Episode 98 - 

The word 'religion' carries a curiously negative connotation in our modern lexicon.  The term is more often used for the purposes of criticism, as it conjures associations with anti-individualism, historical oppression, and hypocrisy.  Religion might as well mean backward and ignorant.  To be labeled as 'religious', then, would conceivably be the worst personal descriptor one could imagine.  'Spiritual', 'faithful', 'a good person' - yeah, those are all okay.  But surely never 'religious'!

Chad takes the [fictitious] challenge of breathing life back into the word 'religion' as lead contrarian for this episode, while Ben bites his tongue as long as he possibly can (which isn't long) as co-host.  The two wrestle with the many popularized misnomers surrounding this term in hopes of sparking its comeback.  Can a Christian have a relationship with Jesus and adhere to a religion, or are the two mutually exclusive?  What will take the place of religion if traditional forms of it are eschewed in society?  And will Ben and Chad see eye-to-eye on the usefulness of ritual in the religious context?  

SHOW NOTES:

Two "viral videos" on hating vs. loving religion (from 10 years ago);

• Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus || Spoken Word - YouTube
• Fr. Pontifex - Why I Love Religion, And Love Jesus - YouTube

Tim Gordon's podcast episode on the new secular religion:  Timothy Gordon Rules for Retrogrades Podcast: Rainbow: Dawn of the Old Idols on Apple Podcasts