Sunday on Brad Sowinski’s FB podcast “The Rinse,” [FN1] talk turned to IN’s Lt Gov’s comments about hate. [FN2, 2a] Accepted as truth, of late, is the erroneous notion that this was founded as a “Christian” nation. That was implicit in everyone else’s comments. 1/9

One more time: we were founded as “the first wholly secular state.” [FN3] You can’t find “god” or Jesus is in the Constitution. The far right has moved the ball down field, in part, via leaders, even progressives, of other Christian sects. Paul and Constantine realized long ago: 2/9

claim conversion to Christianity as a convenient tool to grab power. D.C. Stephenson professed a deep faith in Christianity as he got rich selling kkk “starter kits” to newbies in the Indiana klan. [FN4] Sunday I said that I wanted to speak for one minute w/o interruption & I said: 3/9

There is no “god.” There’s no credible evidence that “Jesus Christ” existed. IN’s Lt Gov had said Islam is a “death cult,” but in communion Christians drink blood and eat flesh. You can believe as you wish, but if you want power in the name(s) of your deities, then prove they exist. 4/9

A Libertarian from Hancock County, in the chat, made a comment about “anger in Illinois.” I was born in Indiana, raised and educated there, and lived most of my life there. And I’m angry. This country is being destroyed and Christian nationalism is helping a lot. 5/9

On Sunday, Islam was slammed a lot. I asked if anyone on the Show had read The Koran. No one had. (I have.) If you want to install your deity as part of this country’s government, prove your deity exists. Believe as you wish, but don’t try to run our lives w/your fiction. 6/9

Footnotes:
FN1. Brad Sowinski’s “The Rinse” w/Drew Weingarten and I as panelists/co-hosts, is streamed live 7:30 EDT/6:30 CST on FB 7 on YouTube. Past shows also can be seen on FB & YouTube. 7/9

FN2. "’I am going to call on others to hate it because I hate Islam,’ ... ‘It is a death cult. Now, I love Muslims, because they make great Christians when Jesus gets a hold of them. But I hate Islam. And we need to be OK with hating again.’" WDRB Louisville, ...8/9

FN2a. “Indiana Lt. Gov. [] calls Islam a 'death cult,' says people 'need to be OK with hating again,” 5/29/26, accessed 5/31/26.
FN3. Joseph J. Ellis, “American Creation,” (2007), p. 8.
FN4. Irvin Leibowitz, “My Indiana,” (1964) pp. 192-93. 9/9