Jonathan Rauch: Christianity’s Broken Bargain with Democracy

In this episode, we welcome back Jonathan Rauch, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a contributing writer at The Atlantic. Jon joined us to discuss his new book, Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain with Democracy.

We dive deep into the intersection of faith, democracy, and civic engagement (that's our jam!), exploring how American Christianity has shifted in recent years and what that means for the future of our democracy. We also discuss the aftermath of the 2024 election, the rise of political tribalism, and the role of faith in shaping a more just and stable society.

What We Discuss

• How Jonathan Rauch’s perspective on faith and democracy evolved over time (including what Jon refers to as the dumbest thing he ever wrote).
• Why he believes Christianity has played a crucial role in supporting democracy—and where it has gone wrong.
• The key differences between “thin Christianity” and “thick Christianity.”
• How the LDS Church offers a model for civic engagement based on negotiation and peacemaking.
• Why the loss of institutional trust is fueling political and social instability.
• The role of Braver Angels and other organizations in bridging political divides.

Episode Highlights

⏳ [00:02:00] – Jonathan Rauch discusses his background, his past books, and his upcoming release, Cross Purposes.
⏳ [00:07:00] – Reflecting on the 2024 election and why it was surprisingly “ordinary” despite extreme circumstances.
⏳ [00:13:00] – How Trump’s second administration is reshaping democracy and institutions.
⏳ [00:22:00] – Rauch’s personal journey: From skepticism about religion to recognizing its role in democracy.
⏳ [00:35:00] – The rise of “thin Christianity” and how churches are struggling with political identity.
⏳ [00:44:00] – How the LDS Church provides an example of “thick Christianity” and civic engagement.
⏳ [00:57:00] – Rauch’s concerns about post-liberalism and authoritarian tendencies in American politics.
⏳ [01:10:00] – The importance of doubt, curiosity, and engaging across differences.
⏳ [01:17:00] – Final thoughts: How to be better citizens and people of faith in a pluralistic society.

Featured Quotes

💬 “I believed, with some justification, that Christianity was bigoted and cruel and hypocritical to minorities like me. And I was wrong.” – Jonathan Rauch

💬 “Liberalism, properly understood, means that all human beings are created free and equal. And if we lose that, we lose everything.” – Jonathan Rauch

💬 “The LDS Church is one of the few religious institutions that has thought through a theology of civic engagement. And that’s something all Christians can learn from.” – Jonathan Rauch

💬 “Jesus’ message is radical and countercultural. The question is: Are we actually following it?” – Corey Nathan

Resources Mentioned

📖 Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain with Democracy by Jonathan Rauch 
📖 The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth by Jonathan Rauch
🌎 Braver Angels – Bridging the Political Divide

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This episode explores the deep intersections of faith, democracy, and civic responsibility. Whether you are religious or secular, left or right, these discussions are crucial to understanding where we are and where we’re headed as a country.

🔥 Listen now and join the conversation, but with gentleness and respect! 🔥