Holy Smokes: Cigars and Spirituality

Episode

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  Faith Deconstruction for Dummies (And Why You're Not Broken) w/ Dr. Mashaun D. Simon 27.01.2026 44mnt

  Yes, you heard that correctly: this will be our last AUDIO ONLY release for the foreseeable future. We are at our max capacity for output at the moment, so we will discontinue releasing audio-only episodes until we're in a position to expand our production team. Suscribe to the TFC Virtual YouTube channel for new releases here: https://www.youtube.com/@tfc.virtual Subscribe to the TFCVirtual Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual In this episode we discuss what is faith deconstruction—and what isn't it? In this conversation with Dr. Mashaun D. Simon, author of Faith Deconstruction for Dummies, we unpack why deconstruction is not about abandoning belief but about pursuing honesty, healing, and spiritual integrity. This episode is especially for those navigating doubt, queerness, grief, and the longing for a faith that can breathe.   Purchase full-length, uncensored episodes of the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual Join the Wait List for Kristian's upcoming e-book, "Question Your Answers," here: https://mailchi.mp/thefaithcommunity/e-book-waitlist Get Merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.kristianasmith.com/breaking-all-the-rules Apply for a Pay it Forward Sponsorship here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAVV7dQ1BXGkd8MoUyiQDNtEw82c8RgCDAaDvWpoOCUpxbDA/viewform Episode Chapters 00:00 — "Deconstruction Is Already Happening" Why this conversation is unavoidable right now.  04:20 — "This Book Isn't Here to Take Your Faith" What deconstruction is actually for. 08:45 — "Not Jesus-Centric… So What Am I?" Reframing faith beyond rigid categories. 13:30 — "Who This Book Was Really Written For" Why queer deconstructors saw themselves first. 18:10 — "There Is No A + B = C" Why deconstruction has no roadmap. 22:50 — "The Loneliness Nobody Warns You About" What it costs emotionally to question everything. 29:00 — "Deconstruction Without Decolonization Isn't Enough" Why Black deconstruction must go deeper. 36:40 — "From Pseudo-Holy to Whole" Why the goal isn't certainty — it's integrity.
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  Protesting Peace: The Theology Behind Christian Narcissism 14.01.2026 24mnt

  In this segment, we examine how fundamentalist Christianity can produce theological narcissism—a belief system rooted in superiority, control, and moral absolutism. Using a viral confrontation between a Christian protester and Buddhist monks walking for peace, we unpack how warped theology distorts love, empathy, and accountability. This is a necessary conversation about faith, mental health, and coexistence. This segment comes from the Live Virtual Patreon recording of "Am I the Drama: What Happens when you Stop Deflecting?" Subscribe to the TFCVirtual Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual Purchase full-length, uncensored episodes of the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual Join the Wait List for Kristian's upcoming e-book, "Question Your Answers," here: https://mailchi.mp/thefaithcommunity/e-book-waitlist Get Merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.kristianasmith.com/breaking-all-the-rules Apply for a Pay it Forward Sponsorship here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAVV7dQ1BXGkd8MoUyiQDNtEw82c8RgCDAaDvWpoOCUpxbDA/viewform Episode Chapters 00:00 — "Protesting Peace?" The viral moment that sparked this conversation. 03:05 — "What Is Theological Narcissism?" Why fundamentalism breeds superiority and control. 07:40 — "There's No Hate Like Christian Love" How condemnation gets mislabeled as love. 12:30 — "Faith, Narcissism, and Mental Health" Why rejecting therapy keeps these patterns alive. 17:55 — "Why Coexistence Feels Like a Threat" Binary thinking, supremacy, and the fear of difference.
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  Are the Christians OK? Because This Is Getting Weird 31.12.2025 1j 14mnt

