This episode of Drunk Ex-Pastors begins with a feel-good voicemail, and then we introduce our new venture, the DXP Mediacast (hint, watch the movie About Time. Then watch Chef). We spend some time breaking down the poignant and thoughtful words of our new president at the National Prayer Breakfast, after which we take a caller’s question about whether being religious necessarily includes being an elitist. A listener’s call causes us to wonder if Trump is himself the greatest prophylactic ever invented, and another caller wants to know how to navigate a relationship in which the two partners can’t agree on spiritual matters. We discuss Trump’s “travel ban,” which segues into a larger discussion of whether anything the president does comports with anything resembling Christianity. Lastly, we discuss whether it’s fair for Christian leaders to whine about being persecuted when the government actually singles them out for special financial favors. Jason is biebered by people’s irrational brand loyalty.
Also, Christian’s “Feeding Friendsy” will make you really mad. Just saying.
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I have to say that I have the exact same sense that Christian does that you don’t get to make God into what you want – either there is a God of the Bible, and He’s what the Bible says he is, or there isn’t. But I think that’s just a product of growing up from early childhood in a fundamentalist environment.
I have this conversation with my friends who are in “open and affirming” denominations all the time. I’m not opposed to their beliefs, but it seems weird to me to even start with this one god who is male or whatever and model it after the Bible if you’re going to then pick and choose which parts to keep. Why not start from scratch and make it an a-gender manatee with zero interest in the creatures it brought into being? Or (what would probably make more sense) a malevolent being who created us just to fuck with us. That way at least you could explain cancer and floods and earthquakes and Donald Trump. Or have a whole bunch of imperfect gods like the Greeks, and then you can explain human tragedy as a product of their whims and their fights.
Jason, you might like this quote from Xenophanes along the lines of your new book: “The Ethiopians claim that their gods are flat-nosed and black-skinned; the Thracians, that they are blue-eyed and have red hair…if oxen, horses, and lions had hands with which to draw and make works like men, horses would represent the gods in the likeness of a horse, oxen in that of an ox, and each one would make for them a body like the one he himself possessed.” I’ve always loved that quote.
Do you know who wrote (and edited) the bible? Are you trusting them to decide no further revelations can be made? Why? Add in the various similarities you find in Christian traditions that seem adopted from other religions, it is hard to justify making a rule that no one can use the bible as a jumping off point for other religious activity. I love and have studied closely the Epistles which include some keys to the faith, but personally have thrown out large sections of what Paul laid down. He has caused a lot of pain and hate.That is one example. There are many. I am ok with rigid personal interpretation but keep it to each his own.
Guys,
Just heard about and listened to your show. I hope you are finding and reaching your market(s). I have been involved in faith/church stuff for a few decades. Regarding and related to your rant about which phone service, which car, which browser is better: I am very interested in the fallout from our being raised to be competitive. I realize that competition is found in nature and that much of our advancements have been a result of competition. The problem arises when we are faced with levels of complexity that require networked brain power (collaboration). I feel that though we are told to share our toys and to not hit, we are taught competition from an early age. Games, clothes, things, the concept of ownership and nationalism all are counter to working together. I think that sharing, empathy are great to start with, but hope that some of the rah, rah for “our team” could be replaced with future thoughtful strategies. What do you think?
Your response is interesting since I admittedly don’t find the Bible compelling at all and I also attributed my reaction to these different interpretive options to my fundamentalist upbringing. So I guess I kind of was keeping it “to each his own” in my comment.
But I do wonder, for people who find large portions of the Bible and/or Judeo Christian beliefs and practices to be objectionable or even abhorrent, why try to keep some of it while throwing out the rest? Why not look elsewhere or patch together your own values and beliefs based on what you’ve experienced and a sense of what kind of world you want to live in?
Fair question. Two thoughts come to mind: 1)Herd mentality. It is convenient for us in the states to access.2)Fire insurance. If certain dramatic interpretations (eternal damnation) are correct, it would suck to ignore completely. It and supporters have inspired some and brought others out of hard times. Could not say it has no use. It is also a “place” to go when completely lost. I understand the lack of compulsion. But I can also relate to the numb nothingness that comes when you have the world on a string. Thanks for your thoughtful response. Super cool to hear from you.