The Paternalism Problem

Leaving the Christian Right, Pt 2

Most believers think standing up for justice means staying within the confines of that very system... but what if true transformation requires us to step outside the box completely? On this episode of One Question, Matt, Jason, and Muoki challenge the binary notions of political engagement, social activism, and faith-based justice, revealing that real change isn’t about supporting the lesser evil but about actively breaking free from oppressive power structures. Join us as we explore the transformative power of responsible action inspired by Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s famous “Moment,” and unpack how Christian nonviolence and radical community-building can revolutionize the way followers of Jesus engage in a broken world. You’ll discover how the legacy of the Black Panther Party, the influence of Anabaptist peace traditions, and contemporary grassroots organizing point to a different kind of activism—one rooted in hope, courage, and real resistance. We dive into tangible strategies for moving beyond superficial activism and into building community infrastructure that endures regardless of political shifts. This episode is essential listening for anyone feeling disillusioned by the binary options presented by mainstream politics or seeking a faith-aligned approach to social change. If you're committed to justice but unsure how to act responsibly in a complex system, or if you wonder how to keep hope alive in the face of historical and systemic violence, tune in now. Muoki brings deep insight into the racial realities shaping justice movements today. His perspective, alongside the reflections of Matt and Jason’s experience with radical activism, offers a hopeful vision: real change begins when we risk stepping outside the comfort zone and into the fight for community liberation.

Leaving the Christian Right, Pt. 1

Matt grew up organizing prayer meetings to vote George W. Bush into office. Today, he's not sure he's welcome in the same churches that shaped him. In Part 1 of Leaving the Christian Right, Matt, Muoki, and Jason trace the real turning points — not the tidy ones. They go deep on the largely untold origin story of the Christian Right: why abortion wasn't actually the founding cause, how desegregated schools and the Bob Jones University controversy quietly ignited the movement, and how evangelical political energy became a machine for manufactured grievance. Matt maps his own journey from religious right true believer to Iraq War critic to finding his way out of partisan tribalism — and how satire, of all things, cracked things open. The conversation gets personal fast. Muoki shares what it was like navigating black identity inside predominantly white evangelical spaces — hearing "it's not a skin issue, it's a sin issue" while getting stopped by police on his way to school. Jason brings the outside perspective, pressing both of them on the harder questions: Who decides what gets wrapped in the divine? And how do you hold firm to a text when the text is being weaponized? They also get into the years-long wrestling match with LGBTQ affirmation — not as a hot take, but as a real story of sitting with the tension, reading Brueggemann, revisiting old conversations, and eventually landing somewhere that felt more honest than theologically airtight. Plus a detour through purity culture, Paul's worst advice, and why the Bible having internal contradictions might actually be the point. If you've ever felt the gap between what you were taught and what you've lived — this one's for you. One Question brings together two Christians and a skeptic to ask: how do we move from words to action in ways that actually strengthen community?

The Paternalism Problem

In this episode, Matthew, Muoki, and Jason explore the intricacies of justice, the pitfalls of paternalism in mission work, and the importance of mutual relationship in social justice efforts. Muoki shares his experience in overseas Christian missionary work and describes the impact - positive and negative - of the “market” of charity in Christian spaces. They challenge traditional narratives of aid and emphasize listening, respect, and collaboration with impacted communities. Key Topics: * The limitations and dangers of paternalism in mission and social justice work * Unidirectional vs. reciprocal learning and its impact on agency * The role of systemic structures in perpetuating dependency * The importance of relationship-led approaches over crisis-driven initiatives * How liberation is a continual, mutual process, not a one-way rescue * Moving towards community-led solutions and exit strategies in development work * The influence of historical colonialism on current aid and missionary models * The necessity of listening to and valuing the agency of marginalized communities * Practical ways to embody mutual aid and shared liberation in activism Timestamps:  00:00 - Introduction 05:32 - Linking systemic structures and dependency in mission work 10:11 - Critique of charity that perpetuates inequality 13:56 - The problem of paternalism and institutional power in aid work 23:07 - Systemic influence of colonialism on aid and development models 33:11 - Respectful engagement vs. colonialist mentalities in social actions 41:37 - Redefining liberation spaces beyond crisis-response models 53:04 - Moving away from paternalistic approaches towards relationship-based justice 62:01 - Building system outside harmful frameworks through true mutuality Resources & Links: * A Radical Guide [https://www.radical-guide.com/] * James Baldwin quote on love and critique [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Baldwin] * Frantz Fanon, The Wretched of the Earth [https://www.amazon.com/Wretched-Earth-Frantz-Fanon/dp/0802158633/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.idi5MSKUkTY1JJWHYGt0Yn1lPTETkAtqpjgR4EKDa_Fut9L2v7l8mvSZevdWDoAgTorL88ULeJ0BDjdhMVGAfy39ZQkba67KMWRgzjZ_m7N0DRLUq37QdaHbXu-TPjame5QZ2rsr1hSTLn5tRN4waDbw6KhPYMqiesYCV10NVNeMZcf2YVa_gNyhZ29xAAzATv1lorz77pXvtfT6s02Fylrl3_E8wFna0M5WC3NkJ0c.1sM1XY5jyLyhJrK-Hj4pixF8kxryUIkioQV3iCYdwGw&dib_tag=se&keywords=fanon+wretched&qid=1775309309&sr=8-1] * Willie Jennings, The Christian Imagination [https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Imagination-Theology-Origins-Race/dp/B08B45DMX4/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.H0lGhTWqZyGCHxAQnlSGlPU9nl6jMqMYfZWcYqYP_swUREWeXsimsc-mr6OEmUjL8rEtApbpo7UCyYHtxj16taDvAJ5KnSHcmJGH_CUXraA7zC4R8DRNYY2ICUTrE-rNsAAUq_a5_IRI9cmWA0W0YiawaZKrQpRPRQtn3kyRvuP8HU3qBThIjMJ43FMk-4afNMI4lvq0NAHAkATTyW3xRF7eEOX2kybQspQx3TWp5fQ.nV54mqVwnqBk5up1LJCUMCTTg9NR7bPm3rhNuFebgYE&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+christian+imagination&qid=1775309278&sr=8-1] * Chris Hanson, Open and Relational Parenting [https://www.amazon.com/Open-Relational-Parenting-Parents-Reflecting/dp/1968136169/ref=sr_1_2?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.QSy4WQoX1xo7MJGvjJSMLjEtd8gK7kU2kuNn_K5ZOS5UTCAMx8xs4zulouEhbkBiGsT6DGTyQR7aEAdYp5TLR5iVn6s0R0tHP5klRWKVt7c.YHw-Nt8c-ccNa7BzaRRefaziaUMbRpSrcaXnu7z3M_M&dib_tag=se&keywords=chris+hansen+parenting&qid=1775309337&sr=8-2]

