Feeling caught in the crossfire of your Christian beliefs and the political turmoil around you? If the clash between your faith and the pressures of national loyalty has left you questioning where you stand, The Bad Roman is here to explore these very issues with you. Craig Harguess, once a neoconservative, now leads this engaging series, drawing from his own journey to understanding that being true to Christ often means challenging the expectations of the state.
At the heart of ”The Bad Roman Project” is the provocative idea that ”sometimes to be a good Christian means to be a bad Roman.” This concept isn’t about defiance for its own sake (the mol tov cocktail version of anarchy) but emphasizes that our primary allegiance is to Christ’s teachings, which can sometimes put us at odds with worldly powers. It’s a call to prioritize our heavenly citizenship over earthly political ties, embodying the principle of ”No King but Christ.” This phrase underlines the choice to follow Jesus’s example of love, service, and justice, rather than aligning with the ambitions of worldly leaders within a state-bound system.
This podcast offers a platform for those who feel the tension between their spiritual convictions and the political narratives that seek to co-opt them. It’s a community for open, honest dialogue about navigating these challenges while staying true to our faith. Through thought-provoking discussions, ”The Bad Roman Podcast” invites you to consider how your Christian journey intersects with the societal structures around you. Join us as we dive deep into what it means to live out our faith authentically, even when it means being ’bad Romans’ in the eyes of the world.
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Feeling caught in the crossfire of your Christian beliefs and the political turmoil around you? If the clash between your faith and the pressures of national loyalty has left you questioning where you stand, The Bad Roman is here to explore these very issues with you. Craig Harguess, once a neoconservative, now leads this engaging series, drawing from his own journey to understanding that being true to Christ often means challenging the expectations of the state.
At the heart of ”The Bad Roman Project” is the provocative idea that ”sometimes to be a good Christian means to be a bad Roman.” This concept isn’t about defiance for its own sake (the mol tov cocktail version of anarchy) but emphasizes that our primary allegiance is to Christ’s teachings, which can sometimes put us at odds with worldly powers. It’s a call to prioritize our heavenly citizenship over earthly political ties, embodying the principle of ”No King but Christ.” This phrase underlines the choice to follow Jesus’s example of love, service, and justice, rather than aligning with the ambitions of worldly leaders within a state-bound system.
This podcast offers a platform for those who feel the tension between their spiritual convictions and the political narratives that seek to co-opt them. It’s a community for open, honest dialogue about navigating these challenges while staying true to our faith. Through thought-provoking discussions, ”The Bad Roman Podcast” invites you to consider how your Christian journey intersects with the societal structures around you. Join us as we dive deep into what it means to live out our faith authentically, even when it means being ’bad Romans’ in the eyes of the world.
When the Church Looks Away: Chronic Illness, Faith, and the Call to Love with Claire Staples and Sarah Perry
The Bad Roman
1 hour 20 minutes 51 seconds
7 months ago
When the Church Looks Away: Chronic Illness, Faith, and the Call to Love with Claire Staples and Sarah Perry
Craig welcomes Claire Staples (The Clarity Podcast) and Sarah Perry (Voluntarism in Action) for a deeply honest conversation about chronic illness, church hurt, and what it really means to follow Jesus. Drawing from their personal experiences in the LDS Church, Claire and Sarah unpack how institutional religion—particularly within Mormonism—can create a culture that sidelines the suffering instead of stepping toward them.
The episode doesn’t shy away from hard truths: how church systems can often mirror state structures, how chronic illness is misunderstood and neglected, and how church members are sometimes conditioned to fear rather than embrace the suffering. But at its core, this is a conversation about Jesus—how He touched the untouchable, sat with the rejected, and showed us a better way.
From the Good Samaritan to the story of Job, this episode is a call back to the Gospel’s heart: love God, love your neighbor, and never forget the people Jesus was most drawn to—the overlooked, the hurting, and the left behind. God set us up to learn how to love. So let’s do it.
