Rebecca Bratten Weiss
@rbratten.bsky.social
Writer, editor, and scholar residing in the Appalachian region of Ohio. Writes about religion, culture, justice issues.
MAGA is a refuge for people who hate institutions because institutions hold them to standards like “don’t be racist,” or "consult the building inspector so the church you’re building won’t collapse and kill people.”
open.substack.com/pub/rebeccab...
open.substack.com/pub/rebeccab...
January 19, 2026 at 5:08 PM
MAGA is a refuge for people who hate institutions because institutions hold them to standards like “don’t be racist,” or "consult the building inspector so the church you’re building won’t collapse and kill people.”
open.substack.com/pub/rebeccab...
open.substack.com/pub/rebeccab...
If I would come up with some advice, it would be EXACTLY THIS.
Far too many people say "oh, I don't think it will come to that," when I say Trump will cancel elections or sic ICE on all democrats.
Like what do you think is going to stop him? We can't just sit here counting on the hamberders.
Far too many people say "oh, I don't think it will come to that," when I say Trump will cancel elections or sic ICE on all democrats.
Like what do you think is going to stop him? We can't just sit here counting on the hamberders.
Danish Parliament Deputy Speaker Lars-Christian Brask:
"If I could come with some advice, it would be for the Senate & House to start to take control of political power in America because with this erratic & mad behaviour, you have to ask the question, is the President capable of running the US?"
"If I could come with some advice, it would be for the Senate & House to start to take control of political power in America because with this erratic & mad behaviour, you have to ask the question, is the President capable of running the US?"
January 19, 2026 at 5:06 PM
If I would come up with some advice, it would be EXACTLY THIS.
Far too many people say "oh, I don't think it will come to that," when I say Trump will cancel elections or sic ICE on all democrats.
Like what do you think is going to stop him? We can't just sit here counting on the hamberders.
Far too many people say "oh, I don't think it will come to that," when I say Trump will cancel elections or sic ICE on all democrats.
Like what do you think is going to stop him? We can't just sit here counting on the hamberders.
"Unfortunately, when a right-wing man tells a woman he finds her unattractive, that doesn’t mean he’s going to leave her alone."
On why right wing men keep mocking the appearance of a murder victim.
rebeccabrattenweiss.substack.com/p/why-right-...
On why right wing men keep mocking the appearance of a murder victim.
rebeccabrattenweiss.substack.com/p/why-right-...
Why right-wing men insult the way women look
Sub-rational though this fixation on female beauty may be, it’s of vital political importance to them. And they intend to make it matter to us.
rebeccabrattenweiss.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:53 AM
"Unfortunately, when a right-wing man tells a woman he finds her unattractive, that doesn’t mean he’s going to leave her alone."
On why right wing men keep mocking the appearance of a murder victim.
rebeccabrattenweiss.substack.com/p/why-right-...
On why right wing men keep mocking the appearance of a murder victim.
rebeccabrattenweiss.substack.com/p/why-right-...
yes a WAR CRIME
Breaking NYT:
The Pentagon used a secret aircraft painted to look like a civilian plane in its first boat attack, according to officials briefed on the matter.
The laws of armed conflict forbid combatants from feigning civilian status.
That is a war crime called "perfidy."
The Pentagon used a secret aircraft painted to look like a civilian plane in its first boat attack, according to officials briefed on the matter.
The laws of armed conflict forbid combatants from feigning civilian status.
That is a war crime called "perfidy."
U.S. Attacked Boat With Aircraft That Looked Like a Civilian Plane
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:52 AM
yes a WAR CRIME
Reposted by Rebecca Bratten Weiss
AOC: I want everybody to understand that the cuts to your health care are what’s paying for this. You get screwed over to pay a bunch of thugs in the street that are shooting mothers in the face.
January 13, 2026 at 1:20 AM
AOC: I want everybody to understand that the cuts to your health care are what’s paying for this. You get screwed over to pay a bunch of thugs in the street that are shooting mothers in the face.
