Snarky Faith

On today's show, we'll reflect on how Easter has become a religious shit-show and we're also joined by Keith Giles and Matthew Distefano to talk about Quior Publishing's new venture into class literature - and why books matter and shouldn't be banned. 

Let's just be honest for a moment. Easter has lost the plot within modern Christendom and reveals the rot within the faith. Easter is supposed to be a high holy day that is supposed to symbolize hope and renewal, yet it's turned out to be more about consumerism and empty displays of religiosity.

While Jesus Christ, who Christians believe died and rose from the dead, was all about love, compassion, and empathy for the marginalized and oppressed, many modern-day Christians seemed to have missed the memo. Instead of practicing these values, they used the holiday to justify hateful rhetoric and discriminatory policies towards those who are different from them.

It's no wonder that Easter has lost its meaning. The commercialization of the holiday has reduced it to nothing more than a chance to buy chocolate bunnies and attend an over-the-top church extravaganza. The true significance of the resurrection of Jesus has been overshadowed by superficial displays of religiosity that do little to forward and embody the ways and teachings of Jesus. 

It's time to use Easter as a wake-up call and realize how off-course Christianity has gone. It's about embodying the principles of love, compassion, and empathy that Jesus taught.

So, as we reflect on this past Easter, let's recenter our faith in these values and work towards creating a world that is more inclusive, empathetic, and compassionate. Let's challenge ourselves to live up to the principles of Jesus, rather than using them as an excuse to promote hate and division. Only then can we truly honor the message of hope and renewal that Easter should represent.

We can do better. We must do better. 

We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark!

Links

Quoir Publishing 

https://quoir.com/

Keith Giles

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/keithgiles/

Matthew Distefano

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/allsetfree/author/mdistefano/

Heretic Happy Hour

https://heretichappyhour.com/

Apostates Anonymous 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/apostates-anonymous/id1529134426

Quoir Classics:

The Kingdom of God is Within You

https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-God-Within-You-Annotated-ebook/dp/B0BVJGSFHT

A Spring Harvest

https://www.amazon.com/Spring-Harvest-Annotated-Geoffrey-Bache/dp/B0BVCTWD9Y

Call of the Wild 

https://www.amazon.com/Call-Wild-Annotated-Jack-London-ebook/dp/B0C2J34QMP

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Wonderland-Through-Looking-Glass-Annotated

Episode Timestamp:

Canceling Easter/Christian Crazy: 2:00

Quoir Classics Interview with Keith Giles and Matthew Distefano: 22:30

Featured Crackpots, Grifters, and Prophets: Kent Christmas, John Zmirak, MTG, and Johnny Enlow. 

Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:

Right Wing Watch

Christian Nightmares

Friendly Atheist

www.SnarkyFaith.com

Check out the other fantastic Quoircast partners: The Heretic Happy Hour Podcast, Apostates Anonymous, The Messy Spirituality Podcast, Ideas Digest, The New Evangelicals, This is Not Church, and Wild Olive.

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In this episode of Snarky Faith, we delve into the discussion of our collective struggles with the state of the world and the overwhelming noise surrounding everything. Drawing from Brene Brown's idea that faith minus vulnerability equals extremism, let's talk about the questions around why Americans seem to be doubling down on religious culture issues as religion declines in the country.

The faith seems to be obsessed with things that no longer encapsulate faith or the teachings of Jesus but rather fear, selfishness, and pride. To counter this, we must realize that vulnerability is the key because faith plus vulnerability results in extravagant love. 

This is our mission and calls to push ourselves pushing onward toward what is good, loving, and kind is the path. It's what Jesus taught and it's what's required of us if we want to walk in the ways of Christ. 

We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark!

Links

https://www.vox.com/23351293/whale-movie-review-fraser-aronofsky-oscars-best-makeup-hairstyling-best-actor

Episode Timestamp:

I'm Back: 2:20

Christian Crazy: 5:00

Vulnerability: 27:20

Featured Crackpots, Grifters, and Prophets: Robert Jeffress, Hank Kunneman, Robin Bullock, and more...

Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:

Right Wing Watch

Christian Nightmares

Friendly Atheist

www.SnarkyFaith.com

Check out the other fantastic Quoircast partners: The Heretic Happy Hour Podcast, Apostates Anonymous, The Messy Spirituality Podcast, Ideas Digest, The New Evangelicals, This is Not Church, and Wild Olive.

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"We could be the people who risk with God in the face of apocalypse rather than the people who trust in a god who authors apocalypse."

Jonathan J. Foster ~  Theology of Consent: 

Mimetic Theory in an Open and Relational Universe

Coincidences happen and paradoxes occur. 

In life, there are rare occurrences where cosmically divergent concepts combine, almost as if naturally intended - like peanut butter and jelly.

