Briefing Congress on our Godless Constitution
Summary
In this episode of One Nation, Indivisible, host Andrew Seidel recounts his recent experience briefing the Congressional Freethought Caucus on the secular foundations of the U.S. Constitution and the dangerous disinformation campaigns driving Christian nationalism. Joined by Reverend Dr. Brian Kaylor, author of Baptizing America, the conversation covered everything from the godless origins of the Constitution to the fabricated myths pushed by figures like David Barton and embraced by politicians like Speaker Mike Johnson. Andrew reflects on the need to reclaim patriotism as a defense of freedom of thought, explains how historical lies fuel modern Christian nationalist legislation, and highlights coordinated efforts like Project Blitz that aim to erode church-state separation. Despite the challenges, he shares a hopeful message about members of Congress who genuinely care about truth, democracy, and protecting real religious freedom—not the weaponized version used by extremists.
Episode Resources:
Meet The Guest
Rev. Brian Kaylor
Brian T. Kaylor, a Baptist minister with a Ph.D. in political communication, is president & editor-in-chief of Word&Way (a Christian media company based in Missouri since 1896).
An award-winning writer and sought-after expert on issues of religion, politics, and communication, Brian is the author or co-author of seven books on religion and politics: The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power, Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism, Unsettling Lent: A Devotional, Vote Your Conscience: Party Must Not Trump Principles; Sacramental Politics: Religious Worship as Political Action; Presidential Campaign Rhetoric in an Age of Confessional Politics; and For God’s Sake, Shut Up!
Brian has a Ph.D. and an M.A. in political communication from the University of Missouri, and a B.A. in communication and Christian ministry from Southwest Baptist University. In addition to articles and editorials for Word&Way, his writings have been published by CNN, Houston Chronicle, Kansas City Star, Louisville Courier-Journal, Religion News Service, Roll Call, Sojourners, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Washington Post, and many other outlets. He also hosts the award-winning podcasts Dangerous Dogma.
He previously served as associate director of Churchnet (also known as the Baptist General Convention of Missouri), assistant professor of communication studies at James Madison University in Virginia, contributing editor for Ethics Daily, and pastor of Union Mound Baptist Church in Elkland, Missouri. He is vice chair of the Board of Directors for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and he previously served as chair of the Resolutions Committee for the Baptist World Alliance and a member of the Board of Directors for the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America. He and his wife, Jennifer, were married in June of 2004 and have a son.
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