Snarky Faith Radio

Trump's back in office, and it's officially time to get serious. This week, we dive into what his return means for democracy, humanity, and faith, as we grapple with the fallout of an election fueled by evangelical hypocrisy and the erosion of decency. From reproductive rights to racial justice, LGBTQ+ protections to environmental survival, the stakes couldn't be higher. But despair isn't an option—resistance is. Join us as we unpack how to fight back with grassroots action and reclaim what matters.Next, we wade into the madness of the Christian Crazy, where characters like Lance Wallnau and Kat Kerr remind us how far evangelicalism has wandered from the teachings of Jesus.Finally, we sit down with Keith Giles to talk about his new book, Wintermoon and Coffeestain: Poems and Lyrics, a poignant collection spanning decades of love, loss, and restoration. It's an insightful conversation about creativity, faith, and finding beauty amidst the chaos.This episode is a rallying cry, a critique of the absurd, and a reminder to keep showing up, no matter how dark it gets. Tune in, and let's start making trouble—the good kind.Get Keith's book here:https://amzn.to/3Cj2RQKBig thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:Right Wing WatchChristian NightmaresFriendly AtheistCome along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.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.

In this week's episode of Snarky Faith, we're turning up the heat with a “Snarkfire and Brimstone sermon” that takes aim at the bizarre fusion of faith and authoritarian politics. First, we kick things off with the Christian Crazy segment, highlighting the most ridiculous soundbites from the week. Then, we delve into the so-called new Christian orthodoxy of MAGA-land, where Trump isn't just a candidate; he's the chosen one. We'll explore how this unholy blend of politics and religion has warped the gospel into a manifesto of power and privilege, all while tossing out little inconveniences like love, mercy, and justice. Tune in for a sermon that's sure to leave both the pews and the patriots squirming.Feel the burn—it's about to get snarky. Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:Right Wing WatchChristian NightmaresFriendly AtheistCome along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.www.SnarkyFaith.comCheck 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.

Join Stuart for an engaging discussion with Corey Nathan, host of the podcast "Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other." Corey, a Jewish stockbroker turned Christian entrepreneur, believes that it's possible to have proactive and fun conversations about politics and religion without resorting to hatred. In this episode, Corey shares his experiences and the lessons he's learned from his conversations with world-renowned guests, emphasizing the importance of civility and understanding in today's polarized climate. Discover how we can bridge divides and foster healthy, respectful dialogue even on the most contentious issues.We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark and Christian Crazy. Links for More:More from Corey Nathan: https://www.politicsandreligion.us/Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:Right Wing WatchChristian NightmaresFriendly AtheistCome along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.www.SnarkyFaith.comCheck 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.

This latest episode of Snarky Faith features a compelling conversation with Liz Cooledge Jenkins, whose new book, "Nice Churchy Patriarchy: Reclaiming Women's Humanity from Evangelicalism," offers a critical yet hopeful look at the entrenched patriarchal norms in evangelical Christianity. Jenkins takes us on a journey through her own experiences within the church, detailing the subtle forms of misogyny that often go unchecked and discussing the significant impact they have on women's roles and voices in faith communities. Through a mix of personal anecdotes and theological insights, she illuminates the challenges of navigating a faith tradition marred by gender inequality, while also outlining a vision for dismantling these oppressive structures. The discussion delves into key themes of the book, such as "Naming Misogyny's Faces" and "Dismantling Misogyny's Power," and explores Jenkins's proposals for reinterpreting scripture, expanding theology, and reimagining church leadership to embrace full gender equality. Jenkins's articulate and passionate discourse provides not just a critique but a beacon of hope for those seeking to reform evangelicalism from within, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of faith, gender, and social justice.

Get ready for a mind-bending episode of Snarky Faith as we dive deep with Keith Giles into his latest book, 'The Quantum Sayings of Jesus.' Discover how Giles blends quantum physics with the mystical teachings of Jesus, challenging conventional religious narratives with a fresh, provocative perspective. Giles brings the often overlooked Gospel of Thomas into the spotlight, proposing that its cryptic messages align strikingly with the principles of quantum mechanics, suggesting a non-dualistic understanding of Jesus' teachings that defy traditional interpretations.In this episode, we'll explore the implications of viewing these ancient texts through a quantum lens, discussing how understanding Jesus as a mystic rather than just a historical figure could radically alter our perception of spirituality. Keith Giles will share insights into how the Gospel of Thomas can be a guide for personal transformation and spiritual awakening in our modern world. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that bridges the gap between science and spirituality, pushing the boundaries of what it means to have faith in the 21st century.We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark and The Christian Crazy. Links for More:More from Keith Giles: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/keithgiles/Buy The Quantum Sayings of Jesus here: https://amzn.to/4bVrMGp Featured Crackpots, Grifters, and Prophets: John MacArthur, Hank Kunneman, and Jerry Savelle. Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:Right Wing WatchChristian NightmaresFriendly Atheist Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.www.SnarkyFaith.comCheck 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.

In "Finding Jesus," Herb Montgomery takes readers on a deep dive into the often-overlooked aspects of Jesus' message, spotlighting his call to radical love, justice, and solidarity with the marginalized. Our upcoming interview will explore the journey behind Montgomery's provocative reinterpretation, discussing the ways in which this book seeks to not only reshape our understanding of the Christian faith but also how it applies to contemporary issues of social injustice. Expect to hear about Montgomery's critical take on traditional interpretations, his vision for a more inclusive and action-oriented faith, and the practical implications of living out Jesus' teachings in today's world.We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark! Links for More:Get Herb's book "Finding Jesus" here: https://amzn.to/3w0DD6RMore about Herb: https://renewedheartministries.com/Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:Right Wing WatchChristian NightmaresFriendly AtheistCome along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.www.SnarkyFaith.comCheck out the other fantastic Quoircast partners: The Heretic Happy Hour Podcast, Apostates Anonymous, The Messy Spirituality Podcast, Ideas Digest, The New Evangelicals

This week on Snarky Faith, we're thrilled to have Jon Turney, the author of In an engaging blend of literary scholarship and accessible philosophy, Matthew J. Distefano offers readers a fresh perspective on J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved creation, focusing on the unassuming yet profoundly wise Hobbits. Through the application of mimetic theory, the book examines how desires are influenced and shaped by those around us, using Hobbit society as a mirror to our own. Distefano skilfully navigates the intersection of fantasy and reality, prompting us to question the foundations of our social interactions, aspirations, and the very fabric of our communities. With wit and clarity, the book not only pays homage to Tolkien's work but also extends an invitation to adopt a more thoughtful, Hobbit-inspired approach to our lives and relationships. It's an enlightening read that promises to enrich the podcast discussion, offering listeners both a deeper understanding of a literary classic and practical insights into living a more connected, meaningful life.Links for More:More from Matt Distefano: https://www.allsetfree.com/Get Mimetic Theory & Middle-earth: Untangling Desire in Tolkien's Legendarium here: https://amzn.to/3TNnJ8BFeatured Crackpots, Grifters, and Prophets: Hank Kunneman, Greg Locke, and Kent ChristmasBig thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:Right Wing WatchChristian NightmaresFriendly AtheistCome along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.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 week on Snarky Faith, we're thrilled to have Jon Turney, the author of RJ the Astronaut, for a revealing conversation about his groundbreaking novel. Turney opens up about the inspiration behind RJ's character — an astronaut embroiled in a profound existential and spiritual journey across the cosmos. The discussion unveils the depths of questioning and understanding that form the core of the narrative, highlighting the novel's exploration of faith, doubt, and the human condition through the unique lens of space exploration.Diving deeper, Turney reflects on the challenges and revelations of weaving together science fiction with existential philosophy, aiming to engage readers in a dialogue about the nature of belief and the quest for meaning in an expansive, indifferent universe. Our conversation traverses the thematic landscapes of the book, from the silent echoes of space to the intimate whispers of the soul, offering listeners an intricate look at the creative process behind depicting the vastness of space as a backdrop for the intimate spiritual journey of RJ. Join us as we navigate the stars and the depths of the human spirit with Jon Turney in an episode that promises to expand horizons and challenge perceptions.We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark!Check out Jon's podcast, This is Not Church!Get Jon's book here -RJ the Astronaut Featured Crackpots, Grifters, and Prophets: Robin Bullock, Hank Kunneman, and Greg StephensBig thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:Right Wing WatchChristian NightmaresFriendly AtheistCome along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.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.

