The Church, The Court & The Culture

Palooke

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Christianity
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Join me as we explore the intersections of law, religion, and race in America—while keeping an eye on church news and the cultural pulse. Because justice isn’t just in the courtroom—it’s in the church pews, the group chat, and the headlines. palookesworld.substack.com

5d ago

Is Rev. William Barber Right About White Christian Nationalism Infiltrating the Black Church?

In this episode, I discuss Rev. Dr. William Barber’s claim that Christian nationalism has not only become a force in American politics but has also infiltrated portions of the Black Church. Barber argues that some churches have abandoned their historic commitment to justice and have embraced political and cultural agendas that prioritize power over prophetic witness. I explore whether Barber may be right and what this debate reveals about the state of the Black church. I also examine the controversy involving Sam Rivera, TRIBL Records, and Norman Gyamfi, focusing on the legal issues that often arise in business and entertainment disputes. Importantly, I discuss why individuals with potential legal claims may choose not to sue: litigation is often expensive, time-consuming, and emotionally draining, even when someone believes they have a strong case Get full access to The Church, The Court & The Culture at palookesworld.substack.com/subscribe
Jul 3

Religious Liberty for Whom? The Landor Decision and Church-State Debates

This episode examines the renewed debate over the meaning of “separation of church and state” following comments by Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick that the phrase is not found in the United States Constitution. We explore the historical origins of the concept, how courts have used it in interpreting the First Amendment, and what contemporary conflicts reveal about religion’s place in American public life. We also discuss the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections and Public Safety and consider the broader cultural questions raised by the case. Finally, we examine Texas’s recent efforts to incorporate Bible reading into public school instruction and what these developments may signal for the future of church-state relations. Get full access to The Church, The Court & The Culture at palookesworld.substack.com/subscribe
Feb 28

Race, Religion & Radicalization: Dissecting Joel Webbon's White Nationalist Theology

Joel Webbon, a prominent white Christian nationalist podcaster, has stated that the Black church needs to be dismantled and that Black Christians should come under the spiritual authority of white pastors. It’s a statement that is as theologically reckless as it is racially charged — and it deserves a serious, informed response. In this episode of The Church, The Court & The Culture, I’m joined by my father Jerry, a pastor and attorney, to do exactly that. Together we trace the roots of Webbon’s ideology, situate it within the long and troubling history of racial hierarchy in American Christianity, and examine its real-world implications for Black faith communities. We also pull back the lens to examine what is driving the radicalization of young white men in America — from online echo chambers to theologically distorted content — and what legal, pastoral, and cultural tools exist to push back. 🎧 Listen on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify Follow Attorney Jerry Girley on social media: @freedomandjusticeinstitute Purchase Attorney Girley’s book Slavery by Other Means Get full access to The Church, The Court & The Culture at palookesworld.substack.com/subscribe
Feb 6

Selective Justice? The Bethel Scandal, New Birth Protest & FACE Act Double Standards

This Week on the Podcast: This episode dives into the complicated intersections of church drama, constitutional law, and Black history, unpacking three stories shaping conversations in faith spaces, courtrooms, and culture. ⛪ Church: The Growing Bethel Scandal & Selective Outrage We begin with the escalating Bethel Church scandal involving Sean Bolz and the broader questions it raises about accountability within charismatic Christian movements.From there, we turn to the white pastor who chose to protest outside New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, led by Pastor Jamal Bryant. Despite his disruptive behavior, he was not arrested under the FACE Act—a stark contrast to how Pam Bondi oversaw the arrest of Don Lemon under similar conditions. ⚖️ Court: Fifth Circuit Reviews Texas Ten Commandments Case Next, we examine the en banc hearing in Rabbi Nathan v. Alamo Heights Independent School District, part of Texas’s ongoing push to mandate Ten Commandments displays in public schools. We explore why this case matters, the constitutional tensions at stake, and how this hearing fits into larger national battles over religious expression in public education. 🎬 Culture: It’s Black History Month — Go Watch This Finally, for Black History Month, I spotlight Henry Louis Gates Jr.’s new documentary: Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History. Links Mentioned in the Show Bethel Letter: https://www.bethel.com/news/an-important-letter-from-bill-kris-and-dann-on-behalf-of-bethel-leadership PBS “Black and Jewish America” Docu-Series: https://www.pbs.org/video/episode-1-let-my-people-go-m3hnvj/ For weekly discussions on race, religion, law, and culture, make sure to subscribe. Get full access to The Church, The Court & The Culture at palookesworld.substack.com/subscribe
Jan 23

