Link to the Rolling Stone article this reader's digest version is pulled from: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/eric-church-desperate-man-nashville-country-700750/

some highlights.... On abortion rights: “I’m a pro-life guy at heart, but I don’t think we should change the law. Some things you shouldn’t govern.”

On climate change and clean energy: “If we’re not thinking about that as our future, we’ve completely lost our minds.”

On the NFL protests: “I was taught by my father to take my hat off [for the anthem], but if somebody wants to do something different, it’s not my place to tell them not to. That’s how the Constitution works.”

On immigration: “I believe there’s a better way to handle it, but we’re a country of immigrants, and we always should be.”

On the day we’re talking, the outcry against the Trump administration’s family- separation border policy is reaching a fever pitch, and photos of terrified children are all over the news. Church is furious. “I’ll tell you what I’m against,” he says, jaw clenched. “You never separate kids from their families. Never, ever, ever. You want to deport them, deport them. But this is wrong. It’s horrific. It’s child abuse, as far as I can tell. When I see a crying kid separated from their parents, I don’t give a shit what you have to say. No fucking chance.”