Best Of: John Fugelsang on Jesus and Politics

The Al Franken Podcast

Comedy, News, Government, Politics

4.6 • 8.1K Ratings

🗓️ 5 April 2026

⏱️ 39 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Donald Trump and the Republican Party have the backing of Evangelicals and fundamentalist Christians. But if you read the Bible or listen to the teachings of Jesus Christ, it would be clear that their policies are anything but Christ-like. In this Best Of episode, we revisit our October 2025 conversation with comedian, radio host, and NYT bestselling author John Fugelsang to discuss his book, “Separation of Church and Hate.”

Fugelsang shares his unique perspective as a Christian who was raised by a former nun and a Franciscan Brother. He shows the disconnect between what far-right Christians claim Jesus taught versus what he actually said in the Bible. Jesus promoted peace, love, compassion, and mercy... None of which are evident in today's Republican Party.

We also break down many social issues that right-wing Christians use their faith to justify. Jesus advocated against the death penalty, provided for the poor, and never once said that homosexuality is a sin. Not to mention abortion, which was weaponized in the 1980s to consolidate power under Ronald Reagan.

We hope this interview can help you engage with right-wing Christians in a civil way by pointing to actual scripture, which might help them see the contradictions and lies that their party embraces.

READ John's bestselling book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Separation-of-Church-and-Hate/John-Fugelsang/9781668066898

LISTEN to The John Fugelsang Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-john-fugelsang-podcast/id1464094232

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, everybody, we've got a great one today, you know, for a change.
0:08.2	And that's because this one is a best of.
0:11.6	I'm taking a little break on the podcast.
0:13.7	I've been doing the show for seven years, and I deserve it.
0:18.8	So I'd like to revisit my conversation with John Fuglesang from October of last year.
0:26.2	This is one of my listeners' favorite shows.
0:28.8	John is a comedian, actor, and podcast hosts who joined us to discuss his New York Times bestseller,
0:36.8	separation of church and hate. The book is
0:40.8	all about Jesus, what he actually said and didn't say. Feed the hungry, welcome the stranger,
0:49.5	not cut off snap, and deport immigrants. Now, I'm, and I'm embarrassed to say that I have not spent
0:58.2	a lot of time learning about Jesus. I know the basics, Jewish boy, carpenter, prophet,
1:05.3	crucified by the Romans, not the Jews, but I learned more about what Jesus said and didn't say from this
1:14.0	terrific book. Jesus, for example, had nothing to say about abortion. So let's get right to my
1:21.1	discussion with John Fuglesang. It's a great one, you know, for a change.
1:34.2	Okay, well, John, welcome to the show.
1:36.7	Thank you so much, sir.
1:38.2	We're here today to talk about your new book,
1:41.7	Separation of Church and Hate,
1:49.5	a sane person's guide to taking back the bible from fundamentalists fascists and flock fleecing there's a lot of flock fleecing in
1:56.0	churches oh yes this this book about, really about the difference between what far right Christians say Jesus stood
2:08.6	for and what he actually said and taught.
2:11.6	Yes, sir.
	...

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