“a religion which does not inculcate universal compassion is no religion at all.”
— mirza ghulam ahmad
one of us (in aramaic, you know, the language jesus spoke)
google’s deep dive podcast: what if god were one of us? ai perspectives on divinity, dissent, and the danger of christian nationalism
with the development of ana volkova’s bonus tracks, how “her” bonus track adaptations are fundamentally new songs inspired by the originals she loves, we wanted to do the same with songs from our own playlists, but with a timely twist.
poignancy in the 2025 american context
outsider mentality & social alienation
these revamped songs line echo the eternal feelings of the majority of the fracturing america, where people increasingly, now exponentially, feel like outsiders in their own country, whether due to political, racial, sexual, economic, ideological or intellectual alienation. the social contract feels broken, and disenfranchisement is at an all-time high. these are quintessential american blues songs for the present state of the “home of the free.”
illustrating the america of 2025
the u.s. is plagued by resentment, isolation, and loss, all of which are embedded in these lyrics. whether it’s the feeling of being feared, rejected, hated, or even trapped, the songs capture a collective national psychology of longing, inadequacy, and mounting rage.
in a time when people feel more disconnected than ever, these tracks remain anthems for the lost, the bitter, and the unheard—an unintended but chilling soundtrack to america’s broken soul.
it’s about control
project 2025 is presented as a plan to streamline government and restore conservative governance, but it is a response to the declining dominance of white males in american power structures. rather than solely aiming to control perceived political enemies, it reflects broader demographic anxieties, seeking to reassert influence in a changing society. by advocating for an expanded executive branch, the removal of civil servants deemed ideologically opposed, and policies rolling back diversity initiatives, project 202
how project 2025 threatens religious freedom for minorities in america
increasing attention is being paid to project 2025, a sweeping conservative policy blueprint spearheaded by the heritage foundation and aligned with trump’s fascist agenda. while framed as a plan to “restore america,” many civil rights advocates are sounding the alarm—particularly around its implications for religious freedom.
though the u.s. promises freedom of religion for all, project 2025 leans into a vision of america as a christian nation, raising serious concerns for jews, muslims, sikhs, hindus, buddhists, indigenous practitioners, and others.
here’s how project 2025 is poised to undermine religious minorities:
1. christian nationalism as state policy
the project explicitly promotes “judeo-christian values” as central to american identity. this rhetoric, while seemingly inclusive, often erases non-abrahamic faiths and secular beliefs, positioning conservative christianity as the cultural default.
2. erosion of church-state separation
by encouraging greater religious influence in public institutions—such as endorsing prayer in public schools or religious displays on government property—project 2025 weakens protections that have long safeguarded minority faiths from state imposition.
3. discriminatory immigration policies
proposed immigration reforms would prioritize “culturally compatible” applicants, often code for christian-majority nations. this could restrict access for persecuted minorities from muslim, hindu, or buddhist regions, and deny them refuge.
4. purging of federal workers based on belief
project 2025 plans to overhaul the federal bureaucracy, installing ideological loyalists with conservative christian values. this raises fears of religious litmus tests, potentially sidelining qualified individuals from minority faiths.
5. privileging religious schools
expanded voucher programs would funnel public money into religious private schools, most of which are christian-affiliated. these institutions often teach exclusionary doctrine and can legally discriminate against non-christian students and staff.
6. marginalization of non-christian expression
if christianity becomes the de facto religion in public spaces, minority expressions—from wearing a hijab or turban to public hindu or pagan ceremonies—could be stigmatized or suppressed.
7. surveillance of religious minorities
increased national security powers risk expanding profiling and surveillance—especially of muslims, sikhs, and others long targeted by law enforcement in the name of counterterrorism.
8. redefining religious liberty to permit discrimination
under the guise of “religious freedom,” policies may allow refusal of services—in health care, housing, or employment—based on religious objections, often to the detriment of lgbtq+ individuals and religious minorities.
action speaks faster than words
we can sing all day or do something about it. tatanka is pragmatic and the time for words alone has passed. tatanka’s project 2025: a quiet rebellion of peace (http://p25.site) is our applied tenet to counteract division, fear, and injustice—not with resistance, but with an unwavering commitment to love. in a world where hate fuels conflict, we stand firm in the belief that only love can dismantle its power. through music, cultural fusion, and collective action, aka dei, we cultivate a movement that uplifts, heals, and unites across borders. this is more than a project; it is a call to live with purpose, to build with compassion, and to embody the truth that love alone conquers hate. join us—become a part of this quiet rebellion of peace.
one of us (joan osborne)
[verse 1]
en alāhā hawā leh shmā, manā hawā?
w’hawāyt qarā leh l-qdamoh?
en hawāyt qadmōhī b’kol shuwbḥeh?
manā hawāyt shā’el en hawāyt lakh shāltā ḥdā?
[pre-chorus]
ein, ein, alāhā rab
ein, ein, alāhā ṭāb
ein, ein, ein, ein, ein
[chorus]
manā en alāhā hawā khad minan?
pashqilāyā akh khad minan?
nukhrāyā b’markabtā?
d’mnasā l’baytēh?
[verse 2]
en alāhā hawā leh āpā, manā hawā dmōthā dīleh?
w’hawāyt ṣāb l’mekhzeh?
en mekhziyā m’sabbrā d’lā mehemnūt bā
b’millān kāmo shamayā w’yeshū w’qaddīshē – w’kol nebīyē?
[pre-chorus]
ein, ein, alāhā rab
ein, ein, alāhā ṭāb
ein, ein, ein, ein, ein
[chorus]
manā en alāhā hawā khad minan?
pashqilāyā akh khad minan?
nukhrāyā b’markabtā?
d’mnasā l’baytēh?
[bridge]
b’shīrā l’baytēh,
w’ḥzēt b-shamāyā wāḥdā
lā ḥad qārīn b-telephōnā
ēlā b-pāpa, mabe b-rūmā
[pre-chorus]
ein, ein, alāhā rab
ein, ein, alāhā ṭāb
ein, ein, ein, ein, ein
[chorus]
manā en alāhā hawā khad minan?
pashqilāyā akh khad minan?
nukhrāyā b’markabtā?
d’mnasā l’baytēh?
b’shīrā l’baytēh,
k’mā ḥajīrā qadīshā d-ḥarām
w’ḥzēt b-shamāyā wāḥdā
b’shīrā l’baytēh
[outro]
lā ḥad qārīn b-telephōnā
ēlā b-pāpa, mabe b-rūmā
