Shows
Straight White American JesusPaying Taxes in the DOGE ERA: Moral Duty, Religious Experience, or Place of Protest?Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 800-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/
In this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad sits down with Dr. Ruth Braunstein, professor at Johns Hopkins University and author of My Tax Dollars. Together, they explore an unexpected question: Can paying taxes be a moral act?
Far from being a dry civic obligation, Braunstein argues that taxation can serve as a collective ritual—one that reflects our values, builds solidarity, and fuels mo...2025-06-3047 minPremium Ad-Free: Straight White American JesusPaying Taxes in the DOGE ERA: Moral Duty, Religious Experience, or Place of Protest?Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 800-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/
In this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad sits down with Dr. Ruth Braunstein, professor at Johns Hopkins University and author of My Tax Dollars. Together, they explore an unexpected question: Can paying taxes be a moral act?
Far from being a dry civic obligation, Braunstein argues that taxation can serve as a collective ritual—one that reflects our values, builds solidarity, and fuels mo...2025-06-3047 min
Tax ChatsTax Morality with Ruth BraunsteinSend us a textIn this episode, Scott and Jeff chat with Ruth Braunstein about her recent book "My Tax Dollars: The Morality of Taxpaying in America" wherein we discuss complicated issues related to using tax dollars to fund controversial issues like abortion and war. We discuss taxpayer resistance. We chat about the complexities that arise in government use of taxpayer dollars when the underlying population is extremely diverse.2025-06-1237 min
A Public AffairOn the Morality of Taxpaying
On today’s show, host Sara Gabler speaks with sociologist Dr. Ruth Braunstein about money and morality. They discuss her new book, My Tax Dollars: The Morality of Taxpaying in America, which was published on April 15, or Tax Day–an auspicious day that Braunstein calls an American “ritual.”
Braunstein says that tax paying is the most significant way that everyday people interact with the federal government. And people invest a lot of symbolic value (in addition to material value) in the act of tax paying. Groups like war tax resisters and anti-abortion activists resist pa...2025-06-0352 min
WORT 89.9FM MadisonOn the Morality of TaxpayingOn today’s show, host Sara Gabler speaks with sociologist Dr. Ruth Braunstein about money and morality. They discuss her new book, My Tax Dollars: The Morality of Taxpaying in America, which was published on April 15, or Tax Day–an auspicious day that Braunstein calls an American “ritual.”
Featured image of the cover of My Tax Dollars, published by Princeton University Press.2025-06-0352 min
New Books in American StudiesRuth Braunstein, "My Tax Dollars: The Morality of Taxpaying in America" (Princeton UP, 2025)In My Tax Dollars: The Morality of Taxpaying in America (Princeton University Press, 2025), Ruth Braunstein maps the contested moral landscape in which Americans experience and make sense of the tax system. Braunstein tells the stories of Americans who view taxpaying as more than a mundane chore: antigovernment tax defiers who challenge the legitimacy of the tax system, antiwar activists who resist the use of their taxes to fund war, antiabortion activists against “taxpayer funded abortions,” and a diverse group of people who promote taxpaying as a moral good.
Though taxpaying is often portrayed as dull and technic...2025-05-181h 13
New Books in Political ScienceRuth Braunstein, "My Tax Dollars: The Morality of Taxpaying in America" (Princeton UP, 2025)In My Tax Dollars: The Morality of Taxpaying in America (Princeton University Press, 2025), Ruth Braunstein maps the contested moral landscape in which Americans experience and make sense of the tax system. Braunstein tells the stories of Americans who view taxpaying as more than a mundane chore: antigovernment tax defiers who challenge the legitimacy of the tax system, antiwar activists who resist the use of their taxes to fund war, antiabortion activists against “taxpayer funded abortions,” and a diverse group of people who promote taxpaying as a moral good.
Though taxpaying is often portrayed as dull and technic...2025-05-161h 13
New Books in American PoliticsRuth Braunstein, "My Tax Dollars: The Morality of Taxpaying in America" (Princeton UP, 2025)In My Tax Dollars: The Morality of Taxpaying in America (Princeton University Press, 2025), Ruth Braunstein maps the contested moral landscape in which Americans experience and make sense of the tax system. Braunstein tells the stories of Americans who view taxpaying as more than a mundane chore: antigovernment tax defiers who challenge the legitimacy of the tax system, antiwar activists who resist the use of their taxes to fund war, antiabortion activists against “taxpayer funded abortions,” and a diverse group of people who promote taxpaying as a moral good.
