In today's episode, I unpack the mental model I use when Christians try to impose their beliefs—especially around queer rights. I compare their moral arguments to veganism (yes, really) to show how the more forcefully someone wants to control others, the more evidence they need to bring to the table. Faith alone doesn’t cut it.

I walk through four levels of moral imperatives and the kind of proof each one demands. From personal convictions to theocratic dogma, I explain why your certainty should match your evidence—especially if you're trying to take away my rights. This isn’t just theology—it’s epistemology.

00:00 – I Treat Homophobic Christians Like Vegans
00:30 – What Counts as a Moral Imperative?
01:00 – My Journey: From Latin Mass to Deconstruction
01:36 – Level 1: Personal Belief Requires No Proof
02:57 – Level 2: Gentle Advocacy Needs Some Evidence
05:02 – Level 3: Telling Others What to Do? Prove It.
07:46 – Level 4: Forcing Belief = Irrefutable Proof Required
10:50 – Don't Get Stuck in the Weeds—Know the Burden
13:00 – Final Advice for Deconstructing Listeners

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Leaving a fundamentalist or conservative form of Catholicism is more than just walking away from a church—it’s walking away from an entire worldview, identity, and sometimes your community. In this episode of Intrinsically Ordered, Evelyn from the podcast Leave Laugh Love joins us for an honest, vulnerable, and occasionally funny conversation about leaving faith as a queer person. We talk about the emotional process of leaving, what healing looks like, building a new life, and practical steps for anyone questioning their faith. Whether you’re deconstructing, doubting, or just curious, this is for you.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:27 Evelyn's Background and Journey
01:30 Starting the Podcast and Providing Resources
02:11 Personal Stories of Faith and Doubt
03:20 Understanding Fundamentalist Catholicism
05:50 The Process of Deconstruction
08:49 Navigating Relationships and Friendships
15:54 Making Practical Plans to Leave
18:19 The Role of Therapy and Support Networks
25:00 Life After Leaving Religion
38:09 Sunday Mornings Without Mass
38:35 Navigating Belief and Morality
39:06 Empathy and Self-Discovery
41:44 Finding Purpose After Leaving Religion
42:47 Exploring New Communities and Hobbies
44:34 Redefining Life and Meaning
49:20 Grieving and Reconstructing
52:17 Navigating Relationships Post-Religion
55:42 Embracing a New Life
01:05:23 Final Thoughts and Resources

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In this episode, I discuss my journey from being a traditional Catholic to questioning and ultimately leaving the faith. I delve into the ambiguities and contradictions within Catholic teachings about sin and morality. Sharing personal stories, I highlight the lack of clarity on what actions might lead someone to hell. Using a Spider-Man meme analogy, I illustrate the contradictory views held by different Catholic authorities. I question the Church's claims of having definitive answers to moral issues, pointing out the inconsistencies and confusion among priests and church documents. Join me as I explore these complexities and talk about how my life has improved since moving away from fundamentalist Catholicism.

00:00 Introduction: A Personal Story
00:33 Questioning Catholic Teachings
00:56 About the Channel
01:18 Understanding Catholic Sins
03:20 The Spider-Man Meme: Illustrating Contradictions
04:43 The Confusion of Catholic Doctrine
05:55 The Gray Areas of Morality
07:59 The Subjectivity of Sin
09:24 Conclusion: Moving Beyond Traditional Catholicism

To join our discord community for $1 or to support my work/get early access to content, check out my patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/gayextrad