Who controls the divine?

God has been used to justify war, empire, and oppression. So what happens when people claim divine authority to legitimize their actions? In this episode, we wrestle with a tension that sits at the center of faith, power, and justice: If the divine can be invoked to justify anything… who holds that accountable? WHAT WE EXPLORE * Why invoking God can create unquestionable authority * How power “wraps itself in the divine” to control narratives * The problem of accountability when authority is tied to God * The tension between faith as motivation vs faith as justification Justice has been built by people both with and without faith. Invoking God can inspire meaningful action, but it can also erase the contributions of real people and centralize power in dangerous ways. So the real question isn’t who controls God, it’s what we’re actually building together. If something in this episode made you see your world differently - tell us! And if you’re tired of performative outrage and you want practical, honest conversation aimed at real action—follow the show and share this episode with someone who’s willing to build. Hate us already? Email us at OneQuestionPodcast1Q@gmail.com [OneQuestionPodcast1Q@gmail.com]  RESOURCES/REFERENCES/TEXTS/ETC. A Radical Guide https://www.radical-guide.com/ [https://www.radical-guide.com/]  Bonhoeffer, Ethics Walter Bruegemann, A Prophetic Imagination Emma Goldman, Anarchism and Other Essays, Jürgen Habermas, Awareness of What is Missing: Faith and Reason in a Post-Secular Age Søren Kierkegaard, Fear and Trembling Thomas Merton, Peace in a Post-Christian Era James Cone, A Theology of Liberation Alystair McIntyre, After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory Karen Armstrong, Fields of Blood Biblical Narratives: Numbers 16; Exodus narrative; teachings of Jesus on love, nonviolence, and discipleship

Beyond “Us v. Them”

In this opening conversation, we introduce One Question—a podcast bringing together two Christians and a non-believer to talk about the state of the world and what justice looks like in practice. We explore why cross-belief dialogue matters, where charity falls short, and how communities can move from words to action without defaulting to “us vs them.” What You’ll Hear in This Episode: * Why we’re doing this podcast—and why we don’t want another debate show * The personal histories that shaped each host’s relationship to faith, doubt, and justice * The difference between charity, mutual aid, and building durable community * Why “labels” can clarify values—but also dehumanize * A shared commitment: flagging the moment the conversation slips into the usual narrative If you’re tired of performative outrage and you want practical, honest conversation aimed at real action—follow the show and share this episode with someone who’s willing to build. Hate us already? Email us at OneQuestionPodcast1Q@gmail.com [OneQuestionPodcast1Q@gmail.com]  Resources/references/texts/etc. A Radical Guide https://www.radical-guide.com/ [https://www.radical-guide.com/]  Charles Marsh, Strange Glory: A Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer https://www.amazon.com/Strange-Glory-Life-Dietrich-Bonhoeffer/dp/0307269817 [https://www.amazon.com/Strange-Glory-Life-Dietrich-Bonhoeffer/dp/0307269817]  Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison https://www.fortresspress.com/store/product/9780800697037/Letters-and-Papers-from-Prison [https://www.fortresspress.com/store/product/9780800697037/Letters-and-Papers-from-Prison]  Bonhoeffer, Ethics https://www.fortresspress.com/store/product/9781506402727/Ethics [https://www.fortresspress.com/store/product/9781506402727/Ethics]  Walter Bruegemann, A Prophetic Imagination https://www.fortresspress.com/store/product/9781506449302/The-Prophetic-Imagination [https://www.fortresspress.com/store/product/9781506449302/The-Prophetic-Imagination]  James Cone, The Cross and the Lynching Tree https://orbisbooks.com/products/the-cross-and-the-lynching-tree [https://orbisbooks.com/products/the-cross-and-the-lynching-tree]  Abraham Heschel, The Prophets  https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-prophets-abraham-j-heschel [https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-prophets-abraham-j-heschel]