First Tuesday Podcast | Deconstruction Dictionary Double digits and double standards! We're back, Tuesday People! After a much-needed break, April and D.C. are back together in person, and there's no shortage of things to unpack. This week's Deconstruction Dictionary word is Double Standard: an unfair application of rules, expectations, or principles in which similar actions are judged differently depending on who's involved. From the Garden of Eden to modern American politics, double standards have been around for a long time. And when religion, power, gender, and politics intersect, the contradictions become impossible to ignore. In Episode 11, we're examining the gap between what people preach and what they practice. We explore the contradictions of the "pro-life" movement, Christian nationalism, the death penalty, sexual assault accountability, and the selective application of religious and constitutional principles. We also discuss how religious institutions have historically treated men and women differently, why cultural Christianity can be so difficult to deconstruct, and what happens when protecting someone's reputation becomes more important than holding them accountable. And because it's First Tuesday, we somehow make our way from Adam and Eve to a 1970s horror film about a vengeful nun. Naturally. The Original Double Standard: Adam, Eve, and the centuries-old tradition of placing blame on women. Pro-Life or Pro-Birth? The contradictions surrounding abortion, capital punishment, healthcare, adoption, and social safety nets. Christian Nationalism: When religious beliefs become political weapons, and the separation of church and state becomes selective. Rules for Thee, Not for Me: Political hypocrisy, paid-protester allegations, misinformation, and inconsistent standards of accountability. The Cornell Seven: Sexual assault allegations, victim blaming, institutional accountability, and the treatment of survivors. Protecting Children: School shootings, gun legislation, and the disconnect between political rhetoric and meaningful protections. Cultural Christianity: When church becomes more about belonging, identity, and social connections than personal faith. Priests, Nuns, and Patriarchy: Gender inequality within religious institutions and the women doing the work behind the scenes. A Little Catholic Horror: The historical events that inspired The Devils and a reminder that you probably shouldn't make a nun angry. Books & Films The Psychology of Christian Nationalism The Devils (1971) Dead Man Walking, the book by Sister Helen Prejean and its film adaptation People & Topics Sister Helen Prejean and her advocacy against the death penalty The Death Penalty Information Center Christian nationalism and religious deconstruction The Cornell Seven controversy The No Kings movement What double standards have you witnessed in religion, politics, or everyday life? Have you ever questioned something you were taught because the rules didn't seem to apply equally to everyone? We want to hear your stories! Find First Tuesday Podcast on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, leave a comment on Spotify, or send us an email at firsttuesdaypodcast@gmail.com. Have an idea for a future episode or a guest you'd love to hear from? Send it our way! And remember, Tuesday People: No matter who you are, where you've been, where you're going, or where you're from, just know that we hope you make it, because you are loved, you are worthy, and it will be forever so. Until next First Tuesday!