Crossing Faiths

Lucien Greaves is a prominent social activist and the co-founder and spokesperson for The Satanic Temple. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Greaves studied neuroscience at Harvard University, specializing in false-memory syndrome.

In this wide-ranging interview, John Pinna Lucien about religious freedom, misconceptions about Satanism, and the organization's core principles. Greaves explains how the Satanic Temple aims to challenge historical "Satanic panic" narratives and religious persecution while promoting humanistic values through its seven tenets, which include compassion, justice, bodily autonomy, and scientific understanding. He discusses how the organization's use of Satanic imagery serves as both a declaration of independence from religious oppression and a reminder of historical witch hunts and persecution. The conversation touches on the Temple's legal advocacy work, its role in promoting religious pluralism, and how it confronts persistent misconceptions about Satanic rituals and practices. Throughout the interview, Greaves emphasizes that the Satanic Temple's goal is not to promote evil or antagonize other faiths, but rather to stand for principles of religious freedom and challenge religious authoritarianism while fostering acceptance of diverse belief systems.

https://luciengreaves.substack.com/

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Note: Elliot would like to apologize for butchering Zoltan Istvan's name in relation to the 2020 election. The 2024 presidential candidate for the Transhumanist Party is Tom Ross.

Disclaimer: The personal opinions stated in this episode are just that: Personal opinions. They in no way reflect the official position of any group, organization or affiliation.

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In the podcast, Reem Alsalem, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Violence Against Women and Girls, discusses her role and mission to address and combat violence against women and girls globally. She highlights the complexity and scope of her work, including engagement with both governments and non-state actors, and emphasizes her commitment to centering survivors' voices and adapting her focus as new forms of violence emerge. Alsalem speaks on critical issues such as the dangers of digital and online violence, the exploitative nature of prostitution, and the pervasive effects of pornography, which she frames as significant contributors to violence against women and harmful gender norms. She also reflects on her personal motivations rooted in her experiences growing up in the Middle East, her career with the UN Refugee Agency, and her belief that faith can be a powerful ally in advancing human rights. Alsalem encourages a holistic approach, calling for collective responsibility to challenge harmful stereotypes and support survivors worldwide.

https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-violence-against-women

Special Guest: Reem Alsalem.

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In this engaging conversation between host John Pinna and Rabbi Josh Franklin of the Jewish Center of the Hamptons, they explore the intersection of faith, humor, and community leadership. The discussion begins with Rabbi Franklin's personal journey to becoming a rabbi despite initially resisting following in his father's footsteps, then moves into his current work serving both local and global Jewish communities through digital engagement. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the rich tradition of Jewish humor, its historical roots in religious texts like the Talmud, and its role as a coping mechanism for trauma and anxiety throughout Jewish history. The rabbi shares several jokes and anecdotes to illustrate how humor has helped Jewish communities navigate everything from ancient hardships to contemporary challenges, including recent tensions surrounding Israel and rising antisemitism. The conversation also touches on interfaith relationships in the Hamptons community and the delicate balance between appropriate and inappropriate religious humor, concluding with insights into how humor can serve as a pressure release valve during difficult times.

Rabbi Josh Franklin heads the Jewish Center of the Hamptons (East Hampton) as the Senior Rabbi. In his seven years on East End, he has helped revitalize and grow the Jewish community through engaging programming, transformative classes, inspiring worship, and welcoming community outreach. Hundreds of people flock to his community for Shabbat on the Beach each week over the summer for an innovative and magical prayer experience. All year round, he draws people to the Jewish Center of the Hamptons to hear from him and learn with him.

In addition to his role at the synagogue, Rabbi Franklin contributes widely to the greater Hamptons community. He co-writes a bi-monthly column in Dan’s Papers called “Hamptons Soul,” discussing issues of spirituality and justice in the Hamptons. He has sat on numerous local committees including the East Hampton Police Reform Committee and the Adolescent Mental Health and Substance Use Task Force. He also sits on the board of L’Arche Long Island, a community center and home for adults with developmental disabilities. Rabbi Franklin was named to the 2021 Schneps Media Powerlist, honoring the movers and shakers on the East End of Long Island. Dans Papers named Rabbi Franklin one of its “People of the Year: East Enders Who Made the World A Better Place in 2022.”

https://www.rabbijoshfranklin.com/

Special Guest: Josh Franklin.

