I wanted to make the viewers of Beggar’s Bread aware that I have launched a new post-Mormon website today, The Mormon Podcast with the first podcast being broadcast on Thursday, May 5th at 6:00 PM MDT.
The Mormon Podcast was created as a result of my recognition that some of the most popular post-Mormon-themed podcasts contained a confirmation bias reflective of the atheistic beliefs of their founders, and hosts, and it would seem the majority of their subscribers. This is certainly not the case with Beggar’s Bread.
And I am not suggesting that this underlying systemic bias altogether devalues the useful content these sites contain, just that some topics, voices or viewpoints are not welcome on them. Indeed, the mention of God or Christianity often resulted in dismissive rhetoric or out and out ad Hominum attacks on those broaching these things.
My podcast is an attempt to be more inclusive by neither presupposing nor denying faith. It recognizes that in addition to the many who have left Mormonism and also abandoned their belief in God altogether, there are many who still maintain some modicum of belief in a higher power. Both voices should have a place in the marketplace of ideas.
This podcast has no agenda beyond that stated above. It is not a vehicle for proselyting or the promotion of any religious viewpoint – Christian or non-Christian, theistic or atheistic.
I don’t know what, if anything, this may morph into; while the primary audience is post-Mormons, I would hope that it may also become a place where faithful members may feel they can engage in a respectful discussion of the reasons why they hold the beliefs that they do in the face of what many in the ex-Mormon community feel is compelling evidence assailing their beliefs.
MY RAISON D’ ÊTRE
The podcast operates from the standpoint that a belief in God and critical thinking are not mutually exclusive. It’s not a matter of religion or science, or as sadly, too many disillusioned Latter-day Saints come to believe – Mormonism or nothing. Indeed, a critical examination of one’s core religious beliefs can be difficult, troubling and painful, as those like myself who have experienced a faith crisis can attest.
After years of research study and prayerful searching, I have concluded that Mormonism is, at a minimum, not what I was taught and once believed that it was. I wish it were otherwise, but wishful thinking, correlated conference talks and inspirational videos can’t make it so. Nonetheless, I am not arrogant enough to declare that others would come to the same conclusions that I have based on the same evidence. That I alone know the truth
When dealing with faith and religion, we may feel there is evidence of a position we hold, but we will not find proof. Nothing is certain; as it says in Corinthians, we all see ‘through a glass darkly.’
I believe that rationality and logical analysis are vital and reliable mechanisms; however, for obtaining religious knowledge and theological truth and should not be feared. Religious beliefs acquired through reason as well as faith are more likely to be accurate and enduring.
But it is crucial, regardless of the discomfort and even the heartache it brings to have the courage to seek a reality based on more than wishful thinking, emotions, or the proverbial burning in the bosom. There is great wisdom found in the words of Edward Abbey, “Rather a cruel truth than a comfortable delusion.”
This podcast attempts to apply the principles of critical thinking to Mormonism as it was preached by its founder Joseph Smith as well as its past and present leaders and apologists.
To the best of my limited abilities, my objective is to provide a greater awareness of the true historicity of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its doctrine, and theology.
http://www.themormonpodcast.org
College of Administrative Professionals 