Only two weeks into 2026, things already feel overwhelming and out of control. After the murder of Renee Nicole Good, we knew that we had to discuss ICE's violence and the ways that Christianity is used to justify it. Through the lens of the Just War Theory, we try to understand the mindset that allows someone to justify - and even champion - the murder of this young poet.

- Ice Shootings Tracker: https://www.thetrace.org/2025/12/immigration-ice-shootings-guns-tracker/
- White Property, Black Trespass by Andrew Krinks: https://nyupress.org/9781479823857/white-property-black-trespass/
- Just War Principles: https://www2.bellevuecollege.edu/artshum/materials/engl/Bessho/Summer05/101/PrinciplesJustWar.htm
- Mamdani Supporting Universal Childcare: https://www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2026/01/mayor-mamdani---governor-hochul-to-launch-free-child-care-for-tw
- Renee Good's Award Winning Poem: https://poets.org/2020-on-learning-to-dissect-fetal-pigs
- The lack of training these ICE agents have: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15345295/ICE-campaign-hire-deportation-officers-unfit-violent-illiterate.html
- Legal refresher sent out to ICE agents after Renee Nicole Good's murder: http://youtube.com/post/UgkxPNe-FPJUxRR5RHd0lkwHJEDyKYtyNTFS?si=QjFdGoCJ-gsorYIs
- The murder of James Reeb (CORRECTION: NOT EUGENE DEBS. They both just have funny last names): https://www.npr.org/2019/04/30/718647599/the-murder-of-the-rev-james-reeb

Christians should not believe IN the bible, we are called to believe in the living God revealed to us THROUGH the bible.

This week, we're releasing a special video minisode to celebrate the New Year (and let our hosts take a vacation)! Join Dr. Carter for a discussion on the similarities - and differences - between being "Biblical" and being "Christian." Is following and/or doing what you believe the bible tells you to do, enough to call an action or policy, or a position on a social subject, Christian?

Remember, the devil can quote the Bible.

Time is seriously running out (we mean it this time) to ask us your questions for the Q+A! Comment below, and feel free to ask anything on your mind - not just biblical questions!

The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at progressivechristians@theloftla.org.

The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians

Time is running out to submit your questions for the Q&A! Comment below or email us to have your questions answered. We encourage silly and personal questions too, not exclusively "serious" or "theological" ones!

This week, we continue our discussion from last week about Artificial Intelligence. In our previous episode, we focused more on the material impacts of AI. This week, we shifted to a more spiritual and metaphorical investigation. We also addressed Everest's original question - is AI ANTI CHRISTIAN? Don't worry, we make sure to look at all angles, and even end with some good news.

CORRECTION: THE "FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT" HOME WE DISCUSSED IS ACTUALLY A "ZIMMERMAN" HOME

Show notes:

1. Overview of Mimetic Theory: https://violenceandreligion.com/mimetic-theory-2/#:~:text=Mimetic%20theory%20is%20an%20interdisciplinary%20research%20program,that%20can%20lead%20to%20violence%20and%20destruction
2. https://www.datacenterwatch.org/report
3. https://www.techpolicy.press/the-real-race-for-an-ai-moratorium-stopping-data-centers/

The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians

The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at progressivechristians@theloftla.org.