🎧 Listen to the full episode now for wisdom, scripture, and encouragement—and reflect on how your own church community can better walk with the hurting.
Together, let’s close the gap between suffering and faith—and build churches that look more like Jesus.
🔥 Key Takeaways:
Chronic illness is often invisible—and ignored. Churches tend to show up for acute or visible illnesses, but those with long-term conditions are often forgotten or dismissed.
Religious institutions may mirror the state more than scripture. When churches follow government health narratives without question, they can become complicit in systems of neglect or harm.
Scriptural models of care (Good Samaritan, Jesus healing lepers, Job) offer clear directives to love persistently, touch the untouchable, and sit with those who suffer.
Suffering isn’t punishment. The idea that illness is a sign of spiritual failure is harmful and unbiblical. Jesus’ response to the blind man (John 9) and the story of Job contradict this view.
📌 Topics Covered:
The cultural impact of statism on faith communities
Chronic illness and ableism within religious institutions
How churches often fail to embody the Good Samaritan model
Theological reflections on Job, leprosy, and the purpose of suffering
Faith-based mutual aid vs state-controlled charity
The need for compassionate, consistent presence in others’ pain
🎧 Who is this episode for:
Christians deconstructing faith & church culture
Chronically ill or disabled individuals seeking spiritual support
Listeners interested in Christian anarchism or voluntarism
Pastors and church leaders looking to better serve marginalized members
Claire Staples – The Clarity Podcast
Claire shares faith-centered conversations on recovering from high-demand religion, chronic illness, and returning to Christ-centered living.
Podcast: The Clarity Podcast on Spotify
Instagram: @theclarity.podcast
YouTube Channel: The Clarity Podcast on YouTube
Website + Nonprofit: ChronicallyBeautifulLife.com
Learn more about the Chronically Care Project and donate or contribute to care packages for the chronically ill.
🤝 Sarah Perry – Voluntarism in Action
Sarah volunteers with VIA, a liberty-rooted nonprofit providing direct aid and resources to communities in need—without state involvement.
Organization Website: viaction.org
Instagram: @voluntarism_in_action
Support ongoing humanitarian campaigns (e.g. Gaza relief, Congo gardens, US seed kits)
Sign up to receive free spring gardening kits (US-only) to promote food sovereignty
Blog: VIA’s website also features resources on mutual aid, self-sufficiency, and disaster relief.
📖For Full Show Notes: https://www.thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-133
💕 3 WAYS TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT: TASTE IT BAD ROMAN SALSA, ADD TO THE BAG thebadroman.com/donate, and share with a friend it (it's free!)🌶️
Starting Points and Key M
The Bad Roman
Feeling caught in the crossfire of your Christian beliefs and the political turmoil around you? If the clash between your faith and the pressures of national loyalty has left you questioning where you stand, The Bad Roman is here to explore these very issues with you. Craig Harguess, once a neoconservative, now leads this engaging series, drawing from his own journey to understanding that being true to Christ often means challenging the expectations of the state.
At the heart of ”The Bad Roman Project” is the provocative idea that ”sometimes to be a good Christian means to be a bad Roman.” This concept isn’t about defiance for its own sake (the mol tov cocktail version of anarchy) but emphasizes that our primary allegiance is to Christ’s teachings, which can sometimes put us at odds with worldly powers. It’s a call to prioritize our heavenly citizenship over earthly political ties, embodying the principle of ”No King but Christ.” This phrase underlines the choice to follow Jesus’s example of love, service, and justice, rather than aligning with the ambitions of worldly leaders within a state-bound system.
This podcast offers a platform for those who feel the tension between their spiritual convictions and the political narratives that seek to co-opt them. It’s a community for open, honest dialogue about navigating these challenges while staying true to our faith. Through thought-provoking discussions, ”The Bad Roman Podcast” invites you to consider how your Christian journey intersects with the societal structures around you. Join us as we dive deep into what it means to live out our faith authentically, even when it means being ’bad Romans’ in the eyes of the world.
