Religion and Insanity
- Recent, tragic cases in the news involving filicide and/or suicide by insane and possibly religiously motivated people (Banita Jacks, John Violette and Marcelle Thibault).
- A look back at the sad story of Andrea Yates, who infamously drowned all five of her children.
- An academic study investigates the link between religious fundamentalism and mental illness.
- A man cuts off and microwaves his hand because he thought it bore the Mark of the Beast.
Plus two garden-variety crazies:
- Marguerite “Dark-Sided” Perrin (from the TV show Trading Spouses).
- Pastor Fred “God Hates Fags” Phelps of Westboro Baptist Church.
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Theme music by Body Found.
Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. Recorded 01/19/2008.
Hi guys,
I just wanted to let you know that I love your podcast. I find that I am addicted to listening to podcasts now. I live in a small town where I do not have any friends that are free thinkers. I thrive on having intelligent discussions with my husband on this topic, but it is nice to just listen sometimes. I really like the segment on “Holey” scripture. I was wondering if you will use the Quran and the Book of Mormon as well. I will look forward to your podcast every week. You put out great stuff keep up the good work.
Emily
Hi Emily,
Thanks for the kind comments! We will be doing segments on “Holey Scripture” from both the Quran and Book of Mormon in future shows. There is just so much great stuff in the Bible that it might take a while to get there. If Romney does well on Super Tuesday we probably will do an entire show on the tenants of the Morman faith and believe me they have some wacky ideas!
David
Mormons with wacky ideas!! You have got to be kidding me!! Isn’t it truly logical that if we all behave ourselves we too can have our own little universes to become gods over!! That is great stuff!! Seriously though, if you do one on Mormonism you should include a discussion on their secret temple vows. These could come into play with Pres. Romney. If you want stories from former and current Mormons you should check out http://exmormon.org/ there is some great stuff.
I really loved podcast 7. I was rolling with laughter after I heard the Marguerite clip. I watched this on TV and I had forgotten how hillarious it was. This really started my day off right. I found myself giggling all day long.
Good Job Again
Keep it up!
Hi John,
I was wondering if you could pass my comment on to David and perhaps get his reply about it on your next ‘holey scripture’ podcast segment? I’d really love that, but perhaps I ask too much.
I am a newly ‘deconverted’ atheist from way down under in New Zealand. I love your show but I do have this one critique. Prior to my deconversion from a lifetime of Christianity, I studied at a Seminary. I want people to be atheists and to learn about atheism, of course, but I don’t think it helps our cause to misrepresent Christianity. The best argument is an accurate argument, after all ;)
In Podcast #7 – Religion & Insanity, David mentions Leviticus 21 (about blemished people) and Deuteronomy 23 (about bastards), saying that those people can’t go to church. In my understanding, Leviticus 21 is referring to Priests and in particular verses 10 through 16 have progressed to High Priests. They were the ones who were believed to go into an altar room, the ‘holy of holies’, a place considered so dangerous and sacred that a rope was tied to the High Priest’s leg so that he could be pulled out if he died without somebody else going inside and risking God’s wrath. Today’s translation, if Christians actually used the Old Testament in this manner (which they don’t), might be that Senior Pastors can’t be disabled. I’m not saying that it sounds any less stupid!
Also, David has referred to his own ‘bastard’ status on at least a couple podcasts, rendering him unable to attend church unto the 10th generation. However, at least a couple commentaries that I have read interpret the hebrew as talking about a more significant kind of congregation like an eldership position or even civil office. So, today’s translation of that might be, ‘Christians born of unwed parents can’t hold positions of authority in communities or run for political positions’. That might be a good thing, I wonder how many U.S. Christian politicians have an illegitimate marriage somewhere within 10 generations of their ancestors?
I still think that there are no ways of turning those verses into today’s language without it sounding peculiar, but I can’t help thinking that any biblically literate christians listening to your podcasts might be annoyed rather than gently persuaded by heavy handed use of funny bible verses. Your ‘holey scripture’ segment is always fun to hear though, keep it up.
In reason,
Iain from NZ
Hi Iain,
Thanks for the comments. You are correct, he is speaking about priests in Leviticus. I took a bit of liberty to not point out that distinction as it sounds just as ridiculous either way but thanks for keeping me honest!
As far as Deuteronomy, I hadn’t heard that interpretation and I am sure not many Christians have read the Hebrew text of the old testament. In any case it is crazy to penalize someone for the “sins” of their fathers, especially a kind and loving God.