Crossing Faiths

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with DZ Kalman about the intersection of artificial intelligence, human interaction, and religious faith. They examine why established religious traditions are hesitant to grant moral or theological status to AI, prioritizing human accountability and preserving the sacred relationship between humanity and the divine. Kalman highlights how AI's conversational interface encourages anthropomorphism and emotional attachment, warning that reliance on AI must not replace meaningful human connections. The dialogue further addresses the concept of establishing religious certifications or benchmarks for AI models, language and cultural biases present in training data, the risks associated with powerful AI tools in the hands of malicious actors, and the crucial role faith communities play in setting societal boundaries and fostering resilience against technological overreach.

Dr. DZ Kalman is a Senior Fellow at the Kogod Research Center of the Shalom Hartman Institute.

DZ works on issues of technology, religion, and art. He is currently a fellow at Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society, holds a position as Senior Advisor for Sinai and Synapses, and is the host of the Belief in the Future podcast. He is the owner of Print-O-Craft Press, an independent publishing house that has released books including Jessica Deutsch’s The Illustrated Pirkei Avot and Noam Sienna’s A Rainbow Thread: An Anthology of Queer Jewish Texts from the First Century to 1969. He has been widely published in both academic and popular publications. DZ holds a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA from the University of Toronto.

He blogs at the website Jello Menorah and his work can be found at davidzvi.com.

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Dr. Mohammed Abu-Nimer, founder of the Salam Institute, about his work in conflict resolution, interfaith engagement, and peacebuilding. The discussion centers on the Salam Institute's mission to address conflict from within local cultural and faith frameworks, highlighting how Islamic principles of mercy (rahmah) and reconciliation (sulh) can be leveraged to counter extremist ideologies, reduce Islamophobia, and combat the politics of fear. Dr. Abu-Nimer outlines the institute's initiatives to integrate forgiveness and nonviolence curricula into education systems across the Arab region, its domestic programs engaging youth in the DMV area and U.S. Muslim schools, and an upcoming academic conference focused on expanding empirical research on localized peacebuilding.

Dr. Mohammed Abu-Nimer is a Palestinian-American scholar, author, and peacebuilder. He serves as a Professor in the School of International Service at American University and holds the Abdul Aziz Said Chair in International Peace and Conflict Resolution. Additionally, he founded the Salam Institute for Peace and Justice to advance civic education, capacity building, and interfaith dialogue.

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, Elliot speaks with Adam Terrell about his book Public Stoning: God's Design for a Nation Without Prisons, exploring a Christian perspective on prison abolition through the implementation of biblical law and judicial alternatives. Terrell outlines his framework of complete intra-ecclesial jurisdiction, arguing that modern prisons are an unlawful form of punishment under Scripture and that Christian congregations should exercise internal discipline, restitution, and—where biblical criteria are met—capital punishment rather than relying on secular state systems. The conversation examines Old Testament penal precedents, including the death penalty for severe or persistent offenses like childhood rebellion and blasphemy, while touching on historical theocracies, Calvin's Geneva, and the role of voluntary submission in ecclesiastical governance. Terrell also reflects on his homeschooling background, his work running a faith-based halfway house, and a practical scenario from his book's epilogue designed to test judicial discernment within church communities.

Born and raised in Denton, Texas, Adam was extensively educated in the Bible by his father and has no academic credentials, for better and for worse. He hosts a quarterly podcast that focuses on neglected Biblical law, and he has worked in the TV/film industry documenting work on government, public healthcare, and law enforcement.

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John and Elliot discuss the complex interplay of theology, politics, and power dynamics surrounding Christian Zionism and political advocacy groups like CUFI (Christians United for Israel) and AIPAC. They critically examine the motives behind Christian Zionism, debating whether its support for Israel stems from apocalyptic end-times prophecies or biblical promises, while highlighting the contrast between political rhetoric and theological beliefs. The conversation also delves into the historical and spiritual significance of the Temple Mount, questioning the validity of various religious claims over sacred sites in Jerusalem and contrasting Islamic and Christian perspectives on relics and holy places.

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Halim Rane, Professor of Islamic Studies at Griffith University, to explore the complexities surrounding Islamophobia, religious literacy, and Muslim identity in contemporary Western societies like Australia and the United States. Prompted by Rane’s recent article for ABC Religion & Ethics, the conversation examines how media narratives and political discourse often conflate mainstream Islam with extremist groups, leading to systemic disparities in government responses and funding when addressing hate speech against different religious groups. Rane highlights the rich, multi-generational history of Muslims in Australia—including historical connections with Indigenous populations—and emphasizes the theological foundations in the Quran and Sunnah that mandate peaceful coexistence, human security, and adherence to civic covenants.

Halim Rane is a Professor of Islamic Studies and a Sociologist of Religion. He leads the Islam-West Relations field of study at Griffith University where his teaching and research focus on contemporary Islamic thought, covenants in Islam, religious and ideological extremism, and interreligious relations. Professor Rane is a recipient of the prestigious ‘Australian University Teacher of the Year’ award and a founding member and president of the Australian Association of Islamic and Muslim Studies (AAIMS). He has authored over 80 publications on Islam and Muslim issues, including his latest book, Covenants with Allah: Keystone of Islam.

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Aiden Simardone about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, shifting American political dynamics, and the role of alternative media and discourse in shaping public understanding. Simardone details his research methodology as an analyst and podcaster, outlines his critique of Zionism as an ideology distinct from Judaism, and argues that evolving demographic attitudes in both the United States and the Jewish diaspora are weakening unconditional support for Israel. The discussion covers the legal and moral implications of the war in Gaza, potential domestic accountability for citizens participating in foreign military actions, and economic and demographic vulnerabilities within Israel. Simardone advocates for a single-state solution ensuring equal rights for all inhabitants alongside economic redistribution, while predicting that an eventual decline in U.S. intervention will coincide with a broader shift toward a multipolar Middle East.