Join me as I take you on a wild journey through the latest episode of Snarky Faith. Brace yourselves for a rollercoaster ride as I open up about my personal journey through grief and loss in the bleak landscape of 2024, where political turmoil looms large. But that's just the beginning!In this episode, we fearlessly dive into the absurdities of American Christianity with the Christian Crazy segment (including some Taylor Swift/Evangelical insanity), and we kick off our Buzzword Breakdown series by dissecting the true essence of Love.If you're ready for a candid, thought-provoking, and downright snarky podcast that will challenge your perspectives on faith, politics, and personal growth, then join me for this captivating episode. Laugh, question, and redefine your understanding of love and loss with Snarky Faith – it's a ride you won't want to miss!Featured Crackpots, Grifters, and Prophets: Kent Christmas, Jesse Duplantis, and Tony Wood. Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:Right Wing WatchChristian NightmaresFriendly AtheistCome along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.www.SnarkyFaith.comCheck 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. Photo by Merch HÜSEY on Unsplash 

In this episode of Snarky Faith, we sit down with Dr. Jonathan Foster, a theologian and author, to discuss his latest work, "Indigo - the Color of Grief." This book is more than just words on a page; it's an immersive journey through the depths of sorrow and the resilience of the human spirit. Dr. Foster shares his personal experience with the tragic loss of his daughter and how it shaped his perspective on grief.Our discussion is a tapestry of introspection and revelation, examining the dual themes of processing grief in real-time and the decision to share these experiences through writing. Dr. Foster, with his unique blend of mimetic theory and open and relational theology, offers insights into the 'theo-poetic' nature of his book and shares an excerpt to give listeners a glimpse into his narrative style.We delve into the broader aspects of grief, challenging conventional approaches and discussing how to healthily embrace this complex emotion. The conversation also touches upon 'mourning well' and the power of memory in the grieving process. Join us on Snarky Faith as we navigate these intricate emotional landscapes with Dr. Foster, uncovering the beauty and pain inherent in the human condition. Get Indigo - the Color of Grief on Amazonhttps://amzn.to/475nPfvFor more on Jonathan Foster:https://www.jonathanfosteronline.com/ Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:Right Wing WatchChristian NightmaresFriendly AtheistCome along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.www.SnarkyFaith.comCheck 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.

In today's episode of Snarky Faith, we're venturing into a space that's often skirted around with discomfort or outright hostility. That's right—we're digging into the delightful mess that is religious diversity, but not in the way you might expect. We're not here to throw shade or to spotlight the foibles of faith; instead, we're talking about the rich gifts that diversity brings us, especially when we shut up and listen.Our guidebook for this journey is none other than the recent release "Sitting in the Shade of Another Tree: What We Learn by Listening to Other Faiths." This isn't just your run-of-the-mill, kumbaya plea for peace. This is about tuning in to a symphony of voices from different faiths and belief systems that dare to speak to the transformative power of listening. It's about cracking open the door to perspectives that have long been shut out by the rigid gates of doctrinal fortresses.We're joined by a panel of guests who are nothing short of pilgrims on this journey of cross-faith dialogue. Keith Giles, Duncan Pile, Caleb Gilleland, and Safi Kaskas—each an author and a story-weaver sharing tales of wisdom, transformation, and perspective shifts. Their narratives aren't just feel-good anecdotes; they're testaments to what happens when we learn from those who tread paths different from our own.Forget the tired old trope of who's got it wrong in the world of religion. Our guests have set out to uncover where others get it right, engaging in the radical act of listening rather than preaching. The result? Insights that lead to understanding, connections that spawn friendships, and exchanges that birth peace.Join us as we delve into the wisdom shared in "Sitting in the Shade of Another Tree," courtesy of Quoir Publishing and Patheos. Let's take this opportunity to step outside our comfort zones and into the possibility that the truth and beauty we seek might just be found in the faith community next door—or even one we've never heard of.It's not about compromising your beliefs or losing your faith; it's about enriching it through the stories of others. So, let's drop the debate and pick up the dialogue. Tune in, listen up, and let's get ready to be transformed. This is Snarky Faith, and the conversation starts now.We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark!LinksSitting in the Shade of Another Tree: What We Learn by Listening to Other Faithhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHZCBX7V Author Links and Books:Caleb Gilleland:https://bahaiteachings.org/author/caleb-gilleland/https://www.ed.ac.uk/profile/caleb-gillelandSafi Kaskas: https://www.amazon.com/Quran-References-Bible-Contemporary-Understanding/dp/099659244X/Duncan Pile:https://www.patheos.com/blogs/duncanedwardpile/about/https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Mage-Book-ebook/dp/B00CLOYOKA/https://www.amazon.com/Who-Am-Judge-James-Bewley-ebook/dp/B086N27QWQ/Keith Giles:https://www.patheos.com/blogs/keithgiles/https://www.amazon.com/stores/Keith-Giles/author/B0076E0UA8 Featured Crackpots, Grifters, and Prophets: Kent Christmas, Shane Vaughn, Greg Locke, Mike Johnson, and Mario Murillo. Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:Right Wing WatchChristian NightmaresFriendly AtheistCome along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.www.SnarkyFaith.comCheck 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.

Brace Yourselves, This is Theology UnfilteredHey Snarky Faith listeners, brace yourselves! We've got a treat for you—a theological espresso shot that'll jolt you awake, whether you're ready for it or not. I sat down with Dillon Naber Cruz, the mind behind Theological Musings: Collected Essays of a Tattooed Theologian, Vol. 1, and let me tell you, this isn't your run-of-the-mill theology talk. This is more like a high-speed chase through a maze of moral and existential dilemmas.What We Cover:Complex PTSD and Theology: You thought those terms couldn't be in the same sentence? Think again. Cruz explains how personal trauma shapes and complicates our theological landscapes. Spoiler alert: It's not pretty, but it's damn insightful.Faith's Dark Corners: Cruz isn't here to spoon-feed you doctrine; he's here to tear down your theological house of cards and dare you to rebuild it. We delve into the questions most theologians prefer to ignore. You've been warned.The Gritty Kind of Hope: Forget about that pie-in-the-sky optimism; Cruz talks about the hope that you earn, the kind that's been through the wringer and still stands. Can such hope exist in a world of chaos? Tune in to find out.Why You Can't Miss This:Look, if you're content with your sanitized, bubble-wrapped faith, this episode might not be for you. But if you're tired of simplistic answers to complex questions, if you're itching for a faith that engages with the real world, this is an episode you can't afford to miss. Cruz doesn't just push the envelope; he sets it on fire.So grab your beverage of choice, and settle in for a ride. You'll walk away from this episode with more questions than answers, but trust me, you'll be better for it.We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark! Check out Dilllon's new book here.  Show notesFeatured Crackpots, Grifters, and Prophets: Benny Hinn, Greg Locke, and Greg Laurie Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:Right Wing WatchChristian NightmaresFriendly AtheistCome along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.www.SnarkyFaith.comCheck 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.

