The Christian Pivot: Abusive Men and Conspirituality

After facing allegations of violence and abuse, famous men are doing the ‘Christian Pivot’ - they’re embracing Christianity as a quick-fix PR cover-up. From Russell Brand to Shia LaBeouf to Tommy Robinson, why are churches so reluctant to challenge these apparent religious awakenings, and why does this version of Christianity keep centring the redemption of powerful men over the abuse of women? And as Christianity becomes increasingly intertwined with conspiracy theories and right-wing politics, how is the rise of 'conspirituality' helping abusive men avoid accountability? TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠lilyo.farrell⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠lilyo.farrell⁠⁠⁠ Substack: ⁠⁠⁠lilyofarrell⁠⁠⁠ Guests:⁠ ⁠David Voas⁠ ⁠Brian Recker⁠ No Worries If Not! is written, hosted and produced by Lily O'Farrell. The script editors were Jackie O'Farrell and Will Hilton, also produced by Will Hilton. Theme music composed by Meg Jenkins. SOURCES: The Guardian - ⁠So Russell Brand was baptised in the Thames, and all his sins were washed away. Cheaper than a lawyer, I suppose ⁠(2024) ⁠How to Become a Christian in Seven Days*: *May take 50 years of sin and serious f*ck ups to get started⁠ - Russell Brand (2026) The independent - ⁠Russell Brand’s Christian self-help book labelled ‘an offence against God’ in scathing reviews⁠ (2026) The Times - ⁠Russell Brand accused of rape, sexual assaults and abuse⁠ (2023) ⁠YouTube - Russell Brand⁠ BBC Politics - ⁠Piers Morgan on the viral Russell Brand Bible interview⁠ (2026) Reddit - ⁠r/christianity⁠ ⁠The Emergence of Conspirituality⁠ - Ward, Voas (2011) ⁠Religion And Modernization: Sociologists and Historians Debate the Secularization Thesis⁠ - Bruce (1992) The Guardian - ⁠What has 20 years of banning headscarves done for France?⁠ (2024) YouTube - ⁠Who decides what a country should look like?⁠ Russell Brand (2026) National Immigration Forum - ⁠The ‘Great Replacement’ Theory, Explained⁠ The Week - ⁠Tommy Robinson’s legal troubles: a timeline of charges and convictions⁠ (2026) Instagram, Channel 5 - ⁠Shia LaBeouf breaks down when asked what he’d say to Jesus if they met⁠ (2026) The New York Times - ⁠FKA twigs Sues Shia LaBeouf, Citing ‘Relentless’ Abusive Relationship⁠ (2021) YouTube - ⁠Bishop Barron Presents | Shia LaBeouf⁠ (2023) Instagram - ⁠Brian Recker⁠ The Guardian - ⁠Tucker Carlson is gone but ex-booker’s lawsuit could be a sting in the tail⁠ (2023) Substack - ⁠A Rebellion of Care: Abusers Pivot To The Church To Avoid Accountability⁠ - David Gate (2026) Brian Recker - ⁠Hell Bent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love ⁠(2025) The Bible - Isiah, 1:17 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices