Friends Talking Faith with The Three Wise Guys

A Conversation with Elaine Silver, Esq.

Divorce: about half of all marriages end that way. But can a divorce be peaceful? On this Friends Talking Faith with The Three Wise Guys we’ll discuss faith, the issue of divorce, and ways to make that process more peaceful. Divorce affects millions of people in the United States every year. It can be fraught with pain, sadness, and in many cases trauma for those who are touched by it – both for the couple and for children or families who are affected. But is there a way to make it a peaceful process? How do we think about the issue divorce in our society and what does faith have to say and offer regarding this difficult issue? We’ll talk with an expert who is trying to help people find a way forward in a process she calls “peaceful divorce.” Our conversation with attorney Elaine Silver, president of the Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals about, peaceful divorce – that’s on this episode of Friends Talking Faith.

Video games, gamers, and gaming – is it making society better, or worse? On this Friends Talking Faith with The Three Wise Guys we’ll talk about faith, gaming, gamers, and what it all means for society. So, before you ridicule somebody for playing too many video games… studies have found that playing video games trains a person to swiftly make correct decisions and take action, gamers are better at multitasking, driving, and navigating around streets. And here’s one, according to Toru Iwatwani – the creator of Pac-Man – one of his goals was to attract women to play it. He chose to have Pac-Man always eating because his belief was women were always eating something – we’re not saying we agree, were just saying. Actor Robin Williams even named his children after popular video game characters, Zelda and Cody. We’ll be joined by two guests who will help us sort out the world of gaming and gamers. Our conversation about video games and gamers – that’s coming up on this episode of Friends Talking Faith.

In a country and world seemingly more and more divided are there better ways to deal with controversial issues? Today on Friends Talking Faith with The Three Wise Guys we will discuss faith, controversial issues, and how to deal with them. In a study released in 2014, the Pew Research Center says this: “Republicans and Democrats are more divided along ideological lines – and partisan antipathy is deeper and more extensive – than at any point in the last two decades.” This came from a study of 10,000 adults nationwide and finds that divisions are greatest among those who are most engaged and active in the political process. What does religion have to say about better ways to deal with controversial issues and division? Our conversation about how faith can guide us in dealing with controversial issues and help us find ways to heal division – that’s coming up in just a moment on Friends Talking Faith.

Is fact just another word for truth and is a myth the same as a lie? On this Friends Talking Faith with The Three Wise Guys we’ll discuss faith, facts, the truth, and myths. We are living in a time when lying sometimes appears to be a national pastime, especially for some of our political leaders – not to mention some religious leaders. We’ll take on the task of trying to sort out the idea of facts compared to truth and myths compared to lies. As we like to say, “words matter!” For people of faith, great care should be taken in our use of words and language. Really, that should be the case for all leaders and members of society. So, how are we doing with that? Our conversation about facts, truth, and myth, and what they mean for our world today – that’s on this episode of  Friends Talking Faith.

Ms. Christina Martin, Founder and Executive Director

The United States is number six of the top ten countries with incidents of this particular health disorder. On this episode of Friends Talking Faith with The Three Wise Guys we’ll discuss faith, diabetes, and the connection of spirituality and health. The statistics are staggering. An estimated 30 million people in the US are living with diabetes – that includes diagnosed and undiagnosed cases. Also, an estimated 84 million adults ages 18 and older have pre-diabetes. Together those numbers represent about one third of the United States population. Diabetes levees a heavy health toll on individuals. We will talk with the founder of the Type Zero Foundation about the challenges and answers regarding this health epidemic. Our conversation with Ms. Christina Martin, the Founder and Executive Director of the Type Zero Foundation – that’s coming up on this Friends Talking Faith.

The Dance of Transcendence by the Rev. Barton Buchanan

How about it, does art imitate life, does life imitate art, or is it neither, or perhaps both? On this Friends Talking Faith with The Three Wise Guys we will discuss, faith, art, and their connection. Art is a significant part of life. Whether we are artists or those who have an appreciation for art. Throughout the centuries, religion has been an integral part of the work and expression of many artists. We will ask someone who is both a clergy person and an artist to help us explore the connection and importance of faith and art. We will look at what the “faith-art” connection means from our particular faith perspectives. Our conversation with the Rev. Barton Buchanan, theologian and artist, about the connection of faith and art – that’s coming up on this episode of Friends Talking Faith.

One Christian scholar suggests that the Holy Roman Empire was a better operation than the current US government. On this episode of Friends Talking Faith with The Three Wise Guys we’ll discuss faith, empire, and some current issues in US politics. He is one of the most respected Christian scholars in the world today. And he’s not afraid to focus his theological mind on current issues informed by ancient theology and history. Some might say he is in a lover’s quarrel with the church. Dr. John Dominic Crossan will talk with us about his current writing project as well as observations about the current situation with both the United States government and the Roman Catholic Church. Our conversation with Dr. John Dominic Crossan – that’s coming up on this Friends Talking Faith.

Is there such a thing in religion as bad therapy? And, if so, should it be banned by the government? On this Friends Talking Faith with The Three Wise Guys we'll discuss faith, conversion therapy, and whether or not it should be banned. Across the country groups have been working to get the government to ban a practice among some therapists known as “conversion therapy.” It’s a method used by some counselors, primarily from a fundamentalist Christian background, to attempt to convert lesbian, gay, and transgender persons from their sexual orientation or gender identity to being straight or cisgender. We’ll discuss this practice from a faith perspective. Our guests will help us sort it out. Our conversation with Ms. Heather Wilkie, from the Zebra Coalition and community leader Mr. Eric Rollings, about the “conversion therapy” ban – that’s coming up on this episode of Friends Talking Faith.

You might be interested to see how the show evolves! On this installment of Friends Talking Faith with The Three Wise Guys we’ll discuss faith, evolution, and the tension that has sometimes existed between faith and science. Debates between science and religion have raged for centuries. Science and its inquiries and discoveries have often been the battleground of those who claim religious faith. When science challenges an age-old faith concept or understanding, religion has sometimes been its most strident opponent. But there have also been times in history when science and faith have existed side-by-side, without tension or rancor. We’ll address the issue – in part – from the perspective of evolution. What do our three Abrahamic faith traditions have to say in regard to the relationship of faith and science? A conversation about faith and evolution – that’s coming up on this Friends Talking Faith.

God is going to get you for that! On this episode of Friends Talking Faith with The Three Wise Guys we’ll discuss faith and the notion of God’s vengeance. It is a very common idea in religious thinking. The notion that God will punish a person if they don’t follow God’s rules. So, how about it? Do you believe that God smites those who misbehave? And, does God intervene in our lives in various ways? And if so, how? What do you think? We’ll discuss those questions from our three Abrahamic faith traditions. Does God smite people for their bad behavior? Does God intervene in our lives? That conversation is coming up on this Friends Talking Faith.