Holy Smokes: Cigars and Spirituality

In recent years, Christian Nationalist have bee casting a negative light on the concept of empathy. They characterize it as a gateway to approve "sin." In this episode Kristian and the crew unpack how dangerous this teaching is. Watch this episode and subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/Athcr-Z-lwE [https://youtu.be/Athcr-Z-lwE] Subscribe to Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/tfcvirtual [https://www.patreon.com/tfcvirtual] Purchase full-length, uncensored episodes of the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/tfcvirtual [https://www.patreon.com/tfcvirtual] Join the Wait List for Kristian's upcoming e-book, "How to Deconstruct," here: https://mailchi.mp/thefaithcommunity/... Register for DAI Fest in Atlanta Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dai-fest... Get Merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-s... Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.kristianasmith.com/breaki...   Episode Chapters 00:00 - Intro and Highlights 02:30 - Rich Auntie’s Birthday Recap 05:47 - The First Lady of the Closet 10:10 - Pamela is the man of the house 13:10 - The One Rule 17:52 - What is Empathy - The Couch w/ Pamela 31:13 - Boundaries vs. Control 36:57 - How did you learn empathy? 47:15 - Anxiety vs Empathy 55:01 - What is toxic Empathy? Reaching for the Stars 1:20:15 - The Enticing Sin of Empathy 1:31:30 - You’re Invited!