  In this episode, we ask the uncomfortable question many people are already thinking: are Christians actually OK? From online outrage and moral panic to certainty, control, and public faith performances, this conversation explores what's happening to Christianity in real time — and why so many people are walking away from the church. Subscribe to the TFCVirtual Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual Purchase full-length, uncensored episodes of the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual Join the Wait List for Kristian's upcoming e-book, "How to Deconstruct," here: https://mailchi.mp/thefaithcommunity/e-book-waitlist Get Merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.kristianasmith.com/breaking-all-the-rules Apply for a Pay it Forward Sponsorship here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAVV7dQ1BXGkd8MoUyiQDNtEw82c8RgCDAaDvWpoOCUpxbDA/viewform Episode Chapters 00:00 — "Are the Christians OK?" The question nobody wants to answer. 04:20 — "Why Everything Is a Crisis Now" How outrage became the church's default posture. 09:15 — "When Faith Turns Into Fear" Why anxiety is driving Christian behavior. 14:40 — "Certainty, Control, and Moral Panic" What Christians are really protecting. 20:05 — "Online Christianity Is Unhinged" Social media, algorithms, and spiritual collapse. 25:30 — "Why Everyone Is Always 'Offended'" Fragile faith and perpetual outrage. 31:10 — "Defending God Like God Needs Help" Why Christians keep fighting imaginary battles. 36:50 — "The Cost of Being 'Right'" What certainty is doing to relationships and witness. 42:25 — "Why People Are Leaving the Church" It's not rebellion — it's survival. 48:00 — "What a Healthier Faith Might Look Like" Hope beyond outrage Christianity.
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  What 2025 Taught Me About Faith, Certainty, and Letting Go | Year in Review 30.12.2025 1j 14mnt

  In this 2025 Year in Review, the crew reflects on the spiritual, emotional, and theological shifts that reshaped our faith over the past year. From deconstruction and grief to clarity, growth, and deeper questions about God, certainty, and identity, this episode explores what it means to evolve spiritually in real time. If you're navigating faith changes or rethinking what you believe, this conversation is for you. Subscribe to the TFCVirtual Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual Purchase full-length, uncensored episodes of the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual Join the Wait List for Kristian's upcoming e-book, "How to Deconstruct," here: https://mailchi.mp/thefaithcommunity/e-book-waitlist Get Merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.kristianasmith.com/breaking-all-the-rules Apply for a Pay it Forward Sponsorship here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAVV7dQ1BXGkd8MoUyiQDNtEw82c8RgCDAaDvWpoOCUpxbDA/viewform Episode Chapters 00:00 — "Why 2025 Needed a Reckoning" Setting the tone for a year that demanded reflection.  04:15 — "What I Thought 2025 Would Be" Expectations vs. reality. 09:30 — "Certainty Cracked This Year" How unanswered questions reshaped my faith. 14:45 — "Grief, Loss, and Spiritual Disruption" When life forces theology to get real. 20:10 — "Deconstruction Isn't Destruction" What I unlearned — and what survived. 25:50 — "Letting Go of the God I Outgrew" Why some beliefs couldn't come with me. 31:40 — "What Stayed When Everything Else Fell Away" The core that remained after the unraveling. 37:15 — "Faith Without Certainty" Learning to trust without needing control. 42:30 — "How Community Changed My Theology" Why growth never happens alone. 48:20 — "What I'm Carrying Into 2026" Hope, intention, and forward momentum.
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  Your Certainty Is the Idol: The Theology the Church Won't Confront | Theology of Idolatry 29.12.2025 1j 20mnt

