#25 "Inspired" More

In the final episode of our discussion motivated by Rachel Held Evan’s book ‘Inspired’, Leslie and Leslyn center their discussion on curiosity about the stories we hold onto and questions we might benefit from asking.

SHOW NOTES:

In the final episode of our discussion motivated by Rachel Held Evan’s book ‘Inspired’, Leslie and Leslyn center their discussion on curiosity about the stories we hold onto and questions we might benefit from asking.

They elaborate on some key points from the last few chapters of the book and challenge a few habits of Fundamentalist clergy. Some of the basic elements of modern organized religion are discussed and contested. They debate the use of the pronoun “he” to reference God and contemplate how it is problematic in a world poised to empower women.

Leslie and Leslyn ponder how the words we use actually matter and shape our thoughts and behaviors. Such is also true in religion and the views that are adopted.

They talk about what they got out of reading the book and surprisingly, it’s uniquely different. While they agree that God is Love and that a journey toward becoming Christ-like is a shared value, they take away different messages.

They go on to skim the surface of the question of whether or not education changes the way you think of the bible and ultimately, of one’s religion. While many people with significant scholarship are deeply religious, the dominant ideology of educated people at-large tends to be more liberal.

The central view of challenging ideology - no matter it’s basis - is reinforced throughout this series. They maintain that the most constructive effort one can make personally is to consider a large gamut of possibilities and to seek alternative points of view for a well rounded - and informed - perspective.