In his new book, Theology of Consent: Mimetic Theory in an Open and Relational Universe, Jonathan J. Foster finds such a paring by blending René Girard’s scapegoating theory with Tomas J. Oord's Open and Relational Theology. 

The book is a fantastic read that blends anthropology, psychology, theology, and the nature of love. Foster uses Girardian thinking to enhance his understanding of open and relational theology even as he allows open and relational ideas to challenge mimetic theory’s tendency to be regressive. The book is scholarly - yet accessible - grounded in humor and humility. 

Join me as I sit down with Jonathan to talk through the theopoetic story of love and its fundamental characteristic: consent. Like the book, our talk together is educational, insightful, and playful. It's a great conversation that you don't want to miss. 

We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark!

Links

Find Jonathan here: 

https://www.jonathanfosteronline.com/

Buy the book here: 

https://www.amazon.com/Theology-Consent-Mimetic-Relational-Universe/dp/1737664941

Episode Timestamp:

Witches: 1:45

Christian Crazy 5:00

Interview 10:30

Featured Crackpots, Grifters, and Prophets: Guillermo Maldonado

Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:

Right Wing Watch

Christian Nightmares

Friendly Atheist

www.SnarkyFaith.com

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"I’m a Christian, and I say it proudly, we should be Christian nationalists."

Marjorie Taylor Green ~ Politician and Conspiracy Theorist 

You may have heard about Christian nationalism... 

It's the hip (not) new trend all your Bible-beating relatives, and red-hat-wearing neighbors are talking about. Christian nationalism is a casserole of the worst parts of both the 4th of July and Christmas paired scrumptiously with a fine assortment of hatred, guns, and an unquenchable thirst for power. 

That's bigotry delicious - just like your grandma used to make. Yum! 

Join me today as we embark on a dive into different facets and mouthpieces of Christian nationalism. It is a movement that seeks to reform culture and control government; theocracy-style. None of this has anything to do with Jesus, but that has never stopped Christians before.   

Christian nationalism is a frightening and violent distortion of the faith. It twists the teachings of Jesus and scripture into tools of acrimony wielded against others under the guise of supposed righteousness. This toxic ideology is on the rise in religious circles. What was once a term of scorn has now become a badge of honor. 

This ideology and movement is a growing problem that gleefully plants the seeds of fascism and theocracy in America and beyond. 

We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark!

Episode Timestamp:

Summer Recap 2:00

Christian Cringe: 10:00

Christian Nationalism: 13:50

Another Way: 44:00

Articles Referenced or Useful for Further Reading:

https://sas.rutgers.edu/news-a-events/news/newsroom/faculty/3406-religious-nationalism

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2021/february-web-only/what-is-christian-nationalism.html

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2022/08/christian-nationalist-identity-marjorie-taylor-greene.html

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/marjorie-taylor-greene-christian-nationalism-republican-party_n_62dd70bde4b081f3a9007344

https://time.com/6201483/christian-nationalism-threat-democracy/

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/christian-right-fbi-raid-trump

https://politicalresearch.org/2005/12/05/the-rise-of-dominionismremaking-america-as-a-christian-nation

https://www.thedailybeast.com/reverend-nathan-empsall-says-rejecting-christian-nationalism-is-what-jesus-would-do

https://religionnews.com/2022/08/19/when-will-their-churches-condemn-the-christian-nationalism-rhetoric-of-maga-politicians/

https://theoutline.com/post/8856/seven-mountain-mandate-trump-paula-white

https://youtu.be/qQbGnJd9poc

Featured Crackpots, Grifters, and Prophets: 

Shane Vaughn, Marjorie Taylor Green, Kent Christmas, Dutch Sheets, and Lance Wallnau. 

Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:

Right Wing Watch

Christian Nightmares

Friendly Atheist

www.SnarkyFaith.com

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"If we aren’t careful, we can become so bitter about the journey that we aren’t able to see how much we’ve grown along the way."

Desimber Rose Wattleton ~ The Church Can Go to Hell

Rarely do we hear honest and raw confessions and testimony from pastors and clergy. Usually, the Lords of the Pulpit carefully craft a public, pious persona and live it out - cosplay style. The rules of this game do not include being honest and authentic. Those are not part of the playbook. 

With many pastors, the game is solely about projecting the ideal example of a fully formed Christian. Breaking character is very rare for these preformers. Thankfully, Desimber Rose Wattleton is not one of those pastors. She's a truth teller who pulls no punches. Her new book, The Church Can Go To Hell: Overcoming the Brokenness, Bitterness, and Bondage of Church Hurt, is an authentic journey detailing her transition from suffering to purpose.

Join me today as I discuss poisonous church culture with Desimber Rose. This enduring toxicity has alienated and wounded so many who are really seeking God but finding nothing in the Church. Desimber Rose's book is startlingly frank, and so is our interview.  