Though taxpaying is often portrayed as dull and technic...2025-05-111h 13
New Books in EconomicsRuth Braunstein, "My Tax Dollars: The Morality of Taxpaying in America" (Princeton UP, 2025)In My Tax Dollars: The Morality of Taxpaying in America (Princeton University Press, 2025), Ruth Braunstein maps the contested moral landscape in which Americans experience and make sense of the tax system. Braunstein tells the stories of Americans who view taxpaying as more than a mundane chore: antigovernment tax defiers who challenge the legitimacy of the tax system, antiwar activists who resist the use of their taxes to fund war, antiabortion activists against “taxpayer funded abortions,” and a diverse group of people who promote taxpaying as a moral good.
Though taxpaying is often portrayed as dull and technic...2025-05-091h 13
NBN Book of the DayRuth Braunstein, "My Tax Dollars: The Morality of Taxpaying in America" (Princeton UP, 2025)In My Tax Dollars: The Morality of Taxpaying in America (Princeton University Press, 2025), Ruth Braunstein maps the contested moral landscape in which Americans experience and make sense of the tax system. Braunstein tells the stories of Americans who view taxpaying as more than a mundane chore: antigovernment tax defiers who challenge the legitimacy of the tax system, antiwar activists who resist the use of their taxes to fund war, antiabortion activists against “taxpayer funded abortions,” and a diverse group of people who promote taxpaying as a moral good.
Though taxpaying is often portrayed as dull and technic...2025-05-091h 13
New Books in Public PolicyRuth Braunstein, "My Tax Dollars: The Morality of Taxpaying in America" (Princeton UP, 2025)In My Tax Dollars: The Morality of Taxpaying in America (Princeton University Press, 2025), Ruth Braunstein maps the contested moral landscape in which Americans experience and make sense of the tax system. Braunstein tells the stories of Americans who view taxpaying as more than a mundane chore: antigovernment tax defiers who challenge the legitimacy of the tax system, antiwar activists who resist the use of their taxes to fund war, antiabortion activists against “taxpayer funded abortions,” and a diverse group of people who promote taxpaying as a moral good.
Though taxpaying is often portrayed as dull and technic...2025-05-091h 13
New Books in SociologyRuth Braunstein, "My Tax Dollars: The Morality of Taxpaying in America" (Princeton UP, 2025)In My Tax Dollars: The Morality of Taxpaying in America (Princeton University Press, 2025), Ruth Braunstein maps the contested moral landscape in which Americans experience and make sense of the tax system. Braunstein tells the stories of Americans who view taxpaying as more than a mundane chore: antigovernment tax defiers who challenge the legitimacy of the tax system, antiwar activists who resist the use of their taxes to fund war, antiabortion activists against “taxpayer funded abortions,” and a diverse group of people who promote taxpaying as a moral good.
Though taxpaying is often portrayed as dull and technic...2025-05-091h 13
Princeton UP Ideas PodcastRuth Braunstein, "My Tax Dollars: The Morality of Taxpaying in America" (Princeton UP, 2025)In My Tax Dollars: The Morality of Taxpaying in America (Princeton University Press, 2025), Ruth Braunstein maps the contested moral landscape in which Americans experience and make sense of the tax system. Braunstein tells the stories of Americans who view taxpaying as more than a mundane chore: antigovernment tax defiers who challenge the legitimacy of the tax system, antiwar activists who resist the use of their taxes to fund war, antiabortion activists against “taxpayer funded abortions,” and a diverse group of people who promote taxpaying as a moral good.