Whatever path they took to arrive at this moral low, whatever sophistries they invoke to justify themselves, these men believe they are entitled to murder women simply for not being “respectful” enough.
open.substack.com/pub/rebeccab...
open.substack.com/pub/rebeccab...
The men defending murder are telling us who they are
Communally, we can deny violent, predatory men the support system they depend on to protect them when they do harm.
open.substack.com
January 11, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Whatever path they took to arrive at this moral low, whatever sophistries they invoke to justify themselves, these men believe they are entitled to murder women simply for not being “respectful” enough.
open.substack.com/pub/rebeccab...
open.substack.com/pub/rebeccab...
Millions in this nation have given themselves over to evil so completely, that they consider the pain and suffering of others reward enough. No need to give them health care or housing.
rebeccabrattenweiss.substack.com/publish/post...
rebeccabrattenweiss.substack.com/publish/post...
January 11, 2026 at 1:40 AM
Millions in this nation have given themselves over to evil so completely, that they consider the pain and suffering of others reward enough. No need to give them health care or housing.
rebeccabrattenweiss.substack.com/publish/post...
rebeccabrattenweiss.substack.com/publish/post...
"Those of us who have spent years writing about sexual abuse in conservative Christian spaces are not shocked to see right wingers in the United States move the goalposts when it comes to defending Donald Trump. They’ve been practicing for this, for years."
They have a template for this
We shouldn't be surprised to see conservative Christians defending Donald Trump. They've been practicing for this for years.
rebeccabrattenweiss.substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 5:11 AM
"Those of us who have spent years writing about sexual abuse in conservative Christian spaces are not shocked to see right wingers in the United States move the goalposts when it comes to defending Donald Trump. They’ve been practicing for this, for years."
Kind of on the nose, this particular round of Ransom Notes:
December 29, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Kind of on the nose, this particular round of Ransom Notes:
I've been remiss about engaging with all you good folks on this platform, for the past few weeks. But while I was away, my book came out: a journey of religious deconstruction through the problematic classics of modern Christian literature.
orbisbooks.com/products/the...
orbisbooks.com/products/the...
The Books That Made Us: Deconstructing the Modern Christian Classics
“Rebecca Bratten Weiss is brave, and her book is an earthquake that shakes the roots of what so many of us hold dear. With curiosity, wisdom, and dogged investigation, Bratten Weiss questions assumpti...
orbisbooks.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:07 AM
I've been remiss about engaging with all you good folks on this platform, for the past few weeks. But while I was away, my book came out: a journey of religious deconstruction through the problematic classics of modern Christian literature.
orbisbooks.com/products/the...
orbisbooks.com/products/the...
Thanks John!
Quote of the Day, from the marvelous new book by @rbratten.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Thanks John!
'The Books That Made Us' comes out in a week. If you are recovering from having been "educated" in a conservative academic subculture, you may find it relatable.
Link to order below.
Link to order below.
October 23, 2025 at 2:11 AM
'The Books That Made Us' comes out in a week. If you are recovering from having been "educated" in a conservative academic subculture, you may find it relatable.
Link to order below.
Link to order below.
This regime is such a grotesque inversion of actual gospel values and multiple people I know who are pious churchgoers are cheering it on.
Earlier this year, we published an article headlined “10 Ways to Enrich the Trumps and the MAGA Movement.”
We failed, though, to consider that the president might simply force the US government, i.e. us taxpayers, to straight-up pay him hundreds of millions of dollars.
We failed, though, to consider that the president might simply force the US government, i.e. us taxpayers, to straight-up pay him hundreds of millions of dollars.
Report: Trump demands taxpayers hand him $230 million
Is it still "ridiculous that anyone would even suggest" that he's cashing in?
www.motherjones.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:06 AM
This regime is such a grotesque inversion of actual gospel values and multiple people I know who are pious churchgoers are cheering it on.
