{"podcast":{"title":"Coffee With Hales","slug":"coffee-with-hales-6588563","podcast_index_feed_id":6588563,"rss_url":"https://feed.podbean.com/coffeewithhales/feed.xml","website_url":"https://coffeewithhales.podbean.com","image_url":"https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/16817406/2026_Current_Podbean_Logo74hcw.png","author":"haleyabarker","episode_count":100,"summary":"Welcome to Coffee with Hales! Here, we explore mini-homesteading, backyard chickens, conspiracies, technocracy, politics, and culture — all through a lens of curiosity and discernment, examining how a biblical worldview can shape practical living in everyday life. If you want to slow down, think clearly, and see the world from a different perspective, you’re in the right place — by asking thoughtful questions, considering alternative perspectives, and taking steps toward a more intentional way of living. If you would like to see more of my mini-homestead, check out my YouTube: https://youtube.com/@coffeewithhales?si=sYTzrTjxoEAuCOD0 - Your Morning Start | A Podcast designed to start your day with a Biblical Perspective FULL Episodes Available: on Apple | Spotify - Garden Tours | Video Series designed to inspire you to be a rebel! (Youtube) - Coffee and Conspiracy Saturdays | Video Podcast designed to spark some conversation (Youtube) https://buymeacoffee.com/yourmorningstart","last_synced_at":"2026-06-05T20:20:19.291960+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/coffee-with-hales-6588563"},"episode":{"title":"The Church Has Been Hijacked By Politicians |  Is Voting a Biblical Mandate?","slug":"the-church-has-been-hijacked-by-politicians-is-voting-a-biblical-mandate","published_at":"2026-04-28T11:26:22+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/coffee-with-hales-6588563/the-church-has-been-hijacked-by-politicians-is-voting-a-biblical-mandate","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/coffee-with-hales-6588563","url":"https://coffeewithhales.podbean.com/e/the-church-has-been-hijacked-by-politicians-is-voting-a-biblical-mandate/","audio_url":"https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/kxguqc99uzmyu3fj/Christians_are_being_DUPED_into_votingb5ske.mp3","summary":"Is Voting a Biblical Mandate? Why I’m Opting Out of the Left/Right Illusion. In this laid-back Coffee with Hales episode, I build on my last video about institutional Christianity being captured by government power and the left/right narrative. I respond to common Protestant and evangelical talking points that claim Christians are biblically mandated to vote, using clips from Pastor Billy Crone, another pastor arguing voting isn’t a sacrament, and Allie Beth Stuckey’s case for loving our neighbor through politics. I push back on blending “anti-American” with “anti-Christ,” argue both parties operate as a corrupt uniparty, and explain why voting feels like consenting to someone ruling over my God-given sovereignty. I also challenge the idea that politics is the main way to love neighbors, calling it the laziest substitute for real responsibility, community, and relationships. I urge Christians to zoom out, stop fighting over hot-button issues, and pursue biblical freedom rooted in personal accountability. 00:00 Breaking the Left Right Spell 00:30 Why This Episode Matters 01:30 Pastor Says Voting Is Mandate 03:00 Anti American vs Anti Christ 03:59 Uniparty and Lesser Evil 05:17 Voting as Consent to Rule 07:17 Opting Out and Complaints 08:08 Convenience Is Not Freedom 10:14 Voting Is Not a Sacrament 12:35 Government as New Theology 14:41 Rebuilding Family and Community 16:16 Loving Neighbor Beyond Politics 18:43 Church Captured by Power 19:36 Call to Biblical Freedom 22:01 Final Thoughts and Outro","meta_description":"Is Voting a Biblical Mandate? Why I’m Opting Out of the Left/Right Illusion. In this laid-back Coffee with Hales episode, I build on my last video about i…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1381,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/coffee-with-hales-6588563/episodes/the-church-has-been-hijacked-by-politicians-is-voting-a-biblical-mandate/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/coffee-with-hales-6588563/the-church-has-been-hijacked-by-politicians-is-voting-a-biblical-mandate.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}