Today, we talk about her experiences and how scripture can give us a manual for overcoming the spiritual scars caused by church trauma. 

In order to really deliver and heal the Body of Christ from the brokenness, bitterness, and bondage of toxicity, it is necessary to reveal the ugly underbelly of the institution frequently hides behind titles, rituals, and tradition.

Enjoy!

We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark!

Buy Desimber Rose's new book, The Church Can Go to Hell on Amazon here! 

Follow Desimber Rose on Instagram or Facebook.

Episode Timestamp:

Christian Crazy: 03:00

Desimber Rose Interview: 10:00

Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:

Right Wing Watch

Christian Nightmares

Friendly Atheist

www.SnarkyFaith.com

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"It should come as no surprise when

So-called Christian powerhouses fall

Corporate greed dressed in Sunday best

od has always been in the business

Of toppling empires"

Meagan Ruby Wagner ~ Jericho

Presently, language is purposefully abused and exploited, often for evil ends, to benefit those in positions of power. How can we combat this? There are many ways to push back. Yet, one of those is frequently brushed aside as being unimportant in culture and society.

Today, we will talk about poetry as a tool of protest and expression. Poetry can evoke powerful images that inspire. It also breaks our hearts, cuts us to the core, and longs for better days. Much like political rhetoric and speech, poetry is seldom delivered carelessly. It is poignant and often timeless. 

Joining us today is a poet and counselor Meagan Ruby Wagner. We'll discuss her debut poetry anthology, Honeysuckle. 

The book is a fantastic read that touches on topics like parenting, changing faith, and mental health during turbulent times. Meagan can take ordinary circumstances and pinpoint the sensations we have all experienced intimately. She does this in an understated yet exquisite way. 

In a time where prattle and rhetoric surround us like white noise, poetry may be the spark or the salve we all need the most. 

Enjoy!

We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark!

Buy Meagan's new book, Honeysuckle, on Amazon here! 

Follow Meagan on Instagram or Facebook.

Episode Timestamp:

Christian Crazy: 02:05

Power of Poetry: 13:55

Meagan Ruby Wagner Interview: 18:20

Christian Cringe: 56:30

Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:

Right Wing Watch

Christian Nightmares

Friendly Atheist

www.SnarkyFaith.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

"Will we ever arrive at our destination? Who can say? But, God is not far away. God is alive within; living and breathing along with us in every moment. How do we know this? We can stop, be still, listen, and experience God’s presence anytime we need to. We can trust, by faith, that God will never leave us or forsake us. We can believe that Jesus is in the Father, and the Father is in us, and we are in Christ."

Keith Giles ~ Sola Mysterium

If life is a mystery and if God is at the center of everything, then seeking to know God requires embracing mystery. 

In his new book, Sola Mysterium: Celebrating the Beautiful Uncertainty of Everything, Keith Giles takes a dive and invites us into the unknown. He asserts that there is more to God than any of us will ever fully comprehend in this life. The book knits together the elements of science, scripture, quantium physics, and psychology to push us towards a journey of sacred unlearning. It is in these spaces we encounter the divine.

Join us today for a lively, enlightening, and far-reaching discussion with Keith Giles. He is a fantastic author and his work demands to be heard, and having him on the show is always enlightening. So, let us begin by embracing Christ's mystery in order to uncover the eternally expanding beauty of uncertainty.

We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark!

Buy Keith's new book, Sola Mysterium on Amazon here! 

You can find all of Keith's books on Amazon.

Here's Keith's blog on Patheos, and you can always find him on the Heretic Happy Hour podcast.

Episode Timestamp:

Christian Crazy: 02:14

Keith Giles Interview: 10:00

Christian Cringe: 56:30

Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:

Right Wing Watch

Christian Nightmares

Friendly Atheist

www.SnarkyFaith.com

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"When you say to yourself. 'I don't care what happens,' 

it just gives you a broader perspective."

- George Carlin 

There are times when we must wrestle with baggage from the road traveled as we progress in our faith. Questions begin to arise, and easy spiritual answers no longer soothe as a salve to the itching reality of balancing the trauma of living with the vastness of the divine. 

Either we give in to the itch, or we learn to ignore it. One path results in transformation, whereas the other leads to resignation.

Choosing to move into the uncharted requires embracing and exploring new realities, whether they exist within ourselves or in the larger world. For some, this invitation is a welcome opportunity, while for others, leaving their perceived realms of safety is terrifying. Neither position is more virtuous than the other. Moving forward is all that matters in the end.

However, it would be a mistake to set out on your journey too quickly.

Before setting out, one must be prepared to wrestle with what they have gained, learned, and lost in the past. This act calls for us to reflect on our experiences, times when we have failed, and the lessons we have learned. It teaches us what matters and ultimately informs us what we should and shouldn't care about. Experience-based learning is a sacred, yet forgotten, spiritual practice.