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In this episode of the Intrinsically Ordered Podcast, I sit down with guest Cameron Riecker, a prominent Catholic YouTuber, discuss the complexities and uncertainties within Catholic moral teaching. We dive deep into the distinctions between venial and mortal sins, the ambiguity in moral guidelines, and the impact of these ambiguities on the lives of faithful Catholics. Cameron shares his personal journey into Catholicism and offers his perspective on dealing with moral dilemmas and church teachings. The conversation touches on practical examples such as the morality of certain sexual acts within marriage and what is permissible on Sundays, highlighting the challenges of living a Catholic life amid differing interpretations and teachings.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:37 Discussion on Venial vs. Mortal Sins
05:17 Examples of Disagreement Among Catholics
07:47 Analogies and Moral Principles
10:44 Debating Moral Ambiguities
12:31 The Role of Church Authority and Flexibility
19:20 Moral Obligations and Reduced Culpability
27:22 Debating Catholic Teachings on Foreplay
28:00 Historical Context and Church Rulings
29:18 Moral Obligations and Church Authority
30:38 Controversies on Sunday Activities
31:26 Theological Nuances and Personal Interpretations
34:56 Pragmatic Concerns and Faith
41:03 God's Will and Human Understanding
51:01 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

To join our discord community for $1 or to support my work/get early access to content, check out my patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/gayextrad

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Join the community and join the group discussion on discord: https://www.patreon.com/c/gayextrad

As someone who was once a zealous traditional Catholic—praying daily rosaries, attending Latin Mass, and even discerning monastic life—I've since deconverted and now reflect critically on the movement from personal experience.

This isn’t a theological takedown. It’s a candid, off-the-cuff reflection on what I saw inside the movement, why it appeals to so many (especially young people and converts), and the serious questions it raises about growth, retention, and cultural relevance.

We’ll cover: Why the movement feels powerful but might not be sustainable, the illusion of rapid growth in Latin Mass parishes, why many kids raised traditionally still leave the Church, the tight link between American conservatism and traditional Catholicism, how convert zeal often idealizes tradition without fully understanding it, whether you’re deep in the trad world, newly curious, or trying to make sense of what’s happening in the Church today, I hope this video gives you something to think about.

00:00 Personal Background and Deconversion
00:48 Setting the Stage: Traditional Catholicism
02:26 The Appeal and Growth of the Movement
02:58 Why This Topic Matters
03:36 Personal Journey Through Traditional Catholicism
05:39 Lack of Data and Personal Observations
06:52 Illusion of Traditional Growth
10:18 Retention and Conversion Issues
12:24 Geographical and Political Context
16:27 Convert Dominated Movement
19:23 Mental Health and Traditionalism
21:57 Interpersonal Issues in the Movement
22:43 Surface Level Kindness and Parish Politics
25:21 Cult-like Dynamics and Isolation
26:58 Performative Holiness and Scrupulosity
29:58 Intellectualism and Apologetics
31:59 Misconceptions of Happiness and Fulfillment
39:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

To join our discord community for $1 or to support my work/get early access to content, check out my patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/gayextrad

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For years, I begged God to make me straight. I read every book, watched every lecture, and tried every method of "healing." But what if being queer isn’t something to fix? What if it's something you could choose — not out of rebellion, but out of love, honesty, and freedom?
In this deeply personal episode, I reflect on my journey from internalized homophobia to joyful self-acceptance, from Catholic doctrine to queer community. We explore the concept of identity, the weight of “coming out,” and what it really means to choose love — without conditions.

00:00 – I Begged God to Make Me Straight  
01:23 – Would I Choose to Be Straight Now?  
02:07 – Growing Up Catholic and Closeted  
03:01 – “I Am” vs. “I Experience”  
04:13 – Why Christians Fear the Words “I Am Gay”  
05:14 – Identity, Honesty, and the Label “Queer”  
07:42 – The Fork in the Road: Queer vs. Christian Paths  
10:09 – Why I Chose the Queer Path — And Found Life

To join our discord community for $1 or to support my work/get early access to content, check out my patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/gayextrad

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I got to sit down with a professional catholic apologist to have perhaps the most comprehensive discussion on natural law & gay marriage. We originally planned an hour discussion on a number of topics but found enough to get into just on this issue - and then went for almost two hours. I enjoyed having a thoughtful, long-form discussion on such an emotional topic. Joe's liked talking enough with me that he'll be posted the entire conversation on his channel - so perhaps we'll have an influx of dialogues with other prominent apologists.