  In this episode, we unpack the theology of idolatry and how certainty, patriarchy, and supremacy culture shape the way many Christians talk about God. From gendered God-language to rage-driven faith, this conversation exposes how defending beliefs often replaces genuine worship. If you're navigating deconstruction, reconstruction, or questioning Christian certainty, this episode will hit home. Subscribe for more! Subscribe to the TFCVirtual Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual Purchase full-length, uncensored episodes of the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual Join the Wait List for Kristian's upcoming e-book, "How to Deconstruct," here: https://mailchi.mp/thefaithcommunity/e-book-waitlist Get Merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.kristianasmith.com/breaking-all-the-rules Apply for a Pay it Forward Sponsorship here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAVV7dQ1BXGkd8MoUyiQDNtEw82c8RgCDAaDvWpoOCUpxbDA/viewform Episode Chapters 00:00 — "What Is Idolatry Really?" Why idolatry isn't just statues — it's how we cling to certainty. 05:40 — "When Certainty Becomes Sacred" How unquestionable beliefs replace trust in God. 12:10 — "Defending God or Defending Yourself?" Why people feel personally attacked by theological disagreement. 18:55 — "Patriarchy, Supremacy & One Right Way" How dominance culture shapes Christian theology. 26:30 — "Why Gendering God Triggers So Much Rage" Unpacking fear, control, and religious identity. 34:45 — "The Internet, Rage-Bait & Modern Idolatry" How outrage has become a spiritual addiction. 43:20 — "From Worship to Freedom" What faith looks like when certainty is no longer the idol.
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  Why Yolanda Adams Broke The Internet: God Beyond Gender - BONUS episode 02.12.2025 30mnt

  In this bonus episode, we break down Yolanda Adams' now-viral statement that "God is bigger than gender" — and why church folks absolutely lost their minds over it. Kristian is joined by Myron The Mystic, Nikki The Anchor, and Auntie Mazda Miles for this convo. We explore how patriarchy, biblical interpretation, and supremacy culture shape the way people imagine God and why the idea of a non-male God triggers so much rage. If you're interested in theology, liberation, gender, or the modern Black church, this deep dive is for you.   Subscribe to the TFCVirtual Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual Purchase full-length, uncensored episodes of the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual Join the Wait List for Kristian's upcoming e-book, "How to Deconstruct," here: https://mailchi.mp/thefaithcommunity/e-book-waitlist Get Merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.kristianasmith.com/breaking-all-the-rules   Episode Chapters 00:00 — "Yolanda Adams Sparks a Firestorm" The moment that set Black church internet ablaze. 04:12 — "Why Is Gendering God Such a Big Deal?" The theological and emotional roots behind the outrage. 09:40 — "Patriarchy, Pronouns & the Black Church" How masculine God-language became sacred — and weaponized. 16:05 — "God as They: The Trinity, Multiplicity & Divine Identity" Breaking down the biblical foundations for nonbinary God-language. 22:58 — "When Certainty Becomes Idolatry" Why challenging God's gender threatens people's entire belief system. 31:20 — "Rage-Bait Religion: How the Internet Twisted Yolanda's Words" How platforms reframed the clip to fuel anger and clicks. 40:44 — "If You're Offended, What Does That Say About Women?" Interrogating why "God as She" sets people on fire — and what that reveals.
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  The Theology of Gospel Music w/ Yolanda Adams 18.11.2025 1j 10mnt

  Join Holy Smokes as we sit down with the legendary Yolanda Adams for an unfiltered conversation about the theology of gospel music, harmful church doctrines, love, identity, and what God really expects from us. We dive into the tension between sound and theology, how sin has been misdefined, and why the people we hate reveal more about us than God. If you've ever wrestled with faith, tradition, or evolving spirituality, this episode will speak directly to your soul. Subscribe for more!   Subscribe to the TFCVirtual Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual Purchase full-length, uncensored episodes of the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual Join the Wait List for Kristian's upcoming e-book, "How to Deconstruct," here: https://mailchi.mp/thefaithcommunity/e-book-waitlist Get Merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.kristianasmith.com/breaking-all-the-rules   Episode Chapters 00:00 – "I Can Tell How Your God Loves by the People You Hate" 01:49 – Honoring the Legacy: Yolanda Adams Joins the Conversation 03:48 – The One Rule: Kindness Is Key (And It's Biblical) 06:50 – Our Personal Histories with Gospel Music 10:30 – Why Theology Made Us Step Back from Gospel (Then Return) 13:18 – Black Folks & Ginger Ale: A Sacred Relationship 15:45 – Belief, Authenticity, and Why We Trust Yolanda Adams 20:24 – Performance vs. Testimony in Gospel Music 27:00 – When Sound Moves You but Theology Fails You 33:42 – The Song That Grounds Yolanda Adams Before She Preaches 46:12 – Sound vs. Theology: What Gospel Music Really Teaches 47:22 – Yolanda Adams Explains Her Personal Theology 50:06 – "Your Hate Reveals Your God" — A Word from Yolanda 52:59 – Sin, Harm, Identity & the Church's Biggest Theological Mistake
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  From You Made a Way to MAGA: The Travis Greene Reckoning | BONUS EPISODE 04.11.2025 57mnt

