Episode 99: Election special, with Bella Cross - queer Christian political educator
It's election time in the UK and USA, that magical season when people of conscience and intelligence are told to hold their noses, ignore the stink of corruption and compromise, and vote for one of two parties that are both pro-capitalist, tough on those fleeing danger, and, this year, apparently okay with genocide.
Meeeerrrry shitmas!
To 'celebrate' the season, we decided to talk politics, parties, key issues on people's minds and why people think voting for evil is okay, just because it's 'lesser'.
Bella Cross is a community organiser and activist whose day job involves educating younger people to understand politics better. They are also a Christian, trans, nonbinary, deeply insightful and a lot of fun.
They join Malky, Laura and Jonty to talk about trans rights, Palestine, the environment, asylum and migration and why voting is not the most important part of politics.
We also end up speaking about giving blood, passing out and Scottish football more than you might expect.
This is a pretty UK-focused episode, but the themes we're discussing will, we think, be relevant to anyone disheartened with their political choices.
You can listen to Episode 99 anywhere: in a self-congratulatory political bubble; out on the streets organising; in a drunken stupor after your team wins; in the depths of hopeless despair and right here…
New to Beer Christianity? Sorry there’s so much politics. And so little beer.
Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, anti-imperialist, post-post-post-evangelical podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, helpful and entertaining.
Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. He updates it according to his own wildly inconsistent neurodivergent schedule, but it’s a good read. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack.
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There's also a connected Show With Music on Spotify called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and random chat.
Other things…
Malky’s design work has graced many good magazines and music videos. You can find his stuff and even commission him if he’s not too busy, here. Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not literature but it’s quite fun if you like Supernatural, Africa or the Goth scene. Laura doesn’t want us to post her BookTok until she’s posted more videos. She may have prayed for the app to be banned just to avoid it.
Beliefs…
We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be, while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice.