Protect Your Noggin

Learning to be content 

avoids dishonor.

Knowing when to stop 

averts disaster.

This is the key to longevity

in life’s endeavors.

Jeff reads an abridgement of Isaac Frazee, Evolove: The Quest and Findings of an Efficiency Expert (1929). This book explores several themes related to the emphases of our podcast. Frazee’s work is largely unknown today but reflects interesting challenges to industrialism, unquestioned capitalism, and religiosity that gets in the way of the way of Jesus. There is a bit of Christian anarchy and Christian socialism possibly behind this text.

Anyone who’s come this far with the Tao Te Ching will surely be familiar with the central concept of this chapter. Flowing subtly past obstacles, like water around a boulder, is a natural illustration of a greater principle. Water shows up as a classic example of one of the “softest things” since our ancestors all knew the power of water when it came to life and death.

Our guest today is Jonathan Hoyt, who is a Kantor and organist in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and who also happens to be gay and celibate.  Learn how Jonathan has come to exist between two cultural worlds, how he reconciles his faith and sexuality, and why he calls himself gay rather than “same-sex attracted”.  This is an exercise in listening to the story and experiences of a new friend rather than promoting one way or another of wrestling with one’s own identity, perceptions, and sexual ethic.  Take his religious beliefs seriously, and take his perceptions seriously, which is what we are all about on this podcast.  We are grateful for Jonathan’s candor, vulnerability, and willingness to talk about his perspective with us.

A keynote lecture Jeff gave to the TriCampus Undergraduate Conference, a collaborative effort of Concordia U., Irvine, Fresno Pacific U., and Pepperdine U. It took place on Saturday, 2/27. Jeff explains how a college education, properly done, can be a helpful tool in pushing back against the crisis of truth and the global gaslighting the powers that be have been using against us all for ages.

CW: There is brief mention made of Tara Reid’s allegations of sexual assault against Joe Biden.

I affirm what a wise man once said:

“A violent man will meet an untimely death.”

I consider this the foundation for all my teaching.

Following up on last' week’s interview with Steve Baughman, we use comments on Steve Baughman’s video about Ravi Zacharias’ scandalous behavior to illustrate ten informal fallacies. This is not a rehashing of the scandal itself but a closer look at the lack of critical thinking among religious supporters, which enables dangerous behaviors to go unchecked. We also read and discuss Kyle Howard’s tweets about abusive and toxic culture within American Evangelicalism.

When the wise learn of the Tao, 

they surf it throughout their lives. 

When most of us learn of the Tao,

we sometimes surf it, 

sometimes wipe out.

When fools learn of the Tao,

they laugh at it. 

And of course they do!

If they didn’t, it wouldn’t be the Tao.

Ravi Zacharias International Ministries Canada shut down this week, in the wake of startling public reports about the heinous deeds of their late founder Ravi Zacharias, world famous apologist (and owner of massage joints). We chat with immigration lawyer, and banjo master Steve Baughman who wrote Coverup in the Kingdom: Phone Sex, Lies, and God’s Great Apologist Ravi Zacharias. He's been on the trail of this religious wolf for quite some time.

Whether you are an atheist or a believer, into Eastern or Western traditions, a physical practice is perhaps the best way to actually experience and realize what it is to surf the Tao. You don’t need to get into some spiritual zone or commune with celestial beings; rather, we’re inviting you time to wake up to reality, allow space for awareness & notice what you are thinking and feeling without judgment. This leads to clarity as we seek to find peace & outfox religious and ideological wolves.

We draw on Tao Te Ching 26, 33, 36 & 77