A Christian and a Buddhist walk in to a bar

Ray Charles - King of soul. But was he a big rip off of Jesus Christ  - King of heaven?   This week's divine music takes us to the opposite of normal. Songs that are based on religion, but about...not-religion.    Enjoy! 

Who deserves to rule? Does God prefer democracy or monarchy?     Today we jump in to the theological rabbit holes that are political systems, and which ones are more God-ly. You’ll never guess where we end up! 

Buddhism, the religion on peace and love. Or... the religion of genocide? This week we look at why people are shocked at stories of violent Buddhism, and discuss peace in the middle east while we’re at it.     https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/05/opinion/buddhists-violence-tolerance.html   

What would you do, if someone told you they found God in a Sunset? Today we tackle the curious case of the spiritual-but-not-religious. We look at one take on this phenomenon, and find ourselves asking: what do we do about these people? What does it mean for my faith? How should we SBNR's? and do they deserve to be alive? (the answer is yes by the way....)    https://www.christiancentury.org/artic...

It's here, the episode you've all been waiting for. Today we invite a special guest, the one and only Mullah Nazrudin! Come and learn all about this 13th century Sufi, why we know nothing at all about him, and the connection between comedy and religious practice.      https://muslimheritage.com/mulla-nasruddin-khodja/  

What is a board game really? Is it a religious act? Can it be? Jacob and Jamal journey into one of their other mutual passions, board games! and explore if its possible to create a religious board game, and what even is the purpose of board games anyway? An episode about the meaning of life, the universe and meeple.    https://www.eternitynews.com.au/australia/why-sushi-go-designer-will-never-make...

Jamal has just come back from Thailand, the land of a thousand buddhas (not a real moniker, but true nonetheless).     Today we chat about his experiences, the normal tangents and the all important: Jade Buddha.     http://www.buddhanet.net/wat_m4.htm  

We've saved the best till last! this week we finish off our discussion of Liz Bucar's book Stealing My Religion. Capping off our discussion on religious borrowing and appropriation with Rebecca.  Also, its episode 50! thanks for being along the journey with us. Share it with your friends :)    https://booko.com.au/w/9936075/Stealing-My-Religion-Not-Just-Any-Cultural-Appropriation_by_Bucar-Liz    ...

I thought that I heard you laughing, I thought that I heard you cry...   We continue our conversation with Rebecca about Luz Bucar's book on religious appropriation and borrowing.    https://booko.com.au/w/9936075/Stealing-My-Religion-Not-Just-Any-Cultural-Appropriation_by_Bucar-Liz     https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/religionandethicsreport/when-does-religious-homage-become-appropriation/1...

That's me in the corner. That's me in the spot-light, stealing my religion...? Today we welcome special guest Rebecca, to talk about religious appropriation, what is borrowing and what is respectful? And as always, a whole lot of other things!   https://booko.com.au/w/9936075/Stealing-My-Religion-Not-Just-Any-Cultural-Appropriation_by_Bucar-Liz     https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/religionan...

RE-RELEASE - we come back one last time to our what is religion series. Hope you enjoyed this old classic, and we will be back with a new episode next week!    -------------   This week we salt our water, cook our meatballs nice and low, and delve deep into the Loose Cannon. Jamal introduces Jacob to the holiness of pirates, the wearing of colanders, and the Devine Carbohydrate.  All of this takes...

RE-RELEASE. Jamal is still in Thailand (the bastard). So we are back with part 2 of our old favourite: what is religion?  ------- We return to our discussion of Nongbri to ask more questions!  This time we go into the weeds on colonialism, how cultural practices play a role in sustaining religion, religion and it's role in capitalism and all the good stuff!  More about the authror at: https://bren...

RE-RELEASE - while Jamal is away on holiday we are going back and re-engaging with our 'what is a religion series'. Enjoy!  ------ This week we go academic! And try to decipher what even is religion? how do we define religion? How does this impact our interaction with religion? Does it even matter?   This week's article is from a book: https://booko.com.au/9780300216783/Before-ReligionA-History-of...

We continue our discussion on religion and democracy, inspired by our trip to the interfaith dialogue!   This week its meting pots, salad bowls and anti-Christian sentiment.   

We went to an interfaith dialogue on democracy and religion! This week we meander through our thoughts on what was said about if religious people should be involved in politics, and if so should they be open about it? 

On today’s history lesson, we learn about king Ashoka , the first Buddhist king and perhaps the best thing for Buddhism since Buddha.   https://www.worldhistory.org/Ashoka_the_Great/   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Nn5uqE3C9w  

We’re back with another divine music episode! Today letting Jamal super-fan out over Yusuf/Cat Stevens and the peace train.     https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/yusuf-islams-golden-years-cat-stevens-on-islam-and-his-return-to-music-241159/?fbclid=IwAR3VVBvyYv8MCn5zEqo7-ix-BGWubIgpo9taFUi2IRgd6wZmeyd9ZklMdfQ   

Isn’t it a wonderous thing? We take a look at awe and wonder, and the ways they can lead to a more spiritual and happy life.    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/may/02/awe-psychology-life-death-dacher-keltner? CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other&fbclid=IwAR0-qRKYPrVhz6_GRhdfWNwL2Kc8UWXBJHmkWfR-LB8ar0oXFE_fhCIfOH0  

Today we ramble along the running trail and talk all things music, running, meditation, and much more!  

This week we turn the already turned tables back around and ask questions of Noel, in our final episode with this fascinating guest.  

We keep up our conversation with Noel Due, about all things podcast, religion and – as usual – tangents.  

Today we welcome guest Noel Due to come and turn the tables, and interview us!  

Have you heard the story of Baalam and Jesosephat? Jamal tells Jacob an ancient tale that may or may not have some similarities with another ancient tale....    https://theconversation.com/how-the-buddha-became-a-christian-saint-142285  

In a new and risky endeavour, Jacob and Jamal tackle a well known pop song to find out the deeper religious meaning. 

Christianity is growing in China. Like big time. What does this mean for the church and is it a good thing?  We start a conversation about Chinese Christianity and then guess what... Tangents!    https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/august-web-only/christianity-china-church-state-sociology-theology.html   https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/13/china-christians-religious-persecution-tra...