Last Sunday, Fundamentalist Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell (PAM) told Black people they need to stop blaming White cops for the killing of Black kids. He used Romans 13 in the Bible as the justification for his stance in the midst of a Christian Nationalist Regime that is abducting people off the street, erasing Black history, destabilizing the economy, etc... In this special edition of Holy Smokes: Cigars and Spirituality, Kristian does a solo episode to unpack the context of Romans 13. He provides another perspective on Romans 13 that is almost always overlooked in fundamentalist Christian spaces. This episode was recorded live for our free and paid tiers in Patreon. You can watch the full length episode by subscribing today! Subscribe to Patreon Here:   / tfcvirtual   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazY4V1k5NkYtOVhlNnVLQTU5Z0VheGVnOEdud3xBQ3Jtc0trNjlkWXYxTWFUVHhldnpoTk1xVjJVSHBWUWdXMTRWR25rcjZDOHJlbWNpR0o4TUdVajZQdHRaRERDQkdFdUlIS0ZLaWEyd0dRNzBrWk5fVUtFWE1RQXp0OUZDYmJpcW9JWFBqd1ZiMmlLLU5UVllEdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fpatreon.com%2Ftfcvirtual&v=iTlgXJ-AQBM]  Purchase full-length, uncensored episodes of the podcast here:   / tfcvirtual   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnN1T2hHWFBHdkJCdXpWWW5TWkY2QVJ4WWt6UXxBQ3Jtc0trQzhWc0dwTnh2MDFmZXlKTU5ORzJ5bjFIRWs3UmVOeVByZHVoMEl6QVV3dFh6QXpfUnpsZlFNLTg4dXRwWUNaOXJRYVRwcU81MXpObTRPRDFNLXhROW9jZVhHR2daWnBvOE10MEhsMXNZN1NrRnBUaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fpatreon.com%2Ftfcvirtual&v=iTlgXJ-AQBM] Join the Wait List for Kristian's upcoming e-book, "How to Deconstruct," here: https://mailchi.mp/thefaithcommunity/... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUFwWTN2NWZ3WkNiNUZWWjcwUEdreFVwUFVtUXxBQ3Jtc0trMVA4dkxfdEUzMjM0b25INV9ROVVFNlptU3VoSzZwVHFqMlZPTXZ5RWQzWk9PTU91VGF5bE9NajBaUUJoOXNKdElQdlJtZWJUUEt0V2tBVUpoRlJoOVdpcFcxUmJHNFlwRmxGN2JaMEFhcko2SU1HRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fmailchi.mp%2Fthefaithcommunity%2Fe-book-waitlist&v=iTlgXJ-AQBM] Register for DAI Fest in Atlanta Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dai-fest... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWJZOVpFLVljMkl5OEF2OU1mUHo1U2ZZUFNtZ3xBQ3Jtc0trTmVJMVM2MnNiaUlKbmZsTG5ra1Q1aVU1VmRCdVlQZk9IQ1psYjJLb3A1VFlfVXNDbGlBVkdJT3ZNbzJvWVVFWXB3MTg5QzZVcDk0ZUdMOUg1RHJSNTVXbU9QRjRIWXVwRGZYdG9kY2U1c0p5ZjYxOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eventbrite.com%2Fe%2Fdai-fest-2025-registration-999357684737%3Faff%3Doddtdtcreator&v=iTlgXJ-AQBM] Get Merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-s... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVk1bUNsMU5TbEFNVTlJSzJYU2JZRFJnZ0xNQXxBQ3Jtc0tsTjRIaDNvVUVIMnY3SEFrNF9kWHlOY3p4NTRuNDNlNG14Snkydm16Z05HQjZnMGl4MHd6WjdaZmtreE53Xy1ESy1zZUh6Uk5FUjYzTzZ4UkhZa3NWR0xzdnRlcHRjSUVrSXZxSThZSE1JLW9uT05zSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fthefaithcommunity.org%2Fmerch-store&v=iTlgXJ-AQBM] Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.kristianasmith.com/breaki... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbHRYXy16QzlCX0FqdTFWUzlIalh4WEExRnBYZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsYTdDVVJSaHZXMVRzOG1MVWUtbWFZYkRpLVk3ZHlvTmgxV1l5Yi1CVE5aRkNma2FtTDloZEpUbjg0SVJKaXFScmZKaFpleVRQRURVbFptVl95RDBSdnVxci1jYkdocEhVTnFaS3hTbngyeE5tZlRGSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kristianasmith.com%2Fbreaking-all-the-rules&v=iTlgXJ-AQBM]   Video Chapters 00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTlgXJ-AQBM] - Intro and Highlights 02:59 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTlgXJ-AQBM&t=179s] - Origin Story for this video 07:36 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTlgXJ-AQBM&t=456s] - Kristian's disdain for PAM's theology 10:53 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTlgXJ-AQBM&t=653s] - How to spot Anti-Blackness in the Black community 12:44 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTlgXJ-AQBM&t=764s] - Who taught theology to Christian Influencers? 17:07 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTlgXJ-AQBM&t=1027s] - Kristian agrees with PAM 17:53 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTlgXJ-AQBM&t=1073s] - Recap of PAM's story about police brutality 21:53 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTlgXJ-AQBM&t=1313s] - Romans 13 breakdown 22:54 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTlgXJ-AQBM&t=1374s] - Cultural context of Romans 13 - Emperor Nero 25:10 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTlgXJ-AQBM&t=1510s] - The Apostle Paul did not write scripture 27:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTlgXJ-AQBM&t=1620s] - West Africans were uninvolved in Roman Christianity 35:10 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTlgXJ-AQBM&t=2110s] - Romans 13:1-7 doesn't belong there? 38:06 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTlgXJ-AQBM&t=2286s] - The Greatest Commandment takes priority 39:22 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTlgXJ-AQBM&t=2362s] - Kristian's encounter with the Gen Z Christian Girlies 43:05 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTlgXJ-AQBM&t=2585s] - Rebranding Condemnation as Conviction 48:33 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTlgXJ-AQBM&t=2913s] - Issa Party!

In this episode, Kristian and the crew discuss how so much of Fundamentalist Christianity props up the image of white Jesus. This is the symbolism European nations have leveraged to violently colonize most of the known world. Subscribe to Patreon Here: https://patreon.com/tfcvirtual [https://patreon.com/tfcvirtual] Purchase full-length, uncensored episodes of the podcast here: https://patreon.com/tfcvirtual [https://patreon.com/tfcvirtual] Register for DAI Fest in Atlanta Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dai-fest-2025-registration-999357684737?aff=oddtdtcreator [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dai-fest-2025-registration-999357684737?aff=oddtdtcreator] Get Merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store [https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store] Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.kristianasmith.com/breaking-all-the-rules [https://www.kristianasmith.com/breaking-all-the-rules]   Video Chapters  00:00 - Intro and Highlights 02:16 - Kristian’s Devil Horns 04:45 - The One Rule 05:49 - A Review of our YouTube haters 14:34 - What are you doing to care for yourself? 27:06 - “Jesus was NOT a Black Man” - Phillip Anthony Mitchell 40:52 - Weaponizing Marxism 46:52 - Evidence of Jesus’ Skin Tone 55:34 - Afterlife Anxiety obstructs Pro-Blackness 58:53 - The problem with Christian Evangelism   The Faith Community is a groundbreaking, inclusive faith community where the traditional meets the transformational. It exists to challenge harmful religious norms while creating a safe, affirming space for spiritual seekers of all kinds. Through virtual connection, theological interrogation, and an emphasis on love and self-acceptance, TFC helps its audience find abundant life and community without compromising their identity.