The Forehands: Not Your Typical Spiritual GuidesLet's get one thing straight: Karl and Laura Forehand aren't here to sell you the same old, tired spiritual clichés. Nope, they're here to wrestle—wrestle with beliefs, wrestle with trauma, and maybe even wrestle with you a bit. So, buckle up, because this episode of Snarky Faith is about to get real.Deconstruction: More Than Just a BuzzwordAh, deconstruction—the buzzword that's been making the rounds in spiritual circles faster than you can say "heretic." But what does it really mean? And more importantly, what comes after? Karl and Laura are here to break it down, and trust us, they're not pulling any punches.Pathways Forward: Because Stagnation is OverratedWe've all been there—stuck in the muck of outdated beliefs, toxic religious practices, and spiritual stagnation. But how do you move forward? Or should we say, how do you Lean Forward? Karl and Laura share their insights, and let's just say, it's not your grandma's spiritual advice.Snarky TakeawaysLook, if you're here for a feel-good, Kumbaya moment, you're in the wrong place. But if you're looking for a raw, unfiltered, and yes, snarky take on spirituality, deconstruction, and the journey ahead, then this episode is a must.We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark!Leaning Forward is available now on Amazon Featured Crackpots, Grifters, and Prophets: Greg Locke, Kat Kerr, Jim Bakker, and more. Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:Right Wing WatchChristian NightmaresFriendly AtheistCome along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.www.SnarkyFaith.comCheck 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.

We've got a special treat for you today. We're diving deep into the murky waters of faith, spirituality, and the church with none other than Nat Turney, the author of the provocative book "Seeds of De(con)struction." Trust us, this is one episode you don't want to miss.The Book That's Shaking the Foundations"Seeds of De(con)struction" is not your typical faith book. It's a raw, unfiltered look at the complexities of spirituality, the church, and the human experience. Nat Turney takes us on a journey that's as unsettling as it is enlightening. He challenges us to question the status quo, to deconstruct our long-held beliefs, and to embrace the transformative power of faith.The Scandalous ChurchOne of the most gripping parts of the book is Nat's critique of church leadership. He doesn't hold back, folks. From church scandals to the misuse of power, Nat exposes the underbelly of religious institutions. But don't get it twisted; this isn't a takedown. It's an invitation to dialogue, to question, and to reform. It's about recognizing that the church, like any other institution, is flawed but also capable of growth and transformation.The Drips of WisdomNat uses the metaphor of "drips" to symbolize the gradual accumulation of wisdom and enlightenment. It's a beautiful concept that resonates deeply. Enlightenment isn't a one-time event; it's a lifelong journey. It's about the small, consistent insights that accumulate over time, leading us to a deeper understanding of ourselves and the Divine.The Fear FactorAnother compelling aspect of the book is its exploration of violence and fear as tools for control within religious institutions. It's a critical view that many of us can relate to, especially those who have felt marginalized or oppressed by the church. Nat encourages us to challenge these fear-based tactics and to seek a faith that is rooted in love, compassion, and inclusivity.The Power of DeconstructionThe book also delves into the concept of deconstruction, a term that's become somewhat of a buzzword in faith circles. But Nat gives it new life. He suggests that deconstruction isn't about tearing down; it's about breaking open. It's about dismantling the walls that confine us so that we can experience a more authentic, personal spirituality.The InterviewIn today's episode, we'll be sitting down with Nat to discuss all of this and more. We'll talk about his inspiration for writing the book, the challenges he faced along the way, and what he hopes readers will take away from it. Plus, we'll get into some of the more controversial topics he tackles, like the church's approach to violence and control. It's going to be a candid, thought-provoking conversation that you won't want to miss.So grab your favorite beverage, get comfy, and let's get snarky. This is one conversation that's sure to challenge, inspire, and maybe even ruffle a few feathers. But hey, that's what Snarky Faith is all about, right?Tune in, and let's get this conversation started.We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark!Show notesFeatured Crackpots, Grifters, and Prophets: JD Greer, Hank Kunneman, Jack Hibbs, and Robin Bullock. Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:Right Wing WatchChristian NightmaresFriendly AtheistCome along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.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.

Join me again on Snarky Faith. Our guest is none other than Michael Camp, the author of "Breaking Bad Faith," a book that's as much a mental workout as it is a spiritual journey. Join us for our conversation - it's a fun ride. In this episode, we dive headfirst into the turbulent waters of religious and social issues, with Camp serving as our fearless guide. His new book, "Breaking Bad Faith," is not your typical Sunday school lesson. It's a deep exploration of Christianity and its intersection with societal norms. It's the kind of book that makes you question everything you thought you knew about religion, society, and the role of faith in our lives.During our chat, we'll navigate through the intricacies of scriptural texts, societal norms, and the often-misunderstood facets of faith. It's like going on a road trip with a theologian, but the fun kind.  Camp doesn't shy away from controversial topics. He delves into the interpretation of scripture, history, and the role of religion in shaping these norms. His unfiltered exploration of faith and society will undoubtedly provoke thought, stimulate discussion, and perhaps even incite a healthy debate or two.This episode is a must-listen for anyone who enjoys a good intellectual workout. It's not light listening, but then again, who needs light listening when you can have your mind expanded and your preconceptions challenged? So, if you're up for a challenge and ready to see the world in a new light, tune in to our chat with Michael Camp. Your brain and faith will thank you. Eventually.We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark! Show notesEpisode Timestamp:Christian Crazy: 2:00Michael Camp Interview: 21:54 Featured Crackpots, Grifters, and Prophets: Lauren Boebert, Hank Kunneman, Joshua Mills, and Lucas Miles.  Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:Right Wing WatchChristian NightmaresFriendly AtheistCome along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.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.

Join me for another episode of "Snarky Faith" as we wade through the stormy intersection of faith and politics, exploring the emotional landscape marked by anxiety and depression. In these tumultuous times following the downfall of Roe v Wade and the erosion of LGBTQ rights, we're on a mission to make sense of it all and find our footing.In this episode, I'll share candid insights about these challenging times, refusing to gloss over the raw reality of our emotional struggles. We're going to peel back the layers, examining my faith, unpacking grief, and seeking understanding in our shared human experiences.Our focus will be on kindness, that universal language that transcends political and religious divides. Remembering Christ's call to love both our neighbors and enemies – a call that means everyone.This is more than just a cerebral exercise. It's about finding hope and the courage to take the next right step. "Snarky Faith" is a haven where we can challenge our perspectives, learn, and find comfort amidst chaos.So come with me on this journey. Let's brave the storm together, find hope in these discouraging times, and work towards a kinder world. We're not just here to talk about change – we're here to embody it. We can do better. We must do better.Brace yourself for all this and a healthy dose of snark on the side! Show notesEpisode Timestamp:Anxiety & Kindness: 1:50Christian Crazy: 23:20Christian Cringe: 34:20 Featured Crackpots, Grifters, and Prophets: Kat Kerr, Ron DeSantis, Robin Bullock, Mike Huckabee, and Hank Kunneman.  Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:Right Wing WatchChristian NightmaresFriendly AtheistCome along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.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.

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 Show notes   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 Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. 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.  

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   Show notes 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 Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. 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.

"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 Show notes 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   Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

"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!   Show notes 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 Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

"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. Show notes   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 Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

"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.   Show notes   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   Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

"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.    Show notes 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 Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com  

"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! Show notes 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? Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

"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 Show notes 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 Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

"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.  The right for a woman to choose medical decisions about her own body is a political lightning rod issue in both American politics and religion.  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!  Show notes   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 Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

To go somewhere, you have to leave.  There will be times in our journeys in faith when we're called to leave, either by choice or circumstance. Sometimes we pull away for a moment; other times, maybe forever. The keys to navigating these times are discernment, detachment, and humility. We encounter moments where leaving is healthy and gives us perspective. Other times, we just need to get the hell out of bad or toxic situations.  Regardless of the reason, what we learn in these times of separation can be formative if we lean into the process with open eyes and humble hearts.  Engaging in change can be difficult, but we must remember that we don't fear change - we fear loss. That fear can keep us in places where we won't progress or grow. It can leave us in places we're not supposed to be.  In Irish folklore, there was a mythical race called the Tuatha De Danann. They were peaceful people who loved beauty and art. When confronted and driven to war by a hostile tribe, it is said that they just "turned sideways into the light and disappeared."  They knew that war would make them into something they were not and didn't dare to engage.  Sometimes, leaving is a decision to prevent yourself from becoming something you don't want to become. So, remember that healthy detachment can help you see more clearly.  I believe that the future will be written by those that choose to leave and create something better. Those who dare to tread on uncharted grounds are also those that discover what is new and next. Faith was never meant to be a stagnant or complacent process. To learn and grow, we must step into new territory with a brave face and a humble posture.  Let us cast away the inert stability of past institutions and mindsets while we look to better and more hopeful days forward. It is not easy to cast off our baggage, but it is a lighter load for the road ahead.  Travel well. We'll talk about all that and more snark!  Show notes Episode Timestamp: COVID: 02:05 Christian Crazy: 06:25 Main Conversation: 25:35 Bonus: 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 Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

