at Harvard Law School’s Cyberlaw Clinic, about the torrent of legal attacks against trans people, and why she's been looking toward a legal framework invented in the wake of Nazi Germany, called "the dual state," to better understand this moment.
 Further reading / watching:
<ul>
 <li>“<a href="https://publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/at-pentagon-worship-service-hegseth" rel="noopener noreferrer">At Pentagon Worship Service, Hegseth Casts Iran Conflict as Violent Holy War Against God’s Enemies</a>,” by Brian Kaylor</li>
 <li>“<a href="https://substack.com/home/post/p-192110157" rel="noopener noreferrer">Peter Thiel in Rome: Is Liberalism Ready for the Return of God?</a>” by Marlene Laruelle</li>
 <li>“<a href="https://www.thedissident.news/the-dual-state-of-trans-existence/" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Dual State of Trans Existence</a>,” by Alejandra Caraballo</li>
</ul>
On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today (<a href="https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm">https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm</a>). Follow our show on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/onthemedia/?hl=en">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/onthemedia">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OnTheMedia">Facebook</a> @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing onthemedia@wnyc.org.

Podurama

Home

Trending

Personal

Your Podcasts

New Episodes

My Files

Favourite Episodes

Tags (Folders)

Recently Played

Bookmarks

Followed Playlists

Pete Hegseth is Praying for a Holy War

On the Media

AI Chapters

AI Insights

Reviews