  This bonus episode takes a deep dive into Travis Greene's controversial sermon denouncing Black Greek organizations and explores how his message connects to a broader rise of Christian nationalism within the Black church. The crew unpacks spiritual bypassing, emotional manipulation, and how prosperity theology has been weaponized against Black institutions. Tune in for a sharp, unfiltered look at the intersections of faith, race, and politics in contemporary church culture. Subscribe to the TFCVirtual Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual Purchase full-length, uncensored episodes of the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual Join the Wait List for Kristian's upcoming e-book, "How to Deconstruct," here: https://mailchi.mp/thefaithcommunity/e-book-waitlist Get Merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.kristianasmith.com/breaking-all-the-rules Episode Chapters 00:00 – "Travis Greene's Sermon and the Backlash" Introducing the viral clip and the theological claims that sparked controversy. 05:20 – "The Problem with Spiritual Bypassing" How Pentecostal theology often replaces accountability with "the Holy Ghost told me." 11:40 – "Accountability and the Myth of the Portal" A breakdown of personal responsibility, manipulation, and church language used to silence critique. 18:00 – "Emotionalism and Manipulation in the Church" How guilt, shame, and altar calls are used as tools of control. 26:50 – "When Survival Is Labeled Idolatry" Critiquing the idea that working to survive means worshiping false gods. 38:40 – "From Pentecostalism to MAGA Theology" Tracing how prosperity gospel and Christian nationalism merged in Black church spaces. 46:30 – "Black Institutions Under Attack" How denouncing Black fraternities, sororities, and churches serves a broader anti-Black agenda.
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  The Theology of Perfectionism | Everything doesn't deserve 100% 29.10.2025 1j 30mnt

  For generations, the church has told believers, "Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect." But what if Jesus never called us to perfection — only to wholeness? In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes to unpack how toxic theology, respectability, and race have shaped our obsession with perfection — and how we can finally get free. This episode of Holy Smokes: Cigars and Spirituality is proudly sponsored by Eden Theological Seminary. Join Eden online or in-person for an unforgettable evening with Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes as she delivers her lecture, "When Identity Wounds: Whiteness, Shame, and the Search for Repair." 📅 Date: November 11, 2025 🕡 Time: 6:30 p.m. CT 💻 Attend online or in-person — registration is free and open now! 👉 Reserve your virtual seat today: www.eden.edu/events/bracke-public-lecture Eden Theological Seminary, a leading educational institution aligned with the progressive Christian movement. By combining theological rigor with community action, Eden offers a seminary education to meet the moment.  Students can pursue Master's, Doctorates, Certificates or other community learning opportunities designed for Nonprofit, Community, Social Justice, and Congregational Leaders at Eden. Their blended learning model allows students the flexibility to join them online or on campus, and ground their learning and action in their own communities. Learn more at www.eden.edu.  Subscribe to the TFCVirtual Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual Purchase full-length, uncensored episodes of the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual Join the Wait List for Kristian's upcoming e-book, "How to Deconstruct," here: https://mailchi.mp/thefaithcommunity/e-book-waitlist Get Merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.kristianasmith.com/breaking-all-the-rules  
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  When Christianity becomes Anti-Black 15.10.2025 1j 16mnt