(00:00) - Catholic Sexual Ethics and LGBTQ Rights
(11:43) - Natural Law and Catholic Sexual Ethics
(21:43) - Ethical Frameworks in LGBTQ Dialogue
(26:10) - Moral Absolutes in Societal Legislation
(33:21) - The Biological Basis of Marriage
(41:30) - Defining Marriage and Parenting Rights
(46:14) - State Interest in Marriage Potency
(50:16) - Legal Recognitions of Marriage Potency
(01:01:36) - Sexual Double Standards and Societal Morality
(01:08:08) - Exploring Ethics in LGBTQ Relationships
(01:19:28) - Same-Sex Marriage and Family Dynamics
(01:23:51) - Exploring Marriage Potency and Legal Recognition

To join our discord community for $1 or to support my work/get early access to content, check out my patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/gayextrad

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Are Catholic sacraments truly channels of divine grace—or just powerful human rituals? In this episode of Intrinsically Ordered, we question the supernatural claims behind sacraments like baptism and marriage. With guest Colin, we explore their historical roots, psychological impact, and striking similarities to rituals in other cultures. From a botched baptism to the Church’s evolving rules, we unpack what these rites really mean and why they matter. Join us for a critical, respectful look at belief, ritual, and the fine line between faith and magic.

(00:00) - Critique of Catholic Sacraments
(07:35) - Deeper Understanding of Catholic Sacraments
(19:49) - Exploring Catholic Sacraments and Belief
(31:16) - Complexities of Catholic Sacraments
(35:47) - Development of Catholic Sacraments
(39:50) - Sacraments as Ritual Magic
(44:52) - Significance of Catholic Rituals
(51:11) - Religious Unity and Understanding

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Does faith require evidence, or is experience enough? In this episode of Intrinsically Ordered, I sit down with Noah from  ⁨@Jesus_and_Whatnot⁩   to debate Catholicism, the role of suffering, religious disagreement, and whether faith can be rationally justified. We dive into the toughest questions:

Does the Catholic Church have clear moral teachings, or is it all contradiction?
Why does God allow suffering, and is it truly necessary?
If the Pope is infallible, why do Catholics disagree on so much?
What would it take for an atheist to believe in God again?

🔥 This discussion goes deep into Catholic apologetics, philosophical arguments, and the personal journeys that shape our beliefs. Whether you're Catholic, atheist, or somewhere in between, this episode will challenge your thinking!

00:00 – Intro & Guest Introduction
02:15 – What Led You to Question Catholicism?
08:30 – The Problem of Religious Disagreement
15:10 – Can the Church Be Unified When Even Priests Disagree?
21:45 – The Role of the Pope in Resolving Confusion
28:20 – Does Faith Require Evidence?
34:10 – Why Does God Allow Suffering?
41:00 – The Catholic Church’s Rules on Marriage & Morality
48:30 – If God is Real, Why Doesn’t He Make Himself Clear?
55:40 – Can the Church Even Define Mortal Sin?
1:02:25 – Why Doesn’t the Pope Answer Dubia (Doctrinal Questions)?
1:08:45 – What Would Convince an Atheist to Believe Again?
1:14:00 – Does Religion Make Life Better or Worse?
1:19:30 – Is Catholicism’s Appeal Just Suffering & Submission?
1:22:10 – Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

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After years of grappling with this question, I finally have an answer—thanks to Interstellar. This film unknowingly lays out the six conditions that could actually convince me a higher intelligence exists. But even if that were true… would it lead me to religion?

Join me as I break down the philosophy, science, and religious implications behind Interstellar’s mysterious guiding force—and why it’s still a better "God" than any religious claim I’ve ever heard.

00:00 - My Journey from Catholicism to Atheism
00:24 - Interstellar and the Idea of God
01:17 - The Ghost in Interstellar: A Clear Communication
02:48 - The First Condition: Intelligent, Direct Communication
05:16 - The Second Condition: Supernatural but Measurable Events
06:12 - The Third Condition: Useful, Non-Trivial Knowledge
07:37 - The Problem of Divine Hiddenness
09:03 - Even If God Exists, Religion Still Fails
10:51 - The Leap from God to Religious Dogma

To join our discord community for $1 or to support my work/get early access to content, check out my patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/gayextrad

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