Dare to â¤ï¸ yourself (and find authentic spirituality â¨)
It’s another week of faith, sex and politics at Matter of Faith. This newsletter has grown by leaps and bounds this summer, and it’s truly been a treat.
This week, we’re talking about 9/11 and radical love. Before we get into 9/11, I want to introduce you to Ciarra Jones, a public theologian and TikToker who wants you to dare to imagine that God really does love you.
Let’s get into it:
From TikTok to theology, Ciarra Jones is redefining faith for a new generation
From snappy podcast interviews to TikTok gardening videos, content creator and public theologian Ciarra Jones is spreading the gospel of authentic, radically accepting theology in the places where people need hope-filled spirituality the most.
From podcast interviews to TikTok gardening videos, content creator and public theologian Ciarra Jones is spreading the gospel of authentic, radically accepting theology in the places where people need hope-filled spirituality the most.
While she accepts the title, Jones describes herself as an “accidental public theologian.” The work she “stumbled” into through making gardening videos on her TikTok account has become something more healing and more meaningful than just a regular 9-5 job.
What makes her different from your typical theologian is her radically different view of God, suffering and self-identity.
3 ways Christian nationalism redefined American politics after 9/11
From Islamophobia to shifts in voting behavior, masculinity, and the Patriot Act, let’s explore the complex interplay of faith and politics that has shaped America’s path in the 22 years since the New York terrorist attacks. (Getty Images)
Since getting online today, you’ve probably seen posts remembering the events of Sept. 11, 2001. There’s not enough space in this article to contain everything that’s been said about what happened that day.
Conspiracies and controversy aside, there’s another layer of 9/11 that deserves its own spotlight: Christian nationalism, a once fringe political view that merges ultra-conservative Christian beliefs with conservative politics that has been embraced by more than half of Republicans, according to Brookings Institution, since that tragic day 22 years ago.
Keep reading to learn three major ways 9/11 changed politics, especially Christian Nationalism
From my browsing history:
It’s been a hefty political week, but there’s still a lot to talk about. Here’s what I’ve been reading this week:
Benediction:
Thanks for joining me for another week of Matter of Faith. You can find me online on Instagram, Threads and X. You can also send your feedback on the newsletter to [email protected]. I do read my emails!
Keep wandering.
-Anna