About this episode

Brad Onishi interviews Reza Aslan about America's religious history and its implications for democracy and pluralism.

In this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi sits down with renowned scholar, author, and television producer Reza Aslan for a wide-ranging conversation about America's religious past—and why that history matters more than ever. Drawing on Aslan's new podcast series, Our Seven Neighbors, they unpack the myths surrounding "one nation under God," the long struggle for genuine religious freedom, and the forgotten stories of Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Catholics, Indigenous peoples, and other communities who had to fight for the rights they were promised. Together they explore how Christian nationalism distorts American history, why religious pluralism has always been contested, and what the nation's 250th anniversary should really invite us to remember. The conversation also turns to immigration, Islamophobia, Chinese exclusion, the enduring legacy of empire, and even an extended behind-the-scenes discussion of HBO's The Leftovers, where Aslan served as a producer and helped shape many of the show's religious themes. Whether you're interested in American politics, religion, history, or culture, this episode offers a compelling reminder that democracy has always…

People in this episode

Host: Brad Onishi

Guest: Reza Aslan

Topics covered

• religion
• American history
• Christian nationalism
• religious pluralism
• immigration
• democracy

Keywords

• one nation under God
• Christian nationalism
• religious freedom
• Islamophobia
• American politics
• HBO
• The Leftovers

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: HBO

Books & works: The Leftovers, Our Seven Neighbors

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