"As you start to walk on the way, the way appears." ~ Rumi    No one likes to be lost.  It strikes us with fear and disorientation because we like to be in control. When we're lost, things feel out of control. Yet being lost is part of the spiritual journey.  In many ways, it is an essential ingredient for change and growth. As humans, we're creatures of habit and depend on certain things for stability as we make our way in the world every day. Remove some of the familiar, and we experience loss.  It happens as a result of our own choices, those of others, or through circumstances outside of our control. It may be painful, but it is inevitable.  I've known some people so scared to make a decision they would avoid it at all costs. They feared change. Though it should be noted, that not making a decision is actually a decision. It's a choice to remain foolish in the hope that life will go back to the way it used to be. It's a nostalgic fantasy that leads to delusion. Embracing reality and ourselves is key to spiritual growth. My journey towards knowing God more has led me to know myself more. I've learned to heal, turn baggage into wisdom, and reclaim awe and wonder in my life. It's also been painful, stretching, and even ugly at times. This process is ongoing. I'm constantly growing and learning more about myself and the divine. Yet, all of that would be impossible unless I'm willing to be lost.  Moving away from certainty can be terrifying and make us long for the shallower waters of the familiar. So we must remember that life moves forward at a brisk pace. The world changes constantly, and so do you.  You and your faith were never meant to be stagnant. There's more out there to be experienced and more life to live. Don't worry. You won't be alone. There are plenty of us out there. Let's get lost together.  We'll talk about all that and more snark!    Show notes Episode Timestamp: Hedge of Protection: 01:43 In the News: 02:20 UFOs and Jesus: 13:00 Main Conversation: 18:30 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 Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

"We must realize that leaps of faith are the junk food of the spiritual realm... An authentic leap of faith may become the first step of a new beginning, but taking that step feels more like the culmination of a long and engaging journey."   Eric Elnes ~ Gifts of the Dark Wood   Continuing on our series about the tangible ways of faith, today we'll discuss different motivations for seeking after God. Thus far, we'd discussed conversion and moments of experiencing the divine.  Too often, we assume that the journey of faith is all about mystical and mysterious happenings and experiences. While, in some regard, these do instances may occur, they are not the norm. Yet, we usually use these supernatural events as a gauge for spirituality and depth.  Religion has groomed us to believe that one of the key ingredients for experiencing God is a leap of faith or some grand gesture. This ideology of risk is often a recipe for abuse, pain, and trauma. I'm not trying to negate the impact of a spiritual experience, per se, but we must realize that these are often only the beginning point of a journey. These moments are not the goal or a place to camp and make a home.  When we seek God, we must ask ourselves, "what or why are we seeking Her?"  Many seek God for purpose, significance, or affirmation. Others may seek Her out of selfish ambition or pride. Either way, it's missing the point, but humans often excel at that virtue. The road toward experiencing the divine should lead us to a greater understanding of ourselves. This requires introspection, healing, and dealing with our biases and baggage as we begin to embrace seeing the world through the lens of Jesus.  This journey also grants us something unexpected. As Peter Rollins puts it, "For while we do not grasp God, faith is born amidst the feeling that God grasps us." Understanding and embracing this fact will lead to deeper personal transformation. It also arms us with a robust amount of humility and grace. These are the necessary tools for the road ahead. Without them, we'll never understand the Kingdom of God.    We'll talk about all that and more snark!    This week's Christian Crazy also features Greg Lock, Shane Vaughn, and Kat Kerr! Show notes   Episode Timestamp: Snarky start: 01:43 In the News: 06:00 Christian Crazy: 23:40 Main Conversation: 30:00 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: https://julieroys.com/macarthur-shamed-excommunicated-mother-take-back-child-abuser/ https://www.patheos.com/blogs/allsetfree/2022/04/some-reflections-on-hillsong-mars-hill-and-church-culture/ https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/03/russia-ukraine-invasion-military-predictions/629418/ Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

Snarky Faith is a space where we irreverently wrestle through life, culture and spirituality. It's a skewering of religion in culture today. The questions or even answers are never the point – it's all about the conversation. Hosted by Stuart Delony. Snarky Faith is on WCOM LP 103.5 Chapel Hill/Carrboro, NC Tuesdays 5-6pm EST www.snarkyfaith.com

"I tell you solemnly, in so far as you neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you neglect to do it to me." -Jesus The pursuit of experiencing the divine is the age-old goal of religious and spiritual seekers. For those that believe or want to believe, such an encounter can be transformative and confirming to one's faith.  Yet, organized religion has manipulated this desire and used it to control the masses through fear, guilt, and shame masked as theology, dogma, and practice. They've taught us to ignore our humanity because they see it as flawed and sinful. Then, they tell us to deny our senses, past experiences, and logic if we want to experience the Almighty.   That way isn't a way towards a transcendent encounter. It only leads us into a circular path of submission and sameness. Seeking God doesn't require us to ignore our humanity or check our brains at the door. Though that's what is often taught and preached.  We are an amalgamation of our experiences in life, both good and bad. To ignore this is to neglect ourselves.  As children, we're told not to touch the stove but sometimes do it anyway. We learn from the pain. We grow from the encounter. These happenings and our responses to them make us into who we are. Events like these help frame our perspective and make us who we are. We need to learn to be and accept ourselves. If God is real and at work in the world around us, we need to realize that seeking the divine requires us to engage with reality and help others. It's not as sexy as a vision, miracle, or transcendent moment, but God lives in the spaces where the forgotten and marginalized dwell. So, if we want to experience God, these are the places we go. It's just that simple.  We'll talk about that along with the Hillsong scandal, Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill, and plenty more in this episode. This will be part one of a two-part discussion on experiencing the divine.  Show notes Episode Timestamp: News/Hillsong/Don't Say Gay: 03:00 Christian Crazy: 30:00 Main Conversation: 37:00 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 Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

"The courage to be is rooted in the God who appears when God has disappeared in the anxiety of doubt."  -Paul Tillich   Religious conversion is a peculiar thing. The very mention of "getting saved" most likely triggers lots of ideas, experiences, feelings, and bad memes in your head.  The funny thing is that conversion is not intended to be a spiritual, rapturous, or transcendent experience. It's likewise not about praying a prayer or getting a magic get-out-of-hell-free card. That would be an exercise in missing the point. Conversion literally means turning around and embarking on a different path. Yup, that's it. Nothing more or less, yet we have mucked up the entire thing with marketing, spectacle, and scare tactics. Taking up that different path of Jesus is filled with fear, doubt, and ambiguity. Yet, with conversion, we sell assurance and certainty, which is an utter disservice to the spiritual process and growth. Sorry, but there are no cookie cutters for faith, and those that sell that message of assurance are only parrots, puppets, and posers. There is a deep mystery in following the ways of Jesus and seeking God in the world around us. There's no way around it.  Churches push that aside as they give us dependable crutches that tickle our spiritual longings with things such as preaching, worship, and dogma. It's almost as if they're trying to prove Karl Marx correct when he said, "religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people." Jesus did want his followers to be cosplaying Christians. He promised a hard road ahead for his followers filled with sacrifice, trials, trouble, and emptiness.  While the ethics of Christ give us a firm lens to see the world, the praxis of those teachings is anything but certain. We embark into the world armed with ideals, knowing not how they will be contextualized and animated when faced with reality.  There is a gift to that emptiness borne out of not knowing. It forces us to be open and awake in every moment as we continue in our process of becoming. It keeps us searching, changing, and growing.  It's fear that keeps us in place. It's fear that keeps us in church. It's fear that keeps us from change.  Experiencing God is always about the journey to know the unknown, both inwardly and outwardly. It's meant to help us become more of ourselves as we cast off the baggage from the past while bravely learning to humbly love others without stipulation or qualification.  It's not easy, but it is the way of Jesus. There will be times of emptiness because your path every day is new and being charted by you. There's only one you and no specific guide to your life (sorry, Bible). Sounds scary, but there are others out there embracing new ways of love, growth, kindness, and justice as they seek God.  That process of becoming helps us to view ourselves, others, and God in new ways. So if we were honest about conversion into faith, we'd stop the marketing and lean into the mystery. This process creates a reliance upon God that is essential to the ways of Christ. Without it, we're just smug, pious assholes that dream of heaven as we ignore life in this present reality. Ambiguity and the vacancy of certitude force us to embrace life and others with an open hand and a sense of expectancy.  We'll talk about all that and lots more snark!  This week's Christian Crazy features Robin Bollocks, Hank Kunneman, Kent Christmas, and more! Show notes Episode Timestamp: Ukraine: 02:10 Christian Crazy: 14:40 Main Conversation: 30:30 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   Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