This is what he's doing to everything. But it wouldn't have been possible without the millions of you who put him in power. Really great job folks.
The White House is asking people not to share pictures of the East Wing because it’s even worse today.
October 22, 2025 at 12:20 AM
This is what he's doing to everything. But it wouldn't have been possible without the millions of you who put him in power. Really great job folks.
I was grateful to have the chance to read this book as part of my ongoing informal project of understanding why people get sucked into fascism.
Aside from the book offering several essential puzzle-pieces, it also illuminated aspects of arts cultures and subcultures of the 20th century.
Aside from the book offering several essential puzzle-pieces, it also illuminated aspects of arts cultures and subcultures of the 20th century.
“Even for those without a stake in yoga, @stewarthome.bsky.social’s book is enlightening. Recognizing elements of fascism in yoga culture can help clarify how fascism finds a toehold in other communities, including Christian ones.”
– review by @rbratten.bsky.social
@plutopress.bsky.social
– review by @rbratten.bsky.social
@plutopress.bsky.social
What does White Christian nationalism have to do with yoga?
In his new book, Stewart Home analyzes the wellness-to-fascism...
www.christiancentury.org
October 19, 2025 at 6:41 PM
I was grateful to have the chance to read this book as part of my ongoing informal project of understanding why people get sucked into fascism.
Aside from the book offering several essential puzzle-pieces, it also illuminated aspects of arts cultures and subcultures of the 20th century.
Aside from the book offering several essential puzzle-pieces, it also illuminated aspects of arts cultures and subcultures of the 20th century.
Reposted by Rebecca Bratten Weiss
“Even for those without a stake in yoga, @stewarthome.bsky.social’s book is enlightening. Recognizing elements of fascism in yoga culture can help clarify how fascism finds a toehold in other communities, including Christian ones.”
– review by @rbratten.bsky.social
@plutopress.bsky.social
– review by @rbratten.bsky.social
@plutopress.bsky.social
What does White Christian nationalism have to do with yoga?
In his new book, Stewart Home analyzes the wellness-to-fascism...
www.christiancentury.org
October 9, 2025 at 2:11 PM
“Even for those without a stake in yoga, @stewarthome.bsky.social’s book is enlightening. Recognizing elements of fascism in yoga culture can help clarify how fascism finds a toehold in other communities, including Christian ones.”
– review by @rbratten.bsky.social
@plutopress.bsky.social
– review by @rbratten.bsky.social
@plutopress.bsky.social
Insomnia is back for the first time in years.
I can’t not believe how hard it is to sleep when you’re watching your country, be dismantled by the dumbest people.
October 5, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Insomnia is back for the first time in years.
'The Books That Made Us' is available for pre-order.
Part memoir, part literary criticism, part theological analysis, it's a journey of religious deconstruction through the modern Christian classics: the writings of Chesterton, Eliot, Lewis, Tolkien, O'Connor, etc.
Links to order below.
Part memoir, part literary criticism, part theological analysis, it's a journey of religious deconstruction through the modern Christian classics: the writings of Chesterton, Eliot, Lewis, Tolkien, O'Connor, etc.
Links to order below.
August 24, 2025 at 2:54 PM
'The Books That Made Us' is available for pre-order.
Part memoir, part literary criticism, part theological analysis, it's a journey of religious deconstruction through the modern Christian classics: the writings of Chesterton, Eliot, Lewis, Tolkien, O'Connor, etc.
Links to order below.
Part memoir, part literary criticism, part theological analysis, it's a journey of religious deconstruction through the modern Christian classics: the writings of Chesterton, Eliot, Lewis, Tolkien, O'Connor, etc.
Links to order below.
I have issues with some things Mamdani has said but I have bigger issues with Cuomo's actual behavior. Either way this point stands. Among conservative catholics I encountered many people who fetishized the Ideal Jew while spreading hate about real live Jews in the world today.