Though taxpaying is often portrayed as dull and technic...2025-05-091h 13
American Values Coalition PodcastEvangelicals Resisting ExtremismSummaryIn this conversation, Ruth Braunstein discusses her podcast 'When the Wolves Came,' which explores the role of evangelicals in resisting extremism and Christian nationalism. She emphasizes the diversity within evangelical communities and the importance of understanding their perspectives. The discussion also covers the challenges of podcasting as a medium for sociological research, the target audience for her work, and reflections on the political landscape shaped by movements like the Tea Party and the implications for pluralism in America.Takeaways* Ruth Braunstein's podcast highlights evangelicals resisting extremism.* Christian nationalism is...2025-05-0232 min
Straight White American JesusMini-Interview: Dr. Ruth Braunstein on Resisting Evangelical ExtremismSubscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 800-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/Brad speaks with Dr. Ruth Braunstein about her new podcast on the evangelicals resisting extremism within their communities. https://www.ruthbraunstein.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2025-04-2422 minPremium Ad-Free: Straight White American JesusMini-Interview: Dr. Ruth Braunstein on Resisting Evangelical ExtremismSubscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 800-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/Brad speaks with Dr. Ruth Braunstein about her new podcast on the evangelicals resisting extremism within their communities. https://www.ruthbraunstein.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2025-04-2422 min
Dangerous DogmaRuth Braunstein on When the Wolves CameIn this episode, Word&Way President Brian Kaylor talks with sociologist Ruth Braunstein about her documentary podcast When the Wolves Came. You can also find her writings at her Substack newsletter Democracy Is Hard. Mentioned in the episode is Caleb Campbell, who previously appeared on episode 150 of Dangerous Dogma. Note: Don't forget to subscribe to our award-winning e-newsletter A Public Witness that helps you make sense of faith, culture, and politics. And order a copy of Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism by Brian Kaylor and Beau Underwood. If you buy it directly from...2025-04-0229 minDangerous DogmaRuth Braunstein on When the Wolves CameIn this episode, Word&Way President Brian Kaylor talks with sociologist Ruth Braunstein about her documentary podcast When the Wolves Came. You can also find her writings at her Substack newsletter Democracy Is Hard. Mentioned in the episode is Caleb Campbell, who previously appeared on episode 150 of Dangerous Dogma. Note: Don't forget to subscribe to our award-winning e-newsletter A Public Witness that helps you make sense of faith, culture, and politics. And order a copy of Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism by Brian Kaylor and Beau Underwood. If you buy it directly from...2025-04-0229 min
The Jim Wallis PodcastWolves at the Door of our DemocracyProfessor Ruth Braunstein is the host of the new podcast When the Wolves Came, Evangelicals Resisting Extremism. Prof. Braunstein chronicles the American heretics who blaspheme Jesus by turning against our neighbors, whom he has commanded us to love. And she documents the courageous resistance that is rising up in Evangelical congregations across the country against the false prophets, whom the Gospel of Matthew calls “ravening wolves.”“Christian nationalism in particular is really a false gospel,” says Braunstein. “And so this is a term that has been a helpful one, particularly for Christians to use when thinking about how to deal...2025-03-2045 min
SER on TapEpisode 8: Toward a Cultural Sociology of Taxation, with Ruth BraunsteinRuth Braunstein (University of Connecticut) talks with us about her article, "Toward a cultural sociology of taxation," which brings a relational sociology approach to bear on a subject that is typically the preserve of fiscal sociology. In this episode, we discuss scaling up relational economic sociology, battles over framing debates on taxation, and how all this overlaps with the sociology of religion.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ser/mwae017
2024-12-1012 min
Moral of the StorySan Francisco artist Ana Teresa Fernandez on a shocking twist to the gallery offer that she thought would make her careerFresh off a Master's program at the San Francisco Art Institute, Ana Teresa had just landed a coveted gallery spot with Ruth Braunstein, a San Francisco art legend. Not only did she beat the odds, she would finally show per Mexican immigrant parents that she could make it on her own terms. This was vindication. But after a shocking comment from Ruth, Ana Teresa knew she would have to choose between the offer and her integrity. MoSpod.org2023-06-0854 min
The Jim Wallis PodcastEvangelicals' Dangerous AmnesiaThis week on Soul of the Nation, we continue our series on White Christian Nationalism by welcoming cultural sociologist Ruth Braunstein to the podcast. Braunstein is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Connecticut, where she is Director of Undergraduate Studies and Director of the Meanings of Democracy Lab, which studies the moral and cultural foundations of American democratic life. Braunstein reveals the types of people who are attracted to White Christian Nationalism, what the phrase "Judeo-Christian" really means, and offers insights on how to persuade people away from Christian nationalist views. See Privacy Policy a...2023-03-0132 min