“How many of us are strangers to ourselves in order to please the church.”  ~ George Azar   On this week's show, we sit down with author and ex-pastor George Azar to discuss his new book, My Gay Church Days. The book is a profoundly raw, honest, and open memoir about his experiences within Christianity and ministry as a gay man. It's a journey of self-discovery from someone who's just like all of us - in search of love, acceptance, belonging, and community.  From an early age, George knew he was different, but he longed to fit in and feel at home in this world. Evangelical Christianity provided a space to belong and find fellowship, but that all came at a price.  Within religious circles, you're always welcome as long as you fit into a certain mold. It's a conditional community that speaks often of grace and love but actually requires conformity and control. It's in these places that the life-giving words of Jesus are drowned out by pious judgment, cultural fears, and systemic misogyny and bigotry.   George's memoir chronicles the struggles of processing and embracing a faith that taught him that his homosexual feelings were sinful and that being part of the LGBTQ+ community made him an abomination fit for the wrath of an angry God. Undoubtedly, teachings like this taught him (and others) to hate himself and hide who he was from everyone around him - even himself.  It's a powerful story of the ways religion can be soul-crushing and dangerous to those who don't fall in line, but it's also a hopeful tale of resilience, self-acceptance, and learning to love yourself.  We'll talk about all that and more snark. Buy George Azar's book, My Gay Church Days: Memoir of a closeted Evangelical pastor who eventually had enough, on Amazon. For more on George: www.mygaychurchdays.com Twitter/Instagram: @mygaychurchdays Note: A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to The Trevor Project - The leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25. Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible: Right Wing Watch Christian Nightmares Friendly Atheist Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com  

"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:12 Uncertainty is something that usually makes us feel uncomfortable. We like to be in control and have a hand in the outcome of things in life. It's a natural inclination, but it's also counter-productive when we seek to change and grow.   In regards to religion, certainty is typically a recipe for disaster. Or, as Eric Elnes puts it, "have you ever noticed how the more certainty a religion claims to deliver, the more frenzied and hysterical are its adherents?" When Christianity pushes to make the unknowable knowable, it diminishes the mystery of God and reduces the teachings of Jesus to sets of rules and dogma. Once this happens, faith becomes more about adherence than exploration and growth. Jesus' teachings change us from the inside out. They're not about being right or righteous, holy or pious. Christ's ways teach us to live fueled by kindness, grace, compassion, humility, and empathy. To embrace his ways leads us down a mysterious path that tosses certainty to the wayside. That journey changes us as we move out in love into a world filled with uncertainty.  Stick with religion, and you know what you'll get.  For me, I'd rather follow the ways of Jesus into the unknown. Want to join me?  We'll talk about all that, the Ukraine and lots more snark!  This week's Christian Crazy features Lance Wallnau, Franklin Graham, Curt Landry, and more! Show notes Episode Timestamp: Ukraine: 02:45 Christian Crazy: 15:00 Main Conversation: 26:35 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: https://religionnews.com/2022/02/25/a-religious-politician-head-of-ukrainian-orthodox-church-of-the-usa-slams-patriarch-kirill-putin/ https://dianabutlerbass.substack.com/p/next-year-in-kyiv?

"For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ, we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God."   2 Corinthians 2:15-17   I've been lately contemplating this idea of Christianity and the idea of embodying a "pleasing aroma." Nowadays, it seems like the modern-day church needs some Febreze, like, a lot of it.  Over the past few weeks on the show, we journeyed together through the Sermon on the Mount, learning the ethics of Jesus. In that similar vein, let's pivot towards the brass tacks of faith as we explore spiritual formation and practice. This seems to be the lost art of Christianity.  To recapture the pleasant aroma of Christ, we must look back to the basics of what it looks like to walk in the ways of the Kingdom of God.  When our faith has become about doctrine, dogma, theology, and philosophy, it's safe to say that you have an abstract faith not grounded in reality. It's more theory than practice.  Furthermore, that's not how Jesus discipled and taught his followers. Christ's way was grounded in the here and now yet pointed toward a hopeful future of potential.  The path towards that future involves us becoming who we are supposed to be. The journey of faith was never about stagnation. It's about being deeply rooted in your humanity and seeing where God is at work in the world around us, and joining Her there. The path of knowing ourselves is the same path that leads to knowing God, but you won't find it in organized religion. It's a journey into the wild.  Want to come with me?  There's no telling where the path will lead, and that's the beauty and mystery of it.  We'll talk about all that and more snarky!  This week's Christian Crazy features Hank Kunneman, Greg Lock (and his witches), Perry Stone, and Kat Kerr! Show notes Episode Timestamp: Housekeeping: 01:43 In the News: 05:00 Christian Crazy: 14:00 Main Conversation: 32:00 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: https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/14/us/pastor-invalid-baptisms-resignation https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/15/opinions/tennessee-adoption-struggle-religious-freedom-graves-fitzsimmons-siddiqi/index.html https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/02/2500-christian-ministers-sign-letter-demanding-right-practice-conversion-therapy/ https://religionnews.com/2022/02/15/tennessee-preacher-greg-locke-says-demons-told-him-names-of-witches-in-his-church/ Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

"It all has to do with love of others, which is the purest expression of our love of God. If Jesus has a theology, it is a "theology of humanism' - we love God through love of the humanity made in his image." -Addison Hodges Hart For the past few weeks on the show, we have been working our way through the Sermon on the Mount. It's the centerpiece of Jesus' teachings and lays the groundwork for the ethics that embody the kingdom of Heaven. At its core, this teaching is a call to self-examination in order to see if our personal ethics are congruent with God's kingdom. As we recap the Sermon this week, we'll also lay it next to modern-day Christendom to see how they are antithetical to one another.  The ways of Jesus change our posture in how we engage with the world. We are called to be driven by love, compassion, and grace. We are called to love those cast out by religion and those that exist in the shadows of empire.  With modern-day Christianity looking more and more like a country club, the historical Jesus sends us to the margins to live, love, and have community. In his time, Christ aligned himself with those that were cast out: the lepers, prostitutes, tax collectors, and sinners. Many of them made up his community.  Today, the church shames those in the shadows and margins. It's taught Christians to think being an asshole is also is akin to being holy. Christianity has lost the plot while running off on various culture-wars fueled by misogyny, racism, and bigotry. At its core, the faithful have become selfish, comfortable, and self-righteous. These are the very traits and aims that Christ calls out in the Sermon on the Mount.  I'd rather follow in the ways of Jesus and find myself in the company of the forgotten, the kicked-out, the shamed, the unloved, and the unwanted. It's here in these places that the seeds for the Kingdom of Heaven grow.  So call me a sinner. Call me a heretic. Call me a pagan. Call me a leper.  Those are the people that Jesus called friends.    We'll talk about all that and more snark! Show notes Episode Timestamp: Being You: 2:00 Christian Crazy: 10:00 Main Conversation 17:00 Bonus: 56:30 Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible: Right Wing Watch Christian Nightmares Friendly Atheist Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