Aidan Simardone is a geopolitical analyst and immigration lawyer. His writings on international relations have appeared in Newsweek, Jacobin and The Cradle. Aidan's legal advocacy has been featured in The Guardian, Al Jazeera and CBC. He hosts the Simardone Show and produces videos on current events and Global South history on social media @aidansimardone. In 2023 he received media attention for being "The Smartest Man In Canada" after a street interview went viral.

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Naweed Kawusi, a former Colonel in the Afghan National Army and author of The Bleeding Nation, about his harrowing escape from Afghanistan during the 2021 collapse and his transition to life in Brazil. The conversation delves into the complex history of foreign intervention in Afghanistan, with Kawusi arguing that the nation’s "Gordian knot" of problems stems from a cycle of ethnic grievances and reliance on external benefactors rather than internal accountability. They explore the failures of the previous Republic, the self-interested legacy of Afghan warlords, and the strategic nature of the current Taliban regime. Ultimately, Kawusi emphasizes that long-term stability requires a shift away from "quick wins" and toward grassroots education and a unified Afghan identity that transcends historical divisions and foreign agendas.

Naweed is a retired colonel who served with the Afghanistan National Defense and Security Forces, beginning with the Afghan Commandos in 2002 and then again from 2019 with the Afghanistan National Police. Before the fall of Kabul in 2021, he oversaw support and outreach to over 130,000 police families across Afghanistan's 34 provinces. Before that, he served as Director General of International Cooperation at Afghanistan's Ministry of Interior, where he led the ministry's development effort in rebuilding the Afghanistan National Police within the mandate of the Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan (LOTFA), a 22-nation reconstruction fund.

He founded the Kabul Institute, an Afghan-led policy and research organization focused on governance, accountability, and peacebuilding in Afghanistan, and teaches at the University of São Paulo. He is the author of The Bleeding Nation: Superpowers, Ethnic Politics, and Afghanistan's Collapse and The Brave and the Corrupt, forthcoming by McFarland Publishers.

Naweed also serves as COO of EOPA (Elected Officials to Protect America), where he oversees the organization's overall operations and strategic direction. He is also a member of the Military Writers Guild, a global non-profit network of service members, veterans, civilian analysts, journalists, and writers dedicated to advocating for, collaborating on, and promoting military affairs and security-related writing.

The Bleeding Nation: https://bookshop.org/a/126163/9786597649006

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with John Havens about the intersections of artificial intelligence, human dignity, and holistic well-being. Reflecting on his 2016 book Heartificial Intelligence: Embracing Our Humanity to Maximize Machines, Havens argues that the rush to automate and replicate human intelligence must be grounded in clear boundaries, ethical disclosures, and genuine care for human flourishing rather than mere economic productivity or artificial engagement. Throughout their dialogue, the two explore the psychological, ecological, and spiritual consequences of generative AI and large language models, warning against dangerous anthropomorphism and unvetted deployments that risk mental health harms, environmental resource drain, and the uncredited scraping of creators' work. Ultimately, Havens advocates for shifting focus away from narratives of human obsolescence toward the empirical science of positive psychology, life satisfaction, and grounded community relationships—such as the simple, irreplaceable value of baking bread and personal connection—asserting that true fulfillment and human worth exist independently of technological mediation.

John C. Havens on Amazon:

John C. Havens on Unesco:

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna interviews Ruth Reck, a social media content creator who documents her visits to faith-based attractions and religious sites alongside her wife. The discussion centers on Reck’s experiences exploring young-earth creationist locations—such as the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum—as well as evangelical megachurches. Reck shares her motivations for visiting these sites, driven by a curiosity about human psychology, concerns regarding the rise of Christian nationalism, and a desire to document the way religious narratives are packaged and commercialized. Throughout the conversation, Pinna and Reck reflect on the stark contrasts between literalist biblical interpretations and scientific consensus, the emotional and sensory tactics used to engage believers, the pervasive commercialization within these environments, and the broader social implications of indoctrination versus open, respectful dialogue across different belief systems.

https://www.youtube.com/@ruthreckmedia

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna interviews Devan Patel, a lawyer and strategist who collaborates with multi-faith communities on technology, policy, and ethics. The discussion centers on the intersection of artificial intelligence, human dignity, and religious communities, particularly focusing on the Vatican's forward-looking involvement in the AI discourse. Patel shares details about the newly released papal encyclical Magnifica Humanitas issued by Pope Leo XIV, which addresses the safeguarding of human dignity in the age of AI. Drawing historical parallels to Pope Leo XIII's Rerum Novarum, which responded to the Industrial Revolution, the conversation explores how various global faith leaders are universally responding to the risks of AI—such as companion chatbots affecting youth—and how the Vatican’s receptive, human-centric framework provides a welcome platform for collaborative, cross-disciplinary dialogue on technology's future.

Devan Patel is a Washington, D.C.-based lawyer, political strategist, and educator who operates at the intersection of law, faith, and technology. He is the founder and president of Crux Advisory Group, a fellow in AI ethics at the Rainey Center for Public Policy, and an adjunct professor of law at Notre Dame Law School. Throughout his career, Patel has focused heavily on legal strategy, public policy, and international AI ethics, which includes co-drafting the Electoral Count Reform Act, working on amendments for the Respect for Marriage Act, and convening industry leaders and faith figures at the Vatican to establish global ethical principles for artificial intelligence.

https://www.devanpatel.com/

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