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In the conversation, John Pinna, a Muslim, and Father John Anderson, an Orthodox Christian priest, discuss various aspects of Islamic law, particularly focusing on "Zina" (adultery or illicit sexual relations). They explore how threats of sexual violence, such as rape, violate Islamic principles, including the prohibition against violence unless in self-defense, and how such threats also fall under Zina. They also touch on cultural and religious dynamics in Muslim-majority countries, including how religious law is enforced differently in various regions. The dialogue highlights differences and intersections between faith practices, addressing the moral and legal responsibilities within Islam.

Special Guest: Father John Anderson.

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This interview between John Pinna and Joseph Atwill revolves around Atwill's controversial thesis from his book Caesar's Messiah, which posits that the Gospels were a Roman invention designed to quell Jewish messianic rebellions during the first century. Atwill argues that the Flavian emperors, particularly Vespasian and his son Titus, fabricated the figure of Jesus as a peaceful, pro-Roman messiah to counter the militant zealots. The conversation explores how the Gospels may have been written with a political agenda, portraying Jesus as a pacifistic figure to discourage rebellion. They also discuss the possible vanity and propaganda motives behind the Flavian dynasty's role in shaping early Christianity. The broader themes include the relationship between religion and power, historical revisionism, and the manipulation of faith for political control.

Caesar's Messiah: The Roman Conspiracy to Invent Jesus

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In this interview, John Pinna speaks with Abbie Hafez about her journey from Christianity to Islam. Abbie discusses growing up in a small Christian community in Michigan, her unexpected move to Dubai, and her gradual exposure to Islam through her Muslim husband. She describes the profound emotional and spiritual impact of reading the Quran and praying for the first time, which led to her conversion. Abbie shares her experiences with online criticism and support after posting about her faith journey on social media, as well as her family's reactions to her conversion. She emphasizes the importance of finding a supportive in-person Muslim community and views her faith as a gradually growing flower. Throughout the interview, Abbie stresses the personal nature of faith, the diversity within Islam, and her belief that everyone's spiritual journey is unique and should not be forced.

Special Guest: Abbey Havez.

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In this podcast interview, Rabbi Sarah Noyovitz ("Rabbi Noyo") and John Pinna engage in a thoughtful conversation centered on the power of language in multi-faith dialogues, particularly regarding sensitive issues like the Israel-Palestine conflict. They explore how certain charged words, like "genocide," can halt meaningful conversations and discuss the importance of using language that facilitates productive dialogue rather than escalating tensions. Rabbi Noyo also shares personal experiences from their work in inclusive religious spaces, emphasizing the need to modernize traditional language and practices to accommodate diverse identities, including the use of gender-neutral Hebrew and inclusive rituals for LGBTQ+ individuals. The conversation highlights the delicate balance between honoring tradition and embracing progressive change to foster a more welcoming, accessible faith community.

https://therabbinoyo.com/

Special Guest: Rabbi Noyo.

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Troy Gramling is pastor of Potential Church, a fast-growing church based in the Fort Lauderdale area with over 20,000 members. He recently released his new book, the title of which is "Potential: The Uncontainable Power of God Within You." In this interview, Elliot Toman engages Troy in a discussion about his definition of success in the context of Christian ministry, and his experiences transitioning from a small church in rural Arkansas to a megachurch in South Florida. They also discuss the challenges of pursuing a positive legacy in church leadership, about the differences between Joel Osteen and Rick Warren, and about Pastor Troy's appearances on the @preachersnsneakers Instagram feed.

Potential: The Uncontainable Power of God Within You

https://troygramling.com/

Special Guest: Troy Gramling.

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The conversation between John Pinna and Father John Anderson on the podcast centers around the role of political debates in U.S. elections, particularly reflecting on a recent debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. They criticize the current state of media-driven debates, viewing them as spectacle rather than informative discourse, arguing that debates should focus on policy specifics rather than personal attacks or superficial commentary. They emphasize the need for a more responsible and informed citizenry, advocating for multiple thematic debates that cover crucial issues like the economy, national security, and foreign policy. They also explore concerns about political leadership, the role of the media in shaping public opinion, and the importance of holding political figures accountable for clear, actionable policies.

Special Guest: Father John Anderson.

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