  Let's talk about the call for Black Christians to place their Christianity over the Blackness. Let us know what you think in the comments. And Subscribe for more! Subscribe to Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual Purchase full-length, uncensored episodes of the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual Join the Wait List for Kristian's upcoming e-book, "How to Deconstruct," here: https://mailchi.mp/thefaithcommunity/e-book-waitlist Get Merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.kristianasmith.com/breaking-all-the-rules   00:00 – "If You Think Your Blackness Has to Pass Away to Follow God…" A bold opening on how anti-Black theology distorts faith. 02:00 – Christian Before Black?! The crew unpacks the growing movement of Black Christians prioritizing religion over identity. 05:00 – The One Rule: Honor Lived Experience Over Theory Holy Smokes' guiding principle and how it reframes faith. 06:30 – RuPaul, Drag Race, and the Gospel of Self-Love How RuPaul's benediction mirrors the greatest commandment. 08:00 – Blackness vs. Christianity: Who Told You They're in Competition? Personal stories about how upbringing shaped faith and race identity. 15:00 – When the Black Church Was "Too Black" for White Spaces How Black worship is silenced or sanitized in multiracial churches and seminaries. 20:00 – Redefining Faith Beyond Christianity Rich Auntie and Kristian share what it means to be spiritual, humanist, and still deeply rooted in the Black church. 27:00 – Why the Black Church Still Matters History, resistance, and why "a church full of Black people" isn't the same as a Black church. 30:00 – "This Ain't a Black Church" — The Plantation Pastor Returns The crew dissects Philip Anthony Mitchell's rhetoric and its ties to Christian nationalism. 40:00 – Is Blackness an Idol or a Gift from God? Exposing the lie that loving your Blackness means rejecting Jesus. 47:00 – Obedience, Indoctrination, and Control How "be obedient" theology keeps Black people docile in the name of faith. 58:00 – Dear Black Christians: You Were Black Before You Were Christian A powerful closing reflection on identity, liberation, and sacred self-love.
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  Christianity's Obsession with Control | Deconstructing Dominion Theology 01.10.2025 1j 32mnt

  One thing we can't deny is Fundamentalist Christianity's need to control every aspect of your life. The shows or movies you watch. The kind of music you're allowed to listen to. The clothing you're allowed to wear. The people you're allowed to hang out with. The places you're allowed to go. The person you court and marry. And so on, and so on, and so on… This list fits perfectly into the what's known as dominion theology. It's the idea that the role of Christians to take over every avenue of society through government, media, education, religion, arts & entertainment, and family. This is often referred to as the Seven Mountain Mandate. The goal is for Fundamentalist Christianity to eventually take over the world. Subscribe to Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/tfcvirtual Get merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.holysmokesmovement.com/batr-book-order Follow us on Instagram: @tfcvirtual and @holysmokesmovement Browse our Website: https://www.thefaithcommunity.org Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristiansmith02 The Faith Community is a groundbreaking, inclusive faith community where the traditional meets the transformational. It exists to challenge harmful religious norms while creating a safe, affirming space for spiritual seekers of all kinds. Through virtual connection, theological interrogation, and an emphasis on love and self-acceptance, TFC helps its audience find abundant life and community without compromising their identity.
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  Deconstruction Warning: Get off the Battlefield | Holy Smokes: Cigars & Spirituality 17.09.2025 1j 31mnt

  Many of us grew up in churches where our love for God was determined by how much of yourself you sacrificed for the sake of eternal salvation. You attended every service and every event. You served on as many ministry teams as you could, stretching yourself thin. You even invited your friends and coworkers thinking, "if I could just get them to my church" they'd see the value of living for Jesus. Well, it's time to get off the battlefield for the Lord. It's possible to love God and stay connected to yourself. It's also possible to maintain a healthy relationship with your faith without having to be present and available for everything. It takes some deconstructing, decolonizing, reimagining, and rebuilding, but it's possible. Subscribe to Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/tfcvirtual Get merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.holysmokesmovement.com/batr-book-order Follow us on Instagram: @tfcvirtual and @holysmokesmovement Browse our Website: https://www.thefaithcommunity.org Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristiansmith02 The Faith Community is a groundbreaking, inclusive faith community where the traditional meets the transformational. It exists to challenge harmful religious norms while creating a safe, affirming space for spiritual seekers of all kinds. Through virtual connection, theological interrogation, and an emphasis on love and self-acceptance, TFC helps its audience find abundant life and community without compromising their identity.
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  Deconstructing Revelation w/ Dr. Angela Parker | Holy Smokes: Cigars & Spirituality 03.09.2025 1j 34mnt