In this episode, Kristian and the crew discuss what it’s like to be single in the Black Church regardless of your gender or sexual orientation. We’ll uncover in this conversation that those factors make a difference. We’re joined by two of our community members, BJ Jackson and Paul Best. Subscribe to Patreon Here: https://patreon.com/tfcvirtual [https://patreon.com/tfcvirtual] Purchase full-length, uncensored episodes of the podcast here: https://patreon.com/tfcvirtual [https://patreon.com/tfcvirtual] Watch the Patrons-only recording of the first Deconstructing Singles Ministry episode: https://www.youtube.com/live/_sVoY3Qeqzg?si=14q9KM-AgXOA8hIT [https://www.youtube.com/live/_sVoY3Qeqzg?si=14q9KM-AgXOA8hIT] Get Merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store [https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store] Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.kristianasmith.com/breaking-all-the-rules [https://www.kristianasmith.com/breaking-all-the-rules] Video Chapters 00:00 - Intro and Highlights 08:04 - Did not our hearts burn within us? - Part 1 Recap 12:30 - The One Rule 19:09 - Describe your experience as a single person in the Black Church 43:07 - Decentering Heterosexual Relationships 46:32 - Leave me out of your misery - Reaching for the Stars 1:02:10 - Jackie Hill Perry Levels of Repression 1:09:11 - The Masturbation Stigma 1:13:49 - How has Purity Culture impacted your relationships? 1:15:22 - Some single church mothers are closeted lesbians?   The Faith Community is a groundbreaking, inclusive faith community where the traditional meets the transformational. It exists to challenge harmful religious norms while creating a safe, affirming space for spiritual seekers of all kinds. Through virtual connection, theological interrogation, and an emphasis on love and self-acceptance, TFC helps its audience find abundant life and community without compromising their identity.

This episode will give you a look inside the mind of a Christian Nationalist. Kristian and the crew are joined by viral comedic content creator and author of "Star Spangled Jesus", April Ajoy. April was raised in the Christian Nationalist world. Now she has committed her work to dismantling the tradition that raised her for the good of humanity. Subscribe to Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/tfcvirtual [https://www.patreon.com/tfcvirtual] Purchase full-length, uncensored episodes of the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/tfcvirtual [https://www.patreon.com/tfcvirtual] Register for Holy Smokes Chicago here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holy-smokes-chicago-march-2025-tickets-1235019389239?aff=oddtdtcreator [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holy-smokes-chicago-march-2025-tickets-1235019389239?aff=oddtdtcreator] Order "Star Spangled Jesus" here: https://linktr.ee/aprilajoy?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabCnvA_k_GTHeDI5GCzJYG-91N2UUU4raM-pczJWcaOAvrxDuAh7LzaWdE_aem_5k0g2VdLDciPvSDujZWqIQ [https://linktr.ee/aprilajoy?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabCnvA_k_GTHeDI5GCzJYG-91N2UUU4raM-pczJWcaOAvrxDuAh7LzaWdE_aem_5k0g2VdLDciPvSDujZWqIQ] Get merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store [https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store] Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.holysmokesmovement.com/batr-book-order [https://www.holysmokesmovement.com/batr-book-order]   Video Chapters  00:00 - Intro and Highlights 04:55 - Part 1 Recap 07:00 - Star Spangled Jesus 08:44 - The One Rule 10:45 - The definition of Christian Nationalism 13:45 - What aspect of Christian Nationalism is the most concerning? 25:30 - White Women, Welch's and Witchcraft 32:49 - Oscars Prayer Party 37:00 - Christian Nationalist U.S. History 45:55 - All good Christians are Republican 57:40 - White Evangelicals in Black Face 1:03:39 - Seven Mountain Mandate 1:17:07 - Blackness over Christianity 1:20:41 - How to counter Christian Nationalism   The Faith Community is a groundbreaking, inclusive faith community where the traditional meets the transformational. It exists to challenge harmful religious norms while creating a safe, affirming space for spiritual seekers of all kinds. Through virtual connection, theological interrogation, and an emphasis on love and self-acceptance, TFC helps its audience find abundant life and community without compromising their identity.