This week on the show, we'll pause our series on the Sermon on the Mount to do something a bit different. Yet, it's still very much in the same vein of the ethics of the Kingdom of God, where health and mindfulness matter. Mental health matters. It's an area that the church has long ignored or mishandled.  You can't pray away mental health issues; that's just bad theology. Self-work is necessary on the road towards health. For too long has therapy a negative stigma within Christianity.  Today, we're talking with Dr. Justin Meier, a pastor, and a trauma-informed board-certified therapist. He's also the host of the Daily Faithful Mindfulness podcast - a resource to help people use Christian mindfulness and meditation to overcome trauma and help people become everything God has created them to be. We'll discuss the importance of mindfulness in healing trauma and how it can open us to experiencing God and life in new ways. This conversation isn't happening enough in religious circles.  Join us today as we journey into new ways to live resiliently, as Christ called us to live.  We'll talk about all that and more snark!     You can find more about Dr. Justin Meier and his work here:  Listen to Daily Faithful Mindfulness Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/bt/podcast/faithful-mindfulness/id1592159857 The Journey Church: https://www.rethinkfaith.org/   Show notes Episode Timestamp: Christian Crazy: 2:50 Main Conversation/ Interview: 7:55     Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible: Right Wing Watch Christian Nightmares Friendly Atheist Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

In modern-day Christianity it seems that there's no shortage of self-proclaimed prophets. They make bold claims about the future. They'll insist that God measures your faithfulness by how much you give to their ministries. They preach of an angry God who seems to hate the same people they do.  It's all a crock of shit.  Don't believe me?  Jesus even said so.  He laid out simple and practical ways to judge the merit of a prophet. Are they false prophets and manipulative teachers? You bet.  For several weeks, we've been journeying through the Sermon on the Mount. It's the centerpiece of Christ's teachings and the ethics of the Kingdom of God. This week, we'll talk about false prophets and religious grifters.  Charlatans were as commonplace in the first century as they are today.  Today's false prophets and pastors seem to embody the humility, wisdom, and grace of a middle school bully as they lie, boast, and manipulate to get what they want. They are not servant leaders; they are narcissists and frauds peddling a false gospel that misleads and deceives.  Jesus doesn't mince words when he speaks of them, either. They have no role in God's work of reconciling and healing humanity.  The kingdom of God will never be about marketing and salesmanship. Nor was it meant to be a tool to build the celebrity and wealth of pastors.  The kingdom of God is unfolding here and now through acts of service, compassion, grace, and love.  If the core of Christ's message is about serving and loving others, anything else is the anthesis to the faith.  Join us today as we unpack the simple yet, practical way of Jesus. It looks nothing like modern-day Christendom, and that's a good thing.  We'll talk about all that and more snark!   Show notes Episode Timestamp: Critical Race Theory / CRT: 2:30 Main Conversation/Sermon on the Mount: 25:00     Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible: Right Wing Watch Christian Nightmares Friendly Atheist     Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

"I have abandoned all particular forms of devotion, all prayer techniques. My only prayer practice is attention. I carry on a habitual, silent, and secret conversation with God that fills me with overwhelming joy." -Brother Lawrence Too often do we only see prayer as something that connects us to the divine. Like a suggestion box to the hereafter or a letter to Santa, it's a one-way laundry list of needs. Furthermore, religion has taught us that prayer is a stationary and inert practice where we bend our knees, fold our hands, and close our eyes. Yet, when Jesus speaks of prayer, it takes on a very different posture. Through Christ, prayer is an active pursuit. Prayer isn't a sedentary or solitary act when it connects us to God and grounds us in reality. Prayer allows us to gain perspective and see the world with clear and compassionate eyes. Jesus shows us that prayer is more about the change happening in ourselves as we connect more and more with God's work in the world at large. In today's show, we continue journeying through the Sermon on the Mount, the centerpiece of Christ's ethics and teachings. We'll talk about prayer and why it's needed for us to engage in the world during these polarizing times.  We'll talk about all that and more snark! Plus, this week's Christian Crazy features Kat Kerr, Robin Bullock, Tony Suarez, and more! Show notes Episode Timestamp: January 6th in Prayers: 2:00 Christian Crazy: 13:00 Main Conversation/Sermon on the Mount: 25:00 Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible: Right Wing Watch Christian Nightmares Friendly Atheist Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com  

"It's time we reclaimed this wise saying. Our post-Christian culture may very well give us the opportunity to relearn the wisdom of doing so. Communities of followers of Jesus may grow smaller, commitment to his teaching more radical and real, and in time we may look like those with something valuable that others want and will seek to have." ~ Addison Hodges Hart   For the past few weeks, we've been journeying through the Sermon on the Mount following the ethics of Jesus and the ways of the Kingdom of Heaven. In this week's episode, our discussion delves into a bit of scripture that's often misunderstood. It involves valuing what is sacred.   "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces." Matthew 7:6 Modern-day American Christendom uses the name of Jesus but has forgotten his teachings. The scared nature of wisdom has been dumbed down as we've tamed a faith that was never meant to be subdued.  Softening the edges of Jesus to fit the palatability of church culture is never the way to go. You lose everything in the process.  Then, after a while, you've got a religion that's more about selfishness and exclusion than it is about love and compassion. Sacrifice has been traded for comfort. The scared beauty has been lost. That doesn't mean that all hope is gone.  It can be regained easily. We just need to let go of franchised and institutionalized versions of the church. It's flawed and deceitful. The real ways of Jesus lead us far away from that and it's definitely a path worthy of taking that looks nothing like Christendom.   We'll talk about all that and more snark! Plus, this week's Christian Crazy features Hank Kunneman, Kat Kerr, Johnny Enlow, and more! Show notes Episode Timestamp: In the News: 5:00 Christian Crazy: 12:40 Christian Cringe: 20:30 Main Conversation/Sermon on the Mount: 25:20 Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible: Right Wing Watch Christian Nightmares Friendly Atheist Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com   *Last show of 2021.

"If 'church' is a place you go, you'll never get there..."  ~Chris Kratzer   Author, Chris Kratzer is no stranger to Snarky Faith. He's been on several times in the past, and it's always a wild ride. Today, we're discussing his new book: Stupid Sh*t Heard in Church. It's an audacious book that lives up to its shocking title.  In the book, Chris does his best Miley Cyrus' impression as he takes a wrecking ball to conservative evangelical Christianity. He's an ex-pastor that was tired of a faith that steamrolled people instead of loving them. This book takes no prisoners, but is also refreshing and affirming to those that need to hear it. It's also a wakeup call to stop putting up with church sh*t and return to the ways of Jesus that seem to be forgotten. Grace is Brave. Be brave.  Buy Chris Kratzer's book, Stupid Shit Heard in Church: and the truth that will wipe you clean on Amazon. For more on Chris: http://chriskratzer.com/     We'll talk about all that and more snark! Plus, this week's Christian Crazy features Robin Bullock, Greg Locke, Hank Kunneman, Rick Wiles, and Johnny Enlow. Show notes Episode Timestamp: Chris Kratzer Interview: 01:30 Christian Crazy: 24:30 Main Conversation/Sermon on the Mount: 34:30     Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible: Right Wing Watch Christian Nightmares Friendly Atheist Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