  Growing up, the book of Revelation and the feeling of fear went hand on hand. It was the book of the Bible used to convince us to follow Christ. Books and movies have been made in efforts to bring Revelation to life. Well, not this time around. For the recording of "Deconstructing Revelation", we had Dr. Angela Parker as a special guest. We have a profound amount of respect for Dr. Parker in these TFC streets. She's a Professor, New Testament Scholar, Womanist, and Justice Leader. Subscribe to Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/tfcvirtual Get merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.holysmokesmovement.com/batr-book-order Follow us on Instagram: @tfcvirtual and @holysmokesmovement Browse our Website: https://www.thefaithcommunity.org Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristiansmith02 The Faith Community is a groundbreaking, inclusive faith community where the traditional meets the transformational. It exists to challenge harmful religious norms while creating a safe, affirming space for spiritual seekers of all kinds. Through virtual connection, theological interrogation, and an emphasis on love and self-acceptance, TFC helps its audience find abundant life and community without compromising their identity.
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  The Truth About Fornication w/ Dr. Delman Coates 28.05.2025 1j 14mnt

  What if we told you fornication is not what we have been traditionally taught? What if we told you there are more responsible ways to do sexual ethics? What if we told you to release the shame and guilt of safe and consensual unmarried sex? As Dr. Delman Coates will share later, "Sex is not a problem to be solved. It is an appetite to be managed." Subscribe to Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual Purchase full-length, uncensored episodes of the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual Check out Dr. Coates' political advocacy movement here: https://ourmoneyus.org/ Join the Wait List for Kristian's upcoming e-book, "How to Deconstruct," here: https://mailchi.mp/thefaithcommunity/e-book-waitlist Register for DAI Fest in Atlanta Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dai-fest-2025-registration-999357684737 Get Merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.kristianasmith.com/breaking-all-the-rules   Episode Chapters  00:00 - Intro & Highlights 05:01 - The Viral Clip about Fornication 08:49 - Sex & The Greatest Commandment 15:30 - Dr. Delman Coates joins us 23:00 - Black Scholarship Matters 30:39 - Dr. Coates' stance on LGBTQ 37:00 - What should I tell my kids? 48:43 - The interpretation of tongues 57:02 - Unpacking "Lean Not to your own understanding." 1:04:50 - Theologian vs Bible Scholar 1:09:15 - How are you navigating politics?
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  Can Christians Be Humanists? w/ D. Danyelle Thomas (UnfitChristian) 19.05.2025 1j 38mnt

  If you struggle with your identity as a Christian because of what it has come to represent, this episode is for you. Kristian and the crew are joined by D. Danyelle Thomas, the Unfit Christian, to discuss the relationship between spirituality and humanism. The meaning of Humanism varies depending on who you ask. For the sake of this conversation, humanism is a worldview that suggests humanity is equipped with everything it needs to resolve its own problems without supernatural intervention.  Subscribe to Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual Purchase full-length, uncensored episodes of the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/c/tfcvirtual Order "The Day God Saw Me as Black" by D. Danyelle Thomas here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Day-God-Saw-Me-as-Black/D-Danyelle-Thomas/9781955905534 Join the Wait List for Kristian's upcoming e-book, "How to Deconstruct," here: https://mailchi.mp/thefaithcommunity/e-book-waitlist Register for DAI Fest in Atlanta Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dai-fest-2025-registration-999357684737 Get Merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.kristianasmith.com/breaking-all-the-rules   Episode Chapters 00:00 - Intro and Highlights 06:36 - Close the Doors - Marvin Sapp Recap 09:45 - The One Rule 15:45 - What is Humanism? - The Pastor's Study 21:34 - How were you exposed to Humanism? - Intros 44:40 - Paula White is a Scammer - Reaching for the Stars 56:55 - The ladies read Paula White for filth 1:19:03 - How does Humanism align with Jesus? 1:36:57 - Church Kid Sing Along
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  Deconstructing The Sin of Empathy 30.04.2025 1j 32mnt

