About this episode
The Holy Post crew is suspicious of a new study that finds MAGA supporters score higher in authoritarianism, social dominance, and malevolent personality traits, while liberals score higher in compassion and empathy. Church planter, Brad Edwards, says many of us hold beliefs, language, and values that sabotage our ability to benefit from participation in a church. He talks to Kaitlyn about his new book, "The Reason for Church," and why our anti-institutional instincts are self-defeating. Also this week, the Secretary of Defense reposted comments from his pastor that women shouldn't be allowed to vote. The Catholic Church says ICE detainees are being denied their religious rights. And robo-bunnies of death. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/136333510/ Bonus Interview with Brad Edwards: https://www.patreon.com/posts/136265237/ 0:00 - Show Starts 3:25 - Theme Song Updated! 3:48 - Sponsor - Poncho - If you've been looking for the perfect shirt—something breathable, fits great, feels even better, and stands out in a good way—give Poncho a try. Get $10 off your first order by using this link: https://www.ponchooutdoors.com/holypost 5:27 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Go to https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST 7:06 - Okoboji! 12:53 - Robo-Rabbits vs Snakes! 18:53 - Hegseth Opposes Women's Suffrage? 22:42 - Priests Alligator Alcatraz 28:22 - Conservative/Liberal Empathy Study 48:50 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month 50:00 - Sponsor - Our Place - Go to https://www.fromourplace.com and use code HOLYPOST to get 10% off site wide on beautiful cookware! 51:11 - Interview - The Reason for Church: Why the Body of Christ Still Matters in an Age of Anxiety, Division, and Radical Individualism by Brad Edwards: https://amzn.to/45y9zNz 53:48 - Where's the Church at? 1:01:33 - Institution vs Therapy Speak 1:14:00 - Compassion as Moral Framework 1:26:15 - End Credits Links from News Segment: Robot Bunnies in Florida: https://www.popsci.com/environment/robot-bunnies-florida-invasive-pythons/ Priests going to Alligator Alcatraz: https://religionnews.com/2025/08/07/archbishops-win-at-alligator-alcatraz-exposes-gop-religious-freedom-hypocrisy/ Women's Suffrage in question? https://www.thebulwark.com/p/pete-hegseth-shares-video-about-ending?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=user%2FTheBulwark Conservative vs Liberal Empathy Study: https://scottbarrykaufman.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Neumann-Ngo-2025-Malevolent-vs.-benevolent-dispositions-and-conservative-political-ideology-in-the-Trump-era.pdf Other Resources: Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.