"In our world, there are far more practical atheists who think they are religious than there are theoretically doctrinaire atheists." -Addison Hodges Hart   Our lives are full of deadlines, commitments, and responsibilities. Pulled in so many directions - there never seems to be enough time. It's a never ending cycle of busyness. If we don't watch out, that cycle will consume our lives and steal our purpose. Continuing our conversation journeying through the Sermon on the Mount, we see Jesus addressing these concerns and anxieties of life. Human nature being a constant over the centuries, a hurried and unfocused life plagued those in the first century as much as it does us today. With so many things vying to consume our time and attention, how can we focus on what matters? For Jesus, ushering in the Kingdom of Heaven mattered more than anything. It wasn't a physical kingdom or institution; it was a simple movement fueled by love and compassion. It sounds simple. It should be simple. Yet, we make excuses and pretend it's complex because we don't want to change. There is a lighter way to live - one with more focus and direction. No, I'm not talking about asking for Jesus as your personal savior. I'm not telling you to go to church. All of that mess is still part of the busyness. The Kingdom of God was never about the church. It was about loving others and healing the world. There's nothing overtly spiritual about helping people in need, but it does change you. Interested in trying life differently? If change happens one step at a time - let's go for a walk. ;)     We'll talk about all that and more snark! Plus, this week's Christian Crazy features: Kenneth Copeland, Greg Locke, Hank Kunneman, Anna Kahit, and Sharon Gilberton. Show notes Episode Timestamp: In the News: 04:40 Christian Crazy: 12:20 Main Conversation: 23:00 Books referenced: Taking Jesus at His Word: What Jesus Really Said in the Sermon on the Mount ~ Addison Hodges Hart Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible: Right Wing Watch Christian Nightmares Friendly Atheist Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

It's not often you get something for nothing, but this Black Friday, you will. Just in time for the holidays is the Christian Crazy bonus show. It's all free baby. You'll hear the choicest cuts of Christian nuts. The best of the worst in Christianity is here for your listening pleasure. Join us as we mock the pernicious prophets and their attempts to use Jesus to turn a trick and make a buck. They're all horrible, which makes the Christian Crazy all the more fun. Buckle up and get ready for a snarky tour de force that may not be for everyone but should be just right for you. Enjoy your 26 minutes in heaven. You can thank me later.    And if you do still want some Snarky swag for the holidays, you can find it here: https://www.teepublic.com/user/snarkyfaith     This week's Christian Crazy features the best of the worst: Kat Kerr, Mark Taylor, Nathan French, Steve Schultz, Kent Christmas, and Perry Stone. Show notes Episode Timestamp: 100% Christian Crazy Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible: Right Wing Watch Christian Nightmares Friendly Atheist Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

"The first and basic act of theological work is prayer." - Karl Barth We've all met religious assholes. Some days it's hard to avoid them. You know who I'm talking about, don't you? The ones that act pious and flaunt their faith publicly as if they're scoring points with almighty. Or maybe they're the ones that constantly post pictures of inspiring landscapes with out-of-context scriptures, so you know they're more holy. They come in many shapes and forms, but those who play in piety cosplay are the worst. You've felt their disapproving looks or heard their backhanded compliments. Heck, you may end up sitting next to one on Thanksgiving. I can't stand those people. Jesus couldn't stand those people either. No, I'm not joking. Christ was downright snarky to them. This week, we continue our discussion about the ethics of the Kingdom of God found in the Sermon on the Mount. Taking up the teachings in Matthew 6, we see Jesus move on from issues of the heart towards issues of spiritual practice in public life. Namely, he's discussing giving to the poor, public prayer, and fasting. In a very pointed fashion, Christ calls out the religious tryhards and posers. The Kingdom of God has no room for their drama and bullshit. That's not how it rolls. The religious are often too consumed with far-off spirituality, fantasies of a hereafter that may not even be. For the Kingdom of God to be manifested in the future, something has to happen now. With an ever present immediacy, the Kingdom of God, as Christ puts it, is always concerned with the here and now. Issues of justice, equality, humility, and compassion are the hallmarks of this new way of being. Jesus was radical to the religious establishment of the time. His worlds still cut sharply today too. Let us be part of making a better tomorrow by starting to walk out grace and compassion today.     We'll talk about all that and more snark! Plus, this week's Christian Crazy features: Greg Locke, Mario Murillo, Rick Wiles, Bishop Larry Gaiters and Mark Taylor. Show notes Episode Timestamp: In the News: 06:55 Christian Crazy: 16:20 Main Conversation: 26:50 Book referenced: Taking Jesus at His Word: What Jesus Really Said in the Sermon on the Mount ~ Addison Hodges Hart Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible: Right Wing Watch Christian Nightmares Friendly Atheist Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

"If a house is burning, and a bucket of water is thrown on the blaze and doesn't extinguish the fire, this doesn't mean that water won't put out fire. It means we need more water. And so with nonviolence." - Dorothy Cotton   As we continue to work through the Sermon on the Mount, today we tackle oaths, revenge, and enemy love in Matthew 5:33-48. Christ continues his teaching here reframing known scriptures and laws and thrusting them into new ethical directions. Being around Christianity for a while can blunt the impact of some scriptures due to over-familiarity and denominational bias. Digging into Jesus's aim here, I'm reminded how audacious and shocking Christ's take on the Law would have been to listeners.  Through all of this, Jesus is setting up an ethic on a different way to exist and live. The Kingdom of God was counter to the power structures of the time and downright revolutionary. His calls are for love and justice through peaceful means.  Through the model of his life, Christ embraced his own words as he walked them out towards his death. Love and nonviolence are at the centerpiece of Christ's mission and aim. To see anything otherwise is to see a Christless Christianity.  His call for his disciples rings true for us today as we seek justice, love others, and work to heal brokenness. It's a rebellious and defiant act of servitude in the face of power. Maybe it's time to get our hands dirty.  We'll talk about all that and more snark! Plus, this week's Christian Crazy features: Greg Locke, Shane Vaughn, Joshua Feuerstein, and Jim Bakker Show notes Episode Timestamp: In the News: 03:40 Christian Crazy: 12:00 Main Conversation: 26:00 Book referenced: Taking Jesus at His Word: What Jesus Really Said in the Sermon on the Mount ~ Addison Hodges Hart Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible: Right Wing Watch Christian Nightmares Friendly Atheist Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

"We've Already Come Too Far To End This Now.” - Sang-Woo, Squid Game Squid Game is a popular Netflix series from Korea. It tells the story of debt-ridden individuals who are out of last chances when they receive a mysterious invitation to compete in the ultimate game of survival for possibility at a big cash payday and a reversal of fortune. The cutthroat game is ultimately for the viewing pleasure of the rich and powerful. It's a farcical, yet deadly look into the corrupt power structures that govern the world today and the lengths to which individuals will go to get ahead.   If Squid Game is a polemic tale about the moral corruption of society, why does it also seem so similar to the avarice, values, and aims of modern-day Christendom?  On today's show, we continue through Jesus' teaching from the Sermon on the Mount. Delving into topics like murder, adultery, and divorce should seem simple enough for the church, yet that's not what Jesus is doing in this scripture. He's pushing something new. Christ is reframing scripture in radically new ways to the contemporary culture. He's not talking about murdering, but about our aversion to love others. Christ is flipping religious norms as he presses his disciples and listeners to dig deeper.  Talk of adultery and divorce seem salacious and made of scandal, yet, Jesus makes them all about the value of the other in society. Here, Christ frames adultery as wrong because love is not predatory. Kingdom of God ethics are never about mere sin or feigning holiness; it's a press for a deeper understanding of what grace, love, equality, and compassion look like manifested in reality. In a time when much of Christendom seems to be drunk on seeking power, prestige, and perceived rightness, Jesus removes all of the bullshit. If we don't love, we don't know Him. Christianity was never about praying a prayer or solidifying your eternal destination; it's always rooted in sacrificial love and restoring dignity to those the world has forgotten.  Our modern-day Squid Church fueled by selfishness, judgment, piousness, and greed won't disappear anytime soon, but that's not the point. Christ called his disciples to a different way, and sometimes the pursuit of that way means walking away from unhealthy institutions, denominations, and churches for the glory of God - not despite it.  Sometimes the best way to win is to walk away from the game. Show notes Episode Timestamp: Notes on the show hiatus: 02:00 In the News: 10:00 Christian Crazy: 16:50 Main Conversation: 31:30 Book referenced: Taking Jesus at His Word: What Jesus Really Said in the Sermon on the Mount ~ Addison Hodges Hart Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible: Right Wing Watch Christian Nightmares Friendly Atheist Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