  In recent years, Christian Nationalist have bee casting a negative light on the concept of empathy. They characterize it as a gateway to approve "sin." In this episode Kristian and the crew unpack how dangerous this teaching is. Watch this episode and subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/Athcr-Z-lwE Subscribe to Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/tfcvirtual Purchase full-length, uncensored episodes of the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/tfcvirtual Join the Wait List for Kristian's upcoming e-book, "How to Deconstruct," here: https://mailchi.mp/thefaithcommunity/... Register for DAI Fest in Atlanta Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dai-fest... Get Merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-s... Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.kristianasmith.com/breaki...   Episode Chapters 00:00 - Intro and Highlights 02:30 - Rich Auntie's Birthday Recap 05:47 - The First Lady of the Closet 10:10 - Pamela is the man of the house 13:10 - The One Rule 17:52 - What is Empathy - The Couch w/ Pamela 31:13 - Boundaries vs. Control 36:57 - How did you learn empathy? 47:15 - Anxiety vs Empathy 55:01 - What is toxic Empathy? Reaching for the Stars 1:20:15 - The Enticing Sin of Empathy 1:31:30 - You're Invited!
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  Submit to the Governing Authorities - Philip Anthony Mitchell Strikes Again! 21.04.2025 49mnt

  Last Sunday, Fundamentalist Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell (PAM) told Black people they need to stop blaming White cops for the killing of Black kids. He used Romans 13 in the Bible as the justification for his stance in the midst of a Christian Nationalist Regime that is abducting people off the street, erasing Black history, destabilizing the economy, etc... In this special edition of Holy Smokes: Cigars and Spirituality, Kristian does a solo episode to unpack the context of Romans 13. He provides another perspective on Romans 13 that is almost always overlooked in fundamentalist Christian spaces. This episode was recorded live for our free and paid tiers in Patreon. You can watch the full length episode by subscribing today! Subscribe to Patreon Here:   / tfcvirtual    Purchase full-length, uncensored episodes of the podcast here:   / tfcvirtual   Join the Wait List for Kristian's upcoming e-book, "How to Deconstruct," here: https://mailchi.mp/thefaithcommunity/... Register for DAI Fest in Atlanta Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dai-fest... Get Merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-s... Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.kristianasmith.com/breaki...   Video Chapters 00:00 - Intro and Highlights 02:59 - Origin Story for this video 07:36 - Kristian's disdain for PAM's theology 10:53 - How to spot Anti-Blackness in the Black community 12:44 - Who taught theology to Christian Influencers? 17:07 - Kristian agrees with PAM 17:53 - Recap of PAM's story about police brutality 21:53 - Romans 13 breakdown 22:54 - Cultural context of Romans 13 - Emperor Nero 25:10 - The Apostle Paul did not write scripture 27:00 - West Africans were uninvolved in Roman Christianity 35:10 - Romans 13:1-7 doesn't belong there? 38:06 - The Greatest Commandment takes priority 39:22 - Kristian's encounter with the Gen Z Christian Girlies 43:05 - Rebranding Condemnation as Conviction 48:33 - Issa Party!
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  A Witness for White Jesus 02.04.2025 1j 13mnt

  In this episode, Kristian and the crew discuss how so much of Fundamentalist Christianity props up the image of white Jesus. This is the symbolism European nations have leveraged to violently colonize most of the known world. Subscribe to Patreon Here: https://patreon.com/tfcvirtual Purchase full-length, uncensored episodes of the podcast here: https://patreon.com/tfcvirtual Register for DAI Fest in Atlanta Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dai-fest-2025-registration-999357684737?aff=oddtdtcreator Get Merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.kristianasmith.com/breaking-all-the-rules   Video Chapters  00:00 - Intro and Highlights 02:16 - Kristian's Devil Horns 04:45 - The One Rule 05:49 - A Review of our YouTube haters 14:34 - What are you doing to care for yourself? 27:06 - "Jesus was NOT a Black Man" - Phillip Anthony Mitchell 40:52 - Weaponizing Marxism 46:52 - Evidence of Jesus' Skin Tone 55:34 - Afterlife Anxiety obstructs Pro-Blackness 58:53 - The problem with Christian Evangelism   The Faith Community is a groundbreaking, inclusive faith community where the traditional meets the transformational. It exists to challenge harmful religious norms while creating a safe, affirming space for spiritual seekers of all kinds. Through virtual connection, theological interrogation, and an emphasis on love and self-acceptance, TFC helps its audience find abundant life and community without compromising their identity.
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  Deconstructing Singles Ministry II 20.03.2025 1j 32mnt