In a Christian society, a philosemitic defense of The Jew as idealized figure can all too easily coexist with disdain for most actual Jews who fail to live up to that standard.
WITH AUDIO ⬇️
At the Hampton Synagogue this morning, Andrew Cuomo blames Zohran Mamdani’s young, Jewish and pro-Palestinian voters for his primary loss.
forward.com/fast-forward...
At the Hampton Synagogue this morning, Andrew Cuomo blames Zohran Mamdani’s young, Jewish and pro-Palestinian voters for his primary loss.
forward.com/fast-forward...
July 21, 2025 at 6:18 PM
I have issues with some things Mamdani has said but I have bigger issues with Cuomo's actual behavior. Either way this point stands. Among conservative catholics I encountered many people who fetishized the Ideal Jew while spreading hate about real live Jews in the world today.
Reposted by Rebecca Bratten Weiss
Well, I had an interesting Sunday night, how 'bout you?
🧵
NY-17 Rep. Mike Lawler had a local social worker physically dragged out of his town hall Sunday night.
Emily Feiner was singled out by private security, lifted out of her seat, as the crowd chanted “let her stay” and “shame, shame.”
She’s a constituent.
Not a threat.
Fascism again.
NY-17 Rep. Mike Lawler had a local social worker physically dragged out of his town hall Sunday night.
Emily Feiner was singled out by private security, lifted out of her seat, as the crowd chanted “let her stay” and “shame, shame.”
She’s a constituent.
Not a threat.
Fascism again.
May 5, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Well, I had an interesting Sunday night, how 'bout you?
Reposted by Rebecca Bratten Weiss
Pay attention, headline writers: THIS is a proper headline. State what happened just as you would if it were any other gang of thugs, without parroting government euphemisms or excuses.
May 1, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Pay attention, headline writers: THIS is a proper headline. State what happened just as you would if it were any other gang of thugs, without parroting government euphemisms or excuses.
I'm grateful for Pope Francis' 12 years of leadership. He had a good life and a good death. I know many catholics are worried that his successor will be more conservative, but the fact is, Francis himself was pretty conservative on some issues. Especially to do with women and LGBTQ issues.
“After the new pope’s first address to the world was over, the thought foremost in my mind was, ‘This could change everything.’ Melodramatic, maybe, but that’s how I felt.”
– @rbratten.bsky.social
www.christiancentury.org/features/mou...
– @rbratten.bsky.social
www.christiancentury.org/features/mou...
Mourning Pope Francis—and his limits
As a progressive Catholic, I admired Francis. As a woman and a feminist, I was often disappointed by...
www.christiancentury.org
April 25, 2025 at 9:06 PM
I'm grateful for Pope Francis' 12 years of leadership. He had a good life and a good death. I know many catholics are worried that his successor will be more conservative, but the fact is, Francis himself was pretty conservative on some issues. Especially to do with women and LGBTQ issues.
I know he's dumb but I also can see him doing it on purpose just to taunt us for having standards.
Because one time wasn’t enough:
“Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared detailed information about forthcoming strikes in Yemen on March 15 in a private Signal group chat that included his wife, brother and personal lawyer”
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/20/u...
“Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared detailed information about forthcoming strikes in Yemen on March 15 in a private Signal group chat that included his wife, brother and personal lawyer”
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/20/u...
Hegseth Said to Have Shared Attack Details in Second Signal Chat
The defense secretary sent sensitive information about strikes in Yemen to an encrypted group chat that included his wife and brother, people familiar with the matter said.
www.nytimes.com
April 21, 2025 at 4:56 AM
I know he's dumb but I also can see him doing it on purpose just to taunt us for having standards.
Consequences can happen.
it's important this go as viral as the original story for morale purposes if nothing else. despite the image they project these people are NOT unaccountable. consequences CAN be forced. focused anger and outrage MATTERS.
oh hey welcome to your trial, blackshirts
April 21, 2025 at 4:53 AM
Consequences can happen.