"We live lives of hope in the hint of the promise of what is to come... [and] we live lives of faith in the unforeseeable, in the coming of what we cannot see coming.” - John Caputo Is our faith cyclical and repetitive, or does it change, grow, and spiral in new territory. Too often do we treat our faith as a rinse and repeat cycle instead of an evolving journey. Why do we default to the easy approach? I think it has a lot to do with certainty. Following Jesus was never about certainty, it was always about risk and the unknown. He makes that clear from the start. The way of Christ calls us to embrace mystery without the promise of results. It calls us to live for others as we cast aside our own needs and ambition. The posture of humility and servitude are the hallmarks of the Kingdom of God. When Jesus talks about his followers being the salt and light of the world, it was never about being special or chosen. It was about serving, helping, and loving others. Look at how churches are set up and exist. They are built much like circles. They repeat on a cycle. You just need to show up every week to a building, listen to a sermon, sing a song, and give some money. That is modern-day Christianity - distilled into easy-to-swallow bites. Followers of Jesus are nothing more than spectators watching a performance. The simple way of Jesus calls us to more. It calls us to break these circles and bend them into spirals as we seek to paint outside the lines to embody mercy, justice, grace, and love. Anyone with me? Does anyone want to explore a faith that sends us outside the known - away from the guardrails and streetlights? The air is fresher here, and only new possibilities lie in the trails ahead. Hopefully, I will see you there along the way. Show notes Episode Timestamp: In the News: 02:30 Christian Crazy: 9:00 Main Conversation: 18:30 Book referenced: Taking Jesus at His Word: What Jesus Really Said in the Sermon on the Mount ~ Addison Hodges Hart Finding Our Way Again ~ Brian McLaren Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible: Right Wing Watch Christian Nightmares Friendly Atheist Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

"Christians, like slaves and soldiers, ask no questions." - Jerry Falwell Sr. - Founder of Liberty university Liberty University was founded in 1971 by Southern Baptist televangelist Jerry Falwell. Liberty is now the second-largest provider of online education in the US. It was also Falwell, that famously claimed that “Aids is not just God's punishment for homosexuals. It is God's punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals.” He was a real sweetheart. Unsurprisingly, Liberty University's honor code, the Liberty Way, is just a graceful as old dead Jerry. It states that “sexual relations outside of a biblically-ordained marriage between a natural-born man and a natural-born woman are not permissible at Liberty University” So join us today on the show is Lucas Wilson. Lucas is a former student from Liberty University and attended from 2008-2012. He is also one of 40 plaintiffs suing the U.S. Department of Education in a class-action lawsuit that centers on the question of whether or not religious colleges and universities (mostly of the evangelical or Mormon varieties) should receive federal funds while actively discriminating against their LGBTQ+ students. In our wide-ranging discussion, Lucas covers everything from Liberty's subpar academics to his experiences of discrimination on campus and conversion therapy. It is an eye-opening conversation about a university that claims to feign Christian values but, in reality, is just an immoral moneymaker more concerned with political power than the Kingdom of God. After all, who can forget Jerry Falwell Jr's cuckolding adventures with the pool boy that made national news? His father would be proud. Follow Lucas Wilson here:  Instagram - @lukeslamdunkwilson Twitter - @wilson_fw More on the story - www.advocate.com/commentary/2021/5/13/gay-man-says-he-was-tormented-liberty-university-now-hes-suing Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

"Becoming a child is living the Beatitudes and so finding the narrow gate into the Kingdom" - Henri Nouwen If you're in the game to recapture the Gospels and look at Jesus in a new light, then this is the show for you. For too long has the institutional church hijacked the message of Christ. It's far time we reestablish the "kingdom of Heaven." So how do we do this? It's quite simple. Let us return to the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. It's a way to ground our faith and understand the ethics and aims of the Kingdom of God. Jesus does not hide things; he speaks plainly. We should listen plainly as well. The words of Jesus are as audacious 2,000 years ago as they are today. He speaks of a revolution of power, where the weak matter and the strong don't. It's an upside-down version of the world we live in today. Maybe we should do some work to reimagine reality through the eyes and values of the beatitudes. Even comedian, Groucho Marx got it when he said, "Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light." Let us be people that embrace these timeless truths to let in more light to these dim shadows that have become the modern-day church. The light needs to shine through. It just seems that American Christianity is in the way and that's a huge problem. Join us today as we do a deep dive into the beatitudes of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount. We'll look to how they should change us if we're willing to embrace the wild ways of Jesus. Change is at hand. Do you want to grab it? Show notes Episode Timestamp: In the News: 04:40 Christian Crazy: 10:00 Main Conversation: 17:30 Book referenced: Taking Jesus at His Word: What Jesus Really Said in the Sermon on the Mount ~ Addison Hodges Hart Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible: Right Wing Watch Christian Nightmares Friendly Atheist Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

“Begin at the beginning," the King said, very gravely, "and go on till you come to the end: then stop.” - Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland Sometimes in life, we get lost and lose our bearings. We forget where we are going, what we value, and sometimes we even lose who we are. In those times, it is often best to stop and collect ourselves. Here we can take stock of where we have come from and where we want to go. Otherwise, if we don't stop, we'll just keep pushing through while trying to find meaning amongst the chaos. The same thing happens with faith. It seems like Christianity has lost its way. It has become consumed with things that are far from what Jesus taught and modeled. From a movement that began with grace, compassion, and love, it seems like we have lost the plot entirely. So why not begin again? Let's strip down the facade of the faith and look back to Jesus. To follow Jesus means to understand the ethics of Jesus. When He preached about the Kingdom of God he wasn't setting up a new system of belief or dogma, he was giving a glimpse into a new way to live life. With that in mind, we'll be diving in to the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus' centerpiece of his teaching and a vision into the ethics of the Kingdom of God. Let us go looking back at the beginning for what we've missed. Perhaps, along the way, we may have lost something in our faith. So we must ask ourselves: What has been lost? What needs to be rediscovered? Let's let these questions push us forwards into something new. Show notes Episode Timestamp: In the News: 01:10 Christian Crazy: 19:00 Main Conversation: 26:00 Book referenced: Taking Jesus at His Word: What Jesus Really Said in the Sermon on the Mount ~ Addison Hodges Hart Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible: Right Wing Watch Christian Nightmares Friendly Atheist Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com

"Acceptance does not mean passive resignation. Resignation means giving up because you've decided that there's nothing you can do about your situation, whereas acceptance simply means that you accept that your situation happened." - Psychobabble for Ordinary people, blogger As we make our way through life, we all experience our wins and losses. There's heartache mixed with moments of bliss. That's the human existence. Yet, along the way, those ups and downs leave their marks. They create baggage that impacts the way we look forward at the horizon and how we experience life right now in the moment. Seeing clearly and engaging reality with a clear mind requires perspective. To have that type of perspective, we've got to evaluate those times in life when we've given up and resigned ourselves to a particular fate or situation. Too often do we move past those hard times, bury the pain, and try to move forward. We do it to survive, but over time it affects us in ways we can't fathom. Hard times, disappointment, and failure will hit us all at some point in life in different measures. How we respond to those times impacts how we move forward and grow. Will we let disasters and defeat, no matter how big or small, define us? When we respond with resignation, we essentially quit and leave unresolved issues. To respond with acceptance does something very different. It doesn't nullify the pain. It doesn't mean you give up on your dreams. It just means you see things as they are and work to control the only thing you can control; yourself. Don't let disappointment define you. In the wake of loss, you have the choice to do what's next. Otherwise, you've set yourself up for a war with reality that ultimately you can't win. When we stop trying to control the things we can't control, we also stop fighting against reality. Acceptance happens. You see things as they are, warts and all. Then you are able to move on and keep living awake to life. You are able to be present in the world; fully grounded in reality. Do you know who else is fully present in the world? God. It's only by being in the present, being who we are where we'll find God at work. She's not in the past. So we should stop living there. Show notes Episode Timestamp: In the News: 02:50 Christian Crazy: 16:20 Main Conversation: 26:30 Articles referenced: Why Acceptance Is Not The Same as Giving Up ~ Jennifer Mulder The Difference Between Acceptance and Resignation ~ Christy O'Shoney Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible: Right Wing Watch Christian Nightmares Friendly Atheist Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com