Pastors and prophets of today see mystery as a barrier to preaching certainty. It challenges their authority and ability control others. Their brand of spiritual certainty is full of mental gymnastics and theologically tinged gobbledygook. The end result is meaningless spiritual platitudes that may sound nice but never amount to anything.

Jesus encourages us to travel both inwardly and outwardly with clear eyes. This path demands that we evaluate our experiences as if they were divine instruments for instruction, understanding, and development. Experience-based learning is infused with the divine and empowers us to advance as audacious lovers, fearless truth-tellers, and compassionate envoys of God's shalom.

The future is waiting patiently for those who are willing to go where others fear to tread. Also, don't worry, t here won't ever be any traffic jams on the road ahead. 

Join us today as we wrap up our series on spiritual growth through the lens of Christ.

May you travel well.  Always remember that you are never truly alone and that taking a risk is an act of bravery. 

Journey well, friends. 

We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark!

Episode Timestamp:

In The News/Gun Violence: 02:15

Main Conversation: 25:20

Bonus Crazy: 56:30

Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:

Right Wing Watch

Christian Nightmares

Friendly Atheist

Books Referenced:

Spiritual Theology - Diogenes Allen

Gifts of the Dark Wood - Eric Elnes

Articles: 

Shootings expose divisions on gun issue in faith communities

For many evangelical Christians, God and guns are inextricably linked

Guns do more than kill

What are Evangelicals and how did they become so hypocritical?

www.SnarkyFaith.com

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"People are finding acceptance, love, and healing outside of the organizational church. They feel like they were supporting the organization of the church and the church was not supporting them." 

Karl Forehand ~ Out Into The Desert

Karl J. Forehand was a bi-vocational pastor for 20 years and has training in spiritual leadership coaching, plant-based nutrition, and spiritual direction. He’s the author of The Tea Shop, The Hotel, Apparent Faith and Being. 

Soon, Karl is releasing his new book, Out into the Desert, which he co-wrote with his wife. 

Karl has long had a penchant for bringing light to the forgotten postures of faith. This time, he's joined by Laura, his wife, and their voices together speak truth to different sides of the same coin, from surviving church ministry to wandering and embracing the vulnerable ways of Christ. This book spoke deeply to my soul, as it will yours.

Join me, as I talk with Karl about his book, enduring ministry trauma, and finding another path towards being. It's an insightful conversation that you'll enjoy.  

We'll talk about all that and more snark!

Find Karl's books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Karl-Forehand/e/B07VGKNC23

For more on Karl: https://karlforehand.com/

Leaning Forward Conference: https://karlforehand.com/leaning-forward-2022

Episode Timestamp:

Christian Crazy: 02:03

Conversation with Karl Forehand: 34:30

 Bonus: 56:30

Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:

Right Wing Watch

Christian Nightmares

Friendly Atheist

www.SnarkyFaith.com

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"Based on this historical example, if our passion is to end abortion in our nation, the best way to do so is to circumvent political processes (which, to date, have not proven very effective), and to love our neighbor as Jesus commanded."

Keith Giles ~ Jesus Untangled 

Today's show is a mixed bag of talk about reproductive rights, and I'll also take you on a road trip discussion of our continuing series on spiritual formation. 

Note: I apologize in advance for the poor sound quality of the road trip portion of the recording. 

On the surface, this issue is presented as if it's binary. You are either pro-life or pro-choice. Both sides have their narratives and talking points. Yet in the discourse, everyone seems to be vehemently yelling past one another. At the end of the day, it seems all we're left with is the yelling, and that's never helpful.  

We see pro-life Christians using the Bible as justification for their stance, but proof-texting scripture is never very fruitful in seeing the heart of God. 

The logical way to engage the Bible on a topic like this would be to see how God views personal choice. In the Bible, humanity is depicted as a complex, multi-faceted creature with the ability and responsibility to make decisions and choices. The concept of free will is kind of a big deal in the Bible. 

So join us today as we discuss the changing views about abortion and how those views have changed in the minds of Christian over decades. We'll also dig into the political influences behind the Religious Right and how it has used this issue for years to shape politics and fuel the flames of culture wars. 

What does any of this have to do with Jesus? How are we missing the point in this issue? How do we move forward? 

Tune in and find out. 

We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark! 

Episode Timestamp:

In The News/Roe v Wade: 03:40

Main Conversation: 40:00

Bonus Crazy: 56:30

Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:

Right Wing Watch

Christian Nightmares

Friendly Atheist

Books Referenced:

Spiritual Theology - Diogenes Allen

Gifts of the Dark Wood - Eric Elnes

Articles: 

The Real Origins of the Christian Right

As a Christian, I Want to Reduce Abortions, Not Overturn Roe

Why Post Roe Abortion Bans Must Exempt Religious Jews

www.SnarkyFaith.com

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