  In this episode, Kristian and the crew discuss what it's like to be single in the Black Church regardless of your gender or sexual orientation. We'll uncover in this conversation that those factors make a difference. We're joined by two of our community members, BJ Jackson and Paul Best. Subscribe to Patreon Here: https://patreon.com/tfcvirtual Purchase full-length, uncensored episodes of the podcast here: https://patreon.com/tfcvirtual Watch the Patrons-only recording of the first Deconstructing Singles Ministry episode: https://www.youtube.com/live/_sVoY3Qeqzg?si=14q9KM-AgXOA8hIT Get Merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.kristianasmith.com/breaking-all-the-rules Video Chapters 00:00 - Intro and Highlights 08:04 - Did not our hearts burn within us? - Part 1 Recap 12:30 - The One Rule 19:09 - Describe your experience as a single person in the Black Church 43:07 - Decentering Heterosexual Relationships 46:32 - Leave me out of your misery - Reaching for the Stars 1:02:10 - Jackie Hill Perry Levels of Repression 1:09:11 - The Masturbation Stigma 1:13:49 - How has Purity Culture impacted your relationships? 1:15:22 - Some single church mothers are closeted lesbians?   The Faith Community is a groundbreaking, inclusive faith community where the traditional meets the transformational. It exists to challenge harmful religious norms while creating a safe, affirming space for spiritual seekers of all kinds. Through virtual connection, theological interrogation, and an emphasis on love and self-acceptance, TFC helps its audience find abundant life and community without compromising their identity.
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  Deconstructing Christian Nationalism w/ April Ajoy 28.02.2025 1j 33mnt

  This episode will give you a look inside the mind of a Christian Nationalist. Kristian and the crew are joined by viral comedic content creator and author of "Star Spangled Jesus", April Ajoy. April was raised in the Christian Nationalist world. Now she has committed her work to dismantling the tradition that raised her for the good of humanity. Subscribe to Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/tfcvirtual Purchase full-length, uncensored episodes of the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/tfcvirtual Register for Holy Smokes Chicago here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holy-smokes-chicago-march-2025-tickets-1235019389239?aff=oddtdtcreator Order "Star Spangled Jesus" here: https://linktr.ee/aprilajoy?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabCnvA_k_GTHeDI5GCzJYG-91N2UUU4raM-pczJWcaOAvrxDuAh7LzaWdE_aem_5k0g2VdLDciPvSDujZWqIQ Get merch here: https://thefaithcommunity.org/merch-store Order Breaking All The Rules here: https://www.holysmokesmovement.com/batr-book-order   Video Chapters  00:00 - Intro and Highlights 04:55 - Part 1 Recap 07:00 - Star Spangled Jesus 08:44 - The One Rule 10:45 - The definition of Christian Nationalism 13:45 - What aspect of Christian Nationalism is the most concerning? 25:30 - White Women, Welch's and Witchcraft 32:49 - Oscars Prayer Party 37:00 - Christian Nationalist U.S. History 45:55 - All good Christians are Republican 57:40 - White Evangelicals in Black Face 1:03:39 - Seven Mountain Mandate 1:17:07 - Blackness over Christianity 1:20:41 - How to counter Christian Nationalism   The Faith Community is a groundbreaking, inclusive faith community where the traditional meets the transformational. It exists to challenge harmful religious norms while creating a safe, affirming space for spiritual seekers of all kinds. Through virtual connection, theological interrogation, and an emphasis on love and self-acceptance, TFC helps its audience find abundant life and community without compromising their identity.