Premium Ad-Free: Straight White American JesusWeekly Roundup: Falwell's Fall and America's BacklashBrad and Dan begin this episode with a discussion of the new profile of Jerry Falwell Jr. at Vanity Fair. In their view, Falwell is a type for contemporary Christian nationalism. He describes himself as not particularly religious while subscribing to a vision of the United States wherein White Christian men hold power. He was formed politically by Rush Limbaugh. He lavished praise on Donald Trump. For Dan, it's a perfect example of how Christian nationalism is a religious-political-cultural identity that often time has little to do with persona religious practice.They then segue into analysis of...2022-01-2909 minStraight White American JesusWeekly Roundup: Falwell's Fall and America's BacklashBrad and Dan begin this episode with a discussion of the new profile of Jerry Falwell Jr. at Vanity Fair. In their view, Falwell is a type for contemporary Christian nationalism. He describes himself as not particularly religious while subscribing to a vision of the United States wherein White Christian men hold power. He was formed politically by Rush Limbaugh. He lavished praise on Donald Trump. For Dan, it's a perfect example of how Christian nationalism is a religious-political-cultural identity that often time has little to do with persona religious practice.They then segue into analysis of...2022-01-2909 min
Out of the Closet and Into the PewsReligious Activism: A New Perspective of the American Political LandscapeDr. Todd Nicholas Fuist is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Illinois Wesleyan University. His research interests include religion, politics, identity, and sexuality, with a focus on how culture serves to motivate socio-moral action. His latest work with Dr. Ruth Braunstein and Dr. Rhys H. Williams, titled Religion and Progressive Activism: New Stories about Faith and Politics examines how terms such as "progressive" and "religious" may not seem to go hand-in-hand. This work focuses on the significant intersection of religion and activism, revealing that progressive religious activists are a driving force in American public life.Listen to...2021-07-2145 min
Premium Ad-Free: Straight White American JesusThe Nostalgic Myths that Drive MAGA Nation with Dr. Ruth BraunsteinBrad talk to Dr. Ruth Braunstein, Professor of Sociology at the University of Connecticut, about the nostalgic myths that drive MAGA Nation. Their conversation centers on how recognizing the structure of these myths enables us to better see how Christian nationalism pervades right-wing movements that don't have any explicit religious identity markers or symbols. Think: the Proud Boys and the NRA. These groups structure their identities around a certain Christian nationalist interpretation of American history, even when they don't claim an explicitly Christian mantle. Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus episodes, ad-free listening, access to the e...2021-02-2206 minStraight White American JesusThe Nostalgic Myths that Drive MAGA Nation with Dr. Ruth BraunsteinBrad talk to Dr. Ruth Braunstein, Professor of Sociology at the University of Connecticut, about the nostalgic myths that drive MAGA Nation. Their conversation centers on how recognizing the structure of these myths enables us to better see how Christian nationalism pervades right-wing movements that don't have any explicit religious identity markers or symbols. Think: the Proud Boys and the NRA. These groups structure their identities around a certain Christian nationalist interpretation of American history, even when they don't claim an explicitly Christian mantle. Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus episodes, ad-free listening, access to the e...2021-02-2206 min
Theology MattersSeason 2, Ep. 4 with Ruth Braunstein and Devin SinghSeason 2, Ep. 4 with Ruth Braunstein and Devin Singh by Center of Theological Inquiry2020-03-2434 min
Straight White American JesusProphets and PatriotsOn the last episode of our series on the Religious Left, Dan speaks with Professor Ruth Braunstein about how the political organization of progressive faith groups, "good troublemakers," and the ways moral humility is good for democracy. Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus episodes, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/
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2020-01-0209 minPremium Ad-Free: Straight White American JesusProphets and PatriotsOn the last episode of our series on the Religious Left, Dan speaks with Professor Ruth Braunstein about how the political organization of progressive faith groups, "good troublemakers," and the ways moral humility is good for democracy. Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus episodes, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC
Order Brad's book: https://www.amazon.com/Preparing-War-Extremist-Christian-Nationalism/dp/1506482163
SWAJ Apparel is here! https://straight-white-american-jesus.creator-spring.com/listing/not-today-uncle-ron
To Donate:https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/BradleyOnishi
Venmo: @straightwhitejc
2020-01-0209 min
d'Archived’Archive Episode 16: Faith & Activism on the Political DivideA conversation with Associate Professor of Sociology at UConn, Ruth Braunstein, on her research dealing with religious communities and political activism on the right and the left. Ruth’s work has been promoted by the UConn Humanities Institute’s Humility & Conviction in Public Life Project. Her work has utilized the Alternative Press Collections at the archives to research tax resistance as direct action and its uses by groups like the Catholic Worker Movement and the Tea Party to name a few.
Featured Tracks
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings – What if we all stopped paying ta...2018-09-2056 min
Beyond the Margins: The University of California Press PodcastRuth Braunstein, “Prophets an Patriots: Faith in Democracy across the Political Divide” (U. California Press, 2017)Ruth Braunstein is the author of Prophets and Patriots: Faith in Democracy across the Political Divide (University of California Press, 2017). Braunstein is assistant professor of sociology at the University of Connecticut. There are many reasons to think of the political Right and Left as so deeply polarized that there have almost nothing in common. Civil society organizations pursuing opposite policy aims, however, may share much in common. Braunstein’s book tracks two such organizations which share little in terms of policy agenda, but a lot when it comes to strategy and identity. Both groups believe strongly in democracy, religion, an...2017-09-2126 min