The HYPOCRISY of Arresting the Protesters Who Disrupted a Minneapolis Church

This week on the show I discuss the hypocrisy over the religious right's outrage about the protestors disrupting the church service but silence about ICE being able to enter houses of worship to kidnap people.Finally I review the new song by Jonathan McReynolds and Jamal Roberts, "Still."Books Referenced:1. "Religious Freedom: A Contested History of an American Idea" by Tisa Wenger2. "White Christian Privilege:The Illusion of Religious Equality in America" by Khyati JoshiRead more about the protest: https://palookesworld.substack.com/p/protesters-disrupt-st-paul-church Get full access to The Church, The Court & The Culture at palookesworld.substack.com/subscribe
Jan 16

“Welcome, Wounds & the World’s Stage: The Black Church in the Spotlight”

Summary In this episode of The Church, the Court & the Culture, we explore three headline‑making moments shaping conversations about faith, justice, and representation in the Black church: Yolanda Adams’ remarks about welcoming the LGBTQ community into the church, the explosive lawsuit against Donnie McClurkin, and Druski’s viral megachurch satire vide. What do these stories reveal about theology, power, accountability, and the future of the church? Special thanks to my production assistant Bianca Boles! Druski video: Get full access to The Church, The Court & The Culture at palookesworld.substack.com/subscribe
11/24/2025

Is Church Unsafe for Kids? Harmful Messaging, Legal Updates & Gratitude

🧠 Harmful Messaging: “Church Isn’t Safe” We start with a viral clip that’s raising serious concerns about how children perceive church spaces. Watch the clip here: In the video, the message suggests that church is not a safe place for kids—a narrative that can deeply damage trust in faith communities. I break down why this framing is harmful. ⚖️ Cribbs Ringer v. Compal ISD: Legal Update Next, we turn to the latest developments in Cribbs Ringer v. Compal Independent School District, aa case challenging the constitutionality of displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms. This lawsuit raises critical questions about the Establishment Clause, religious neutrality in public education, and how far schools can go in promoting faith-based symbols. You can read more about the case here: Cribbs Ringer v. Compal Indep. Sch. Dist. 🌱 A Moment of Gratitude Finally, I close with something personal: what I’m grateful for this week. In a world full of heavy headlines, gratitude is more than a coping mechanism—it’s a spiritual discipline that reminds us of resilience and hope. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly commentary that challenges, critiques, and connects the dots between faith, law, and life. If you like this video, please be sure to hit the “like” button below, share, and leave a comment. Be sure to subscribe to my page as well to make sure you never miss a post! Bluesky, IG, & Threads: @palookesworld TikTok: @palooke Thanks for listening—and for thinking critically with me. Get full access to The Church, The Court & The Culture at palookesworld.substack.com/subscribe
11/17/2025

Masculinity, Religious Rights & Forgotten Black Wealth

This Week on the Podcast: This episode explores the unsettling rise of anti-democratic rhetoric, the fight for religious freedom behind bars, and the legacy of Black prosperity erased from mainstream history. 🧠 Masculinity and the 19th Amendment We begin with a disturbing trend: a growing number of white Christian nationalist men calling for the repeal of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. This isn’t just political posturing, it’s part of a broader backlash against women’s autonomy and a reflection of how toxic masculinity is shaping religious and political discourse in America. ⚖️ Landor v. Louisiana Dept. of Corrections Next, we examine the RLUIPA case Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections, where a Rastafarian inmate challenged the Louisiana Department of Corrections after being forced to cut his hair, violating his Nazarite vow, a sacred religious commitment. We break down the legal arguments, the court’s ruling, and what this case means for the future of religious liberty in carceral institutions. 🎬 Sarah Rector: Oil, Wealth & Erasure We close with the story of Sarah Rector, the young Black girl who became one of the wealthiest black in America people at only 11 years old through oil-rich land in Oklahoma. With the release of the new film Sarah’s Oil, we revisit her legacy, and how racism made this extraordinary story. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly commentary that challenges, critiques, and connects the dots between faith, law, and life. If you like this video, please be sure to hit the “like” button below, share, and leave a comment. Be sure to subscribe to my page as well to make sure you never miss a post! Bluesky, IG, & Threads: @palookesworld TikTok: @palooke Thanks for listening—and for thinking critically with me. Get full access to The Church, The Court & The Culture at palookesworld.substack.com/subscribe

Join me as we explore the intersections of law, religion, and race in America—while keeping an eye on church news and the cultural pulse. Because justice isn’t just in the courtroom—it’s in the church pews, the group chat, and the headlines. palookesworld.substack.com

Creator

Palooke
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

26
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Brooke L Girley
Show Website

The Church, The Court & The Culture